This message is from: vivian creigh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Well I like most of us here in the North East have been spending my days taking care of the 15 horses in the barn and when it warms up to above 10 degrees F enjoying the best sleighing we have had in the 17 years I've lived in VT. Not much snow but what we have is hard pack and fast. The ponies, dogs and myself have spent some lovely sunny afternoons bombing about the fields and woods trails but today was the last sleigh rally that I would be able to participate in before I leave so even though it was -14 this morning when I went out it was sunny and promised to get above 10 so hitched the small trailer, loaded up the sleigh and the harness and robes into the truck and set off for GMHA with Mira happily munching hay in the trailer.
I had given the GMHA office a heads up that I would be there but as usual a bit late so they would hold off on the start until I got there. Single ponies were the second class so I figured I had time to unload my sleigh, enter and get ready before ponies would go in. However we were the only pony entry so would go in a class with the seven single horses entered. Got the pony hitched just in time for the class and into the ring we went with no warm up! This pony so needs a warm up as she is such a little pistol. Well half way through the class I had to turn into the middle and remove my gloves so I could wrap my reins just to hold onto her. She wasn't even listening to my voice as at a sleigh rally you have all the horses with bells trotting briskly around right behind you or passing you and for Mira this seems to signal her to get even more competitive. No ribbon in that class. Oh well, dropped reins down a slot on the liverpool and immediately went into Ladies to Drive. From the toilet to the top of the mountain we won the Ladies class. In the seniors to drive class I placed fourth, and fifth in Couriers and Ives.
Unfortunately the track for the pace was not safe so we did two cones runs back to back instead. Before I went in for my run people were running out to caution the drivers that the track was really hard and fast and sleighs were sliding sideways and we should all be careful. I was totally prepared for this. My only problem was that Mira being a Combined Driving Diva thinks it's totally alright to canter cones however sleigh rallies are judged by pleasure show rules and cantering is not allowed. I shouldn't have worried as she never broke once and she booked the course which was a figure eight with three passes through the center cones. Once we got rolling whenever we passed through the center cones the sleigh slid sideways at a 90 degree angle as we headed for the center cones. Mira loved it and I had a blast. In a class of 7 horses and my divine pony we won one go outright and were tied for first with Robin Groves in the second. So the little pony that does came home with a reserve champion for the day.
Now my competitive juices are flowing and I am ready for Florida. It was a wonderful day. Unbelievably cold but Mira and I survived. I admit that having participated in dozens of sleigh rallies I had become a real sissy about going unless the weather promised to be 20 or above. It was wonderful to spend the day with my hardy VT friends and as usual Mira was stellar throughout after she warmed up a bit. I am so glad I went. When they announced the placing of the last cones class and Mira had won I did a little football touchdown dance to the amusement of my fellow competitors.
Then it was back home to the stalls that needed cleaning and the water buckets that needed refilling and the horses that needed my attention. Life is grand and all the horses got kisses and hugs. I can't wait for Live Oak. Mira is ready and I am heading out on Feb 3 with three ponies. The fourth pony will precede or follow us down with a friend of mine. If my laptop is in order I will try and keep the list updated on our progress. I'm off now to cook dinner for the family. Warmest regards to you all. Vivian
