I've literally been planning this show experience for a year. Last year I chickened out and instead we went to watch to see what the show was like, what level of competition we had to be prepared for, etc... And I went home with a plan and what I needed to work towards. This year it was our "big show" that I was so excited for and I wasn't disappointed. Even though China has zero spots and even fewer characteristics, it was so great to be among people who have the same love for the Appaloosa that we have. It was amazing to ride around in the warm up arena and see others on all our favorite coat patterns and colors and pick out our favorites before the show started. There were a few solids like China (and we joked that solid apps must only come in bay) but there were plenty of loud colored horses too. And plenty of people, including our neighbors, who understand some of the same struggles that we App/POA people have, like keeping or growing their darn manes and tails!
The show was very well run and they had a great silent auction with lots of sponsorships. I bought every jug of Healthy Coat on the auction because I love that stuff and hey - it was for a good cause. I also got a 90 day supply of Biomane plus their tail bag and brush (normally priced at $112) for only $55! Yay me. (I'm not sure Tim was quite as excited as I was about my silent auction "wins".) They also gave away great prizes. Libby and Sophie both came away with horse statues. Libby won hers for first time youth competitor. Sophie won hers for high point youth game horse. Yes, Sophie "ran" China in games. And by ran I mean, I allowed her to long trot in a western saddle the pattern. Not a lot of youth competitors so she won the high point on my pleasure horse. Hey - that makes China an all arounder, right?
There was a WSCA open show to start the weekend on Saturday morning. China and I did our second show loping and I was so proud of her. We placed in a few classes and my highlight was a second in English pleasure. I can't say enough good things about her and how hard she tries to please. Really looking forward to continuing to work with her. I've got some friends that are giving me some good tips to try with her and hopefully we will be able to take her to the next level by next year.
That open show was also Sophie's debut back into the show ring after a few years off. A week before the show she decided she wanted to come along and who else could we put her on, but good old Peach. Even though they literally had 3 rides together before the show, Sophie was determined to do all the classes. They did a fantastic job considering how little they knew each other and how little time they had to prepare. I'm sure Sophie felt it in all those muscles that people who don't ride regularly figure out they have after a few hours in the saddle. The best part is that it seems to have lit the hunger in Sophie again and she hasn't stopped riding since we got home from the show.
Then the Appaloosa show started with games classes, then reining and western riding and ranch classes. Even though we didn't compete in most of those classes, it was super interesting to watch and see what each different class entailed. Some were similar to the way those same classes are run at POA shows (which we are more familiar) and others had their differences. We kept hanging around, waiting for trail. It would be only our second trail class and our first since this time last year. That class was a bit of a fail as China decided she was terrified of the rope gate (even though we practice with one at home). Well, it's a good thing they let us in the arena to walk around the obstacles before the class because she was not having that rope gate again this year. A little time walking around and by it though and she settled back in. I was so proud of her pattern. She did everything with a great and willing attitude, very relaxed until she saw those last poles and the bridge. She did it, but with the highest steps, completely even missing one pole. Watching the video does make me laugh. Way to be dramatic China! We still managed two seconds though. (Double judged)
The next morning Libby had talked me into going into Hunter in Hand. Umm.. I had to watch youtube videos the night before as I could not remember what the class even was. Libby told me I could wear my English clothes, but as I was getting ready it became apparent that no one else in the class was. I almost scratched the class but quickly threw my black jeans and a button up western shirt on, along with her tennis shoes. Apparently Appaloosa is different in POA in one big way - attire for Hunter in Hand. Then there was the great belt debate. First I didn't have a belt. Then a friend told me I needed one and gave me her belt. Then the next person told me I couldn't have bling on my belt and was better off without a belt. Finally another friend came with a plain black belt and it was time to go in the class. Her first every Hunter in Hand class and China could not figure out why in the heck we were trotting with me on the ground in an English bridle. But apparently the judges liked something because we got second under both. So I guess it wasn't a fail.
I walked out of showmanship next, very proud of our pattern. We got two fifths and have a LOT to continue to work on (I know we need to practice, Gabby), but I was very proud of her at the same time.
Next we had our first riding class. We were just doing walk/trot at this show so our class was walk/trot hunter under saddle. We were having a GREAT ride. I was super excited and then right in front of one of the judges China took one lope stride. I shut her down immediately but it was enough to bump us to the back under that judge and we got second under the other. The next class was a pattern. I had a personal goal of getting both diagonals without looking and I did! I really struggle with the dang left diagonal but I had a little trick I tried and for whatever reason, this time it worked. However the one judge decided that the gal who did the pattern wrong and was on the wrong side of the cone deserved first. Hmmm.. not bitter about that. But we did get a second and a fourth.
We were all getting a lot tired and a little short by the time western pleasure rolled around. China and I braved the bosal which we had kind of gotten out of practice with. But I wanted to give it a go and I'm so proud of her. They even called for an extended jog and she moved right out and then came back to her normal western jog with just my seat and my legs. I was so proud of her I didn't care what the judges said. However I was overjoyed to hear they agreed with me and we placed first under both judges. Our last class of the day was horsemanship and China was a rockstar again. The one judge agreed with me and placed us first, the other judge seemed to have a bit of a love/hate relationship with us and placed us third.
All in all I was thrilled with our weekend and waited and hoped for the overall walk/trot champion to be announced. I was positive I was out of the running for Grand, but hoped to win the duffle and reserve. By the end of the week I was shocked to get the news that we had actually won the Grand and a buckle. China's second buckle for the year. I'm beyond thrilled with her and all of the dreams she keeps making come true for me.
We were also very happy with Kenya. It was her first show and only her second time off the farm since we brought her home from the auction. She has always been the one on the back burner. Any time we are too tired to ride or run short of time, Kenya gets skipped. I joked that the little bit of time she was ridden in the warm up pen and at the classes easily DOUBLED the amount of riding time she has had so far. However, it wasn't much of a joke. For the little bit of time she has under her belt she was amazing. She didn't spook or jump at anything (and even China jumped when someone on the rail SNEEZED). She did her best with everything we threw at her, even an English pattern when it was her first time ever wearing an English saddle. And her first time wearing a fake tail. And her first time.... yeah, we threw a lot of firsts at her and she handled them all.
Overall, it was a great weekend. Met a couple of really nice new people at the Appaloosa show, shared laughs with old friends, had great rides and got to show with Sophie again. An experience for the memory books for sure.
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