cblue08
06-06-2011, 09:57 AM
I took my newish project/dressage horse off the farm for the first time Sunday to a popular local 'Fun Show' series. Since it is Md/Northern Va. its mostly low hunters and I would guess most people there had never even SEEN a saddlebred, much less knew what they were...there were also several western and english pleasure classes going in two rings right next to each other....a typical busy summer show with a little bit of everything...aka. dogs, kids running around, folding chairs full of parents, ponies acting-up by the gait, food vendors, lots of 'stuff' along the rail to spook at (barrels, jumps, announcers stand, people/kids hanging on/over the rail, etc.). I think William had been shown a couple times in-hand as a yearling, and once with the previous owner several years ago...so not much 'exposure'. I really had no idea how he'd be...but figured it would be trial by fire. :blink:
We had about 2 hours to 'hang-out' on the line around the chaos before our classes. He was definitely looky/snorty at first, though not fidgety, just taking it all in (a lot of big-eyed moments). We grazed around and by the time we needed to saddle-up for our classes, he was dozing under a tree in the middle of it all with his foot cocked ...:thumbup1:
Anyway, we showed in four English pleasure type classes of 5+ horses (mixed Tbs, QH, etc.) and won 3 blues and one fourth after a 'miscommunication' moment. But for the most part he was really focused on me, stretching into the contact (a biggy for us) and relaxed. The highlight was the English command class, which was tough and drew a crowd of spectators...he won by taking his counter canter lead from the halt (on the turn in a small arena right in front of the in-gate crowd I might add). :wub: He was awesome!
The best part, I overheard a couple of 20-somethings guess he was 'some kind of warmblood', which made me giggle. Later I was chatting with one of them and they asked what he was and I got this reaction :drool: .
Anyway, he was great and if you have a horse that needs exposure, I would highly recommend the 'hanging-out' method...the 1/2 dose of gastroguard that morning probably didn't hurt either.
Pics won't be in until next week, so will try and update then.
The best 'action' shot.
http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq288/cb06_photos/willshowtrot2011.jpg
...and with some of his 'loot' from the day.
http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq288/cb06_photos/willshowhead2011.jpg
We had about 2 hours to 'hang-out' on the line around the chaos before our classes. He was definitely looky/snorty at first, though not fidgety, just taking it all in (a lot of big-eyed moments). We grazed around and by the time we needed to saddle-up for our classes, he was dozing under a tree in the middle of it all with his foot cocked ...:thumbup1:
Anyway, we showed in four English pleasure type classes of 5+ horses (mixed Tbs, QH, etc.) and won 3 blues and one fourth after a 'miscommunication' moment. But for the most part he was really focused on me, stretching into the contact (a biggy for us) and relaxed. The highlight was the English command class, which was tough and drew a crowd of spectators...he won by taking his counter canter lead from the halt (on the turn in a small arena right in front of the in-gate crowd I might add). :wub: He was awesome!
The best part, I overheard a couple of 20-somethings guess he was 'some kind of warmblood', which made me giggle. Later I was chatting with one of them and they asked what he was and I got this reaction :drool: .
Anyway, he was great and if you have a horse that needs exposure, I would highly recommend the 'hanging-out' method...the 1/2 dose of gastroguard that morning probably didn't hurt either.
Pics won't be in until next week, so will try and update then.
The best 'action' shot.
http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq288/cb06_photos/willshowtrot2011.jpg
...and with some of his 'loot' from the day.
http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq288/cb06_photos/willshowhead2011.jpg