I started this blog just to tell you about my Friday and Saturday shower experiences, but then the entire show experience story demanded to be told. Four days in Ava almost turned into a book! Stay tuned for the shower story….
Powder and I arrived at the Missouri Fox Trotter Showground complex in Ava, Missouri on Thursday afternoon. This show is one of two shows held by the association. This is the Spring Show and Three Year Old Futurity. Powder and I will compete Saturday in the Versatility events. I look forward to having a great time with friends!
Ava is 200 miles from home. It was hot. My truck’s air conditioning is spotty. It blows somewhat cool air if I have it set on defrost. Occasionally, there is no cool air. Driving with windows open became necessary. Stopping at gas stations to give the Freon a chance to recover helped. Driving with windows open wasn’t too bad in the 80 something humid degree weather.
We made it to Ava show grounds!
It is always emotional when making the turn from the Fox Trotter Highway into the sacred grounds. All memories of years past flood the brain. The horse checker made certain Powder had her coggins and health certificate medical records. The office was open so I got Powder’s back number and receipt of the classes we had entered online. I also got my amateur card. Yep, all eight were on the receipt. We were both cleared for the sweat and fun times ahead!.
We found barn 17 and a parking space. Goodness, there are a lot more people here than last year! I tied Powder to the outside of the trailer while I got her princess royal stall set up for her royal stay. Angel Chas Young appeared and hooked up her water bucket in the stall. Thank you Chas. Angel Darrel Martin was nearby and helped me get the water hose set up. The hose traveled over multiple stall doors to the center water connection. (There are twenty five stalls on one side of the barn.) That job needed a tall person! Thank you Darrel!
I got the stall fan set up. I found an extension cord that reached across the top of the stall door to the electricity plug in. Thank you mounting block! I needed my mounting block to get that electricity hookup completed. (This place is made for tall people!)
Next on the sweat list is to carry the shavings bags from the trailer to the stall. I got the royal shavings set up for Powder’s comfort. After that, my facial sweat glands went into overload production. Sweat was dripping off the end of my nose. I hate that. Powder was getting anxious to be in her stall. She stopped eating grass and started glaring at me instead.
Finally I got her grain and a bag of hay in her stall. “Get me into my stall!. Feed me,” she non verbally glared as I walked to get her. “Done,” I said as I led her into the royal princess stall. The royal princess and I were happy. I was a wet mess. Powder had her food and a fan. She was not a wet mess.
Chastity Young cooked an amazing dinner for our barn 17 gang. Jenny Vaught arrived and ate too. She is a certified barn 17 person! We dined, enjoyed the company of great people and sat contentedly in front of the fans at the Conklin residence. Jenny agreed to team sort on Friday with Ross. We thought it would take a few minutes. I decided not to ride that evening. It was horrid hot and my energy had evaporated in the 200 mile drive and setting up the royal stall. After dinner, Jenny gave Powder an extensive bath. “Get that mane and tail white,” is the battle cry!
I spent the evening with barn 17 friends watching the performance horse show. Life is good in a comfy chair with friends while watching beautiful horses.
—-This adventure turned into a short book and it has been decided to bring it to you in segments. Scream for more! Scream for the shower story. Scream for the barrel and pole bending story. Scream for more!——-