My Show-For those who may care...

[Buffymommy]

For Genuine who asked:

FIRST OFF: Keep in mind that I have a sinus infection I have been battling with since the beginning of last week. Had a lesson Friday night and Buck knocked over about 10 out of 15 jumps we went over because my legs were so weak so that I could not push him forward enough. I threated him that if he didn't listen to my legs in my warmup for the show, I was putting on my spurs. (I didn't have to go to the spurs.) Although I did find out after the show that the girls that rode him before me ALL rode him with spurs. I never have.

OK now for the show:

Scored a 73.5 on my first dressage test. Nice Blue ribbon there. My friend was competing against me too. She got a 73. HA HA! She was happy though. It was only her second show and the first with the horse she was riding. (there were five of us in this class)

Second dressage test wasn't as good. We scored a 66.5. Not great, but Buck was a bit "jiggy" in his trot and not moving forward. He was moving fast but not balanced as much as he was in the first test. By the second half of this test, he had gotten his balance back and we scored much better on this half of the test. We got third in this. (There was four in this class so third was not that great, but the score was ok and we were all in the mid to high 60s)

NOW onto jumping. I was very worried about this because there were 14 jumps and I was sooooo tired by this time. My energy was drained. But Buck took care of me. We rubbed the first jump but it stayed up. We went to the second jump and Buck hesitated. I tapped him with the crop and he hopped over the jump then stopped. My trainer is yelling "just keep going forward". HA HA! Buck was pooping before the jump and finished after the jump. HA HA. It was funny. We went on to only knock one rail over, but still managed to win the combination class as the other two in the jumping didn't do as well. One lady had two refusals and the other had three rails down. SO BLUE RIBBON to Mr. Buck "poopy over jumps" and me (sick as a dog, but trying).

OK, Buck got six treaty cookies and three apples. I really think he is getting into this showing thing. I think he is beginning to like showing off.

Well, I have to get back to work. Thanks for all the good wishes.

Cajun: I am sorry to hear about your mare. Is she going to be alright? Tell me about the new horse.

And thanks for the tips KY. I have been doing lots of transistions with Buck to get him more on his hind end. I think it is beginning to work. The judge really liked Buck yesterday. She even wrote on my test "lovely test" and "Get a little more of a rounded topline and we will see you in training level". She was a very nice judge and even asked me after my second test what I thought about it. She really did a nice job for a schooling dressage show. She was very helpful. She even commented that she was happily surprised how well Buck moves. She said he had beautiful gaits. Actually scored us an "8" on them. HA HA! Not bad for my western pleasure backyard horse.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Buffymommy

For Genuine who asked:

FIRST OFF: Keep in mind that I have a sinus infection I have been battling with since the beginning of last week. Had a lesson Friday night and Buck knocked over about 10 out of 15 jumps we went over because my legs were so weak so that I could not push him forward enough. I threated him that if he didn't listen to my legs in my warmup for the show, I was putting on my spurs. (I didn't have to go to the spurs.) Although I did find out after the show that the girls that rode him before me ALL rode him with spurs. I never have.

OK now for the show:

Scored a 73.5 on my first dressage test. Nice Blue ribbon there. My friend was competing against me too. She got a 73. HA HA! She was happy though. It was only her second show and the first with the horse she was riding. (there were five of us in this class)

Second dressage test wasn't as good. We scored a 66.5. Not great, but Buck was a bit "jiggy" in his trot and not moving forward. He was moving fast but not balanced as much as he was in the first test. By the second half of this test, he had gotten his balance back and we scored much better on this half of the test. We got third in this. (There was four in this class so third was not that great, but the score was ok and we were all in the mid to high 60s)

NOW onto jumping. I was very worried about this because there were 14 jumps and I was sooooo tired by this time. My energy was drained. But Buck took care of me. We rubbed the first jump but it stayed up. We went to the second jump and Buck hesitated. I tapped him with the crop and he hopped over the jump then stopped. My trainer is yelling "just keep going forward". HA HA! Buck was pooping before the jump and finished after the jump. HA HA. It was funny. We went on to only knock one rail over, but still managed to win the combination class as the other two in the jumping didn't do as well. One lady had two refusals and the other had three rails down. SO BLUE RIBBON to Mr. Buck "poopy over jumps" and me (sick as a dog, but trying).

OK, Buck got six treaty cookies and three apples. I really think he is getting into this showing thing. I think he is beginning to like showing off.

Well, I have to get back to work. Thanks for all the good wishes.

Cajun: I am sorry to hear about your mare. Is she going to be alright? Tell me about the new horse.

And thanks for the tips KY. I have been doing lots of transistions with Buck to get him more on his hind end. I think it is beginning to work. The judge really liked Buck yesterday. She even wrote on my test "lovely test" and "Get a little more of a rounded topline and we will see you in training level". She was a very nice judge and even asked me after my second test what I thought about it. She really did a nice job for a schooling dressage show. She was very helpful. She even commented that she was happily surprised how well Buck moves. She said he had beautiful gaits. Actually scored us an "8" on them. HA HA! Not bad for my western pleasure backyard horse.

Buffy, that is awesome about your show. It's always a nice feeling to get some positive comments from the judges. I know how you feel about being "weak" though... I'm still trying to get back into shape, and it's tough!

This new horse I rode yesterday (just hacked her out for an hour) is a nice bay thoroughbred/hanoverian cross mare. She's a very cute mover... a little nervous about "spooky looking" jumps, but overall a great prospect. I think I'll be riding her (her name is Topsy) in the schooling show. As for Amber, (the QH mare I have been riding), she should be fine, but will need about 3 months of stall rest before we can even attempt at getting her back. Unfortunately, she injured herself out in the field... we had some nasty weather the other night and I'm guessing it spooked her a bit and lord only knows what she did.

[kentuckyrosesinmay]

Buffy, I didn't read the entire thread so I didn't know that you had been to several shows.

Congrats on this last show

A 73.5%? Wow. Awesome

See, and it didn't take you very long AT All to get those blues...

[GenuineRisk]

Thanks for the recap, BM! I loved reading it.

Cajun, I'm sorry about the injured mare, but Topsy sounds like a cutie.

On a sad riding note:

Please send good thoughts to a poor kid who was seriously injured in Queens this weekend-- he was riding along a highway (I see riders there a lot; it's not unsual) and his horse spooked, charged into traffic and attempted to jump a taxicab. The horse died, and the teenager has serious head trauma and a broken leg. He was with a group called the Federation of Black Cowboys and I'm sick to my stomach thinking he might not have had a helmet on (it's the "cowboy" in the name that makes me worry).

So everyone keep winning blues and wearing helmets!

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Thanks for the recap, BM! I loved reading it.

Cajun, I'm sorry about the injured mare, but Topsy sounds like a cutie.

On a sad riding note:

Please send good thoughts to a poor kid who was seriously injured in Queens this weekend-- he was riding along a highway (I see riders there a lot; it's not unsual) and his horse spooked, charged into traffic and attempted to jump a taxicab. The horse died, and the teenager has serious head trauma and a broken leg. He was with a group called the Federation of Black Cowboys and I'm sick to my stomach thinking he might not have had a helmet on (it's the "cowboy" in the name that makes me worry).

So everyone keep winning blues and wearing helmets!

wow, that is too bad...I'll never understand the no helmet thing...(even though I've been guilty of it myself when it's hot)..reminds me of a few years ago around here when two horses got loose from their paddock and went running up the highway ...both were hit by cars and killed while their 16 year old owner watched.

[Buffymommy]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

wow, that is too bad...I'll never understand the no helmet thing...(even though I've been guilty of it myself when it's hot)..reminds me of a few years ago around here when two horses got loose from their paddock and went running up the highway ...both were hit by cars and killed while their 16 year old owner watched.

Just the thought of watching that makes me cry. I hope the owner is OK.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

wow, that is too bad...I'll never understand the no helmet thing...(even though I've been guilty of it myself when it's hot)..reminds me of a few years ago around here when two horses got loose from their paddock and went running up the highway ...both were hit by cars and killed while their 16 year old owner watched.

Something similar to that happened down here ten years ago... it was awful... they got hit by a semi and I'll never forget how devastating it was to their owners.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

Something similar to that happened down here ten years ago... it was awful... they got hit by a semi and I'll never forget how devastating it was to their owners.

One of the favorite horses at the stable where I ride was hit by car on the way back to the stable (the a**hole driver took off). He made it back to the stable with his rider and then collapsed. Symphony-- former racehorse, now that I think of it. Big red chestnut; kind as could be. We were all devastated.

I checked out the NYDaily News and it looks like the kid will make it. Thirteen-year-old; riding for a few years now, but unclear whether he had a helmet on. He was thrown before the horse leaped into traffic. His mom was quoted as saying she didn't want him to ride anymore, but his dad said he thinks the accident won't keep the kid off horses. Awww.....

[Buffymommy]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

On a sad riding note:

Please send good thoughts to a poor kid who was seriously injured in Queens this weekend-- he was riding along a highway (I see riders there a lot; it's not unsual) and his horse spooked, charged into traffic and attempted to jump a taxicab. The horse died, and the teenager has serious head trauma and a broken leg. He was with a group called the Federation of Black Cowboys and I'm sick to my stomach thinking he might not have had a helmet on (it's the "cowboy" in the name that makes me worry).

So everyone keep winning blues and wearing helmets!

I hadn't heard about this Genuine. I will send good thoughts his way.

[Buffymommy]

Originally Posted by kentuckyrosesinmay

Buffy, I didn't read the entire thread so I didn't know that you had been to several shows.

Congrats on this last show

A 73.5%? Wow. Awesome

See, and it didn't take you very long AT All to get those blues...

Thanks KY. We are just doing easy Intro stuff in the dressage and 18 inch to 2ft jumps. Nothing major like Cajun. We are just getting back into riding shape (Me and Buck). His owners seem to be happy with my riding him so hopefully they let me keep riding him. He is getting a LONG mane though. (His owners like him to be a horse which means no mane pulling or whisker trims for Buck). So Buck and I will do schooling shows while I save up for my own horse. But Buck has stolen my heart so I will stay with him for awhile.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Buffymommy

Thanks KY. We are just doing easy Intro stuff in the dressage and 18 inch to 2ft jumps. Nothing major like Cajun. We are just getting back into riding shape (Me and Buck). His owners seem to be happy with my riding him so hopefully they let me keep riding him. He is getting a LONG mane though. (His owners like him to be a horse which means no mane pulling or whisker trims for Buck). So Buck and I will do schooling shows while I save up for my own horse. But Buck has stolen my heart so I will stay with him for awhile.

Buffy, I'm not doing anything major lately either! I haven't shown A circuit in a long time... I'm not even sure I still have what it takes. Post some pics of you and Buck, ok?

[Buffymommy]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

Buffy, I'm not doing anything major lately either! I haven't shown A circuit in a long time... I'm not even sure I still have what it takes. Post some pics of you and Buck, ok?

Nah, I don't want people to actually see what I look like! Why I only post pics of Buck.

If I can figure out how to do it, I will PM some to you.

[Buffymommy]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

Buffy, that is awesome about your show. It's always a nice feeling to get some positive comments from the judges. I know how you feel about being "weak" though... I'm still trying to get back into shape, and it's tough!

This new horse I rode yesterday (just hacked her out for an hour) is a nice bay thoroughbred/hanoverian cross mare. She's a very cute mover... a little nervous about "spooky looking" jumps, but overall a great prospect. I think I'll be riding her (her name is Topsy) in the schooling show. As for Amber, (the QH mare I have been riding), she should be fine, but will need about 3 months of stall rest before we can even attempt at getting her back. Unfortunately, she injured herself out in the field... we had some nasty weather the other night and I'm guessing it spooked her a bit and lord only knows what she did.

I want you to post pics of you after the show! Topsy is a cute name too. Glad you have another horse to ride. She sounds pretty. How tall is she? With that cross, she has to be atleast 16.2.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Buffymommy

I want you to post pics of you after the show! Topsy is a cute name too. Glad you have another horse to ride. She sounds pretty. How tall is she? With that cross, she has to be atleast 16.2.

You know, I haven't sticked her yet, but I would say about 16.1. She's pretty short coupled too and a real pain in the arse when it comes to standing still!

Genuine, I will keep him in my prayers... it is so dangerous riding on a busy street... the reality is that even the quietest horses can tend to be very spooky when they make up their mind to be that way.