My First Western Show

My first Western show is important for two big reasons- it is my first IHSA Western competition and it is the first show that Del Val is hosting this season. So not only do I have to worry about showing, I want to make sure I am doing my part to ensure that the show is running smoothly and as efficiently as possible.

Since Del Val doesn't really have any Western trained horses, we shipped in horses from a barn down the street. It is a lot of fun to have a bunch of new faces!The best part of Western showing BY FAR is the clothes! I appreciate the simple tradition of English Equitation attire but it sure is fun to be all dressed up in Western garb-everything from the hat to the fancy patterned shirt, the fun fringed chaps and the stylish Western boots. I can't help but smile when I am ready to show! Just one problem though- it is really hard to get used to riding in those tight leather chaps. They really restrict the movement of your leg...but I guess that is the point. :-)Other than the discipline itself, the biggest difference in the way that Hunt Seat and Western shows are run is that there are two Western shows in the same day. Western shows run much faster than the Hunt Seat shows. There are a lot less members on the team therefore not so many classes. Both shows are held at the same facility, the same horses and the same riders- but a different judge is used for each show.I am really excited when it is my turn to ride. I took a lesson on a Western horse the week before and I had a very hard time adjusting to the movement of the horse. The little Quarter Horses sure are different from those long strided Warmbloods in the Hunter ring! I decide to just do my best-“Take a deep breath and stay with the horse” is my motto for the day. In the first show I anticipated a big movement from my lttle guy and I sure didn’t get what I expected! A Western judge is looking for quiet, seamless transitions-but what she probably saw was me throwing myself around- it is not a pretty picture! Oh well, live and learn- ride and learn more. Needless to say I don’t place in that class of about ten riders. I still have one more ride so I concentrate on finding the confidence to do better in the next class.
The second show goes much smoother. I ride a horse named Lux (which if you remember is the horse Ithat I rode for my placement test so I lucked out- Yeah!!) I got lucky ‘cause he is definitely the horse everyone wanted. Lux is a Pro at Western Pleasure. All I have to do is let him do his job. And I have a blast! I don't think I have ever felt a jog that slow, it is an amazing thing! And I end up in Fifth Place which I am very happy about. I think it was a success, a HUGE improvement from the first class. I have a lot to learn about Western equitation but I am willing to work really hard. I can't wait until next time!