Show went well! Great weather, just hot. Big trees to park horses under while waiting for your turn or class. We had a lovely molly mule in the competitors, driven very nicely by a lady from Illinois. Haven’t had a “longears” come to play for a few years.
Grass ring and large warm up areas were cushioned to be comfortable for the horses, yet hard enough the wheels did not cut in, so no effort to move the carriages. Judge was helpful with tips after each class.
Our lesson with the Pair after showing was done, went nicely. Husband said Judge was very logical in approaches to getting desired changes in the horses. She gave him some exercises to practice for continuing improvements. With our longer warmup and the lesson in the heat, horses were tired looking headed back to the barn. We actually felt sorry for them! Then husband drove past the trailer to turn around so carriage was in the correct direction for loading. He came to a LARGE puddle in the road and they CAME ALIVE!! They each jumped to the outside of the pole trying not to touch water, jumped forward, saw a bit of air time! Guess it has been so dry they forgot all their water education about puddles. Husband called them a couple of fakers, looking for sympathy and early stalling. We went back and forth thru the puddle a number of times as they improved each time thru! Finished with a nice walk, no silliness, to unhitch at the trailer. Our friends teased us about it later, because OF COURSE there were lots of people watching! My husband says that touch of TB in a horse ALWAYS has a bit more to give you, even if they act worn out! That is why we love the partbreds. Ha ha
