Devonsangel
Shared on Tue, 03/11/2008 - 09:56I'm not dead yet, but I have definitely felt better.
I participated in my first horse show this weekend. This was a two day show and the classes were repeated on the second day, which is not normally the case. Usually there is a hunter day then a jumper day. The difference is that the hunter classes you and your horse jump a predetermined pattern of obstacles in a casual and cadenced manner, as if you were out on a Sunday ride. The jumpers are all for speed and quick turns also with a predetermined pattern of obstacles. The classes are set up by height of jump starting with the lowest height (18 inches) and moving up every six inches until three feet. Now this may not seem very high compared to what some of you may have caught on ESPN while flipping channels, but those people are jumping 6-7 feet. Believe me, when you are just learning to jump and have to concentrate on your leg and body position so you don't fall off, 18 inches is high enough.
Anyway, my classes are first in the morning and the show starts at 8 am. We need to be at the barn at 6 to feed and clean stalls, horses and start warming up for class. I was feeling poorly enough Saturday and nervous enough that I backed out. I didn't show. It wouldn't have been fun. I had never been to a show, didn't know how they were set up, etc. Plus, feeling like a vice was squeezing my head and blowing my nose every so often. (I won't tell you what the tissue looked like afterwards, but it was akin to guacamole). I didn't think it would be smart. So, I just watched my classes that morning. Yes, they were filled with girls ranging in age from 8 -12, I would have been the oldest. But, that is not how the classes are set up. There is no age category. This is based on experience. There were young girls competing in the higher jump classes with the older girls also. Besides, I'm not really competing against the others, this was a way to see where I am in my training.
Ok, fast forward to Sunday. I decide this is it. I still feel blech, but going to push through it. Oh, did I mention I am slowly losing my voice as the weekend advances? One of the consequences of sinus drainage. Anyway, the first five classes are for the the 18 inch jumpers, that's me. Some of the classes judge the horse and how they move and jump and some of the classes judge the rider. Alright, out of the five classes, I got five ribbons! I got two 4th place ribbons, a 6th, a 7th, and an 8th place. Now the next question most are going to ask are "How many were in each class?" Fair enough. The smallest class was 10 and the most was 13. For the first time out, I was pleased.
I DIDN"T FALL OFF!!!!
That was my goal.
Now I'm home, I went to the doctor yesterday and he has given me antibiotics for the sinus infection that I have been battling all weekend. But all is well.
I'm gettting better!
Keep on Go!
I participated in my first horse show this weekend. This was a two day show and the classes were repeated on the second day, which is not normally the case. Usually there is a hunter day then a jumper day. The difference is that the hunter classes you and your horse jump a predetermined pattern of obstacles in a casual and cadenced manner, as if you were out on a Sunday ride. The jumpers are all for speed and quick turns also with a predetermined pattern of obstacles. The classes are set up by height of jump starting with the lowest height (18 inches) and moving up every six inches until three feet. Now this may not seem very high compared to what some of you may have caught on ESPN while flipping channels, but those people are jumping 6-7 feet. Believe me, when you are just learning to jump and have to concentrate on your leg and body position so you don't fall off, 18 inches is high enough.
Anyway, my classes are first in the morning and the show starts at 8 am. We need to be at the barn at 6 to feed and clean stalls, horses and start warming up for class. I was feeling poorly enough Saturday and nervous enough that I backed out. I didn't show. It wouldn't have been fun. I had never been to a show, didn't know how they were set up, etc. Plus, feeling like a vice was squeezing my head and blowing my nose every so often. (I won't tell you what the tissue looked like afterwards, but it was akin to guacamole). I didn't think it would be smart. So, I just watched my classes that morning. Yes, they were filled with girls ranging in age from 8 -12, I would have been the oldest. But, that is not how the classes are set up. There is no age category. This is based on experience. There were young girls competing in the higher jump classes with the older girls also. Besides, I'm not really competing against the others, this was a way to see where I am in my training.
Ok, fast forward to Sunday. I decide this is it. I still feel blech, but going to push through it. Oh, did I mention I am slowly losing my voice as the weekend advances? One of the consequences of sinus drainage. Anyway, the first five classes are for the the 18 inch jumpers, that's me. Some of the classes judge the horse and how they move and jump and some of the classes judge the rider. Alright, out of the five classes, I got five ribbons! I got two 4th place ribbons, a 6th, a 7th, and an 8th place. Now the next question most are going to ask are "How many were in each class?" Fair enough. The smallest class was 10 and the most was 13. For the first time out, I was pleased.
I DIDN"T FALL OFF!!!!
That was my goal.
Now I'm home, I went to the doctor yesterday and he has given me antibiotics for the sinus infection that I have been battling all weekend. But all is well.
I'm gettting better!
Keep on Go!
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Comments
Submitted by Zikan on Tue, 03/11/2008 - 10:46
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/11/2008 - 11:23