Well, what a day!    Just as a note, I am in no way a show veteran!  I keep hearing that showing builds character and seasoning for you and your horse!

So Tripper & I went to the Henry County Open 4-H Show yesterday!  Our first achievement was showing in an English class and we both looked great!  Who could have guessed!?!?!  We walked, we trotted and we cantered!  Boy, did we canter!  Since I had only ridden in a dressage  saddle on five previous occasions and I had NEVER actually cantered or loped in one ---- I knew it could get interesting!  I tried to remember what my mentors have told me --- you are riding the horse, not the saddle.   Hmmmmmm! 

Actually, it was terrific until, Tripper, my trusty steed, had a few moments of exuberance and glee!  Now mind you I don't mean meanness, just happy and feeling good and OM GOSH right in front of the "Judge" -- yes, RIGHT IN FRONT of the Judge, he started to "crow hop" as we were supposed to be "cantering!"  Well friends, it got a little "western" but I stayed on amazingly and kept right on riding and maybe smiling too!   What an accomplishment!  Hey and by the way, I got a thumbs up from the Judge! 

As if that wasn't enough, we had to do the clothing and tack change not to mention in 90 degree temps.  Ahh, this is building character, I reminded myself.  Thankfully, I had a show "Auntie" who helped me through it.  And three very quick classes later, I am showing Walk, Trot, Lope and as the class ends and we line up in front of the Judge (yet again), well, it hit me that I had forgotten my back number from the back of jacket!  UGGGH!!! 

After that class I rushed back to the trailer to grab my number!  We showed in seven classes that day and placed in two!  We won a little money --- maybe enough to cover the gas over --- well, maybe!  But boy, was it a sense of accomplishment!