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…

Are you ready for the shower story yet! Sorry, it is still a far place away. There is a lot that happens in these few days at a horse show, including heat, humidity, exhaustion and sweat It is now time for our volunteers to set up the reining pattern! My favorite event! I live for reining.  If I were 16 years old, I might turn into a full-on reining competitor. Thank goodness I never heard of reining until my second childhood! Powder is an experienced show horse. She has competed…

Barrel racing! You have all seen those horses going 100 mph run around the barrels. Yep, Powder and I are signed up for a race! Back in the 60’s and my life with horses was as a young thin girl.... ahem. Back in the 60’s it was time for me to graduate from large pony to horse. Unknown benown to me, my mother did not want me to become a barrel racer. She thought it was too dangerous. My mother told me this in the last decade of her life.…

Western Horsemanship Class. This pattern looks simple, but it actually is difficult. Non horse and non canter people can just ignore this next sentence. Firstly, we start out with a counter canter. I hate that. It takes a well educated horse who knows your cue and body position to pick up the “wrong lead”. We have now went from “B” to “C”. Oh but it isn’t that simple. You have to transition from canter to stop. You have to be in a place where ou can turn without stepping on…

Trail Class At last I would be a rider! Jenny was right at the gate to take Powder. I staggered over to get water and revived myself. I got my shirt and vest and went into restroom for a clothing change. I love the nice white secluded chairs in the restroom! The judge gave us a walk-thru after our volunteer helpers set up the trail obstacles. These volunteers are our horse friends who were there to support and help us. They had no idea that they would be setting up…

Saturday morning started out with feeding Powder around 7:00 am. About 7:30, Powder got her bath with a lot of focus on her white mane and tail. Bath was given by Jenny Vaught who knows a thing or two thousand million about getting a show horse ready. Show was to start at 9:00 am. We arrived at the show ground about 8:30 am. The show started at 9:30am with Showmanship. This is an online ground class. I do not “love” showmanship. I want to be in the arena riding my…