Costume Class – Ozark Fox Hunter

September 11, 1998Posted inMissouri Fox Trotter, Velvet
The Costume Class immediately followed the disastrous foot race. Velvet and I came out of the arena in the 90 degree heat and humidity and went right to our pile of costume stuff including the saddle which was weighted down by little stuffed dogs bobbing on the ends of all strings or clasps. It was a long walk, done hurriedly, and Velvet’s owner was glistening in the afternoon humidity shower. Curtain time was about to be called. With Bob Howe’s help of the KC fox trotter club, Velvet got her…

World Celebration Foot Race – Disaster Number Three

September 11, 1998Posted inMissouri Fox Trotter, Velvet
VERSATILITY AFTERNOON was about to start. The announcer boomed, "Class number 73, Contestants please enter the arena". Velvet and I proudly walked into the CELEBRATION SHOW RING for the first time. I was first into the arena and Velvet followed me walking in her most royal Princess manner. WE OWNED THE ARENA! We were the only contestants there. We stood proudly and surveyed our arena. The 100 or so people in the crowd stared at us. I flipped my hair using the "blond gesture." The versatility judges entered the arena and went…

First Celebration Appearance – Disaster Number Two

September 11, 1998Posted inMissouri Fox Trotter, Velvet
While I was watching and listening to the versatility demonstrations, Velvet got a full body makeover for her debut at the most important horse show in the world. We decided on a new lipstick color but stayed with our same nail color." Sinful Black". We figured that she might sweat, so we choose thickened Maybellhorse waterproof mascara, and stayed with her regular eye shadow, "Bright Blue Barn Hue". We let down her new "do" and marveled over how much younger and sophisticated it made her look. She cursed her farrier…

Celebration Versatility Demonstrations

September 11, 1998Posted inMissouri Fox Trotter, Velvet
AVA VERSATILITY DAY- MORNING DEMONSTRATIONS Friday morning at Ava, I got to watch the great versatility demonstrations put on/arranged by Duane and Sally Scott. SALLY SCOTT AND EQUITATION Sally was 1st up with a demonstration of equitation. Erin Stevens was one of the examples along with a man warming up a horse for his daughter. At the beginning of the demonstrations, Duane picked this man out and made him enter the arena. He did really well as did Erin. I wanted to be picked from the audience too, so I quickly…

1998 World Celebration Versatility Day – Disaster Number One

September 11, 1998Posted inMissouri Fox Trotter, Velvet
World Celebration Versatility Day Arrival and Distater Number One I slept for 14 hours after I got home from Ava.  Since I was only there for two days and I didn’t party the night away, one would wonder just what caused the extreme exhaustion. Well, stay tuned! Just as a note, I drove to Larry's Stable on Thursday and went on a wonderful trail ride with my hero, Larry Dollarhide and April, their young neighbor and Larry's apprentice.  Mona and I got to gossip and chat face-to-face instead of internet…

Velvet and the 5 Day Slumber Party

September 5, 1998Posted inVelvet
It was a 5 day Fox Trotter Slumber Party and those in attendance were Dianna from Phoenix, Larry and Mona (Larry's Stable), SusanFxtrt, Deina and Ray (Wilson Fox Trotters) The big even occurred north of Springfield, Missouri mostly at Larry's Stable with nightly overlaps at the Wilson Fine Fox Trotter Stables. HUH?! Here's how is came about. Dianna from Phoenix was wandering through the gaited horse web sites and became acquainted with Mona. They carried on and talked about fox trotters - Prince-the beautiful golden palomino gelding in residence, horse…