Pacific Crown AMHR Show 2005

Posted by: hobbyhorse23 Jun 8 2005, 03:55 AM

Okay, I give up on waiting to have the pictures before posting. I'll make a separate thread for that later! LOL. Here is my attempt to sum up my experience in as short a story as possible that still reflects my mixed emotions from this weekend.

I went to the Pacific Crown show on Thursday night, arriving late as usual and getting settled in without much chance to look around. When I finally had everything situated around 11:30PM I poked my head into the surrounding stalls and noticed with amusement that I was right next to Amanda ("squeaky") and Angela Tillman and their horses Raider and Lonestar which I knew from the forum. On my other side were some nice horses which turned out to belong to some wonderful ladies who had just switched from SLED DOGS ("Too much stress, they never wanted to quit when I did") to minis. My mother and I noticed that their two year old stallion had his neck sweat down around his eyes and he was pawing endlessly in a frustrated panic and we called show management to deal with it. I also ended up fixing a dislodged blanket on one of their yearling fillies, luckily for me they were pleased I'd caught it and not upset I messed with their horses. Always nervous to go into someone else's stalls at your first show! Don't want to make enemies. I then retreated to my RV and spent the time from midnight to 4AM cleaning harness. Yes, one harness. I'm sorry but I'm new and the harness hadn't been cleaned since I bought it last August and the brass was all tarnished and it took me way longer than it should have! LOL. Worse yet, I spent another three hours or so on it the next day to get the last half done!

I spent the entire next day cleaning harness, getting the horse's whiskers and bridlepath reclipped and generally prepping for our country pleasure classes in the afternoon. I felt very odd as my mom had to work and therefore my first mini show was also my first show of any kind without her. She and I have always been a team but I quit showing about eight years ago when my Arab went slightly nuts and forced his own (and my) retirement, and that was long before I was old enough to haul to my own events. So I felt a bit displaced and disorientated without my cheering section but discovered with a slight sense of irony that these days I'm perfectly capable of doing everything for myself and even getting it all done in time for classes. No small accomplishment for this procrastinator!

Kody and I went in our two country pleasure classes and we even managed to achieve my goal of not placing dead last in every event. All but one of them, but not every one! LOL. I didn't place out of eight or nine horses in the Open CP class, but I got two fifths out of seven in the Ammy class. Kody was really good that night, letting me rate him at the trot and walking flat-footed despite never having been driven in close quarters with other miniatures. You've got to understand- I don't train with anyone. I barely drive him at all, really! Kody was introduced to driving with big horses by being thrown straight into a pleasure driving class with a QH and an Arab at a show and he never flinched. We've gone to ADS clinics and taught him to stand quietly while others drive by him, but CDE's mostly involve individual work so he hasn't ever had anyone his own size passing him or even trotting with him. And then I took him to this show and put him in a tiny warmup space with about fifteen other horses in rattling carts and glittery clothes and asked him to not only ignore them but also to tuck his head and perform. And he did it! So you can see why I was so ecstatic. We had some initial freak-out moments but he held it together and listened to me and got over it.

I was very disappointed when I looked at the video to realize that we hadn't placed not only because of my easy entry cart and harness with breeching but also because Kody was not moving out nearly as well as it felt like he was. I kept telling myself all those truths about his lack of experience and about how his cart was much heavier than everyone else's (it's a CDE marathon vehicle, not your typical easy entry pipe cart) and how I had refused to check him up because I didn't want to confuse him right before his first CDE in two weeks, but I just got this horrible lump in my stomach that felt like lead and I wanted to bawl. The photographer and Janie from Chimacum Tack and some fellow CDE folks who I respect very much all told me unprompted that Kody looked wonderful and I'd done a great job, but all I could think about was that once again I had committed myself to a horse that would never be able to take me where I wanted to go. I felt horrible. Absolutely ridiculously down in the dumps, ready to burst into tears at any moment. And then I felt even worse for allowing myself to feel that way after I'd tried so hard to prepare myself for the fact that you don't start at the top and especially not when you've barely given your horse any training or real miles to work with. I kept reminding myself how hard Kody had tried and that for his second competition of any kind ever he'd done fantastic, but I was completely depressed and feeling even worse for not being pleased with him when he'd done more than I had any right to expect. (I did make sure that Kody got lots of petting and scratching and being told enthusiastically that he was a good boy after the classes. I didn't get depressed until later when I saw the video.)

And that is when I discovered how great the mini world is. Not only had multiple complete strangers welcomed me and made me feel at home, not only had I made friends in the short half-day I'd been there, but some of those same friends took time out of their busy show schedules to comfort me and make me see how silly I was being. I looked at Angela's "Raider" (classic shetland stallion, absolutely gorgeous) and mourned how Kody would never look that nice and wasn't built the way every other mini on the grounds seemed to be. And Angela and Amanda took the time to point out through stories and not platitudes that while Raider is gorgeous he is a nervous young horse who has to be coaxed through everything. He would never splash across a creek in harness like Kody did, or handle that warmup ring without a nervous breakdown. "Lonestar is gorgeous," they said, "but he's from an aggressive bloodline and you can't turn your back on him sometimes." Kody is an idiot now and then but he always comes through when it counts. He's not a cuddlebug, but he's brave. He's got tremendous heart and spirit and a lot of try, and that counts for a lot. So what if he wasn't checked up to where the judges wanted him and didn't have enough muscle yet to move out like the others with that cart? Most of them would probably come unglued outside a ring environment while Kody thrives on adventure. I haven't had another driving horse to compare him to so I have no idea how good he was really being, but those who know seemed to think he did a pretty great job for his first time. I STILL think Raider is the coolest and Lonestar is gorgeous, but I sure appreciate those girls making me feel like Kody was just as good! (And sorry if I stepped on any toes there, I have always thought most minis had the brains to go anywhere you pointed them whether they are used to driving there or not! But you say funny things sometimes when you're trying to get strangers to quit bawling in your tackroom. )

Augh, I'm babbling again. So anyway, short version is I got out of my funk and vowed to keep going. I want more than anything to keep attending to these shows for the great people and atmosphere there, but I can't afford to spend the money to compete if I'm never going to get any ribbons back for it. So I just need to keep working and put some actual drive time on that little horse so he gets steadier and really learns to extend like the others. We also need a show cart (I got to handle someone's and it is so much lighter than mine it's not even funny. I don't care how heavy the driver is, Kody was hauling more! LOL)

I learned the second day when Mom arrived that we actually don't do so well together anymore. She stresses and freaks when Kody acts up and her nervous presence and what I viewed as overreaction to every little thing he did got both the horse and I keyed up. I finally had to sit down and talk with her and ask her to leave while I got Kody ready, and boy did I have mixed feelings about that. How do you tell your parent, who owns the horse with you and wants more than anything to have fun and be a part of this, that her presence is upsetting you and the horse? Especially when you want her there! I have a tendency to think doing things "my way" is the right way anyhow, but for once I really felt that the horse did better with my approach. She understood and admitted she was so worried I'd get in an accident that she wasn't having any fun anyway, so she went away and had lunch while I hitched up. She also absolutely hates taking pictures for me because I never like the way they come out so there was some friction over that too. ::sigh:: We love each other, but when the tension mounts we are NOT good for each other! And we know it.

What can I say about the rest of the show? We went in Obstacle Driving Saturday morning and got fifth out of five under all three judges. The course was incredibly simple and miraculously contained only elements we'd face in any CDE and yet I still managed to blow it. On the other hand, I learned a very valuable driving lesson about how to approach that class the next time and I think I can avoid making the same mistake. A lesson I learned with my old horse and unfortunately forgot, which is do not push a stressed horse from one obstacle to the next thinking he'll leave the stress behind with the problem element. I should have said the heck with the judges and just let him stand there until he was ready to move on without anticipating the next signal. Next time!

That night brought car races which shook the barn we were in (right by the starting line) and Kody started literally climbing the walls. Angela and Amanda had to unhook him from the bottom half of the stall door and then slam the top half closed and hold it against his battering hooves while they ran to find my mom and me. I sent Mom out canvassing the farther barns for an empty stall while I sat in a chair in Kody's stall and tried to calm him. We got him moved (thank you Sandy McCormick of Alleluia Stables!) and he settled nicely once the cars were just a dull roar instead of vibrating his water bucket. We were able to return the favor when we noticed the mare in the stall next to him was showing signs of colic and got her help. That felt good.

The next morning I took Kody over to the warmup ring during jumping and let him tackle the practice jumps. At home he acts bored and angry to be asked to hop poles, can't hit the center or bother to tuck up his knees to save his life. More often than not the jumps go over before he does. But apparently with more to occupy his mind jumping became fun again and he soared over everything I pointed him at like Pegasus. Go figure! Unfortunately they had taken down the scary practice jump by the time I got there and the high jump went just as I was deciding if I should ask him to try it. But I did get to beat him (okay, sack him out) with the colored foam noodles and make him walk over the inflatable pool and stuff so once he figures out sidepassing and pivoting we should have a great obstacle inhand horse. He did a good job later when I tighten up his check so that he'd actually hit it occasionally and took his breeching off for the first time ever; he never batted an eye. We did not place in the eleven horse Stakes CP class, not surprisingly. I think he was a little sore from the previous days and he wasn't moving out even on a lungeline. I noticed today when I had him out grazing at home that his front feet seem to have gotten some rings and spreading that weren't there before the show so he may have damaged them pounding on his stall door or something. I'll keep an eye on it.

I love the mini shows. I love the tremendously helpful attitude of most people there, I loved knowing people in attendance because of this forum so I didn't feel so lost, I loved the fact that the halter horses are not frightened and harassed-looking like in the Arab world. I only saw one horse who's handler I would have liked to have a strict conversation with, and even her horse did not look afraid, just annoyed with her constant stupid tactics to try and get him/her stretched. I was not as happy with the pony classes, especially the modern, but then again I don't have to support them by watching them if I don't want to. I loved that most people there seemed to let their horses act like horses and encouraged them to be hams outside the ring. I saw several cute guys who reminded me strongly that I've been living in my shell for far too long and need to get out more. I even got a laugh when upon coming out of the stakes class the steward asked me how old I was and upon hearing "23" turned to someone else and said "I told you so!" Suddenly there was an explanation for the constant announcements during lineup reminding folks that youths needed a header in every class. I am NOT underage! LOL. I loved having folk know my horse's family and tell me more about them, and I loved that as we packed and I wistfully expressed to someone that I had noticed them having a great deal of fun at their barn party they told me I should have come and said "Oh, if only I'd known!" when I said simply that I figured I wasn't invited. I love that people care at these shows.

Bring on Area 8! And I promise to try and avoid these three-hour writeups.

Leia

Posted by: Sterling Jun 8 2005, 04:23 AM

Well I hope you break your promise.... I really enjoyed reading your "3 hour write-up"!! I felt as if I was there with you from start to finish. What a full showtime you and Kody had....and I have to say Kody sounds like a little packer. I think with mileage and time, he's gonna be one of those priceless little horses you want to hold on forever in your barn.

Thru out the years of showing horses, big and small I've learned that horses are individuals, just as people are (no surprise there ). Just like there are athletes that excell in their given sport and some not so athletic people that don't but love the sport anyway....so the same with horses. I admire how you handled your show, your thoughts about others and your Mom , realizing what you needed at the time yet considering her feelings as well. I think if there would have been a trophy for sportsmanship you should have gotten it. I wish all competitors could have your attitude and grace.

Remember too that alot of people have multiple horses for multiple disciplines. Maybe down the line you may be able to get that flashy, high strung, high stepping horse, if thats what you desire at the time. But I think you have a little gem in Kody...and working with him and getting him to the point where you actually see changes and improvement while he shows his little heart out will be a prize in itself. They don't always have to come in the form of blue ribbons. I've been there done that when I thought my horse was giving his/her all and yet somehow the judges did'nt seem to think so. It's his or her opinion at the time, so I shake it off and move on...and as you look forward with gusto to the next show, and the experiences and knowledge I'll learn there.

I can't wait to see pics if you have any....and to sum it up my opinion, if it makes any difference.....JOB WELL DONE!!!!

Edited for whatelse...typos!

Posted by: Dimimore Jun 8 2005, 04:25 AM

Posted by: Dr. Pam Jun 8 2005, 04:51 AM

Leia, I haven't been on the last couple weeks except for brief flashes--but I'm so glad I read your post. I'm sitting here all misty eyed--way to go, girl. I really hope there are folks like you in TX--it's your kind of attitude that keeps showing fun. Sure wish you could come on over and drive with us--we are "show people" switching over to CDE. Best of luck!!!

Posted by: hobbyhorse23 Jun 8 2005, 05:27 AM

Aw, sniff! Sterling, Pam, you guys are gonna make me cry! Here I was thinking I made so many attitude mistakes and judgment errors at my first show and you're telling me I have "grace" and "sportsmanship" and those other things I used to think I'd never have as well as I should. Awww....Sniffle!

Per request, here's the only decent shot we got of him moving. I never did see the pictures the professional photographer took on the last day when he went without his breeching and with his head set a bit higher (about where it is in this photo) and the neckstrap over the waterhook; he sure looked nice in the video though. I will get stills off that soon and post those. For now- here's him warming up in the parking lot. I did notice he's finally developing some prominent top-line muscles in his neck! No more resistance muscles or undefined length of neck.



Leia

Posted by: LindaL Jun 8 2005, 05:45 AM

Your post was a perfect example of why I keep showing...after almost 10 years...I do it for FUN! The day it isnt fun anymore is the day I will quit showing...Of course the higher ribbons are nice to have, but even when I get the gate, I am smiling coming out the gate....its OK.
I hope to meet you sometime at one of the NW shows...Im having a hard time getting to any so far this year, but I HAVE to get to at least 2 R shows...so I will be catching a few anyway....lol
Your placings may not have been up to your "standards", but sounds like you had a fun (and interesting) weekend anyway and met some awesome people...and the fact that you WANT to continue is the whole point...you had FUN!

Posted by: lyn_j Jun 8 2005, 05:52 AM

So glad you had such a good time....and as the irritating mom half of a motner daughter team, I appreciate your candor. I will try not to bug Katie as much as I know I have been when getting ready. As the show progresses we do better it is just in the very beginning preparation that I swear we will not get done in time or the clip job isnt perfect...etc. Now with the baby too the stress is more so I needed to hear it from someone else like you to back off with her.
Thanks for the sharing and the advice!
Lyn

Posted by: Bluerocket Jun 8 2005, 06:16 AM

Love the picture. Your horse looks quite nice and you look polished and elegant. Glad things worked out for you in the end... sounds like practice, practice, practice is all you need.. for the horse to be more fit and you more confidence.

I admire that you could (and did) go to the show all by yourself.. not knowing whether you would or would not know anyone else there.. and show successfully!!! What a brave person you are...

CONGRATULATIONS!! and you have my admiration!

JJay

Posted by: Crabby-Chicken Jun 8 2005, 06:32 AM

You did just great Leia.

We were sorry that we didn't have more time to sit and chat. I know I let the stress of the shows get to me, and Hilary my daughter does the same. So we really end up like your Mom and yourself. But dang, it is so worth it. You will never forget the show with your Mom. And you will learn together.

The Evergreen show will be bigger, but should be just as much fun! And now you know what is coming! Congrats.

Posted by: Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis Jun 8 2005, 06:32 AM

your story was WONNDERFUL and something i think all that show can relate to. I am a total doofus when it comes to showing i am a much better horse show mom Sounds like you had a wonderful time and all in all realized the most important thing at a show (for me anyway) is the wonderful people we meet and what i can learn by talking to and watching others

Posted by: GREENWOODMINIS Jun 8 2005, 06:32 AM

YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION...YOU HAVE HEART...AND, THE WILL TO DO IT!!! BELIEVE IN YOUR SELF TRULY AND, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!
I TO THINK YOU HAVE A GEM IN KODY...TAKE TIME TO POLISH HIM AND, HE WILL SHINE FOR ALL TO SEE!!!!
I LOVED YOUR STORY...YOU ARE A TALENTED WRITER INDEED...AND, YOUR WILL AND LOVE FOR YOUR ANIMAL COMES POURING THROUGH ONTO THE COMPUTER SCREEN!!
HATS OFF TO YOU I AM CHEERING FOR YOU
LISA

Posted by: nootka Jun 8 2005, 09:06 AM

Hey, Leia,

You and your horse are very brave and with that kind of rapport and your desire to help him overcome his own fears as well as your own, you can only do better at subsequent events.
I know the races held at Elma can frighten some horses, but they don't really seem to bother mine. But then, our horses are not sheltered as I like to eventually drive them in heavy traffic and around a lot of different scary things like dogs, kids, kites, bikes, etc. We even light fireworks in their vicinity and noone's died of fright, yet. Sometimes they have a running jag but they eventually give it up and hang around grazing. I think what I'm saying is no matter how much we think our horses trust us, there is always something to work on, but that's again the "good part" of losing is that we know where we can improve and do better next time. If we can't see any room for improvement is where we have problems, at least that is my feeling about my own performances in the ring.
I have only driven in the ring once, with a green mare that I chose not to clip and the day turned out to be 96 degrees! We got last place, but rightly so and I learned a lot that day, too. Not every horse's value lies in the ring and top placings, and that to achieve those placings is a lot of work and natural talent. I admire everyone who has the tenacity and ability to get there.

I am glad you will be showing and training and enjoying your mini! I hope we can visit more at the next show. W/two little boys I am rather busy and don't have as much time for visiting as I'd like to.


Take care and I enjoyed your post!


Liz M.

Posted by: susanne Jun 8 2005, 09:40 AM

Leia,

Wonderful story! Sounds like you had a great time.

I already respected your candor and insight from your earlier posts, but now I do even more. You have such a great attitude and ability to see things beyond yourself...actually, you are too self-deprecating. It's great not to be barn blind, but don't ever forget to give yourself credit!

Most of all, I love how you look first to your horse's well-being. That's worth so much more than any ribbon or placing.

I wish I could have been at this show...I really look forward to meeting you in person one of these days.

susanne

Posted by: squeaky Jun 8 2005, 09:41 AM

Hi Leia,
You and Kody did great for your first show. I remeber when I first started showing and it wasn't as fun as you seemed to have had at this show. With your obstacle class, don't worry about it. I still forget parts of the course even nowadays. It will take a little time, but at least you are going to keep trying again. Can't wait to see you at Area 8 and we will have Raider there too.
Amanda

Posted by: ClickMini Jun 8 2005, 11:24 AM

Leia, sounds like you did great for your first show with Kody, and he looks great, by the way! You look very nice in the pic, also.

I do completely understand how you felt when you didn't acheive the placings you wanted. I felt that same way at my last show when Alladdin and I were last under all three judges in our Amateur Sr. Stallions class, the only ones who didn't get a ribbon out of everyone! I was right on the edge of tears, we worked so hard to get there and I am so proud of him. But he was competing against some VERY NICE HORSES and was also the shortest one out there. He also has some faults. ;) Not that it is easy for me to admit. Plus, that is just one show! We did much better in the first one. So...we had fun and we WILL GET BETTER!

So, hang in there, keep trying, and keep learning! HAVE FUN!!! LOVE YOUR HORSE!!! He is trying his little heart out for you. You do have the right attitude and spirit!

Posted by: Magic Jun 8 2005, 02:32 PM

Leia, I LOVED reading your "three hour write-up"! You sound so wise-- you tried to figure out what you can work on so that you both can do better next time, placings-wise, and enjoyed the experience. Way to go girl! I'd love to meet you sometime, that is why I love showing too-- being surrounded by great people and great horses, it doesn't get better than that!

Posted by: Sterling Jun 8 2005, 05:40 PM

I think your pic turned out wonderful!! You look great and there's that little boy concentrating hard and working for his lady!!! I am hoping and wishing you the best with your CDS and ADS shows that may be coming up and the regular shows as well. Will be looking forward to hear how you two progress and shine!

Oh and meaning to address the car races that you mentioned. You know nootka brought up something that I have noticed here on my farm. I have been forever complaining on how much activity we have around, being close to a farm road with tractors and trucks and traffic buzzing by...along with the niefghboring kids riding their quads back and forth . Little did I realize that this is all desensitizing my horses and getting them used to all this so that when they go out to shows or where ever we may be at, it won't be a new monster to them. Not saying that they won't ever spook or crab...but I have noticed that when there is this loud commotion I usually look up and look to them while they sit grazing in their pastures or corrals, flicking their tails and munching on grass. I am realizing it's a good thing. Kody will be faced with alot in his show career, and I think the car races was a good test. Keep doing what you're doing.....you are definitely on the right road!!

Posted by: Valerie Jun 8 2005, 05:46 PM

Leia, I am truly sorry I didn't get to meet you at the Elma show........ I was so busy getting 2 mares ready for halter....Friday was bathing & some clipping & then Sat was totally hectic.......hurry & try to show one class after another with my little Palomino mare, Sparky...(her first show ever)....that was hectic, I was quite happy she didn't implode....she was quite nervous, but I thought she did ok., she placed & she honestly tried...she trusted me and tried to "set up" in the ring..... then had to hurry back to the barn & then get changed & then get Mercedes my "B" mare ready....and then she was just so naughty in her classes....one would have never known she had ever shown before...she was just not going to "set-up".....so I hope I am not the rediculous woman you were talking about....I don't think I tried anything too far-fetched to try to get her to set-up....... but I did realize that she needs a lot more practice & being I have only had her a couple of months, I really need to learn the key that "unlocks" her behavior....she is quite different at a show than at home.....plus, I am sure I am as well.....nerves, nerves, nerves.....

I thought the judges were very nice, although it was tough being the only horse in some of those classes.......the precious set up time you have is nill...when you are the only horse in class. Yep, Mercedes got several blues & a Senior Grand for aged mare, but did she really deserve them, no, ....but being the only horse in class she got them. I am sad to think that she just wouldn't "show" ya know, but alas, it was our first show together, so hopefully I will get all the puzzle pieces to fit for the July show...... my husband keeps reminding me.....Valerie, you show for "fun"...not winning..... so I keep needing to remind myself of that too....and I am here to say, regardless if your horse has shown before, it still takes a lot of work & dedication to get them to "show" in the ring....so I have sooooo much respect for all those that show......and keep showing...... it can get discouraging, but I think I was almost more discouraged I got a blue & didn't feel we deserved it than had I not placed at all.... I know that probably sounds very ungrateful, but it's not meant too........ I just know that Mercedes has so much more talent than she wanted to put forth.
The races were going to be very loud, so we got out of there & took the mares home on Sat afternoon........ I am glad we did in hindsight, but I sure missed getting to see others show then........ July show will be different though I hope.

I do hope to meet you there and thanks for posting, it sounds like you have your horses needs above anything and that is just super! Valerie

Posted by: hobbyhorse23 Jun 8 2005, 08:56 PM

Those car races were something else. I'm used to them at Monroe but they've always been at about the level they were in the farther barn we moved him to at Elma- sort of a dull constant roaring. Mom and I literally could not hear each other yelling over his stall door in the original barn by the track. The exhaust fumes were drifting under the eaves and choking us, the stall door was vibrating and you could see the water in his bucket jump as the cars went by. It was just pathetic. If I had a horse's hearing I would have been climbing the walls too! And he was really pretty good. I got there just a few moments after Mom and he'd already calmed down to the point of standing by the door as soon as he saw her. I got in there and gave him some hay and he was eating it, just stopping to circle the stall at a walk when the cars went by.

He was so sweet, guys! I'm sitting in this lawn chair with a book and a waterbottle along one wall of his stall, and he'd circle until his head reached me then sidepass and back himself in beside me until his butt was to the wall and his chest snuggled up against the arm of the chair and just stay there, checking with me and chewing. It was adorable. Did have to discourage him from trying to climb into my lap like a foal once or twice though! He walked politely when we took him out to switch stalls and calmed immediately in the other barn so I think it was less a matter of needing to be desensitized as simply finding it an unbearable level of noise. He's a bit odd about touch and sound sometimes, I need to check with Bonnie and see what his deal is.

Amy, that's exactly it. You nailed it on the head. Thank you to everyone who replied here, your comments and kind PM's made me cry and made me even more grateful for the feeling of family I've found on this forum. I can't wait to meet each and every one of you in person.

Here's to minis!
Leia

Posted by: hairicane Jun 8 2005, 10:21 PM

Congrats on your 1st shows! I loved your picture, u both looked so nice! I think u did great considering he was in all new situations and u too. Things could have gone MUCH worse!!! So be proud, be very proud!