This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 5/15/2004 5:53:55 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Bridget, I loved reading your email. You are a great writer. I felt like I was there with you. I wish you the best of luck with your event.
Thank you Patricia! And here the story continues... I arrived at the fairgrounds at 7AM to discover that Rafael had slept using his manure for a pillow :-) A big green stain on his perfectly groomed head and neck! After asking several people for advice, I just wet a rag and was able to remove the fresh stain almost entirely. I gave myself plenty of time to get dressed and walk Rafael around after he ate. I knew that some halter classes would be combined due to low entry, so I was ready to go early. Our first class was Halter Fjord Geldings. I recall someone, maybe on this list, giving this piece of advice for halter classes: you have the most beautiful horse in the world and you want everyone to know about it! I certainly felt that as I looked at Rafael who was impeccably groomed and turned out in his dark leather and brass show halter, shiny and in good shape with bodybuilderlike muscles bulging, and glowing with presence. He was stunning! I entered the arena with a big, real smile on my face and the most beautiful horse in the world. Now, we've never done halter before so I've been practicing a lot. The most challenging part was to have the horse trot alongside me in step. Numerous sessions with the clicker and dressage stick achieved this. As we lined up, the ring steward mercifully told us what to do. I walked straight to the judge who examined Rafael, standing still and almost square like a champ. Then we trotted away from her. The trot, for the first time I might add, was perfect. The excitement of the show glued Rafael to me and he matched my steps. I was so happy, and even happier when we won the blue! My eyes teary, I accepted the ribbon and we exited the arena glowing with pride. The photographer managed to capture this moment, and it's a photo I'll cherish forever. Off to a great start, we wait outside for our next class, Halter Open Geldings. Rafael stands quietly for a while then gets impatient, wanting to graze or socialize or do something. Fortunately he makes friends with another waiting Fjord and they "talk" and mutual groom. This keeps them both quiet and still till the class is called. I look around me and realize this is a much bigger class, including Fjords, Haflingers and other breeds. I was kind of in my own world, but I think the others were QHs. All fine horses, in any case. Despite the competition, I still feel that I have the most beautiful horse and enter the arena with an even bigger smile. Same routine, same perfect trot. We have to wait longer in the lineup, but Rafael is good except for a few earsplitting neighs to his brethren. Blue again! I'm in heaven. I put Rafael in the stall for a much-needed drink and rest. As I'm heading to get a drink myself, I casually ask someone when the riding classes start. "Oh, they're already in the arena." Yikes! Panic sweeps over me as I remember my fall from Knute at the last Fjord show under similar circumstances. OK, I tell myself, breathe, take your time, if you miss your first class it's not the end of the world. At home, I insist on an elaborate warm up including free lunging without and with tack and other ground exercises before gently getting in the saddle. Now I need to slap the tack on a stalled horse with no time for preparation of any kind. Because of this, Rafael is both excited and spooky. Thankfully, Catherine Lassesen helped me mount and tighten my girth. I was able to do a few laps around the arena in the saddle before the class was called. I had one excited explosive horse under me! I did my best to collect myself, relax as much as possible, and do my best. We got through our classes and did pretty well, placing 3rd 4th and 5th against many good competitors. Due to number mix-ups, I was not called for one of my classes and missed it. Happy and relieved, I collapsed out of the saddle, thighs screaming (note to self: more posting at home!). My instincts told me to quit there, and I listened to them. Rafael was getting not less but more excited with each class, and there was no time to change that attitude before the next series of classes. He was extremely spooky, shying wildly at the terrifying little girl handing out ribbons! There was no way he would do the slow Western gaits. I was a little disappointed at having to scratch some classes, but after two bad falls at shows I've learned to listen to the instincts. I also learned a LOT about how to be better prepared, both at home and at the show. Next time will be even better. / )_~ /L/L Brigid Wasson SF Bay Area, CA www.Brigid.Clickryder.com
