Back In The Saddle.....YIPPEE!!!

The sixth grader could not ride due to a broken arm, but the now seventh grader got a celebratory surprise. She showed up to the stable with mom to help me bathe Winnie but to her surprise she was all saddled up with Justine's helmet ready. A squeal and a smile was as long as it took for her to get on. Since technically she is not cleared to ride until July 9, today's riding was confined to walk only in the arena with Dad very close at all times, so Justine that's just a pony ride, but better than nothing. Winnie was cautious too, she didn't try anything fast even when a certain little girl tried to sneak in a trot a few times, Winnie said "no walk, patterns and leg yield is just fine for you". You could really feel something going on between the two of them. Winnie wanted desperately to get out to the pasture with friends and grass after two days of staying in her stall, but she kept it calm and collected for Justine.

Winnie had a tough couple of days. We finally have the skin welts under control (thanks to Kim)from a bad reaction to fly spray, and a new farrier that specializes in correct hoof issues looked in on her and straightened out her front legs and made her "more balanced". I found you can tell the balance when riding her. Her hoof do not click together, no occassional stumble and trotting was weird because the Winnie bounce was gone, it felt like a quick walk. Now I have to learn how to post all over again.

Some have asked for video, so here is one that didn't transfer to PC well, sorry. This is the first event where we were all very surprised.

Owner/Rider Conference

Justine (Owner) and Brianna (Rider) debrief on the day's performance. I think the final assessment was positive. However after Justine's bear hug I'm not sure Brianna could breath after that hug.

Winnie's Debut

Sunday June 22, 2008 was the St. Jude's annual horse show. It is a less formal show and perfect for Winnie's first show in three years and our first ever. Justine still has not been cleared to ride, but we were blessed to have a willing and extremely talented and competent rider, Brianna. Brianna and Winnie have ridden a few times and seem to hit it off well. However, chances are if you let Winnie jump something and go fast, she's going to like you.

It was a family affair, in that Grandap Kenney, Aunt Debbie also came and even flying/motorcycle friends Rick and Helen surprised us by attending. New addition to the family Lillie May (we have very large and very small four legged kids) kept people laughing. Lillie was going to go for a ride, but Brianna not her nerve back. The only calm one in the bunch was Winnnie. Nothing phased her, she was a real good girl and as the judge said "a sweet girl".

"Old Horse CAN Jump"

Either someone forgot to tell Winnie she's an older girl or she just didn't care, because she attacked the cross rails with fervor. I think Brianna found Winnie's cruise control button, because she set her in a smooth canter and even over the jumps her speed and gait remained constant throughout the entire course. Brianna's reaction? "She's a good girl she listened to everything, she saw the first jump and dug in and I was amazed the power she had, at the end of the course she didn't want to do the circle and end, she wanted to circle and do it again."

This was the first event of the day, and the judge must have liked it because as they announced the rankings, and they got to 3rd place and no #27 Brianna/Winnie we all thought she did not place. Then WOW, "in first place blue ribbon #27 Brianna on Winnie". Brianna sat stunned and Justine vigorously thrust both arms into the air with a scream (Justine apparently forgot her broken arm too, but was feeling no pain). Winnie proudly accepted her ribbon and trotted happily away and then rested and snoozed. Brianna did an amazing job with her. We could only wish to ride half as well as she does.

Rate to Win (Winnie) Wins Big

By the end of the day, here is how Winnie and Brianna finished up:

1st Place Cross Rails (hunter/jumper)
3rd Place Hunter Hack

1st Place Open Road Hack

3rd Place Open Equitation (judging the rider)
5th Place Open Pleasure

Then the Big Surprises!!!!

1. For the Hunter Class (first 3 events) they got a huge ribbon and prizes for being "Show Champion"....... check out Brianna's emotion as she calls her mom to tell her she and the old girl won big!

2. For the Open Equitation the got "Show Reserve Champion"