So I did get out of jury duty for the rest of the period, so that’s good.
We also passed the two year anniversary of when Phoenix came back to me. I’m so thankful to have that furry old man in my life!
The horse show was full or ups and downs for me. My three classes Saturday Stampede was good about 50% of the time while on course, the rest of the time he was grabbing the bit and running away with me to the jumps. My last class was the medal warm-up, which I had my husband video so I could see how it looked. I decided that I was probably getting too much in Stampy’s business, and planned to do that less Sunday in my medal.
I lunged Stampy sunday morning, which I have never done for a show before. My first medal class he was really good, no running away with me. I stayed out of his way and he was consistent in pace, responded nicely, and we got sixth. I was very happy with him and myself. He got a break then went back for the second medal. I had a completely different horse. He was angry! From the second I picked up the canter in the ring I knew it was going to be bad. He was immediately hoppy with his back-end with ears pinned. He kicked out once or twice, and grabbed the bit hard for the one stride headed home. After I came out I was trying to stand around and watch my fellow barnmates and he was having none of it. I just don’t get what causes this horse to emerge. It never happens on a normal day, or at least not at that level. I do everything I can think of to make his life comfortable and low stress and it just doesn’t work. I’m not sure what the solution is.
After the medal Stampy was good in, coming out after the victory gallop
Angry beast example!
So Stampede will get a few days off now. I rode Phoenix today but he wasn’t very into it. It was hot and the flies were horrendous, not to mention that there was no shade in the ring. After I got done riding, the boys got to go out with my friend’s horse Mikey for a while. They were all happy to get some extra grazing time in.
Boys grazing tonight – P spotted me!
Back to work tomorrow!
hey you both came home in 1 piece so all was a success! 🙂
Well that is true at least. A girl from our barn did fall over the weekend and break her leg right above the ankle. Sometimes you just expect more than what you get, disappointing. On to next show season we go!
:/ I wonder what is up with him? Love the pictures though. He cleans up nice! And P is too cute!
I’ve never been able to figure out what happens. I used to think stomach, but I give him ulcergard. He was beaten at a horse show as a youngster, so maybe it’s mental? I have more pictures, but he looks even more angry 🙁 The professional photographer had some where he looked like a dragon… There was a 1 stride where he always had his ears forward, but no good pictures there. Then one good one of him standing with the ribbon for the medal he was good in. He looked gorgeous, but I didn’t want to spend $60 for a picture with a 6th place ribbon, lol.
Thanks, I do think Stampede is pretty handsome cleaned up too, except he always needs a few more pounds and a better attitude towards showing! Lol. I may be bias but I think P is the cutest boy around! I need to take more pictures of him doing his silly things.