Note at the Show

The trailer ride to and from the show today was a success!  About a year ago when we came home from Greeley after his cryptorchid gelding surgery, Note had gone into self-destruct mode in the trailer.  This memory was bright in my mind, so partly this show was a first field trip to see how he handled a trailer ride with another horse in it.  (If the trailer's a rockin, don't go a knockin!)  But today Note did great with Fason in the trailer with him.  Uncle Fason is so good for so many babysitting duties.  I did put Fason in first, leave an empty stall, then loaded Note.  That way if Note pitched a fit he couldn't reach anyone else to do damage.  It was a total non-issue, though.  Note was excited, but no kicking or excessive screaming in the trailer.  

Because of a hectic morning, Note and I ended up only doing western showmanship at the saddle club show today.  There was lots of commotion at the show grounds, including kids riding mares near Note.  He was stunned at the sight of a quarter horse doing spins and backing long distances in the warm up area as preparation for reining.  Apart from gawking at the sight of a horse going as fast as possible in circles, Note really was quiet and well behaved on the lunge line and in hand. 

 I was proud of him.  He looked at everything, taking it all in, and while I was handling him he really behaved himself well.   He spent time tied at the trailer with his hay net, just like we practice at home.  He settled in nicely while tied to the trailer, and while I was handling him before and during the showmanship class he paid close attention to me.  It was a great first outing!  Hopefully next time the morning will go more smoothly and we'll arrive in time to ride in the english classes, but for today I was happy I had some extra western wear on hand. 

We got a little video of his showmanship pattern which can be seen here:

Note thought breakfast arrived awfully early