Backyard Horse Trials of Middlest

We had what I'd call an action packed weekend. We were fortunate enough to make the to-do list of Huz's sister Katie and family who joined us from Chicago for a few days and a few yee-haws at the Barn Party on Saturday.As well as Football Friday Night, the Homecoming game- which led to the Saturday night Homecoming Dance (not the only dance in town, as we do-si-doed our way around the barn). And Sunday morning, as we waved "Goodbye" to the Pederson family, Middlest and I followed them out the drive in the horse rig on our way to her first independent Horse Trials competition. With all these doin's, lemme tell ya, there's a lot of photos. Where to start the story? Why at the end of course. Sunday.

Middlest and I traveled about 2 hours to Springfield for Patty Miller's  Backyard Horse Trials. It is my absolute favorite. It is just what I wish I could manage here at Cowfeathers.  This is its 21st year, and according to my friend, Kara,  who has been attending to compete for most of those, it hasn't changed a bit. It is friendly and fun, and the rule is you can't take yourself too seriously. To that end, when you check in you are asked to select a plastic dinosaur to put in your pocket. For no one carrying around a plastic dinosaur can get too serious.

 

Middlest was extra-blessed by having a support and cheer section for her first Horse Trials. Also riding were Kara and another compatriot of mine, Judy. But, for support, Kara's Huz and her sweet Ava- who brought her pony Peaches for entertainment, Judy's daughter Anna- also a Pony Clubber mate and coach for Middlest and friends Des and Gayle.

Middlest had a late start time- blessed be! So we arrived in the sunshine of the cool morning for her to tack up Patch and go ride her dressage test.

Coach Kara and baby Ava evaluate the ride. They scored in the mid forties, which was respectable enough to put Middlest in 4th place after dressage.

 No one getting ready to eat an owl cupcake can take themselves too seriously either. Yum!

 After lunch it was Coach Kara's turn to take the cross country course on her grey mare, Indy.

 After a small, Indy-style glitch at the beginning of the course, they hit their stride and put in a great round.

 

 

Then it was Judy and Bella's turn, and they were awesome! They looked like pros putting in a controlled and clean round.

 Then it was Middlest's turn to warm up and get ready to start the often most challenging, but undoubtedly most fun portion of a horse trial.

Coach Kara's little helper just couldn't stay awake to see it.

 I'd say they are having fun, as going over fence 10 Middlest looks for me out beyond the fence line and flashes me a smile. Patches and Middlest had a wonderful ride. They were, in my biased opinion (which does not mean it isn't true) the best pair in their division, making it look seamless. They were certainly the ones with the most consistent pace and ride, it was so well done!!!! And without any faults.

Rosy cheeked and grinning. It is an unequaled feeling.

 With only one more phase to go, Coach Anna takes Middlest out on the stadium course to "walk the course." This means the rider walks the course, the horse is traditionally not supposed to see the course before being scored. You look at the fences, the approaches, the angles, the strides and your "lines"- or where you want to guide the horse to go between each fence. Often ridden in an arena, this phase at this event is not only in the open, but incorporates a cross country fence or two.

Coach Kara went first- being in the highest division, and rode . Indy did not make for an easy trip around the course, navigating the triple in such a fashion as to make me wonder if she's got a spine. I've got no doubts about Kara's as she somehow managed to pull out a clean round.

 

Judy and Bella had a slightly less successful trip , as Bella forgot about the control part and wanted to demonstrate her speedy. Judy decided to help her remember. But the mare likes to jump!

 

 And then, it was Middlest's division. She and Patch went about it just like they were in our own front field popping over fences with just a halter and a leadrope. Once again, the best pair out there, they had a even paced, dynamic ride, going "clean" (no faults), and having a blast!

 Maybe a little breathless.... now only to wait for the ribbons!

 Winning third place! That is the yellow part. The blue is first place and Patty Miller believes they are all winners just for being here. Since she orders the ribbons and runs the event, by golly, they all get a blue.

And the last member of the support staff gets in a photo a the end. So proud of her Middlest for giving it a go!