SEMSCA year end

Well, it's that time of year again.  Saturday was the year end awards banquet for the show circuit we follow, SEMSCA.  We weren't the greatest at making every show; we missed the first two due to Libby's golf season (she actually missed the first three), we missed a random show in June and of course I missed the last show of the season as I spent it in the ER.  But all told me each made 8 out of 13 shows and headed to the banquet to see how we did.  

Libby and Zippy did a fabulous job.  They were reserve champions in western horsemanship and pleasure, English pleasure and equitation, and egg and spoon.  They placed in halter and bareback as well. Libby was hoping for a top ten in judged events and ended up in the top five with a fourth place finish.  She and Ace ended the year third in halter and pleasure.  She is beyond thrilled with her 2015 season and is excited to move on to 2016 with one of her new projects. 

 

This banquet was kind of unique for our family as it was the first time since 2009 that my name was announced as placing.  It was such a great year, broken collarbone and all, and I really am so thankful for Oscar and his safely carrying me around and putting up with horse show nonsense.  For a horse that hadn't done much beyond the occasional trail ride since he was just a young snaffle horse, he really did a great impression of a broke show horse.  

We had a blast at every show, and while we may not have blown the doors off any placings, we stuck it out and took home fifth in all of our classes.  It sounds more impressive than it was as no other contenders showed at enough shows to place in year end awards.  But I am not the least bit disappointed with our placings.  I'm just so excited to be in the show ring again.  Despite the fact that I make myself a nervous wreck, I am proud of myself for attempting and completing horsemanship and equitation patterns.  I'm proud of myself for taking a horse who didn't neck rein and doing a stellar impression of knowing what we were doing.  I'm proud of myself for being brave enough to slap on breeches and post in that tiny English saddle.  And most of all, I'm so glad I got to make some new friends, strengthen friendships with old friends and spend time with my girls.  Thanks for a great year, Oscar and we will miss you next year.  I know you'll be delighted to miss the baths, endless tying to the trailer and boring classes in exchange for the challenge of the trail.  And Zippy- it's time for the old folks show next year.  You're stuck with me!