sisters who ride together …

I love, love, love that these girls are riding together! We’ve had quite the busy riding and showing schedule, but they love every minute of it!

The other two? Not so much. But they’ve been such troupers keeping themselves busy … even if it is in a mud pile!

All that said … I do have to admit, when I’m in the middle of slinging horse manure, there are times I wonder why I couldn’t be a soccer mom instead! This horsey business is A LOTS O’ hard work!!

Shows are typically two days {Saturday and Sunday}, but we drive up the day before to get a schooling ride in and get settled in the barn. The next day, we wake up at the crack of dawn {shown below} for a schooling ride before the 7:30 “class” starts.

It’s hurry, hurry, hurry:

  • braid the hair
  • dress the kid {she needs a little help to get it just right}
  • put the number on
  • put the garters on
  • groom the horse
  • get tack together
  • tack the horse
  • polish horses feet {dead serious.}
  • put kid on horse
  • polish kids shoes once mounted
  • get to the schooling ring
  • wait for class to start
  • watch class
  • collect ribbons
  • back to barn
  • untack horse
  • brush off or hose down
  • put tack away
  • and then wait
  • and wait
  • and wait

‘Til the next ride. And then we do it all over again. For two of them.

It makes for a long weekend … but it’s seriously rewarding to see how much the girls love it.

On this particular day, Wynter was first up. We’re still looking for just the right mount for her. You might remember Grace? Sadly, Grace didn’t work out and we’re still looking.

This pony, Poncho, lived close to the show grounds and the owner agreed to let us try him out. Wynter had her schooling ride on him the day before the show and it went well enough to give him a try at the show.

He’s cute enough and all … but he wasn’t too good in the show ring. He’s what you’d call a “herd pony.” And didn’t want to be away from the other horses. Wellllll … when you’re showing in these classes, it’s best to be riding by yourself and not gather up with the other ponies … although at this level, it’s kinda what the kids tend to do. It reminds me of when Piper played soccer as a peanut and all the little kids moved through the field as one unit. Anyway. Poncho would want to catch up with other horses and would start cantering when he shouldn’t, and basically wouldn’t listen to Wynter very well.

So yeah. He didn’t work out.

Wynter got a 5th, 4th, and 5th place ribbon in her classes on him.

Next up, it’s Taylor’s turn! Taylor has been ah.maz.ing on her new boy Rocco! She’s found her passion again and I can’t begin to explain how it warms my heart.

She had two jumper classes this day and took a first and second place. Crazy amazing!

The next day, Sunday, Taylor started out early in a couple of equitation classes. They didn’t do too great in these. I think she got a 5th and a 6th.

At the end of the equitation class, they all need to line up with their numbers facing the judge. Wynter has to do this in her classes too and it’s kinda way too cute to see them all trying to get in a single file line.

After Taylor was done and we’d done a sufficient amount of waiting, Taylor had two more jumper classes.

{see all the mud and muck?? TONS of rain was had!}

And then something that completely amazes me … they need to learn and remember their jumping courses. The courses are only posted the morning of the event and each day it changes. New day, new course.

So before her class starts, they look at the posted course, get a good handle on it and commit it to memory, and then they go out and physically walk the course. Here’s Taylor with her trainers walking the course.

The class Taylor rides in is judged on two different things. Power and speed. At the first part of the class, they need to go clean {not knock any poles/rails down off the jumps} and also make it through in an allotted amount of time. When they finish that round, they stay in the arena and wait for the judge to blow her whistle again.

This time they’re judged on speed. The rider who makes it through the course “clean” and with the fastest time, wins! OH! and the kicker? If they make the first part of the class and are moved into the second part, the course is completely different! So in a split second, they have to refocus to ride a completely different course. Crazy.

Anyway.

Taylor had two jumper classes and got 2nd in her first class, and a 1st in her second class.

Given the 1st and 2nd the day before, she walked away as grand champion of those classes! She also won $50!

I could go on and on about how proud I am of Taylor and all the reasons why … but let’s just leave it at, I love seeing this girl grow in ways I never expected.

After a torrential downpour, Wynter’s classes came at the end of the day. She was back on her trusty ol’ lesson mount and she did much better this day! She took a 3rd, 3rd, and 3rd in her three classes. I suppose now might be a good time to mention my girl, who was born on 11.03.03, has a favorite number of … THREE! :)

And all isn’t lost for Wynter in the horse department! The same farm who had Poncho, had just brought in another pony from Florida. So while we were in the “wait, wait, wait” period of the show, we went over to give him a try. He seemed like a good little mount, so with our trainer’s help, we decided to bring him home for a trial run.

Currently, our bedtime prayers are that Wynter and “Spanky” make a good team this week and it works out that we can keep him. And MY bedtime prayer might be that we can change his name!

We’re missing one girl from the photo, but here’s our team below. Catherine, the girl’s amazing trainer, is next to Taylor.

Six girls … 34 ribbons! I’d say it was a great show!

 

 

171 Comments

  1. dawn July 17, 2013 at 10:34 am

    tay’s string of ribbons is so beautiful!!!! and I love that head on shot of her coming over that jump- FIERCE! that looks says get outta my way I have GREAT things to accomplish {and oh! i believe she does!}

    and wynt has another set of those hair ribbons?!?! i want braids so i can have those gorgeous ribbons!!!

    what a weekend… so blessed with togetherness, even in the mud :) and adding in my prayers for the pony! {and the name change!}

    Reply
    1. tracie July 18, 2013 at 4:44 pm

      guess who’s sticking around for a while?!? SPANKY!! :)

      Reply
  2. furtdsolinopv August 15, 2018 at 1:02 pm

    Does your site have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

    Reply
  3. survives August 28, 2018 at 5:22 am

    whoah this blog is magnificent i love reading your articles. Keep up the good work! You know, lots of people are hunting around for this information, you can help them greatly.

    Reply
  4. more October 14, 2018 at 3:33 pm

    I just want to say I am newbie to blogging and site-building and truly savored this web page. Probably I’m want to bookmark your blog . You surely have beneficial articles and reviews. Thanks a lot for sharing your website.

    Reply
  5. John Deere Repair Manuals October 15, 2018 at 5:33 pm

    Spot i’ll carry on with this write-up, I truly think this site requirements a great deal more consideration. I’ll oftimes be once more to see far more, many thanks that info.

    Reply
  6. Homeserve October 22, 2018 at 5:21 am

    You could definitely see your enthusiasm within the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.

    Reply
  7. Home Service Plans October 22, 2018 at 7:53 am

    Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Very useful info specially the last part :) I care for such info much. I was looking for this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

    Reply
  8. Homeservice Club October 23, 2018 at 2:56 am

    Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

    Reply
  9. Whole Food Vitamins October 23, 2018 at 11:09 pm

    I simply could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information an individual provide to your visitors? Is going to be again ceaselessly to investigate cross-check new posts

    Reply
  10. Shopping Styles October 24, 2018 at 11:49 am

    great points altogether, you just gained a brand new reader. What could you suggest about your put up that you simply made a few days ago? Any positive?

    Reply
  11. Technology October 24, 2018 at 11:49 am

    I savour, lead to I discovered just what I was having a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

    Reply
  12. Home October 24, 2018 at 11:49 am

    My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

    Reply
  13. home improvement October 24, 2018 at 12:48 pm

    You have brought up a very wonderful details , regards for the post.

    Reply
  14. Home October 24, 2018 at 9:00 pm

    You made various fine points there. I did a search on the subject and found mainly people will agree with your blog.

    Reply
  15. Health Store October 24, 2018 at 10:11 pm

    Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this post is amazing, nice written and come with approximately all vital infos. I¡¦d like to peer extra posts like this .

    Reply
  16. Department Of Health October 25, 2018 at 12:40 am

    Wow! Thank you! I always needed to write on my website something like that. Can I take a fragment of your post to my blog?

    Reply
  17. home improvement October 25, 2018 at 12:59 am

    Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch as I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch! “A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it.” by Oscar Fingall O’Flahertie Wills Wilde.

    Reply
  18. Health Policy October 25, 2018 at 7:12 am

    Hello, Neat post. There is a problem together with your site in web explorer, may check this¡K IE nonetheless is the market leader and a large component to folks will omit your magnificent writing due to this problem.

    Reply
  19. Health October 25, 2018 at 5:11 pm

    I like this post, enjoyed this one thankyou for putting up.

    Reply
  20. Healthy October 25, 2018 at 10:12 pm

    Just desire to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post is just excellent and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.

    Reply
  21. Business Checks October 26, 2018 at 12:08 am

    Great ¡V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task..

    Reply
  22. Small Business October 26, 2018 at 1:54 am

    I¡¦m no longer sure the place you’re getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend a while learning much more or figuring out more. Thanks for fantastic info I used to be in search of this information for my mission.

    Reply
  23. Small Business Ideas October 26, 2018 at 7:05 am

    Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is excellent, let alone the content!

    Reply
  24. Business October 26, 2018 at 12:10 pm

    Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for!

    Reply
  25. Women October 27, 2018 at 8:51 pm

    Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

    Reply
  26. Travel October 28, 2018 at 6:59 am

    Needed to compose you that little remark just to say thanks again relating to the unique tips you have contributed on this website. This has been quite incredibly open-handed of you to give openly exactly what many individuals could have advertised for an e-book to end up making some bucks for their own end, even more so given that you might well have done it if you desired. The pointers in addition served to be a easy way to recognize that the rest have the identical dreams really like my own to grasp many more pertaining to this problem. I know there are some more enjoyable opportunities ahead for folks who take a look at your website.

    Reply
  27. Web Design October 28, 2018 at 11:37 am

    I just couldn’t go away your site prior to suggesting that I actually loved the usual info an individual supply for your guests? Is gonna be again steadily in order to investigate cross-check new posts.

    Reply
  28. Career And Jobs October 28, 2018 at 6:03 pm

    I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site :).

    Reply
  29. Business News October 28, 2018 at 11:31 pm

    Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful info particularly the last part :) I care for such info much. I was looking for this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.

    Reply
  30. Education October 29, 2018 at 12:13 am

    I wanted to jot down a small remark in order to thank you for all of the remarkable advice you are giving out here. My particularly long internet search has at the end of the day been paid with good quality facts and techniques to write about with my neighbours. I would claim that many of us website visitors are unequivocally blessed to dwell in a great place with so many perfect professionals with insightful tips and hints. I feel extremely lucky to have encountered your site and look forward to so many more brilliant times reading here. Thanks a lot once again for a lot of things.

    Reply
  31. Small Business October 29, 2018 at 3:29 am

    hello!,I love your writing very so much! proportion we keep in touch extra approximately your article on AOL? I require a specialist in this house to resolve my problem. Maybe that is you! Having a look ahead to see you.

    Reply
  32. Business Website October 29, 2018 at 4:47 am

    Thank you so much for giving everyone an extraordinarily splendid possiblity to read in detail from this website. It’s always so sweet and as well , jam-packed with a great time for me and my office friends to search the blog at a minimum three times per week to study the fresh things you will have. And definitely, I’m also actually satisfied with the stunning advice you give. Selected 1 ideas in this post are indeed the most effective we have had.

    Reply
  33. Business Owner October 29, 2018 at 7:32 am

    I’m so happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.

    Reply
  34. Starting a Business October 29, 2018 at 7:59 am

    Hi there, I found your blog by means of Google whilst looking for a comparable topic, your site got here up, it looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Reply
  35. Pets October 29, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    Some really wonderful content on this site, thanks for contribution.

    Reply
  36. Web Design October 29, 2018 at 2:43 pm

    Normally I don’t learn article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice post.

    Reply
  37. Web Design October 29, 2018 at 6:27 pm

    I do believe all of the ideas you have introduced to your post. They are really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are too quick for beginners. May you please extend them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

    Reply
  38. Fashion October 29, 2018 at 9:58 pm

    Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

    Reply
  39. Travel October 30, 2018 at 1:01 am

    I got what you mean , regards for putting up.Woh I am glad to find this website through google. “Money is the most egalitarian force in society. It confers power on whoever holds it.” by Roger Starr.

    Reply
  40. business intelligence October 30, 2018 at 4:18 am

    great post, very informative. I ponder why the other specialists of this sector don’t understand this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!

    Reply
  41. home based business October 30, 2018 at 4:20 am

    I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

    Reply
  42. Education October 30, 2018 at 7:26 am

    Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.

    Reply
  43. Dating October 30, 2018 at 11:42 am

    You have brought up a very great details , appreciate it for the post.

    Reply
  44. Education October 30, 2018 at 1:12 pm

    It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read even more things about it!

    Reply
  45. Shopping October 30, 2018 at 8:02 pm

    I and also my guys were taking note of the good tips and hints from your web site while then came up with a terrible feeling I had not expressed respect to the blog owner for them. All of the people became so excited to study all of them and now have clearly been having fun with them. Thanks for genuinely quite thoughtful and also for figuring out some extraordinary topics millions of individuals are really needing to know about. My very own honest regret for not saying thanks to you sooner.

    Reply
  46. Home Improvement October 30, 2018 at 10:48 pm

    Someone essentially help to make significantly articles I might state. That is the very first time I frequented your website page and so far? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular put up extraordinary. Wonderful task!

    Reply

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *