Bucket list item: Entered my first ever Ranch Horse Show with Bob

[Foxglove]

I have been nattering on about entering a Ranch Horse Show for about a year --everyone on COTH was encouraging and helpful. Days passed, winter came, and then one day it was show time! From the COTH board @endlessclimb came to the show and @2DogsFarm did too! Lovely to meet people IRL! From Thursday when I picked Bob up and drove him to the show grounds to get a feel of the place, until the first class of the first day on Friday, I was a mess --very, very nervous. @2DogsFarm talked me off the ledge a few times and then, suddenly, it was my turn in the show pen. We did the wrong pattern, realized halfway thorough we were making huge mistakes, but already DQed by then, decided to finish with the correct pattern. Next class was better, but not perfect, then we started listening to the trainer, and by the fourth class of the day, we felt comfortable enough to score.

Second day @2DogsFarm and @endlessclimb came to watch as did my entire family --first class was not one to remember, but by the second class, Bob and I were finding our pace.

Long visit with family after, then lunch with 2DogsFarm, tried to catch the boxing but the show went long so I loaded Bob and headed home. I did see ONE boxing effort --might do that next time.

Sunday was Confirmation and the sun must have been in both judges’ eyes because although Bob was clearly the most beautiful horse in the ring (22 in the class), he was not selected to win.

Showmanship, the last two classes of the day, on our painful knees ( I have two replacements) we did manage to finally place #7 and #10.

Was it fun? Yes --Friday, not so much, but Saturday was definitely a joyful day, and finally placing on Sunday made that a good day too. Might do the next show on June 6-7-8 —

Pictures are all from @endlessclimb —

[2DogsFarm]

It was a fun day w/perfect horseshow weather.
Bonus Points for getting to see my now-IRL friend @Foxglove (we manage GTGs a couple, three times a year) & meeting @endlessclimb InTheFlesh
Had fun watching the Ranch horse classes with her, chatting with Family Foxglove & hanging out.
On the photos.
My phone takes halfway decent pics & I was able to get a couple watchable videos of classes, but a gen-u-wine camera is always a better choice.

[endlessclimb]

@Foxglove

the sun must have been in both judges’ eyes because although Bob was clearly the most beautiful horse in the ring

You’re not kidding, Bob is a STUNNER, and you guys make such a great team. It was lovely to meet you and @2DogsFarm!

[goodhors]

Foxglove Congratulations on getting to your first show of the new discipline!! Sounds like it was like all first shows, nerve-wracking, learning experiences as you succeeded in forward progress! Happy to hear things went so well. Photos look good in the various steps of classes! Great that family and friends were able to attend and cheer you on. Sounds like a great weekend, the perfect type of Mother’s Day fun!!

[Paint_Party]

Congratulations! You and Bob look great and the photographs are of professional quality.

Ranch classes are the best. I love the natural, forward gaits and showcasing a working horse’s talents. It’s understandable why they are becoming so popular. I hope you and Bob continue on to your next competition. I see future stars in both of you!

[Aussie_2020]

Bob is stunning! He is the winner in my book, and I love your saddle and breast collar set up. You looked great too, your wild rag is gorgeous. (In my neck of the woods a neck scarf is called a wild rag). Great job on your first competition!

[endlessclimb]

Since she probably won’t mention it, or maybe she has I can’t remember - @Foxglove MADE those chinks she’s wearing. WOW!!!

[goodhors]

I am attending a 2-day chaps/chinks retreat (like the quilters and knitters have) in January . I an hoping my chinks turn out as nicely as Foxglove’s look! I have wanted a pair forever, bought the pattern and then found this retreat where we can make a pair. Ladies said it is a ton of fun! Even better, it is only 10 miles from home for the sleepover and meals provided!! They are professional seamstresses, creating the gorgeous jeweled shirts, show pants and showring chaps/chinks. I have high expectations in learning to “do chinks right” for a great result. I signed right up, leaving them only one empty slot. I knew if I waited it would be full when I came back!

I don’t think I will be entering any Ranch Riding classes with Foxglove, but I will have very cool chinks at any trail rides I attend!! Mine can be brighter colored, since my mares are both “plain Jane, red bays.” I may even look for some taller cowboy boots to tuck my pant legs into! Ha ha

[MunchingonHay]

You and Bob look great! I love that your neckscarf matches his saddle pad. You two are stylish!!

Good job all round! Its awesome that you had such a great support system there for you. (family, and our very own EndlessClimb and 2Dogs).

At the end its all about having fun and it looks like you got over the hump by the end of the weekend. The show in June will be so much easier!!

And HUBBA HUBBA Bob coming through the gate That neck!

[Foxglove]

@goodhors --that retreat sounds fun! I looked at a few chinks before I decided to make mine. Most (all) were heavy leather --heavier than I wanted to wear in the summer in Indiana when all the ranch showing I would do was held. I really wanted “hair on hide” leather chinks, but again, the thought of wearing them in 90 degree heat and 90 degree humidity changed my mind. I bought a “garment weight” hide and a pattern at Tandy Leather --the pattern was not well explained, but through trial and error, I was ablet o cobble together suitable chinks. I like everything about them, except I think they could be tighter in the thigh, yet looking at other chinks and pix of chinks all seem to be about like mine, a bit “gappy” at the top of the thigh.

I used my regular sewing machine and a leather needle with a Teflon foot and baby powder to allow the leather to slide easily --even so my stitching is not good --however, black thread on black leather is not noticeable. The most expensive part of my chinks was the silver conchos . . .$10 each and I needed 6! The hide was “damaged” so cheap and I just worked around the damaged part.

My goal was to “blend in” with Bob and not make my poor seat and floppy legs noticeable. Now if I could just control that flying hand . . . I was supposed to keep one string of fringe in contact with my little finger on the right side --I forgot --so right hand had a mind of its own . . .

[findeight]

Great start, you did not embarrass Bob, learned to take the help you are paying for from trainer and you look really good, love that scarf. Expect regular progress reports with photos.

[jvanrens]

Congratulations! You did something completely new for you and did good! I remember my first time reining, did the rollback the wrong way, stuff happens when you’re learning. You both looked amazing, show results will come! Best of all, it sounds like you are having fun!

[Montanas_Girl]

Congratulations!

Welcome to the wonderful, fun, supportive Ranch Horse world!

[Aussie_2020]

The black and white pic makes it seem as though Bob has a lot of white hair scattered throughout his coat. Yes?

[Hidden_Oak]

WTG to you and Bob, and fab pics by Endless Climb.

[cmdrcltr]

Wonderful pictures! I’m glad you got to chase your bucket list item, and you look fabulous.

[luvmyhackney]

Oh my heavens. I love this so much!

[Foxglove]

@Aussie_2020 -Bob is a bay roan --he is pretty dark right now, but will lighten over the summer, then back to dark with winter hair . . .

[chestnutmarebeware]

Bob the Cat insisted that I let him come here to congratulate his equine namesake (and his rider!).

Bob also agreed that Bob the Horse was robbed in the conformation class because everyone knows that dark, heavyset gentlemen are the bomb!

[Paint_Party]

Bob’s a cool color. I had no idea! He looks so dark in his photos, he’s an equine chameleon!