Horse thief! (the horse show)

So a few weeks ago at a show a few counties over we had a horse theif.

I brought Indigo, who is doing exceptionally well this summer and behaving herself like an old pro, only took her 18 years to get it. I decided this show was gonna be about bringing out the best of what we have been doing all summer.

The white spotty horse has been worked 5-7 days a week, more like 7 most of the time. We go a few miles each day, walking, trotting, collecting and working on her amazing back up. Shes always sweaty and tired when we come back but comes to the gate with a nicker the very next day to say "What we gonna do today?" sometimes I ride her but mostly I have been driving her. After you ride 3-5 other horses owned by other people riding your own seems to take a back burner but I thought to myself, if I am riding these 2 year olds and 5 year olds why shouldn't I be enjoying my own horse?

Normally apart from the occasional pony ride I am the sole handler in her workouts and training. This spring I taught Indigo how to neck rein and jog beautifully on a loose rein. This summer we emphasized on harder work, fitness and collection. All bitless of course. But when it came to a certain little curly, red haired cowgirl I couldn't keep my horse to myself. I gave into the horse thief and let her steal my horse and some ribbons at the show.

I mean how can you resist the way her legs barely reach down below the flaps of my saddle and how Indigo carts around her precious cargo like an old schoolmaster, never faltering in the path she was set.

Indigo knew she had a job and took that job seriously apart from making some ugly faces at a horse that was trying to rear with a girl next to her in the line up.

They even went in the costume class as hippies. (I told ya I have polo wraps in EVERY colour, and a saddle pad to match too)

They also did showmanship. Now I think I did showmanship before with Indigo if I do remember correctly she was a loon, dancing all over the place as the judge walked around making a fool of her and myself against young horses who stood stock still.

This time she set up beautifully for lil' red cowgirl and behaved herself perfectly, standing completely still.

Of course I did halter with her. She looks like shes actually done this before.

It's amazing how far a few treats can go in teaching a horse how to set up and stand still at home for a halter class. Hasn't failed me yet!

(On another note: I know I am in all black. It's the only decent western show shirt I own since I out grew my others in colour and this one has some sort of magic material that allows air to fly right through it so I don't boil. I don't have time to get another one before our next show should I wear my brown driving gloves and brown cowboy boots with the black shirt/pants/hat? Opinions? I think they would go with Indigo's nice new rolled leather show halter shes wearing there because they are the same shade of brown. I mean it's about showing off your horse, not the silver, sparkly halter it's wearing.)

I got the chance to show a mini as well when a friend showed up and told me they had 4 mini's and 3 handlers.

Oh goodness, I want one.

How tiny!

Of course I rode Indigo. She was close to comatose at this point in the blistering heat and beating sun. The way they had this show set up class order wise was not ideal at all. I think I did more tack changes this day than I do in a week and must have run 5 miles between the show ring and trailer. We held it together and got some more ribbons. Man was she on a roll.

Trotting in a corner.

A nice canter.

Hand gallop.

Me looking not so serious in the lineup. I concentrate too hard when I ride. Driving I am all smiles. I think it comes with doing commercial carriage work you gotta smile at everyone.

Unfortunately my photographer Robin flew the coop with a pooped out cowgirl and her little brother before we got to the driving classes. Credit for all the photo's in this post go to her and her wonderful photo shooting abilities.
Indigo got a first in the pleasure drive and second in the lady's drive and a few more firsts, seconds a fourth and fifth with me and many others with lil' red cowgirl. Indigo placed in every single class she was in and was the only horse on the grounds that did halter, rode and drove and was the only horse completely bitless for all of it.
But don't worry, theres a show coming up this Friday. I have a feeling lil' red cowgirl is gonna be there and there will be more pictures to be taken of us three driving.