Representing the Arabian Breed!

Over the weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to represent the sport horse disciplines *and* the Arabian breed at Equifest of Kansas!

Fancy Pony walked around like she owned the place.

In the breed showcase, we demonstrated with Western Pleasure, Country English Pleasure, Hunter/Jumper (spectators dopn't know the difference), Native Costume, and Mounted Archery - all on Arabian horses!

The ring was set up with 3 jumps for me (one was a skinny - wahoo!), and 4 targets for the mounted archery.  The 2 horses in front of me looked at the targets like they were monsters!!
I resolved not to acknowledge them.

In we went, and as we headed down the line, Fancy Pony started giving the targets the hairy eyeball!  So, I asked her to trot on down the rail...  She focused a little.  I asked for a canter.  She focused a little more...  I pointed her at a jump, and the targets ceased to exist for her.  She had settled down to business!

Of course, we were doing the same demonstration all 3 days, but I tried to keep Twinkle Toes from getting bored.  We rode S-curves where we could, and we both loved showing off over the skinny jump!

Watch this!

The gorgeous weather deserted us for our last day, so I cheated and didn't wear show clothes.  I stayed in my insulated boots.  I kept my long-sleeve thermals and my vest.  I ditched my down coat just before heading to the ring.

Can you see the butterfly on my breeches?

According to my husband, the jumping portion of our demonstration was a crown favorite!
And when we made our final laps, I couldn't resist a princess wave to the crowd as we trotted down the rail....

Unconcerned about the short spot, she is!

I just LOVE sharing this horse!!

Away we go!

Tonight, we head out for Equifest of Kansas!
Once again, we will represent the Arabian breed for horse lovers in the midwest!!
Wahoo!!

If you are in the neighborhood, please come say hi!!

Lovely January Days

I've tried to make use of the beautiful days we are having mid-winter.
Fancy Pony is all clipped up for serious work and exhibition. Hubby offered to practice with his new camera while I rode!  He brings us this gem:

After I finished my own playing, I offered to share my ride with CG. Here, she is trying to find her ideal balanced position while exploring a new level of confidence! 

 

I totally thought I had already published this post..... 

Rough Edges

Step 1: Retrieve horse from Pasture:

Appreciate the rough edges...

 

Consider all the hair...

Step 2: Remove as much crud as possible!

This is just the start...

 

Step 3: Make sure that mane is out of your way! 

Experimenting with the running braid...

 

 

The forelock is not excluded today...

 

 

She asks: Did we really have to?

 

 Step 4: Clip and clean up bridle path and legs.

Go the extra mile by having your friend pose your horse for pictures!

Thank you, Genny!

Bridle path, ears, and legs cleaned up!

 Step 5: Dive in with the clippers until you like the look!

 

Frist trace clip, EVER!

 Step 6: Show off your hard work while waiting for the inevitable clipper lines to grow out!!

 

Fancy, yet?

 

 

Definitely fancy!!

 

 

 

 

What To Do With Your Christmas Tree (videos)

Cricket and Girl, followed my Fancy Pony and myself...

They also make great fillers for oxers!

Holiday Horse Show - Part 3

The Fancy Pony took me on an adventure!

And we got video!!!!
Sorry for the late posting.  Somehow, I thought I had already published this one...  Oops!

RSA Talk ofthe Street - OEV Holiday Show - hunter round 1:

RSA Talk ofthe Street - OEV Holiday Show - hunter round 2:

RSA Talk ofthe Street - OEV Holiday Show - hunter round 3 (eq):

ENJOY!

Success!! …it’s the little things…

It’s been wickedly cold.  And on the days it hasn’t been wickedly cold, I have had other obligations (like going to the grocery store because there is no food in the house!!) that prevented me from playing with ponies.Finally, I drug my friend’s Christmas tree to the barn to add to my tree as jump filler!  YAY!It was still bitterly cold, so I just fed the ponies and decided I just wanted to sit on the Fancy Pony while she ate. 

I had donned my helmet and grabbed a halter before heading out with the grain.  I lined them all up, fed the grain, and then haltered the princess for what may be an exercise in futility.

I haven’t been able to swing up bareback since I bulged my L5-S1 disc 2 years ago…  I had thought this through, somewhat.  You see, if the Princess hangs around rather than running off when I attempt to swing up, she is rewarded with more dinner, which is right in front of her face!
Smart, huh? 

I attempted to swing up, and her head came up as she drifted sideways away from me.  When things settled, she stuffed her face back in her bowl.

Take 2: No drift, but that head came up again.  Back to the bowl.

Take 3: I almost made it!  My leg was hanging on just in front of her flank, but she never moved.  The head didn’t come up, either.  She just waited patiently for me to wiggle on or slide off!  I decided it was going to happen today…

Take 4: I finally made it far enough on that I could wiggle the rest of the way!  The Princess Pony was nonchalant and finished her meal quietly.

Once the meals were finished, we practiced cutting some of the other horses away from the herd – just for fun, you know!  By then, I had had about all of the fun in the cold that I could stand, so I documented my success, and headed back to the warmth of “inside.”

I feel incredibly accomplished!

She is *sooooo* impressed...