First Show of the Season Next Weekend!😱

[red_mares]

That time of the year again, at least for those of us somewhat south.

I took the newly refinished, chromed out road bike out of the basement and down to the barn. Took the show harness down as well. Test drive went well except for two things: Traces! OMG where are the pony traces?! I’ve had 2 pairs of show traces in my dining room since last fall; both are horse size. Trainer looked in harness bags, nothing. Look in harness bag with other pony show harness - her traces are missing too! Looked on the other pony cart, ones that’s undercover. Thinking they had to have been left on the shafts or in the basket. Nope. We’ve got a few more places to look and a week, so say a prayer for us.

The other thing - I recovered the seat on this bike. I changed up my usual vinyl (Morbern All Sport) which is ~$40 a yard for a different non-skid vinyl. This stuff is like rubber. There may be too much non-skid on this. It might be a problem if Mr. Pony takes a leap when trainer is getting at a horse show (which is why trainer gets in first at a horse show. ) This seat is not going to let you slide into place at all. It could be a little softer too. Between the tires actually inflated to spec (super duper shiny new chrome wheels (I skipped the last show )), the hard, not well drug ring and the stirrups set for a midget, the ride was a little jarring.

We’ve got a week…well until Wednesday to find everything. brass polish, alcohol, crock pot, traces…

Update: I found one pair of traces. Still missing one pair, but at least we don’t have to borrow or jury rig. I’ve got a roll of 3/4" biothane, that was on the considered list.

[RMJacobs]

Of course we need a picture of the pony’s road bike!

[red_mares]

I didn’t get an after pictures. I know. I thought about it on the way home. I didn’t get the wheels on it until right before I took it out the door. I do have some before pictures. It was referred to as the Smurf bike. The worst part was that the paint was in really good shape…it was just so awful.!

[MunchingonHay]

How did the show go?

[red_mares]

Went pretty well. We got 2 deserved seconds. Little guy isn’t quite fit enough yet. No one fell off or got dumped, and it didn’t pour on Friday. I spent too much time on my ouch foot and am back in a boot (what else is new?).

It was so nice not spending 4 hours polishing worn out chrome!

Here’s the turnout for new year:

Mr. Trainer surprised the he_ _ out of me when he suggested blue and green braids. Who are you and what have done with my trainer? I got all sorts of DIY points since I DIDN’T have the gold and leopard print silks. I told him I may have to make a set that are & black.

[MunchingonHay]

You guys look great and I am glad the traces turned up! Thanks for sharing the picture, I love the green and blue!

Two second place finishes is great !! Bonus points for; no rain, falling or dumping

PS, if it takes you four hours to polish chrome, … something is not right. I could do a full four in hand set with brass in that time. What polish are you using?

[red_mares]

It used to take a couple hours to do the wheels on the old bike because they were TIRED. Chrome in name only; I kept a silver sharpie in my cleaning kit to cover the rust. Besides that, we used the same bike to show in as we used at home. It never came to a show clean. Last years turnout was a testament to the fact that you don’t need the best or best looking equipment to win if you have a nice horse.

[cayuse]

Congratulations! Beautiful!

[MunchingonHay]

I did not even notice the chrome on the bike… I was too busy staring at your pony’s action!

Which proves your point about not needing the best looking equipment if you have a nice horse/pony.