Winning Ways!

Beau and I attended our first Quarter Horse show today, sponsored by RMQHA (Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association). This Novice show was part of their Outreach program for people who want to show but are intimidated by the expensive tack and clothing at the big AQHA shows, and the high-dollar horses (Beau was given to me, so no dollars were involved...at the time, anyway. Everything after that has been $$$, as horses always are!). I know I've been intimidated by the big breed shows! But I found everyone to be really nice and helpful, and we had a LOT of fun! I guess I didn't need to be intimidated after all!

It was COLD...darn cold! It even snowed for a little while. Nothing stuck...but isn't it almost MAY? Where did spring go? The bitter wind blew all day. Try showing in 4 layers of clothing!

We showed in seven classes, and placed in four. We were 4th in Showmanship, then didn't place in Novice Hunt Seat Equitation because I didn't have a noseband on him, so we disqualified. We borrowed a noseband and placed FIRST in Novice Hunter Under Saddle. First place got a blue ribbon and a lovely engraved photo album, which will be filled with Beau-pictures.

We placed third in Open Hunter Under Saddle. That prize included a yellow ribbon and a nice photo frame.



After lunch, we didn't place in the walk/trot class or Novice Horsemanship class, but took fourth in Novice Western Pleasure. Fourth got white ribbons.

Beau doesn't usually stick his tongue out at people, but he was feeling a little sassy today!



I was really proud of Beau. He just transitioned to a shank bit, which is required for horses over the age of five. He's only been in a shank for a week, and today was the second ride in this particular bit (thank you, Annie, for loaning it and your beautiful bridle!!!).


Beau wasn't ridden until the age of 16, at which time I started teaching him the basics. That's OLD for a horse to learn new tricks! He's 21 now (his birthday was last Wednesday, and he got a 5lb bag of apples as a present--he was in Red Delicious HEAVEN!). He's a wonderful horse, and certainly doesn't get the attention he deserves. So, it was nice to have a Mom & Beau day, and to let him be the star for a change!


I hope that you had as much fun as we did this weekend. Good boy, Beau!!!