Sometimes when the dust settles, there is a better view of what happened . . .the overall results were posted this week --entire show results, each rider’s place in each class, along with the “high point” results for each division.
And I was wrong.
I thought I DQed in two classes. Apparently in Ranch Horse, making mistakes (even really big ones) isn’t a DQ, but a point penalty. Bob’s over all results in all classes were respectable for a horse and rider who had never shown before (I did a dressage show three years ago with another horse) --I don’t think Bob has ever been to a horse show --and we have never been to one together.
Bob scored in all his classes --and to my surprise – he only missed the ribbons by one or two places in almost every class.
And this is even more remarkable to me —Bob and I are on the HIGH POINT list for the year ! True, we only have 6 points in Amateur Division and 2 point in Novice Amateur Division. The leaders of both divisions have 100 points --so probably not going to over take them in this next show. Our fabulous trainer Savannah White [https://www.facebook.com/savannah.white.7545] suggested that Bob and I enter both Amateur classes and Novice Amateur classes so that we had a “practice class” and a “real” class for each pattern we had to do – clearly that worked well for us --but why Bob did better each time in his first class than in his second is a mystery to me.
So we are all signed up for the next show, doing the same classes, and adding cow boxing. There is a third show July 25-27, and a final show September 5-7. As of now, we plan to enter both of those too. That will give Bob and me four shows this year.
Two questions I’ve been asked:
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am I still doing Mounted Archery? As of right now, no. Eight years ago when I began shooting MA, there were 8 competitions within driving distance. This year there is one. My shooting partner with whom I travelled to all competitions, has decided to fly to competitions farther away (SC, FL, TN) where she rents an MA horse. I don’t want to ride other people’s horses and I like coming home at night. The four Ranch Horse Shows that Bob and I attend are only 40 min from my house. We come home each night. Simpler.
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what’s next? I’ll chat up my trainer in January --but most logically would be to add Ranch Reining since the trainer is a professional reiner trainer (love how that rhymes) and professional reiner rider. Another logical step would be to add another cow class --like herd work . . .since I know nothing about herd work, that will be something to learn about. We’ll see how boxing goes this next show --I entered two boxing classes --one Amateur and one Novice Amateur.
And another consideration: Bob and I placed in showmanship --7th and 10th [one leads the horse at a brisk jog while he trots around the ring]. The next Monday I saw my orthopedic surgeon. My right knee will need to be replaced again. I have two replaced knees (15 years old) and one replaced hip (20 years old). I asked the Ortho when --he said, “Whenever you are ready.” Sigh. My plan at this point is to “be ready” in late February --early March 2026. I plan to send Bob to the trainer for 60 days while I have surgery (why not? weather will be horrible and I can’t ride for 6 weeks) --and take myself and my new knee some place warm and sunny and lie on a beach and swim until I’m 100%. Not looking forward to knee surgery, but lemonade out of lemons, right?
Photo (another great one by @endlessclimb) She and @2dogsfarm came to the last show --hoping they come to this one too!!!
Boxing.