First show showing Western this weekend!

[OneGrayPony]

I have shown once in the last 7 years. I’ve ridden eventers and hunters all of my life and have just switched to Western as my horse seems much happier with the discipline for a number of reasons.

I’m just doing an Open Show, and they have a Ranch Horse Western Pleasure and a bunch of Western Pleasure classes. I’m still not 100% sure which I’m going to try (isn’t that ridiculous) but will probably make that decision once I see the number of horses and the pattern. That’s still probably silly, but that’s the plan.

I don’t feel ready laughing I know I still tend to lean forward too much at the lope due to the hunter training (and I sat too far back for them). I don’t have a trainer, so I’m winging it. I have NO idea whether there will be 20 people at this show or 200. I have a barrel saddle that is probably too small for me. I’m going to stick out like a hugely sore thumb…or totally not, I don’t know.

I’ve only gotten two rides in this week because it’s been raining so hard and I have no indoor. I’ve only had my guy for two months, and I did show him once at a schooling show, in English Pleasure (which we did fine for).

All I have to say is…eek!! I’m sure this will be fun, right? I’m REALLY hoping that the classes are small enough that I’ll get to talk to the judge or find out how we’re doing…

[Bluey]

Why reinvent the wheel?
Why not take a few lessons with some of those trainers that go to those shows?
At least go watch those classes first somewhere, to see what is all about.

Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget to have fun.

[fairtheewell]

Stay on the rail and stay slow…lol Have fun!

[OneGrayPony]

Why not take a few lessons with some of those trainers that go to those shows?

Oh, I have watched the local QH folks and most of them are hit 'em in the mouth folks. (please note - not saying they all are, just the folks around me) I wouldn’t want to train with any of them.

I’m still looking for a good one!

I’m not going totally blind, I’ve watched and read much in these last few months in an attempt to learn!

[kewpalace]

[QUOTE=OneGrayPony;7033748]
I don’t feel ready laughing [/QUOTE]
I just showed my 4 yo QH mare for the first time in cowhorse on 6/1 … yea, we were NOT ready, but it was time to get her in the show pen. So the goal was to go in and just have a fun run. We s*cked at reining (I knew we would but it was her first time in the show pen and she was not technically ready), but she scored a 66 on her cow w/out any cow practice! :eek: All in all it was a good class for her first time. Sometimes you just have to jump in and go for it. :winkgrin:

@OneGrayPony;7033748

I’m sure this will be fun, right?

YES, it will be fun!! Just remember to breathe and smile … :yes: Looking forward to your report!! Hopefully with Pix!!

[Bluey]

Well, I have only shown in one western pleasure class, 40+ years ago, before peanut rolling.
I also only spoke then a very rudimentary English and am hard of hearing.
I was riding a filly with about 30 days under saddle, in a hackamore still and we had one place in the trailer, so she went with us to just ride her around a little local AQHA show.

At the last minute, they needed warm bodies to make the numbers for points in the western pleasure class, you see where that is going.
They asked me to put a western saddle on her (I had my English one, never having ridden in a western saddle before) and go in there and help fill the class.
I said how will I know what to do, so they told me “you don’t have to do anything but what others do, walk, trot and lope when they do, change sides and repeat, etc.”. OK.

So, with a saddle with stirrups that would not go as short as my legs, so I was holding onto them with the top of my foot to keep them from flopping, trying to find my balance in that strange lump of a saddle, someone plunked a western hat on my head, totally clueless and in we went.

Would you know, I won the class?:lol:

They told me, when the judge asked to reverse and lope, ALL of us stated on the wrong lead, but I only went one stride and changed, the others kept happily motoring on the wrong lead for several, before noticing.
After I changed my filly, I saw what I thought may be counter canter, but no one had mentioned that and almost changed again, when I saw them start to change.

You know, now that I know more or less what is being judged for, I would NOT go into a class without some instruction first.:uhoh:

Your mileage and fortitude may be more than mine.:yes:

Heck, if you have already scooped what is going on and think you can hack it, why not?
Nothing lost trying.

By the way, that filly went on two years later to be state cutting horse champion that year.

[Tee]

Good luck! Breathe and have fun!

[paulaedwina]

You’ll have a blast! Throw in some barrels and poles too!

Paula

[OneGrayPony]

Woooo hooo I had a ton of fun today and more tomorrow. We did trail and got a 7th place (out of 16) which isn’t bad considering I’ve never done a trail class before (well not since 4H at 12 years old) and he took a total flyer at the lope poles causing me to crack up (maybe I got points for laughing?).

We did Ranch Pleasure and He LOVED it. Was forward and happy and we placed second. I think we’ve found our niche!

More tomorrow!!!

[NoSuchPerson]

Congratulations! It sounds like you had a fun day.

[fairtheewell]

Yay, what fun!

[Bluey]

Nothing like getting your feet wet and having fun in a new pond.

Sounds like you did find your spot.

Keep on keeping on and good luck.

[Tee]

Yay!! Congrats!!

[potteryshop]

Just been lurking and reading - So glad you had fun! And success!

[OneGrayPony]

Thanks everyone! I’m so psyched! Tomorrow is going to be interesting because there will be a possibility of heavy storms eek! Luckily there’s an indoor!

Now to crash! We did get some pics and video - will share!

[ezduzit]

I’m waiting anxiously for you to get home and give us an update. Hope it all went well and the storms stayed away!

oops, went back and read the first day’s report.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Sounds wonderful and fun!

[Bluey]

Wonderful that you have pictures and even videos!

So the rest of us can see how much fun that was.

That is one time where winning really is not everything.
Although is nice to do as well as we may, ribbons and winning is only more icing on that already rich cake.:yes:

[OneGrayPony]

Skipped trail because he just seemed a little crabby this morning. So I scratched that and waited until ranch pleasure. We scored a 69, and won the class (but it was a class of 1…so that’s not really important lol!)

That being said, we loved it. The judge was harsh but willing to give feedback and showed me exactly what we could do to improve (the sidepass and spins were ok, but not good). Considering that the horse only started neck-reining two weeks ago, had never sidepassed (well, that I know of) until we went into the ring and is just learning to spin and pivot…as am I… I consider that a huge success!!!

We bit the bullet and decided to enter the “big show” next weekend. I’m going to try to see if I can get the local reining trainer to give us a lesson or two while we are there.

Best of all - we had a TON of fun!!!

[Bluey]

:lol:

I knew if the bug bit, you would really want to learn more, so lessons it is for you.
Great decision, yes it is.

You will never be so happy as when you get a lesson on a well trained horse and find out a whole new world will open to you.
Yes it will, no matter how much you have ridden before, how much you now think you know.:yes:

Happens to all, me too.

[OneGrayPony]

Oh yes! Bluey it’s always good to get lessons, I’ve just had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly who I needed and I didn’t want a harsh (for the horse) trainer. But I know now more about what we need, and where to go for that!

I think I would enjoy reining too! This horse probably won’t be a reiner, but doing some schooling in that won’t hurt, and that might start a whole new path!