Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Bridle Trails Dressage Schooling Show, March 16, 2014

Sunday dawned wet and rainy.  VERY wet and rainy.  I kept thinking that it must slow down soon!  Ha!  The horses didn't really want to go outside and I couldn't blame them.  But, Monica and Keiko were riding in the afternoon, so I kept hoping it would clear up for them.  But, it kept raining and raining and raining.

Being tough Wetsiders (and having already paid their entry fees), neither Monica nor Keiko bailed.  They had been hoping to take a nice, relaxing ride through the Bridle Trails park before their tests, but decided that wouldn't be very relaxing in the pouring rain.  I was 'crewing' for both of them, offering to read the tests and hang on to things.  I had briefly toyed with the idea of riding some tests, but seeing the weather, I'm glad I didn't.  I got there around 2:30 and their rides were scheduled at 3:30 and beyond.  Still raining.

Both Cady (Keiko's mare) and Danny had developed an instant herd on the trailer ride there, and it took a bit of coaxing and some tactful riding to get them to concentrate on their riders.  But, Keiko and Monica did a great job, keeping their horses focused.  Danny was a bit tense, but did a respectable job, with some very nice marks especially in his second test.  Cady was obviously getting tired towards the last test, but also did very nicely.  Both Monica and Keiko ended with big smiles and first and second place ribbons in Training Test 3.  Angela Davenport showed up just in time and took photos and video of the tests while I read for them. 

Keiko and her Shagya mare Cady at the show.  Angela Davenport photo




Monica and Danny (Magdan) at the show, showing some nice moves.  Angela Davenport photo.

Here are big grins (although a bit wet) from Keiko and Monica with their ribbons. 

Congratulations to both of them!