Posts by Susan

Day four showing had just started. Riders were doing the reining pattern. The rest of us were intently watching. "I have to identify the Junior horses", the anonymous person announced when she walked into our group, "I have to put a "J" on the hip. (Junior horses (five and under) get to be ridden with two hands with a snaffle bridle. All horses six years and older have to be ridden with one hand on the reins. This is our last year with two hands and the snaffle bit. Fancy…

Show day two sunrise was upon us. Ha! Way too early for me to arise. I had given Fancy a ton of hay last night. She will not starve if I don't get there at 6:00 am. I pray that Fancy would not lay down all night. Let her be sparkle-clean. I slept on. At the magical time of 7:00 am, I was out the door. I had tried on a pair of amazing pants last night and sat down, like on a saddle. Hmmm, there was some tightness in…

Home to Ava, Missouri Day (200 Miles, 3 - 4 hour drive) Hay stuffed in hay bags. Two square bales in the trailer. Tack, supplements, buckets, and brushes packed. Now to get Fancy. Fancy had to load in the trailer with two hay bales stacked out of her way but not where she could eat a bale. Of course, she protested for about six seconds. I led her in, tied her up, and shut the partition. She has a hay bag hanging in front of her and hay on the…

With the truck parked in front of Fancy's stall, I easily able to feed Ms. Fancy her breakfast. I cleaned her stall and staggered back into the truck where sleep took over again. Suddenly, it seemed like climate change had happened. The sun was beating down on the truck and the humidity attacked. I was awake and starting to steam inside the hot truck. I restocked Fancy's hay and left the grounds for breakfast. I used Day time Allegra to stop the runny nose. It didn't work. it did make…

This story requires it’s own segment.  It’s about our first time Versatility Announcer, Vic Rowden and me.  It’s quite a story. During the past several years at the Futerity/Spring Show and World Celebration, I had a part in the photography of the two winners of most every class.  I became the photographer “Ear Pricker”.  The winning champion and their owners, friends, trainers relatives, beautiful young ladies in prom dresses, and prizes stand for a once in a lifetime photograph.  It’s imperative that the horse look the best, which means their ears, need to be forward.  Ears forward…

I awoke in fine shape from the wondrous bed and air conditioned room.  This was show day! Coffee and yogurt from motel breakfast was going to take me all the way with the addition of a Cliff bar.  I was in great shape.  I snuffled down a dose of anti snot pills and off I went. I pulled up to the stall and discovered a very clean Fancy.  She had not laid down.  Oh how fun this was going to be.  Morning bath unnecessary, just a grooming session!  Her mane…