Show Update

The tractor pull and big foot truck which were also at the show grounds made it really noisy, but it didn't seem to upset the  horses. Unloading was a little dicey, with big trucks coming and going all around us.
The show went well, but was really, really hot: 30+, humid and no breeze. It was important to be very careful not to over heat the horses. The warm up ring was outside, the competition ring inside. There was a hose outside for cooling the horses and jackets were excused, so that was some help. Even so, some people chose to scratch.

Doug and Savanah did very well with two thirds the first day and two seconds the second day. Scores were generally lower than Truro for most riders. Doug was the only man in the show again! We have to get more men involved.

He's becoming addicted to showing I think - he likes the buzz and being 'on stage'. Even though he is very susceptible to heat stroke he still loved the show. I'm so glad! It would be a drag if it was something I wanted to do and he hated, because it takes a lot of money and time and it could lead to tension if only one person was interested. I'm surprised at how much he likes it because I thought he was more of an in the background type, but turns out he's a center line junky!

I didn't compete Rogo, but just took him for experience. He did very well. I longed in the warmup and did a ride in the indoor dressage arena. He did very well as far as being calm, but wouldn't bend. At least he wouldn't bend or flex to the inside; he did lots of counter bending. He was very interested in the flower boxes along the rail and made sure to keep an eye on them at all times. I did walk and trot with small circles in the corners to try to get some bending (he would bend on the small circles, but he just didn't get a correct flexion most of the time). I need to learn to use my outside rein more effectively. No surprise there. I'm newly committed and determined though. I WILL get this with him!

We did a little canter in the dressage arena too. He did very well to the left, but wanted to rush after the first few strides to the right (the side he's more confident on)so I pulled him into a rather awkward circle. Lots of work to do on canter too. Those are the priority work areas now, although we won't over-do the canter to get it. He needs lots of trot circles, etc. to increase his over-all balance.

The people at the show were fabulous. Doug and I stay in our trailer living quarters and are at the show grounds all the time. We meet so many interesting horse people; makes it really fun.

I'm kind of thinking our next show will be the Truro gold show the first weekend of Aug., with just Rogo competing. I'll have to get right on it tomorrow to see if it's still open for entries. Also, I want to attend the Dressage New Brunswick Freestyle Extravaganza next weekend as a spectator. It's something I'd like to do in the future so it would be good to check it out this year.