We stalled in Barn V as usual, where Highboy and Dewey were neighbors.
Dewey does love his shavings and makes sure to take as many naps as possible at shows.
A bald eagle graced us with its presence over the weekend, perching on the towers as well as circling over the arenas while we rode.
There was a rodeo happening on one end of the fairgrounds, and a Hindu conference on the other end, and our little show was in the middle. It's a fun contrast to see the western cattle horses at the same fairgrounds as the english braids.
Some other highlights of the show were the fun classes like the Egg & Spoon, Ride-A-Buck, and Toilet Paper Pairs. I'm happy to announce that Highboy and I won all of them! He might have been a dork in his dressage tests, but he's all business when it comes to Egg & Spoon races. It doesn't hurt that I spent most of my childhood devotedly practicing this sort of thing.
Jasi rode Rain, and Kim H. did as well. We got so many great photos of her you'd think she belonged to the photographer! (She does!)
Dewey also had fun at the show. He's still recovering from his face injury, but really was pretty good considering. He did enjoy his time on the lunge line Friday night, though it was his typical 6 minutes of yahoo, then he's all out of gas.
Khreed and Billy came to the show with Joyce, who rode both english and western dressage. They did the Ride-a-Test on Saturday and got some good feedback from the judge. This type of exhibition runs sort of like a mini-lesson. The horse and rider go into the arena, ride their test, then get feedback from the judge. Then they ride their same test a second time, trying to incorporate the judge's coaching into their ride in an effort to improve the score.
Dakota and Amy also came to the show and did the dressage trail class. Mostly we were blown away by Amy's skills with fabric and a sewing machine. She was laid up for a while this past winter and passed the time by constructing magnificent articles of equestrian clothing, including her own show coat and Renaissance style costume for the costume class.
Carol and Jasi both rode Shambhu at the show. Jasi has begun bathing horses for clients, as well as cleaning tack and braiding. This created a need for business cards for her - so everyone was treated to advertising for Jasi's Scrub Shop.
Shambhu and Carol rode in the Ride-A-Test Saturday am and did very well with the extra coaching from the judge.
Jasi and Shambhu had an excellent ride doing Intro A on Sunday. Jasi had only ridden Shambhu at home once before, and he is a very technical horse. You need to be spot on in your balance and cues to get him to perform well, and Jasi handled him beautifully.
Miles stole the show. This dog is the quintessential horse show dog. Always ready to lend a hand, gives doggy hugs for moral support, and hangs out in the tack room on his dog bed when he needs a break. What would we do without our Miles at horse shows?
Freddy the Fjord is from my friend Trisha's barn, and he did a great job at the show with his two toned mane blowing in the wind.
Trisha also rode Roxie, her western dressage horse. They were sporting a blue velvet saddle pad and a fancy blue show shirt much to the envy of all the black and white dressage riders.
Our other friend, Chris, had her gelding Calarro at the show and they were a beautiful pair.
Highboy was of course in attendance with me aboard. His schooling ride Friday night after we arrived went very well. So well that a few people didn't recognize him as Highboy because he behaved himself.
Our actual rides in front of the judge weren't quite so lovely. In the dressage trail class Highboy was ok during the first half of the test, but in the second half decided to spice things up a bit. He bucked in exuberance going into the right lead canter. He was supposed to jog over two poles, but determined that they should be jumped at a canter to include a flying lead change. There wasn't much to do about it but laugh. Even the judge wrote in the comments on his test, "Athletic horse! Looks like he had fun."
The most greatly anticipated portion of the show was the costume class. Highboy, Miles, and I were dressed as Chiquita Bananas, which was very appropriate since Highboy loves to go bananas. Trisha's dad, Norm, sang the Chiquita Banana song on the microphone for us while we danced, and as some sirens wailed through Estes Miles began to howl along as well! We won "Most Entertaining".
Jasi and Rain were in search of the ocean as scuba divers/snorkelers. Suitable to Jasi's love of puns, they won "Most
Shambhu was a peacock, Dakota and Amy were Renaissance themed (in a costume Amy sewed herself!), Freddy was a Push Button Horse, while Joyce and Billy were hanging out in hawaiian shirts and straw hats.
It was another stellar year at the Estes Park show. I'm so grateful to the Bit of Honey Crew for doing so well, not only with good rides but for being a supportive and positive group of people I'm proud to call my barn.
Next year is going to be the 70th anniversary of this show, and also its last year being held. Mark your calendars now for the first weekend in July 2018, because you will want to be a part of history with your horse in the mountains of Colorado. Sara will again be the show manager for this swan song of a show, and I'm sure our photographer Kimberly Hale will be documenting the historic event.
great event, great people, wonderful horses, and excellent photos
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