This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi All-
Back from Turlock and into the groove of daily life. The weekend was not at all what I expected, but it turned out for the best. Jack & I arrived on Wednesday to receive people & horses. There was quite a turnout, I think around 70 Fjordhorses and 20 Icelandics. The place was hopping by Friday, the day of evaluation. It was very interesting to watch the horses being evaluated. I had a front-row seat as the "relief videographer" (big thanks to Cesar Vallecillo for bringing his own camera & film and taping almost all day). I don't know much about conformation, or what the ideal Fjord is. I learned a lot that day. Friday night was the Fjordings West dinner. Jack ended up being the "relief fire starter and cook." See what we get for volunteering? : ) Saturday I was supposed to ride in 6 classes, 3 English & 3 Western. Tommes had other ideas. Now, Tommes & I have a great relationship. We ride the trails for hours alone every week. We've been all the way to Oregon for a show where we took 1st and 2nd place. We have no problems ... except one. Separation anxiety. I didn't realize that bringing Tommes and his buddy Rafael (Jack's horse) to the same show was a bad idea. When I attempted to show in our first class, Tommes went berserk. We blundered through the class, and I finally dismounted when he started rearing. I left the arena in tears. All my plans, a year of practice and anticipation, POOF, over. No chance to show anywhere near our best ability. To all who gave this sobbing person pep talks, thank you! It helped me get over the initial shock. We put Tommes away and went to get something to eat in the "Skandi Village." I realized that I would have to scratch all my classes, including driving, unless I wanted to break my neck or that of another competitor. Jack assured me I'd be fine if I was just more confident. I know he meant well, but I knew better. (Later in the day, the show judge herself said I made the right choice ... she'd recently judged at a show where a person had the same problem, pushed the issue, and went home with a broken leg). After some thought, I decided we could do all our Western classes together if I audited the ones I'm not qualified for (green and Jack Benny). I was cheerful, realizing I could at least do some showing. We did 5 classes in all, and got lots of complements on our matching outfits and "siamese twin" horses : ) Jack & Rafael took 5 ribbons!! This was only their second show. I was so pleased for them. I took 2 ribbons, low placings, but who's complaining. It was just not our day to shine. In the 5th and final class, Jack Benny, the horses were tired. The gate was not closed and Rafael headed towards it. Tommes followed, as did the next 2 horses! By the time we got turned around and back on the rail, we resembled a train wreck. We were all laughing, and my Dad captured it all on video tape : ) Saturday night we enjoyed watching the play day classes, including the infamous Lutefisk Race. Everyone had a great time. Sunday morning I filmed Jack & Rafael doing the trail class (camera in one hand, Tommes' lead rope in the other, very amusing). They did a great job, and got a 6th place ribbon. Jack really likes Trail, and wants to advance. We plan on visiting some shows to see what it's all about. Sunday afternoon, I should have been in 4 driving classes. Well, I can sit around and cry all day (sounded like a pretty good idea at the time) or I can help others. I opted for helping. New Fjord owner Ruthie Koch (not sure about last name) and her friend from Norway Dagrun Aarsten were showing for their first time in the US. I answered lots of questions and loaned them my good driving whip (they had only a lunge whip!). Dagrun did a good job showing the green Tinn in 3 classes, and I believe they placed in all. Now Ruthie is all excited to take driving classes with me and my instructor, Kacey Ashley, who was this year's driving coordinator. Sunday evening the high point awards were handed out, and a special award was given to Cindy Vallecillo for the greatest advancement in riding. She has had her horse less than a year, and she rides like a pro! Their relationship is wonderful. Evidently this horse was a basket case when she bought him, and now he's a champion. A little love goes a long way. Thanks to everyone for a great show. As Jack the Barn Manager's other half, I appreciated everyone's flexibility and courtesy. It's not easy for so many people and horses to get along in a small space. Almost every camping, parking and stall space was taken. It was so nice to see exhibitors helping eachother in so many ways ... cleaning up after eachother, holding horses, loaning clothes, bringing food & drinks, you name it. We may be competitors, but we care for one another. Let's keep it that way. Happy Fjording! Brigid M Wasson San Francisco Bay Area, CA <A HREF="http://ourfjords.freeservers.com/fjord1/Our_Fjordsx.html";>Our </A> <A HREF="http://ourfjords.freeservers.com/fjord1/Our_Fjordsx.html";>Fjords</A> / )__~ /L /L
