Horses of the outside world. Part of the reason for choosing this show was that it was a home show for the horse. Meanwhile, on the other end of the horse show spectrum, Tex Sutton: Air Horse One. Several videos available online. Appears that horses walk up the ramp to this plane rather than get pre-loaded into stalls. Hat tip to G.
~~~
Continuing to post about my latest outing. [The Ride, AHJA Kick Off Show 2026]
The point of this exercise was to answer a question. Do we want New Horse to be a jumping horse?
Answer. Yes. Yes, we do. While I am unlikely to be John Whitaker riding Grands Prix at 70, I’d like a horse with the ability and interest to hop over small jumps. Perhaps an off-the-track Standardbred who is also doing CDEs, or an amenable & sporty Saddlebred who is open to variety. One of those, please. [Finding A Horse To Match The Hat]
Back in February, we – I’m not sure who originated the idea – came up with the plan to show Goldy at the Kick Off show in March. At first, I tried to get excited about long stirrup or starter hunter. I just couldn’t. I’d have to dress up. I resented the expense of having to buy a coat, which was a hint. Then my illustrious groom suggested jumpers. How about doing the .65 meter classes? Hmmm. Later, I considered buying a fancy, gold-colored technical shirt for the show. I did not but I didn’t mind the idea of that expense, which was another hint.
We had about six weeks to get ready, interrupted by cold snaps. More time would have been helpful, but part of the attraction of the Kick Off show is that is was being held at the barn where Goldy lived. No shipping. No stalls. A home show was too convenient to miss.
We ramped up with multiple lessons each week. Even if I didn’t go to the show, lessons wouldn’t be a loss. The show itself wasn’t so much the point as it provided a focus. It gave us an endpoint to keep us motivated.
Hence the AHJA membership. [Curse or Cure?]
This was when I stopped taking ears photos. “The idea is to focus on the task at hand.” [The Lessons Continue, Jumping]
Come the day, I was happy to be jumping, at least at the 18″ height. Happy enough to want to add it to New Horse’s interview questions. Being comfortable at 1′ 6″ meant I could ride solidly and had the brain space to fix it if we – I – came in wrong. If it had been a true .65 meters (2’1″). I would have gotten around. Probably. The course would have been a series of single fences, with lots of lurching. I think we would have gotten to the – relatively – bigger height if we’d had more time.
The .90 meter (3″) jumper class at St. Louis is within the realm of possibility. [Saddlebred Versatility]
I like to think I am motivated by the purity of the sport. By the joy of riding. By the bond with the horse. History would beg to differ.
“Immediately, every dormant competitive instinct sat up & said ‘We’re not dead yet.’ ” [Showtime 2012]
“Also me: You know, if I do two of the three local, summer shows, I could probably climb onto the tag end of the year-end awards.” [The Crux 2022]
Competition or the joy of the thing?
Pourquoi pas los dos?
Tomorrow, the mental aspect.
Photo. Getting ready for schooling the day before.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 