I showed Powder at the 2018 Spring Show. I was thinking about how different it was showing an experienced horse who knows more than me, compared to showing Cisco his first year. At the end of my reining patterrn, the judge summed it all up for my Cisco experience. At the completion of the pattern. I went over to show the judge Cisco’s bridle. He said, “Well, you lived through it.” I lived through Cisco’s first year of showing. That was the goal.
Riding Powder was an experience on the other side of the scale. Powder has skills that I lack! My stress was being good enough so that Powder could be perfect in the arena. I had about thirty days with Powder to work on transitions, gaits, and cues. I did not have to worry about Powder getting nervous or spooking. That was really cool. I had a two day clinic with Jennifer Vaught and two group lessons with Erin Patterson in that thirty day timeline.
I’d like to report that I did as well as my skill level allowed. Powder and Jennifer Vaight’s expert coaching allowed me the cross the line and see what versatility show-ring finess is all about.
A third side to all this is being grateful that I am able to ride. I remember bragging years ago to friends about Sally Scott, hero to all of us in the Versatility world. I said, “Sally is still showing and she is in her 70’s”. I realized this year that I’m still showing and I’m in my 70’s. Seventies is not old! Scream!