It’s mundane, it’s pointless, and I had to share. I shared about the first show experience in this thread two weeks ago. I’m still stoked just to have been there, nonetheless to take home any ribbons.
Hubby and I went to a local horse show/BBQ (just the two of us, no horse this time!) yesterday and we ran into a man who took pictures at my show. Photography is a hobby for him and he gave us these pictures. So sweet and generous! And of course, I had to share.
I’m happy to say the first thing I did when I saw this pic was smile–because I’m so happy and smiling in the pic! Then, of course, I look at it critically. I won’t go into what I see needs improving–I’ll just show you this and say “Hey! Look at me fulfilling a girlhood dream! Happy happy joy joy! (And look at my purty girl doing such a nice job in her first show!)”
Here are the pics. For whatever reason, perhaps from the compression, they appear darker and the shadows are more severe. How flattering on the face. :rolleyes: But I love 'em!
Pretty horse - and very white! I bet that took some time.
I learned my lesson and bought a dirt colored horse.
You look pretty good. Move your leg back a little more under you, keep your toes pointed more parallel to the horse, and your foot should stay in the stirrup better. If you find your knees start killing you, the jointed stirrups really help.
Thanks all! [b[HerMajestyLorna**, I’ve had Ana for eight months now. I’m still giddy when I think about the fact I have a horse! Seems somewhat silly (or perhaps mundane and pointless ), but it truly was a girlhood dream. Pining for something 25+ years can make you–or at least me!–more than a little misty-eyed when it comes to be a reality.
Kiger, yes, whitening that mare took some effort! I shampooed her twice that week, including the night before (when I returned her to a stall full of fresh new shavings–no manure to roll in!). But I was very proud of how she looked–her former owner teared up looking at the pic. “Oh, she’s beautiful!” she said.
Believe me, I’m working on leg position (as well as body position, relaxing, etc.). I find that when I’m relaxed, the leg is near perfect…but as soon as I ask anything (esp. leg yielding), the leg inches up, and tends to stay up–or at least never goes back to where it’s supposed to be! (If I had a dollar for every time my trainer said “Open up your hip angle…”) Both horse and I have been in training off and on since I got her, and now that it’s summer break for this teacher, we have a lesson every week. Good thing…I walk with my right leg cocked somewhat sideways (“you have an interesting gait” the doc said), so my hips naturally go the wrong way in the saddle. Here’s to undoing 29 years of hip-placement habit–ugh.
Biffy–the one time I gave Ana a sugar cube, she spit it out! Weird tastes, that mare. But a carrot–or, oooh, a Coca Cola!–and she’s your best friend.
Ringo, I’ll have to be careful not to wallpaper my classroom with pics of Ana! I definitely aim to keep a copy of one of the show pics in my classroom, and maybe one of the ribbons. I always have a small “get to know your teacher” bulletin board–they’ll go nicely there.
Don’t know what to tell you,j.c.…the links work fine for me, and apparently fine for the others. What happens when you click? What error message do you get?
I’m so glad you went and had fun! I was wondering what you decided to do/how it turned out. Congrats on your yellow ribbon! You were brave to go in the Open division – no matter how good they ride, I find it demoralizing to get beaten soundly by a grinning 10 year old. 3rd of 17 is something to be VERY proud of!
BTW, your turnout is very sharp for your first time out! Definitely displaying “conservative good taste” in the words of the immortal George Morris. And Ana is practically glowing with cleanliness. Have you considered buying stock in QuicSilver, LOL? I’m obviously a freak but I love the “getting ready” part of showing – scrubbing, polishing… even braiding!
What a good girl she looks to be. I see fun times ahead for the both of you.
One tiny tip: Don’t forget to breathe every now and then in the show ring… tension will make those heels go every place but down. I have this sense from those pictures that you are holding your breath.
Yay, pics! And, oh, she’s so pretty! You really did do a nice job keeping her clean. (It’s not so hard to clean them, but keeping them clean…! That’s impressive!)
It’s awfully hard not to be tense at any show, much less your first one; I’d say you did a good job.
Have you done any riding bareback? It’ll really get your legs under you and work out those riding muscles! And, as a bonus, I found that keeping your heels down helps keep you on, so it doesn’t take long before you are doing it habitually the minute you are astride.
My sisters and I used to ride bareback a lot because we liked to go down to the river with our horses and play, but we didn’t want to risk getting the saddles wet or mess about taking them off or putting them on a wet horse. I was genuinely surprised to find that I got to the point where my heels went down the minute I threw a leg over, whether in a saddle or not. It just became the default position.
I don’t know if it would work for you, but thought I’d throw it out there. If you turn your hip out funny, it may not be comfortable, which is something to take into account.
I shared about the first show experience in this thread two weeks ago. I’m still stoked just to have been there, nonetheless to take home any ribbons.
), but it truly was a girlhood dream. Pining for something 25+ years can make you–or at least me!–more than a little misty-eyed when it comes to be a reality.
