One thing that really stuck with me from the clinic last weekend was when I explained to the clinician how yes, Courage was going nicely at home, but no, we weren't showing because his little brain kept falling out of his chiseled head and it just wasn't worth it to me to put out $$$ for dressage shows with a guaranteed fail like that.
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| pretty chiseled |
So she said that next year, we had to go to every single show, until he learned he had to show up and do his job. Specifically, she said "I don't care if it's a dressage show, open show, 4H show, whatever. He can go do rail classes, but he has to go."
She's not wrong and in fact the year we did all the derbies, Courage got downright reasonable at hauling places and going to work. So when it popped up on my newsfeed that the local Arab club was holding an open show, my ears sorta pricked up. Then I talked a barn buddy who actually does those sort of shows into taking one of her horses too...
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| uh yeah we look like this |
And now Courage in entered in 7 (count 'em) english pleasure and equitation classes and one class for in hand trail this weekend.
Yes, at an Arab show.
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| need all the help we can get |
So uh. Wish us luck?
Wooohoo!! I did this with Hampton a SHIT TON when he was younger. I went to a bunch of open 4-H shows because if your horse can tolerate those idiots, then dressage shows are a piece of cake. We do expect photos of your Arab show experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm already recruiting Alyssa to photog! I don't expect to win anything and I haven't even attempted a rail class since I was like... 14? It's been a while. I'm excited!
DeleteYes! This is what my little Cob needs! All the shows :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds fun! Hope it goes well and Courage keeps his brain in his cute little head :)
ReplyDeleteNot that I'm super qualified to make this statement, but for what it's worth I think equestrians easily discount learning and training (for both horse and rider) how to perform AT A SHOW. And the only way to do that is to go to shows! Good luck and have fun :D
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a huge weakness for both of us. I'd never considered this plan of attack before, so fingers crossed it's a good experience.
DeleteOH MAN this is gonna be a blast! I love doing shows like that because they "don't count" since they aren't your chosen discipline, so you can just go and have fun and get the miles. Looking forward to seeing the pics! :D
ReplyDeleteHaha right? I'm super excited and really not nervous because if we fail spectacularly, well, it's not like we were expecting to succeed, and there's nothing on the line.
DeleteIs it really a "fail" though if you're working on his brain and getting him used to his job? I personally think not and if I actually had the money B would be at every show in a 50 mile radius, regardless of how badly I know he might do, dependent on his attitude that day. Just me though
ReplyDeleteIt's more a fail if/when we bolt across the arena and run in to someone. Not that I've considered that contingency.
DeleteIn my experience, no one seems to get THAT upset when it happens at a schooling show. Uh....not that I would know that from my own horse or anything...
DeleteI did this last year to get myself over crippling show anxiety, and I would definitely recommend it 😀 ESPECIALLY the random weird shows because then there is no pressure! Can't wait to see photos!
ReplyDeleteI don't so much have show anxiety but I definitely need to up my show ring game. Safe to say we both need this.
DeleteI did it mostly for me but I found that (obviously) it also helped my horses. Win-win 😊
DeletePretty excited for the photos of this.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping they're not super interesting... 😖
DeleteGetting out will be good for you guys! Annie is like an old pro about getting off the trailer now. Our dressage sucks but that's not because she is nervous in a new place just the same problems we have at home in a new place. She's always been reasonable but she definitely gets right to work now where she used to be more like a deer in headlights.
ReplyDeleteCourage is so inconsistent. He was ok 2014, great 2015, and 50/50 good and horrible 2016. So. Sigh. Here we go again.
DeleteI generally don't think it's a productive mindset to only show when you feel like you will win. This is horses: sometimes you win every single class, and sometimes you can't get your horse off the trailer. That's just how it goes. Riding is all about learning and about the partnership with your horse and having fun, regardless of what color ribbon (if any) you come home with. Your trainer's/clinician's suggestion to do ALL THE SHOWS to gain some show experience sounds like the right move...after all, that's why they created open schooling shows :)
ReplyDeleteThere's a difference between only showing when you think you can win and taking some time away when your horse bolts across every diagonal. I don't need to win, but I'm pretty over paying $$$ to fail in that particular way.
DeleteI got ridiculously excited about this! I really need to get Stinker out and about more. You can't be worse than me doing western rail classes as a kid. I flew around while everyone else putzed...
ReplyDeleteHaha Alyssa definitely nixed any shot at western pleasure. Given that I can't sit in a western saddle and would need to borrow hers, it was hard to argue.
DeleteYesss ... ALL THE SHOWS! And there will be recaps and photographs. I love it. Love this plan!
ReplyDeleteHaha always recaps and photos.
DeleteEek! Sounds like fun! So many chances to learn...and take photos :0)
ReplyDeleteHa yes! Sounds like we have a gang going so photos should abound.
DeleteHave fun! :)
ReplyDeleteProudly full assing it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, have fun!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo!! Have fun :) this is exactly my goal with Katai this year.
ReplyDeleteOmg I love open shows! You'll have a blast.
ReplyDeleteJust wait until he sees the costume horses! And the fine harness horses! And the gaited horses and mules and minis since it's an open show!
ReplyDeleteWe've been doing that for Eugene. We take him to all sorts of shows we have no interest in winning just to get the exposure. The Arab show sounds fun to me actually. Take lots of pics.
ReplyDeleteOpen shows are the best! And yes, getting in there and just doing it is so important. They gotta be ready to show up for their jobs every damn day. Earn that board bill, you know? ;)
ReplyDeleteYa! This is such good advice! Just do it all until it's all no big deal! And have fun!
ReplyDeleteThis is great!! I'm excited to hear all the stories!
ReplyDeleteI feel like this is in the future for my birdbrained saddlebred...good luck!
ReplyDelete*Gasp* Breeeeeed show?! *clutches the pearls* THE HORROR!
ReplyDelete;-)
Just kidding! Sorry, had to do it! Hope you guys have a good time and Courage learns lots!
Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOne of the Arab clubs in AZ had schooling shows and it was usually a pretty good mix of entrants. Everything from minis to occasiona drafts and they offered halter, showmanship, 2 driving classes and an array of English and western. Walt/trot, pleasure and eq classes, 17 and under, aamateur and open. Classes were around $10 so nothing to break the bank and yes a good place to get the horses used to Everything. There was even one group that would come- they liked to think they were a Big Name Barn- show up, warm up and as soon as classes started..... They BAILED! It was a schooling show which made it all the more hilarious.
ReplyDelete