April 23rd - 29th, 2013
How I see it.
D'Alonzo Ranch Show in Stockton.
We left Friday after school/work, drove to the show, got the horses settled in and fell into bed. Bright and early we started the western show day.
Judy was decked out in her new showmanship outfit and I have to say she looked sharp. Frenchie did a little fidgeting but not bad, and they showed nicely for the judge. Judy then jumped into her new show chaps and again they looked great. Frenchie and Judy did a great job, and the judge always used them in the line up. The judge was very chatty and encouraging. Even to place them 2nd in the w/j pleasure limit open. Judy was again up for the challenge and rode a few canter classes. Steadily climbing in balance and organization. And for a final display of fine horsemanship she won her trail pattern. Congratulations Judy!
Tara and Zen stepped up also making the line up in all their classes. Gaining in confidence Tara was able to ask for more frame and shape from Zen. Adding that to her easy pace and beauty, the pair took 2nd for the w/j pleasure color horse, beating out Sally and Linus & Clair and Rocky who took 4th and 5th respectively. Tara also did her first canter class in public for the judges consideration and placed 2nd for the Adult Amateur Equitation. Well done Tara!
Sally and Linus had their debut and who knew. Also consistently in the line up. For the w/j pleasure - Ranch horse open, the judge put Sally 2nd with much public exclamation about how this pair was her choice based on how quite and well behaved. Sally fit right in with ease and confidence on the rail. Flowing seamlessly into the canter classes winning Ranch horse open and Equitation 18 and over. And finally what they came for; the reining class, with beautiful geometry won the class. But not to finish just yet they also tried their had at the ranch horse trail where Linus had to drag a branch which startled him the first time. But in the next class they where able to give it another try and Linus was totally over it and pulled it along as if it were part of his daily routine. Very nicely done Sally.
Clair and Rocky rode the 17 and under division, and were top three in almost every class they rode. They won w/j pleasure ranch horse open, won the pleasure ranch horse open, and both the ranch horse open trail classes. The judge also had much to say about Rocky's way of going and Clair's horsemanship. I am always impressed by you, too.
Jan and Comet worked in hand in the arena with no questions or uncertainty, weaving through cones and walking over poles. So good in fact Jan was tasked with saddling Comet and repeating the exercise all dressed up like a big horse, which she did with patient reassurance. This will be the new job for Comet, to be saddled in public. Jan will be riding him before we know it. Very cool if you ask Me!
Also joining the fun was Paul and his warm blood yearling Albert. Early in the day Albert spent some time galloping freely in the round pen. Later in the day after some of the excitement had worn off he joined Comet for the in hand class. Also weaving throughout cones and working on lunging. I introduced rope tricks to Paul and Linus, setting the exercise and weeding out the drama and Paul would follow up until Albert was quiet and accepting. By the finish Paul was able to simulate the cinch, drag the rope and tangle the feet. Albert will now release to pressure from just about anywhere on his body and front feet. Great job Paul!
There is so much more. Watch for the 2nd half. English Show Day at D'Alonzo. I gotta go now...
Pictures for Saturday April 20th
D'Alonzo Ranch Show in Stockton.
We left Friday after school/work, drove to the show, got the horses settled in and fell into bed. Bright and early we started the western show day.
Judy was decked out in her new showmanship outfit and I have to say she looked sharp. Frenchie did a little fidgeting but not bad, and they showed nicely for the judge. Judy then jumped into her new show chaps and again they looked great. Frenchie and Judy did a great job, and the judge always used them in the line up. The judge was very chatty and encouraging. Even to place them 2nd in the w/j pleasure limit open. Judy was again up for the challenge and rode a few canter classes. Steadily climbing in balance and organization. And for a final display of fine horsemanship she won her trail pattern. Congratulations Judy!
Tara and Zen stepped up also making the line up in all their classes. Gaining in confidence Tara was able to ask for more frame and shape from Zen. Adding that to her easy pace and beauty, the pair took 2nd for the w/j pleasure color horse, beating out Sally and Linus & Clair and Rocky who took 4th and 5th respectively. Tara also did her first canter class in public for the judges consideration and placed 2nd for the Adult Amateur Equitation. Well done Tara!
Sally and Linus had their debut and who knew. Also consistently in the line up. For the w/j pleasure - Ranch horse open, the judge put Sally 2nd with much public exclamation about how this pair was her choice based on how quite and well behaved. Sally fit right in with ease and confidence on the rail. Flowing seamlessly into the canter classes winning Ranch horse open and Equitation 18 and over. And finally what they came for; the reining class, with beautiful geometry won the class. But not to finish just yet they also tried their had at the ranch horse trail where Linus had to drag a branch which startled him the first time. But in the next class they where able to give it another try and Linus was totally over it and pulled it along as if it were part of his daily routine. Very nicely done Sally.
Clair and Rocky rode the 17 and under division, and were top three in almost every class they rode. They won w/j pleasure ranch horse open, won the pleasure ranch horse open, and both the ranch horse open trail classes. The judge also had much to say about Rocky's way of going and Clair's horsemanship. I am always impressed by you, too.
Jan and Comet worked in hand in the arena with no questions or uncertainty, weaving through cones and walking over poles. So good in fact Jan was tasked with saddling Comet and repeating the exercise all dressed up like a big horse, which she did with patient reassurance. This will be the new job for Comet, to be saddled in public. Jan will be riding him before we know it. Very cool if you ask Me!
Also joining the fun was Paul and his warm blood yearling Albert. Early in the day Albert spent some time galloping freely in the round pen. Later in the day after some of the excitement had worn off he joined Comet for the in hand class. Also weaving throughout cones and working on lunging. I introduced rope tricks to Paul and Linus, setting the exercise and weeding out the drama and Paul would follow up until Albert was quiet and accepting. By the finish Paul was able to simulate the cinch, drag the rope and tangle the feet. Albert will now release to pressure from just about anywhere on his body and front feet. Great job Paul!
There is so much more. Watch for the 2nd half. English Show Day at D'Alonzo. I gotta go now...
Pictures for Saturday April 20th