The Stake Race was next. I knew the pattern. It is easy-peasy. I was just too darn smart to look at the posted pattern or chat with anyone about it. I know that easy “piffle” pattern…half of a figure eight is all it is. It is so simple that it is difficult. Yep, I turned my nose up a little. I felt “snooty” inside. snort
You might feel a little confused when you look at the pattern. It is confusing because you can enter the pattern either to left or right of the barrel.
Stake Race
I was called first again!. Well heck! Let me show them the way! I floated through the pattern and was on my way to the gate when the crowd yelled at me! The crowd yelled at me! Huh? The “crowd” told me Powder and I were not done. They yelled more and I heard the words! We were to circle back through the pattern. Oh! It was a full figure eight, not a half figure eight. Scream! My “snooty” crashed. I was back to being humble again. Unsnort in shame
Thank you crowd! We got a ribbon. We were not disqualified for breaking the pattern. Like I said at the beginning, the enemies in Versatility are the obstacles and the pattern. Versatility people help each other out against our common enemy. We are family in that arena!
“Thank you Lord,” said my body as riding was done! I dismounted on my bleacher unmounting block. Jenny led Powder away. I was standing on top of the bleachers and my lower legs started quivering. My brain screamed, “My legs are quivering. I’m going to die up here!” I was able to yell out loud. “Jenny! My legs are quivering! HELP!” Jenny immediately got back to and helped walk my quivering-leg body down the bleacher steps to the sacred ground. My lower legs immediately stopped quivering! I have never before experienced lower-leg quivering!
I walked on the sacred ground to get my Stake Race ribbon and then my Versatility overall ribbon. My body refused to get back on a horse. Powder was grateful.
Eight classes with a ribbon in each class. Powder and I won two reserve championships! A ribbon for the overall placing in Versatility. Nine ribbons came home and are still decorating the truck! The truck loves ribbons!
Powder and I posed for our final ribbon picture. Jenny had braided Powder’s mane. She put all the ribbons in Powder’s braided mane. Some of them are hiding, but all nine are there. Yes, Powder has a lot of hair!
Hold on! We are within spitting distance of the shower story now. Hang in there!
Powder Perfect was escorted back to her living quarters and given a bath to rid her body of all sweat and sand. She received a full scoop of wonderful feed. She was given a hayfield of hay. She was worshiped and thanked. Jenny and I went up to food vendor row. I had eaten a biscuit and gravy way early am. We met friends, one of whom had an ice cream chocolate cake sundae. I forgot about my friends and took off to get my deprived body something cool and slippery. The Taco vender is where heaven after horse show is to be found. I got an ice cream Sundae. It cooled my 1000 degree temperature down and made my tummy very happy. The tired versatility obstacle team arrived and got food and ice cream. We chatted about their work in the arena that day. We owe these two women an immense amount of gratitude. Thank you Hope and Angie!
Jenny and friends left. They went to Springfield where they got to ride in a lesson with Jenny. I visited the sacred air conditioned restroom and went to my seat area on the north side of the performance horse arena. There I watched one of my my best friends, Chasity Young, get the 2018 Sportsmanship Award. It was awesome!
Here is a list of all the overall winners in versatility day. Everyone is a winner, no matter where they placed!
Open Versatility Champion
1. 78 Cashs Sweet Michaela, Mindy Jo Hoy, for Mindy Jo Hoy, Bois D’Arc MO
2. 127 Spits Coal Train, Ross Harper, for Jayme Conklin, Ocala FL
3. 77 Lous Priceless Pride, Chastity Young, for Chastity Young, East Lynne MO
4. 265 Country Boy’s Vanilla Wafer, Jeff Peck, for Harry Patterson, Wichita Falls TX
5. 220 Jedidiah, Paul Roten, for Louie Keener, Harrison AR
6. 67 JJ’s Platinum Champagne Doll, Susan Engle, for Susan Engle, Pleasant Hill MO
7. 65 MSG Tinker’s Southern Belle, Margaret St. Germain, for Margaret St. Germain, Kansas City MO
8. 266 Rowdy’s Cowboy Shoes LC, Mia Walker, for Larry Coffman, Hartville MO
Youth Versatility Champions
1. 259 Rush River Sterling Watergait, Jessica Stafford, for Jessica Stafford, Ava MO
2. 82 Magic’s Crown Jewel, Ericka Robertson, for Judy Mathes, Ava MO, Kendra Brittain-Plumb, Ava MO
3. 260 Pig Pens Brother, Hannah Stafford, for Hannah Stafford, Ava MO
4. 90 Miss Late May V., Dallee Porter, for Lloyd Dehner, Hockley TX