tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733109971235989183.post8664589532115452265..comments2023-10-31T03:36:48.285-04:00Comments on Diary of the Overanxious Horse Owner: Show #1 of 2011Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733109971235989183.post-17631821239687853372011-05-19T17:37:01.617-04:002011-05-19T17:37:01.617-04:00Wow... I have to say, I'm really impressed! Fi...Wow... I have to say, I'm really impressed! First of all, because you get out there and DO it. I think that's terrific, no matter what the outcome. Showing gives you goals to work for, a bonding experience with your horse, and is worth all the effort, money and nerves if you enjoy yourself - and I think you did! :-) I miss it.<br /><br />Again, I am strictly a H-J person so don't know exactly what judges are looking for in some of your classes. BUT - I did do a tiny bit of showmanship in my 4-H days, just a few (koff, koff) years ago, so I remember what it feels like. And I only had to do a simple up and back! You guys looked great out there. Definite improvement since last video I watched.<br /><br />I thought you both looked competent, consistent and relaxed in your flat classes. Have no fear, you look like you know what you're doing and so does Junior. It really is wonderful to see you guys growing in your partnership.<br /><br />And P.S. - LOVE your new outfit! You're hired if I take up a Western career in my old age. :-)RiderWriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05679157278313699794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733109971235989183.post-46020826528563028712011-05-19T04:15:43.310-04:002011-05-19T04:15:43.310-04:00It's taken me ages to finally catch up to your...It's taken me ages to finally catch up to your blog, but I finally did it! I found this a while ago and have been slowly reading all your old posts. First I want to say, as you know, Junior is so beautiful! I love his white face.<br /><br />Let me say...Those patterns just confuse me. I'm more of a speed event kind of person, so I've never had to do a pattern like that. It always amazes me how people can do them without messing up.<br /><br />Considering I just watched some of your early showmanship videos tonight, you two have really improved. You guys look great now!Cjayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16768186691473461646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733109971235989183.post-40850513265484527772011-05-11T19:04:50.937-04:002011-05-11T19:04:50.937-04:00It appears I can't spell... "Hope your b...It appears I can't spell... "Hope <i>your</i> back is feeling better soon." Sorry, the OCD in me had to correct that. I wanted to mentione one more thing anyway.<br /><br />I take a bunch of card stock with me to the shows. I pre-cut it to be show number size and also bring a big sharpie marker and number stencils (although sometimes I just wing it). Once I find out what my number is, I make enough numbers to put on whatever outfits/saddle pads I need for the day. That way, all my stuff already has a number attached to it.<br /><br />That might help eliminate a little bit of stress. :)in2paintshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721328264615241612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733109971235989183.post-73188514194818615602011-05-11T15:49:44.496-04:002011-05-11T15:49:44.496-04:00@Milo - Yes, I agree. He's too tall and narrow...@Milo - Yes, I agree. He's too tall and narrow for a true western horse. That's why we don't do the Western Pleasure classes much. We've never placed well in them so I only do them for fun and more mileage in the ring. In horsemanship they want a more forward and round horse so he's fine for that, at least at these small shows that I go to. I like having an All-Around horse, though, even if we don't place as well in the Western. We've been working almost solely on English since last fall so it's take us a while to get that flowier stride that's better in the English. Thanks for the compliment on the outfit. I'm pretty happy with it. Hopefully I won't feel the need to make yet another outfit for next year!Rebecca Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058661062366527906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733109971235989183.post-11768433053450596382011-05-10T21:42:53.066-04:002011-05-10T21:42:53.066-04:00I just love when blogger eats my REALLY LONG COMME...I just love when blogger eats my REALLY LONG COMMENT! So here we go again...<br /><br />Sounds like you had a pretty good show! You and Junior both looked great and I think he looked pretty relaxed in his classes. I did notice he was crying a bit in that first showmanship class but it looked like he was paying attention to you at least.<br /><br />I'm not sure if you want comments from the peanut gallery (me) or not, but I have a few observations. I'm hesitant to make comments because I know everyone is taught differently and show trends can even vary from place to place. Not only that, but I'm certainly no pro... that being said I'm going to go ahead and comment. I hope you find some of my gibberish helpful.<br /><br />When I'm doing a showmanship pattern and it says "at cone B trot", I'm trotting as soon as my horse's nose reaches the cone. I don't wait until we're past it or half-way past it, I'm trotting as soon as we get there. The only other thing I noticed from the hunt seat pattern was that Junior moved his pivot leg shortly after you set him up for inspection. I would have fixed that leg before asking him to do that last pivot. Speaking of pivots, though, they looked great!<br /><br />In the western showmanship class I have to get nit-picky to find something... I would say that it looked like you were a little late on that first crossover and Junior showed a bit of resistance during the back, but otherwise the pattern looked nice. The patterns with circles in them are always a challenge because it's difficult to make a nice, even circle, but I've been practicing those a lot here lately.<br /><br />Regarding the crossovers, I always take 3 steps. It's like 2 to get across and then a 3rd to get myself set back into place. I think it depends a lot on your leg, though. Some people with really long legs would look goofy doing 3 steps and some people with short legs look goofy doing 1 step. The important thing is to figure out how many steps it takes you to make a nice crossover and then make sure you do that same number every time you cross over.<br /><br />I think you two looked great and I can't wait to read about the next show! I hope you're back is feeling better soon too.in2paintshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721328264615241612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733109971235989183.post-1697560824432277482011-05-10T20:55:56.858-04:002011-05-10T20:55:56.858-04:00I think you looked great in those videos! I might ...I think you looked great in those videos! I might be biased, but I think you looked for consistent than some of the others especially in that HUS class. I hope you dont take this the wrong way, but I think that Junior would really be more suited for english riding - he just has that nice flowy trot compared to a shorter strided jog. He seems most happy when he can move out a little freer. Your outfit sure does look sharp! I really like that saddle blanket with it too. But overall, I think you did a great job! I look forward to more posts! :)paint_horse_milohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14549633937628282128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733109971235989183.post-50045002954481067402011-05-10T18:33:08.380-04:002011-05-10T18:33:08.380-04:00whew! those patters just make me go, "wow. ho...whew! those patters just make me go, "wow. how do they do it?" I do halter and showmanship classes - english, but this year i've done western too - and i have some tips if you want them.<br /><br />just make sure you keep your shoulders back and arms level, and in a showmanship class DON'T TOUCH YOUR HORSE PHYSICALLY. there's nothing that judges hate more than you pushing on your horses chest to back, or pushing its neck to make it turn, etc. that'll get you bumped down to last pretty quickly. In halter, when lined up on the rail or against the rail, stand still. move as the judge does, switching sides accordingly. but most importantly, don't keep turning your horse in circles to get it to stand still. if your horse doesn't stand still in th elineup, its not ready for halter/showmanship.<br /><br />hope this helped! good work and can't wait to hear more!<br /><br />with love,<br />gabriella. :)Gabriella Elisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07654181597852687661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1733109971235989183.post-45610832087265889132011-05-10T17:32:25.151-04:002011-05-10T17:32:25.151-04:00those are some serious challenging patterns, wowze...those are some serious challenging patterns, wowzers! the video proves that you guys are really improving, isn't that all we strive for - success dear! i'm jealous :)Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06839298730787029068noreply@blogger.com