Notes From Around the Arena
June 10th - 16th, 2014
How I See It
The Skyline Beginner Show and Camp out was a success and oh, so much fun.
Maddy, Luna, Ruby, Remi and Jamila worked horses at the arena on Saturday getting them used to the surroundings in hopes that the show the next day would be safe and fun. Cowboy, Ocho, Zen and Macaroni where great trotting around the arena and the fields of Skyline park in Napa.
After all that riding the kids bathed horses for what seemed like hours. Those gypsy horses take some doing.
Danielle, Olive, Deryn and myself set up camp and kept the supply of cold drinks at the ready. Saturday was hot but not as hot as Sunday!
The horses where great about being tied overnight and only Zen got dirty when she lay down to sleep some of the night.
Morning was beautiful and sunny and we all got up and to enjoy the fruit and cereal that Danielle made for us to start our day.
We packed up camp and relocated closer to the arena gate.
Cheryl and Dylan arrived at 9:00 supported by Heather and Lilly Dylan's mom and baby sister. This was Dylan's First Horse show and he was so excited. I think we all were. Dylan rode Macaroni in the Lead line 7 and under. He won a blue ribbon and a stuffed horsey. With no time to celebrate the judge called for the next class and zoom were in line waiting our turn for the Horsemanship 9 and under class. Judged on steering, stopping and backing up at the walk. Dylan Guided Macaroni gracefully through the cones and around to the stop which confused Macaroni at first but then he did stop nicely. And with some gentle coaxing from Dylan got him to back up the required steps for the judge. Dylan place 5th to my delight. Congratulations Dylan!
Remi also rode in the show also her very first time. Remi rode Zen in the 9 and under Horsemanship class judged for steering, stopping and backing up. Remi was calm and confident waiting her turn to show her skills to the judge. Remi and Zen flowed through the pattern with good spacing away from each cone and created beautiful geometry as she rounded the circle to a fluid stop and back up. Remi and Zen placed 2nd in the line up of 6 riders. Fabulous Job Remi!
Tara arrived to show her pride for Zen and support for Remi and Ruby. Thank you Tara for supporting the team. Holding horses, checking girths, holding cold waters for the riders, and the endless checking of the class list.
Ruby also rode Zen and this was Ruby's very first show as well. And I must say Ruby has been studying and taking notes at all those shows where she has been a helper. Ruby and Zen made the line up in just about every class. The highlights that I can recall right now were these: Ruby took 2nd place for the 11-17 English Equitation out of like 12 riders. And in the Hunter Hack over two jumps, the judge chose Ruby and Zen for her 3rd place winner. Amazing what you can do with a little study and note taking. I am so proud.
Maddy and Cowboy rode as her warm up for the D'Alonzo finals next week. Jody Maddy's grandma was the drive behind getting the shade tents put up with the help of Cheryl and Hadi, and Deryn. Thank you so much we would surely have cooked without them. Maddy rode conscientiously with care for Cowboy's teeth which are healing nicely. Maddy and Cowboy also were the judges pick for the line up in just about every class. Beautiful to watch you work with Cowboy so nicely.
Jamila was supported by her Dad, mom and baby sister, Hadi, Hakima and Fatima. Hadi offered helping hands for setting up and taking down camp and a big help for loading heavy ice chests into the truck at the end of the day. Jamila showed Macaroni for his career re-start. The little pair rode in the 11-17 group with 12 horses and Jamila kept safe spacing away from the big horses. But Mac was fine, and he and Jamila were not in the least intimidated by those big horses. Mac and Jamila I think where the crowd favorite in the hunter hack over the two jumps. Mac was politely exhausted when it came time to jump, the judge helped to lead Mac up and over the jump which he did from a stand still, making for a magnificent leap over each one, eliciting gasps and cheers from the crowd. Well done Jamila.
Luna had a nice group cheering for her as little sister Olive entertained Dad Nate, grandma, Auntie and two horse happy cousins who enjoyed visiting with Luna and the horses. Luna and Ocho where magnificent to watch. I would quote Paul Kimsey here "Where is the castle?! I am prepared to Storm a castle!!" as I watched Ocho in his first class his neck was arched and straight up with his mane and tail flashing brightly and he had that double bounce in his trot step. He was so excited, and looking for trouble. But Luna was gracious and supportive navigating Ocho softly and suggesting with certainty what she wanted him to do next. Good riding! As with no answer to his challenging mood, he relaxed by the end of the first class. As each class came and went the judge awarded the pair into the line up many times. The ones I can recall now were: Luna was the judges top pick winning the 11-17 Equitation. And again for the Walk trot Hunter Hack.
I would like to thank the parents/husbands/family/friends/ who make these shows possible. Those who are there to high five and hug, offer a smile of pride. Drive back for forgotten items, borrow tents from a brother, or buy yet another bucket for water or some other piece of "necessary" show attire that we just can't do without, or simply forgot to pack. Wipe tears, dust off bottoms, hold horses or hands. And of course none of it can happen with out the parents who are willing to work countless hours to pay for it all.
It goes unsaid so often.
But you can see it their smiles.
Thank you for making this possible.
I love you.
The Skyline Beginner Show and Camp out was a success and oh, so much fun.
Maddy, Luna, Ruby, Remi and Jamila worked horses at the arena on Saturday getting them used to the surroundings in hopes that the show the next day would be safe and fun. Cowboy, Ocho, Zen and Macaroni where great trotting around the arena and the fields of Skyline park in Napa.
After all that riding the kids bathed horses for what seemed like hours. Those gypsy horses take some doing.
Danielle, Olive, Deryn and myself set up camp and kept the supply of cold drinks at the ready. Saturday was hot but not as hot as Sunday!
The horses where great about being tied overnight and only Zen got dirty when she lay down to sleep some of the night.
Morning was beautiful and sunny and we all got up and to enjoy the fruit and cereal that Danielle made for us to start our day.
We packed up camp and relocated closer to the arena gate.
Cheryl and Dylan arrived at 9:00 supported by Heather and Lilly Dylan's mom and baby sister. This was Dylan's First Horse show and he was so excited. I think we all were. Dylan rode Macaroni in the Lead line 7 and under. He won a blue ribbon and a stuffed horsey. With no time to celebrate the judge called for the next class and zoom were in line waiting our turn for the Horsemanship 9 and under class. Judged on steering, stopping and backing up at the walk. Dylan Guided Macaroni gracefully through the cones and around to the stop which confused Macaroni at first but then he did stop nicely. And with some gentle coaxing from Dylan got him to back up the required steps for the judge. Dylan place 5th to my delight. Congratulations Dylan!
Remi also rode in the show also her very first time. Remi rode Zen in the 9 and under Horsemanship class judged for steering, stopping and backing up. Remi was calm and confident waiting her turn to show her skills to the judge. Remi and Zen flowed through the pattern with good spacing away from each cone and created beautiful geometry as she rounded the circle to a fluid stop and back up. Remi and Zen placed 2nd in the line up of 6 riders. Fabulous Job Remi!
Tara arrived to show her pride for Zen and support for Remi and Ruby. Thank you Tara for supporting the team. Holding horses, checking girths, holding cold waters for the riders, and the endless checking of the class list.
Ruby also rode Zen and this was Ruby's very first show as well. And I must say Ruby has been studying and taking notes at all those shows where she has been a helper. Ruby and Zen made the line up in just about every class. The highlights that I can recall right now were these: Ruby took 2nd place for the 11-17 English Equitation out of like 12 riders. And in the Hunter Hack over two jumps, the judge chose Ruby and Zen for her 3rd place winner. Amazing what you can do with a little study and note taking. I am so proud.
Maddy and Cowboy rode as her warm up for the D'Alonzo finals next week. Jody Maddy's grandma was the drive behind getting the shade tents put up with the help of Cheryl and Hadi, and Deryn. Thank you so much we would surely have cooked without them. Maddy rode conscientiously with care for Cowboy's teeth which are healing nicely. Maddy and Cowboy also were the judges pick for the line up in just about every class. Beautiful to watch you work with Cowboy so nicely.
Jamila was supported by her Dad, mom and baby sister, Hadi, Hakima and Fatima. Hadi offered helping hands for setting up and taking down camp and a big help for loading heavy ice chests into the truck at the end of the day. Jamila showed Macaroni for his career re-start. The little pair rode in the 11-17 group with 12 horses and Jamila kept safe spacing away from the big horses. But Mac was fine, and he and Jamila were not in the least intimidated by those big horses. Mac and Jamila I think where the crowd favorite in the hunter hack over the two jumps. Mac was politely exhausted when it came time to jump, the judge helped to lead Mac up and over the jump which he did from a stand still, making for a magnificent leap over each one, eliciting gasps and cheers from the crowd. Well done Jamila.
Luna had a nice group cheering for her as little sister Olive entertained Dad Nate, grandma, Auntie and two horse happy cousins who enjoyed visiting with Luna and the horses. Luna and Ocho where magnificent to watch. I would quote Paul Kimsey here "Where is the castle?! I am prepared to Storm a castle!!" as I watched Ocho in his first class his neck was arched and straight up with his mane and tail flashing brightly and he had that double bounce in his trot step. He was so excited, and looking for trouble. But Luna was gracious and supportive navigating Ocho softly and suggesting with certainty what she wanted him to do next. Good riding! As with no answer to his challenging mood, he relaxed by the end of the first class. As each class came and went the judge awarded the pair into the line up many times. The ones I can recall now were: Luna was the judges top pick winning the 11-17 Equitation. And again for the Walk trot Hunter Hack.
I would like to thank the parents/husbands/family/friends/ who make these shows possible. Those who are there to high five and hug, offer a smile of pride. Drive back for forgotten items, borrow tents from a brother, or buy yet another bucket for water or some other piece of "necessary" show attire that we just can't do without, or simply forgot to pack. Wipe tears, dust off bottoms, hold horses or hands. And of course none of it can happen with out the parents who are willing to work countless hours to pay for it all.
It goes unsaid so often.
But you can see it their smiles.
Thank you for making this possible.
I love you.