Looking Back, Horses of 2019

Training Journal

If you’re riding a horse, you’ve already won.

 

Today is about the things I would have done regardless of the blog.

Outside Of Horses

[Fun with Fur]

Yes, Virginia, there is part of my life other than at the barn. Not much, but some. In 2019, we had … adjustments in the pet population. I found I didn’t want to talk about it. So, I took the dogs and cats off the Critters page [Cast] and concentrated on the horses for the rest of the year. I may get back to it. We’ll see. Meanwhile, dogs and cats. The bad and the good. You know the script.

I had a story accepted. Still in squee mode over that. [The Squeequal]

Tried different physical activities hoping one would light a fire under my slothful butt: [walk], [dance], [skate], [swim].

I’m sure there was more. The ribbons are making too much noise.

Outside of the Show Ring

At Stepping Stone Farm, I had lessons on/with Sam, Chappie, Parker, Bingo, Optimus [Youth], Dottie, Whiskey, Joe, & Alex.

At Falcon Hill Farm, I had lessons on Kory [Boost] and Zoom [Round-Up].

The home team went everywhere. Milton had riding lessons with Coach Molly and both riding & driving lessons with Coach Courtney. Rodney played spectator at SSF & FHF, and then got into what I hope is a program with Coach Brian. Although we insist on taking the AOT route, at least we are getting help.

[They Said It Couldn’t Be Done, Or At Least I Said It Couldn’t]

[Milton Does Demo Duty]

Show Ring, ASB Driving
I did not do enough regular season driving to get on the board for year-end awards. Winter Tournament constitutes a separate series. Only the ERA & Alabama Charity shows counted for my ASHAA driving points. I find this bothers me more than I expected. Next year, three classes.

Chappie

Dressed casual, he takes the kids around bareback. Dressed fancy, he takes them into the show ring. Always adorable. This was our only encounter.

One show, one class, one uncontested blue.

[Cuteness On The Hoof, Show Report, Winter Tournament 2018-19 #3, Driving]
Photo [A Wordless Story, Show Photos, Winter Tournament 2018-19 #3]

Whiskey

The only trouble with really nice driving horses is that they make one think one can drive.

Two shows, two classes, two blues

Photo [… and Round & Round, Show Report, Winter Tournament 2018-19 #4, Driving]
[Spontaneous Showing, Show Report, Alabama Fun Show, ERA Stables, 2019]

Joe

New horse to drive. SSF was able to put two entries into the ring. Go driving!

One show, one class, 2nd.

[Taking The Reins, Show Report, Alabama Charity 2019, Driving]

Show Ring, ASB
Parker

A test ride that ended up leading nowhere since I showed very little ASB this year: two fun shows and one big show for the regular season.

One show, one class, 2nd.

[Up & Down …, Show Report, Winter Tournament 2018-19 #4, Riding]
Photo [Lootapalooza, Part the First, Winter Tournament Banquet 2019, Riding]

Optimus

Sweetheart of a horse. Rode in a few lessons. Showed once. His dance card tended to be full.

One show, two classes, 1st & 3rd.

[Going In Cold, Show Report, Alabama Fun Show, Stepping Stone Farm, 2019]

Sam

Captain Fabulous lived up to his nickname. Like an old friend, we may not talk for months, then we pick up right where we left off.

Four shows, ten classes, ten ribbons: one, five, two, one, one

[Riding Vs Showing, Show Report, Winter Tournament 2018-19 #3, Riding]
[Up & Down …, Show Report, Winter Tournament 2018-19 #4, Riding]
[Spontaneous Showing, Show Report, Alabama Fun Show, ERA Stables, 2019]
Photo [Putting The Show In Showmanship, Show Report, Alabama Charity 2019, Riding]
Photo [Lootapalooza]

Show Ring, Home Team
Rodney

I honestly do not know how to report on this year. On one hand, we showed! I did not expect that at all! Yay! Go us! Woo hoo!

On the other hand, meh. An underwhelming response to the show ring from my fancy, mid-life crisis horse who has been carrying my hopes & dreams for nine years. A mediocre performance in walk-trot dressage and lost his marbles in a simple WTC flat class. This year was a lot about being a bear on a bicycle.

Four shows, seven classes, six ribbons: 1st & 3rd in hunter, three 5ths for dressage & in-hand obstacle, participation ribbon in costume, no place for ridden obstacle.

[Words, Show Report, Dressage, Full Circle Horse Park, August 2019]
[Pink Is His Color, Show Report, Alabama Obstacle Challenge Series, King’s Ranch, September 2019]
[In The Pink, Show Report, Alabama Obstacle Challenge Series, L&C Horsemanship Ranch, October 2019, Part 1] & [In The Ring, Show Report, Alabama Obstacle Challenge Series, L&C Horsemanship Ranch, October 2019, Part 2]
[Getting Our Hunter On, Show Report, SSF Home Show 2019] & [Neither Sound Nor Light, Halloween 2019]

Milton

Major Milton. Much activity. Little progress. We took a break from each other for the second half of the year. Apparently I can concentrate on one horse at a time.

Eight shows, 25 classes, 21 ribbons.

Four dressage and poles/crossrails shows at Full Circle Horse Park & Falcon Hill Farm
One ASB show
Three wanna-be hunter poles/crossrails shows at Falcon Hill Farm & El Gezira

1st: 5, at least two uncontested
2nd: 4
3rd: 5
4th: 3
5th: 1
6th: 1
completion ribbon: 2
no place: three times
retire on course: once

[Dynamic Duo Does Dressage, Show Report, Dressage at Full Circle Horse Park, March 2019]
[Winning The Warm-Up, Show Report, SJ Equestrian, Dressage, March 2019]
[Preliminaries Accomplished, Show Report, Full Circle Horse Park, April 2019, Dressage]
[We Cantered! We Won! Guess Which One I Care About! Show Report, Full Circle Horse Park, May 2019, Dressage]
[Hanging With The Saddlebros IIa, Wannabe Saddlebred Coming Through, Show Report, Mid-South Spring Premiere 2019]
[A Huntering We Will Go, Show Report, El Gezira, June 2019]
[Someday This Will Be Amusing To Look Back On, Show Report, Falcon Hill Farm, July 2019]
Photo [Pix Are Always Amusing To Look Back On, Show Photos, Falcon Hill Farm, July 2019]
[Making Progress, Going Nowhere, Show Report El Gezira, Hunters, July 2019]

Final Image

[Flying Pigs]

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott