Horse Show Pageantry, Alabama State Games

Awareness of the outside world. The good news. Olympics.com: Bill May exclusive: After 34 years of dreaming, the artistic swimmer is relishing his chance to compete at the Olympic Games. Peene 02 November 2023. The bad news. Olympics.com: Bill May misses out on USA Artistic Swimming Olympic roster for Paris 2024, Merrell 09 June 2024. Also a NYT article by Lyall on 8 June 2024, for those who subscribe.

“With the US the last country to announce its squad for the upcoming Games, there will officially be no men competing in artistic swimming at Paris 2024.” Merrell

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Alabama State Games
ASHAA Summer Fun Show
Full Circle Horse Park
Pell City AL, USA
Saturday 8 June 2024

[A & B & Me, Show Report, Alabama State Games, Show Report]

Friday Night Parade

Friday night was opening ceremonies, complete with a parade of athletes, at a big downtown arena.

I started off with my oops for the day. Chatting with people behind me in the check-in line for the West Region.

Them: We followed you. We figured you’d know where to go.
Me: Oh, do you live in Shelby County?
Them: We ride at the same barn you do.
Me: —

Proceed to rousing lecture. My responses were not typical of the rest of the room.

Speaker: What are you gonna do to help your team?
Me: Feed it peppermints.

Speaker: Leave with love!
Me: And a chain shank. [In Chains]

We lined up in a big room. As far as I could see, I was the only one in a blue shirt – i.e. the only athlete – with gray hair.

We moved en masse to another staging area. For undisclosed reasons, equestrians did not line up with their regions. We lined up as a group before the rest of the folks. Stepping Stone Farm was in the lead among the five barns. Therefore, we were at the head of the line. Narrow, concrete tunnel under the stands. Mascots in front revving people up while we waited.

Cue high-pitched screaming in an enclosed space. My inner curmudgeon won. I left.

Saturday Horse Show

Saturday was the show. This was the one Coach Courtney recommended. If I only do one show, I should do that this one. [Hey Kids]

For State Games, there were signage, medals, and a podium available for photos. A true equestrian podium would have room behind to line up the horses. This was more of a photo op than part of a ceremony. The show was also held at a facility that was not one of the Alabama Saddlebred barns. Neutral territory, I assume.

For the the rest, it was a show. Same people, same horses, same classes. A standard ASHAA Summer Show, enhanced with State Games pageantry.

Onwards!
Katherine