July 08 12 of 12: Better late than not at all

Well, it was a fun and exciting weekend. More on that later this afternoon. When I get caught up. For those readers who are new to 12 of 12, the credit goes to Chad Darnell. Check his blog for more photos from all over the world.

Saturday was an eventful day. I was at a USEF rated (B) show in Watsonville, CA. The host was Almaden Farms and this was their 30th Summer Show. It is a Hunter/Jumper Show and was held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.

Since I was riding in the first class, the morning started off early.

Our Show sign at our barn area. Taken about 8:30am Watsonville CA.

The groom preparing the horse. This is the stabling area. Taken 8:40am Watsonville CA.

Awards presentation for the Enchanted Farms Jumper Class. Three of the women I ride with placed in the class. Stabling area can be seen in the background. Heather Whitney, our trainer, is assisting with the presentations to the winner of the class, Teresa and her horse, Even Steven. Teresa is the friend who loaned me her towing rig to attend the confidence building clinic. If I told you how old Teresa is, I would never blog again. Let's just say, Luke and I have many years of happy jumping ahead of us.

The warm-up arena. On the left is Kendra and her horse, Keven; and on the right is Mackenzie walking Luke, my horse, out. Luke had just finished winning his Jumper class and Heather was on to the next rider. I had already taken off my boots and hat, so Mackenzie who loves to ride, but doesn't really like showing, was our working groom. Taken about 12:45pm. Watsonville CA.

This pony was stabled near us. We called him "Mini-Me, Luke" because he looked and moved like a miniature version of Luke.

The washrack. Getting preped for another day.
3:30pm


Waiting at the back gate. Watsonville CA

The posted course. It is a bit tough to see, this is the roadmap to success in the ring. The jumps without numbers were not used in this particular class and jumping one of them makes you off course. (More on this concept in a later update).

The dreaded-horse-eating zebra and quad. In the barn area. 5:20 pm

The empty back gate area. Although you can't really see them, there are people walking the course for the big event of the evening, the Mini-prix. Walking the course helps you visualize what was written on the posted course to how the jumps actually are. Taken at 5:25 pm.

On Saturday evenings, there is a golf cart decorating contest. (These people have WAY too much time on their hands. And I am grateful.) The creativity is amazing. This is the "Circus Cart", entering the arena. Although you can't tell from this angle, the cart is decorated like a lions cage. It was awarded best most creative golf cart. 6:30 pm

This golf cart is an Olympic ship carrying US athletes. It won for most patriatic.
6:35pm.

The Los Altos Hound Group Demonstration. They don't chase foxes anymore, but do go on "hunts" like in days of yore. Very cool demonstration. I just don't think I could handle all the dogs under foot.