Horse Show '09

Courtney had her first horse show today. It took place at EE Stables where she trains, and today's event was for all of their beginning riders. She was AWESOME. She's been working hard to get ready for the show and it payed off. She did great and had a lot of fun. Here are pictures from her 5 events.

Trail Skills
They created an obstacle course for the riders to navigate. This course was new for everyone. The riders had received a paper a few weeks ago with the course drawn out, and had to memorize it, but could not actually do the course with a horse until the competition. She did great remembering everything. It included turning around 2 barrels, trotting over a jump, weaving through cones, stopping the horse for 3 seconds, grabbing a potato and dropping it in a barrel, turning the horse 360 degrees, dropping stirrups and picking them up again, and trotting to the finish line. She got 2nd place in this event!


Cone Weaving
This event is just as it says. They had to weave through a set of 6 cones 2 times. It isn't timed, just supposed to demonstrate their skill. They are allowed to walk or trot. She did good. The first time she tried trotting and missed a cone. The second time she slowed down and got through them great. Her horse loped a little at the end which isn't allowed. She didn't place but got a participation ribbon.

Flag Exchange
In this timed event, they hold a baton at the starting line, have to get to a bucket by walking or trotting, walk around the outside of it while exchanging their baton with one in the bucket, and get back to the starting line. If they go around the front of the bucket or drop the baton, they are disqualified. She was super. She completed it in 25 seconds, coming in 1st place!!! (She was worried about not be able to beat the first rider who got 1 minute 30 seconds.) I put the video of this event since it was her best.



Jumping
They teach the kids to jump over a small obstacle. They don't ever get much higher, unlike English style. It's supposed to simulate a fallen tree or a ditch in the trail. She loves jumping. They had to go over the jump 2 times at a walk or trot. Her horse loped during the second jump, so she didn't place, but again got a participation ribbon.

Cloverleaf
This event is like barrel racing, but it's not timed. They are just testing the riders skill at controlling the horse. If they go around the barrels the wrong way they get disqualified. Because Courtney had problems with her horse loping some of the other events, she decided to play it safe and walk. She did really good and got 2nd place.


This show was great because it comes almost exactly 1 year since she started lessons. It was a great showcase of how much she has learned and how far she has come. I don't think we'll ever get her away from these horses now.

Courtney & Ben
who she rode for 3 events. He is one of her favorites at the barn.

A group shot of all the kids and instructors.