We left on time. The 64 mile drive was real uneventful and smooth -..no road construction! We actually got there a few minutes before we should be there. While unloading the horses, we hear what class they are on and discover that, not only are we early, but they are running super late! We decide to go ride around in the warm up arena and then we will eat lunch before getting dressed in our show attire. This is pretty neat not having to scurry around trying to get ready.

Brandi on Boomer

We got the four horses tacked up and everyone was in the saddle. All the horses worked the next forty-five minutes real quiet-even Boomer. Boomer has his quiet days and then he has his "other days". Brandi was lucky, they were going to have a quiet day!

Aceman with Shirley.

Even Aceman was starting to mellow out after 45mins. Of being longed. We cooled everyone out at a walk and were gathering around to discuss the next items on our agenda when all four horses went on INTRUDER ALERT…….ears up and pointed; nostrils flared and snorting; whites of eyes showing; and all mounts were on their tippy toes with tails in the air! It took me by surprise as this is a pretty laid back show and generally everything is pretty calm…..wait a minute, we are in the arena where they hold the driving classes!!

Clydesdale pulling a cart.. Photos by Jessika Savage, 13.

Looking over my shoulder, I told the girls to hold on to their horses and take deep seats ---- here comes a Clydesdale pulling a cart! I was sure that NONE of these four horses had ever seen a Clydesdale before let alone a Clydesdale pulling a cart. The horses were so astounded at what they saw all but Aceman froze and didn't even twitch. Aceman launched. The driver stopped her rig when she saw the horses (bless her heart she thought she was helping us out) so now the Clydesdale and cart were directly in front of the horses. The three of them began backing up in unison as I held on to the longe line while Aceman flew around me like a kite. I hollered at her that she could go on and after she had passed, Aceman settled down while the other three were frozen in a line with their heads cranked to the right watching ……

Back to the trailer we went, laughing about the whole thing. I unbridled little Bana for little Aubrey, telling her to put the little gray mare's halter on. We had all four tied on the one side in the shade while we all started to feed our faces. All of a sudden all three of the big Quarter Horses started snorting----they could see the cart and Clydesdale coming back through the slats of the trailer!

Aubrey riding Little Bana, above, and   Tanya on Mia.

Little Bana could not see anything so she walked underneath Mia's leadrope as all three of the big horses sat back and tried their best to move my big stock trailer across the parking area. She trotted around the back of the trailer to see what was up and was confronted by the Clydesdale and cart. Off she went with her tail in the air! All I could do was start jerking the leadropes loose from the horses still tied and handed them off to the girls one at a time. That was when I discovered that not only was Bana loose, Aubrey never put her halter on! She had just stood there all that time with the other horses, eating. Poor Aubrey was trying to catch Bana with her bridle in her hand. I grabbed the halter and sprinted around the rear of the trailer. Bana saw me and galloped right into my arms like she had been lost or something! We haltered her up and tied everyone back up to the trailer after the rig had passed.

We finished our lunch and proceeded to get ready to show. Everyone got dressed and horses were regroomed. Bridles were slipped on and off we went to the show arena. Outside the gate of the show arena is a small circle where everyone keeps their horses warmed up. Being the first show of the season, there was a lot of the usual kidding around in that small area. The three girls were going 'round like everyone else while I had my hands full with the Aceman and you guessed it…..another cart!! This time drawn by a pony. He couldn't decide which was worse the Clydesdale or the pony! This ended up okay cuz he didn't see that lady go off her mare and kinda get drug around since she held on to the reins. Brandi and Tanya stopped their horses but Aubrey never noticed a thing - Bana takes good care of her!

Then our classes started. The rest of the day went super smooth and the girls all did great! They had an excellent showing in the classes where they competed with adult riders and trainers. This was the best first show ever for us.

Thank you: Tanya, Jessika, Aubrey and Brandi!

HAPPY TRAILS,

Shilrey

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