Busy

It's been a busy couple last days. But i wanted to provide an update on the highlights.

- I had two classes so far with Diva. She got 5th out of about 16 or 17 in her western and 6th in English. 

- Katie is still wearing her egg and spoon championship medal. ;)

- I went to Bedford tack to shop. Bedford is about the size of a Walmart but with every horse supply you could imagine. There is always items I find that I never knew I needed. My prize purchase is a new saddle stroller to bring my tack to the warmup instead of carrying it. I'm very excited. 

Jane and Spiderman Two - getting ready
for their class.  Love all the attention
she's getting - like the scene in Pretty Woman!

- Jane rode her new Spiderman Two horses and is having a great time with her trainer. 

- Gale showed both her 2yo horses and was in the ribbons!

- Carlan's Lil Wayne won his class and Emily got high ribbons with their weanling. And they have been doing extremely well with shake n bake. 

- Rachael arrived. (poor Krysta is stuck at home.  Hi girlfriend!). She's staying with me tonight. 

- the progressive barn party was held last night. Us Wisconsinites brought spotted cow to share.  Of course it was a hit. Darden made sure everyone had one and was the chief bottle opener. It was fun to socialize

- Halo was ridden last night after the show. He had the place to himself and he looked really good. Hannah was able to get his focus and they started hitting it. 

- the weather has been amazing. In the 70s and great for showing

Sorry for the quick post. I'm off to feed and do chores. And Scott will arrive in a few hours. Tonight I ride B in his first class. 

Egg n Spoon

My morning started with a fab egg sandwich. I grabbed a spoon and yogurt as I left the hotel. It's nice to have the free breakfast with my room, but I confess the coffee is not the best and I swung by Starbucks for a latte as I headed for Miller.

Stall 17.  B is ready for breakfast and cool water!

Everyone got hay and clean water when I arrived. Then I set up chairs and iced down the waters in the cooler. Stalls were cleaned. The regular chores completed. I spent the rest of the morning riding bourbon and diva in the arena. After lunch Halo would ride. He was getting a loose shoe attended to first. So Katie and I pulled out the crystals and hot fixed a bunch of them to the collar of the shirt she'd show in this evening while we waited.

When Hannah came around the corner with Halo in tow, we all jumped up and followed her out to the sand pen on the west side of the grounds. She hooked him up and began to lunge him.  It was nice to finally see him move. You could tell he was young and still figuring it out. But in between you could see him stride, shake and lift in front. He lost a few months of training this summer due to a hairline fracture on his leg. So we lost time on his progress  A dissapointment for sure, but we're very happy it was a minor setback that will easily be overcome. Whew!

Halo in the cross ties before
our practice ride. 

We then all headed into the arena. It was a busy beehive of activity. Horses riding the first way AND the second way of the ring.  Some doing circles and others lunging yearlings while others were leading colts around. Oh boy, was all I could think and I didn't envy Hannah having to ride halo in this commotion. Especially with it being his first show experience. What a way to start. But when she got in the saddle and headed off, I was pleasantly surprised that he looked calm and focused on the task at hand. Here you could see him truly move and those flashes of pure talent between the learning was evident. He's very tall and leggy. He is high in the chest and uses his front shoulders very well. The back legs have the perfect bent to really get underneath himself as he walks. And he seems to simply float effortlessly forward. Carlan stood there with me and whispers that he looks real good.  And as I look at her, her smile reassures me even more. I think that's when I finally started to breath again.  Round and round she rode H, and you could see her train him and him improve with every lap.  Eventually he started to get more consistent and settled.

Then Hannah surprised me and parked in by us, and jumped off. Okay, give him a try, she indicated to me. I couldn't believe it. But I couldn't wait either and climbed up. Oooooo, he's tall. Maybe even taller than B.  However, as I threw my leg over him and settled into the saddle, I was reminded he was not B in girth. It was like balancing on a 2x4 - the narrow way!  As we pulled out, all the memories of D as a 2yo, and B as a yearling came over me. He felt young and inconsistent, but trying.  Like riding jello. Lol. But I think we had a few moments when we got it together. And Hannah tried to talk me through it. All too soon they started to clear the arena to ready for the evening classes, so we had to leave. But I got to take the memory of my ride with me. Now it's just a matter of time and training. We have the raw materials for a good one.

Wisconsin represents!  Scott, me, Eileen, Gale, Bruce, Mick
all pose by the WWHA sign we put up to promote our club.

As I left the arena, I bumped into Gale. Yeah, they finally arrived. I helped them unpack and hang fans.  It was so cool to see more folks from Wisconsin make this trip. They brought two horses - both 2yo. Hot Diamond and Remarkable Journey. They got settled in and will ride tomorrow for a practice round in the arena. I'm so excited for them as I know how awesome the first year here is, and I hope they enjoy the experience as much as I did, and continue to do.

Next up on the agenda were the fun classes. Katie and Emily are getting ready to show. And for Katie, this is her first ever international. So chico, their little spotted saddle horse, was being spit shined and tacked up.  Waterglass class was first, and resulted in a reserve win for Katie!  What a way to start and set the bar high. She did better in ribbon placement than her older sister. Next up was egg and spoon. And when the 11 and under class began, 2 little girls lost their eggs before they even got out on the rail, 2 more were out within the next ten steps, and 2-3 more as they made the first curve. But Katie was still on her game and heading down the straightaway at the far side. And then the last 2 girls lost their eggs., and I heard a scream. It was me.  Every girl had already lost their eggs, But not miss Katie,  she was focused and confused when the

Katie's first international - and she gets the
BLUE medallion for her outstanding egg
and spoon ride on Chico!  AWESOME!!!

announcer called for the line up. She had no idea that she had won already.   They called her number and she headed for the winners circle. She had to remove her helmet so that they could put her medallion around her neck. It hung to her waist. Then they gave her an egg on a spoon and made her do her victory lap with it. She did not dissapointment. She rode the entire way, all around the ring, and kept it on the entire way. And mind you, the victory lap was longer than the whole class. Lol.   Pictures in the winners circle with all of us. We all agreed we won't be able to live with her this week. But the smiles were worth it. 

So I started and ended my day with egg n spoon. Who knew.  Tomorrow will be my first class. It will be with Diva in western. Can't wait!

Shoes and fans.

The pretty drive up to Miller Coliseum - lined with trees
and white fences.  The arena in the background at right.

I woke early and slipped down to the hotel lobby for breakfast. The eggs and sausage helped wake me up. Then I grabbed a coffee and yogurt and headed for the truck.  While I have no classes today or tommorrow, I still had plans to Take practice rides in the big arena. They let you go into the ring and ride between the morning and evening set of classes and I've always found it helpful to let the horses experience the ring before they go in to show.

I stopped off at Walmart on my way to Miller, and picked up water, tea, and assorted sandwiches and quick meals. We have a mini fridge and I thought it would be good to stock it full, for keeping hydrated and fed when times get busy.  Then off to Miller to fill water buckets and toss hay for B and D. They nickered their hello's when I arrived and dove right into their morning meal. Just like I did with my eggs this morning. I'm pleased to see that despite the heat we all have our appetites. And the buckets needed filling twice during meal time. So I'm confident everyone is hydrated too.

At 930 I walked over to see Terry Moran, my tennessee farrier.  And he agreed to shoe both horses. Diva was first. And then B. I hung out and chatted up poor Terry the entire time. We told stories, laughed and he shared great shoeing tips.  What a skill, I thought as I watched him measure and effortlessly work his magic  What a great guy too. He's been ensuring diva was always shod compliantly since my very first year down here. So I was thankful he was able to do the shoes for me today too. I must say the job was perfect. A full show level treatment. And by noon they were both done with their manny panny salon appointments.

Front row - right across from the warmup and DQP.
We took advantage of the spot to hand the WWHA
banner.  Our group took nine stalls.

I couldn't wait to put his shoeing job to the test, and immediately tacked up B and headed into the arena. I  L. O. V. E. this arena. I am reminded every year when I first set foot in that dark red earth, just how much I love this arena. It is soft, loamy, and both my horses seem to deliver their best rides of the year in this red satin.  And today was no different.  B dug right in and just walked a hole in the ground. He was shaking and walking and he felt so good. If it wasn't so hot I would have rode him around that big ring a hundred times, maybe a thousand.  I exhaled and totally enjoyed every step he took.

Next up was Diva. But by the time I had her ready to ride, there was a clinic going on inside, and so I only got in to the warm up area. But that footing is the same and she seemed like she was happy with it too. Even her little ears were flopping. I had a few fast moments, but for the most part she was timed well and just did a nice flat walk. Carlan and Katie and Emily came in with Chico. And so we were riding around in the warmup area together. Other than one or two other horses that ventured in for awhile, we had the place pretty much to ourselves. I parked Diva in by Emily and asked if she wanted to take D for a spin?  Her face lit up and in less than two second she was up in the saddle and we were adjusting the stirrups to fit her properly. She did an outstanding job riding D. And for me it was great to watch her go. I never get to see her go. So I appreciated the opportunity as much as Emily did. And even D seemed to think it was a cool thing!  Emily beamed and said she loved her. And I know exactly what she meant. I love riding that mare too.

The Halo/me selfie -
in Halo's stall in the
Hannah Pulvers Stables row.

Then the moment I have been waiting months for happened. Halo arrived!  He's in stall 34.  And when I walked into the Hannah Pulvers aisle, everyone pointed to that stall and said that Hannah told them that was him, and to tell me the stall number when I arrived. :) how did she know I'd be obsessed to see him. LOL.   And what a pretty boy he is. He took my breath away. That tiny face, those dainty ears, that solid back and long legs. I opened the door and slipped in and he walked right over and sniffed me. And then he put his nose in my hand and it seemed like he was saying hello. And I smiled. Katie was with me and she reached up to pet his velvet nose and grinned.  I snapped a selfie and texted it to Scott. Oh I can't wait to see him move tomorrow. And maybe ride him too. Yeah!

The rest of the day was filled with bathing horses, helping hang stall fans for the HP row, and watching the versatility classes. A Mexican dinner with Carlan, and I was ready to hit the hay. Both literally, as in tossing it to the horses for their late munching, and figuratively now for me, as in pillow time.

International 2014

Miller Coliseum is home to the
2014 WHOA International.

Hey everyone. Today I made my 4th annual pilgrimage to Murfreesboro, TN for the Tennessee walking horse International. I woke at 445am to do my final packing and ready the horses. This year I'm taking both Diva and Bourbon for the Amateur Owned and Trained (AOT) classes.  And by the amount of packing and double everything, I'm thinking the week ahead will be a lot more work than just one AOT horse. Just hay alone proved a bit of a space challenge. Not to mention bits, bridles and saddles.  But we pulled out by 630am and were on our way. Mostly due to Scott's help in ensuring we were all set. Love you babe!  Scott will fly down and join us later in the week and drive back with me.

The day's drive for the most part was pleasent and safely uneventful. We made good time with the minimum stops for gas and water breaks.  And thankfully my phone was ringing regularly, with great conversations to break up the trip and make the time go fast. Thanks to all my friends and MOTHER who checked in with me. By 530pm, we made our last left turn into Miller colesium and my heart skipped a beat. It is always so cool to turn into the grounds and drive up the white fence lined drive. It's big and awesome and welcoming, all at the same time.

Diva (aka I'm Demanding) has moved into Stall 18
for the big week of competition.

I parked and began to unload. Diva in stall 18, and Bourbon in stall 17. I like those numbers for some reason. They feel good. Especially that we have a lucky 7 in the mix.   We are in the first row facing the warmup. So it's very convenient.  Only steps from the DQP and right across from Bedford tack onsite store in a trailer. This should be good. Plus we have most of the row!  I'm next to Tami Steinbrecher and her two horses, plus Carlan is bringing her AOT horse for her daughters to show and Gale Zinter and Eileen Olson from Wisconsin are  joining us too.  So, we kinda have our own group all together.  I have a feeling it is going to be SO much fun this year  its like you can already feel the energy in the air

When I arrived my shavings were all down. Thanks miss Emily for having them fresh and ready for us!  B and D made themselves right at home, as the rest of us rushed around prepping the site. Fans, electric, seating, refrigerator, tack.  The list goes on. And it was fun, since I had so much help. Katie Livingood and Peggy Butler were down from Wisc to see the Twhbea versatility show and met up with me to provide a helping hand. And soon Carlan and her girls arrived and the party ensued.  Lots of sweat and dirt. But things shaped up quickly. Thanks so much to all of you for the helping hand. And Katie and Peggy it was so nice to see you in TN. Safe travels back north tomorrow!

Katie is a helpful hand to
set up, fill water buckets
and promote Halo with
her halo over her head.

After refilling water buckets I joined Carlan, Emily and Katie for dinner. I had this super yummy salmon salad with all kinds of healthy antioxidants atop. Healthy and tasty. To be honest I was so hungry, I think just about anything would have hit the spot.  But this did the trick and was healthy. Bonus!  

 I'm now checked into my hotel and will hit the pillow soon. I set the alarm for 630 and will go back to Miller for feeding and a farrier visit.  Plus I will see Halo for the first time since I bought him. Woot woot!!  Can't wait to see my baby boy.  He'll be with us all week in the Hannah Pulvers Stables aisle,  but we have yet to decide if we will show him this week.  There are a few 2yo classes so those would be the ones if we do.  But that is TBD.   Either way I'm excited as all get out.  All 3 of my show string are here in one place for a whole week.  H.  E.  A. V. E.  N. !

I'll try to keep everyone up to date via my blog this week. And yes I have my cell and keep the text messages coming. I am excited to see what this week of competition will bring. Wish us luck!  And I wish all those competing this week a safe, fun and successful week too. 

HALO

Jose's HALO

I have a new horse!  I'm so excited.  I feel like I'm floating on cloud 9!  And, he's just perfect…..for me.  Every last detail is perfect and he's exactly what this little girl has always dreamed of -  everything was checked off our wish list.  I think, perhaps, he fits me like a glove.

For the past year, we've been wanting to add another young horse to our string.   Bourbon had his last junior year in 2013 - so I wanted to add a 2 year old to continue to compete in the junior classes…as B moved on to the aged divisions, along with Diva.   But, it seems each really nice colt gets bought before you can decide, or there's something that just doesn't fit.   Maybe its age, maybe its how they move, a detail in their confirmation, oh…the list can go on.   But then along comes one - that just fits.  Feels right.  And the pieces fall into place.  That was HALO.

It all started when I called to check in with Hannah on some young horses she was evaluating.  And you get to talking, and all of a sudden one stands out.   The more I heard, the more I wanted to hear.  And the more I wanted to see!   So….instead of jumping on a plane at that very moment - I had to wait.  Hannah was off to sail the Virgin Islands for a few weeks (and get engaged!).  And so I waited.  I knew he was there.  I was scared he wouldn't be there much longer.  And I waited. And I waited.  OMG - I waited.  :)   And then she returned….and I waited some more.  To let him get back to a few days under saddle, and to get a video to see him move before I traveled to see him in person.  And see we did.  Once a video was posted…we viewed it over and over.  Scott and I.  And our excitement mounted.  He was perfect….for us.  

He peered out of his stall.

The very next day, I was booking tickets and packing my bag.  And negotiating the deal.  And the colt was going through the vet check.  It was all but done - I would make my final decision once I saw him live, placed my hands on him, rode him - and knew without a doubt - that he was perfect….for me.   I arrived late Friday night….drove right to Main Gait Farms - and I placed my hands on him.  The stable was dark when I arrived - Hannah was over at the colt showing - so we agreed I'd slip in anyways to see him.  I wound't sleep if I couldn't see him once on the ground in Tennessee.  I pulled up, and it was dusk.  I walked in through the front doors, and through the wash area, and into the long dark aisle.  The lights were off, the aisle dark, the horses munching on hay - every long face looked up as I made my way down the aisle.  I walked and looked into each stall….until I came and stopped at stall 16.  Sweet 16.  My heart was beating….I could hardly see into the stall, let alone see a black horse in a dark stall.  But then he pulled his head up, looked at me ears forward…stepped up to the open window in his door - and peered out.  My heart jumped a beat….and I grinned ear to ear.  Hello guy!  I coo'd.  And I stepped forward and placed my hand on his soft nose for the first time.  There, just the two of us - in the dark.  And, I could see, he was perfect…for me.

I spent some time with him in his stall.  I could see he was long legged (check), black (check), pretty (check), oh la la the mane (check), calm, silly and mischievous personality (check), and (check), (check), (check)…..my list of wants that outlined the perfect horse for me were all getting checked off.  I couldn't wait to see him move and ride him tomorrow.  But…I'd have to wait.  I'd have to wait all day.  I wouldn't ride until late afternoon - as Hannah was taking colts over to the colt sale on Saturday.   I said my good byes - and just as I was about to leave, the barn manager, Roger, came walking in - helped me find the lights - so I could REALLY see this colt - and he snapped the very first picture, of the very first meeting, of me and my "soon to be" new colt.  I knew it would be so - in every fiber of my being.

HALO and I meet for
the first time

Off to the colt showing at the Calsonic I went - and caught up with Mary Pickhardt, who I was going to stay with this weekend.  We hung at the colt showing - but not much was happening, and hunger took over.  So, we enjoyed a a few margaritas and dinner at the Casa down the street.  Well, it was just down the street - but Mary had us visit almost all of downtown Shelbyville, before we settled on this place.  (Note to self - don't take driving directions from Mary - LOL.)  Her home is lovely, in a lovely neighborhood.  And I met all her cats and dogs - yes there were quite a few.  My fav was "Spiderman", a cute black kitten with no tail.  But he had the longest legs you ever did see.  We talked and shared stories all night…and picked right up where we left off at breakfast.  And, I was treated to a tour that included a wonderful collection of Pusher and Push-Over portraits and other TWH pictures and historical memorabilia.  And I slept in "Carol's" bed.  Or at least she's placed dibs on it - thanks for letting me sleep in your room Miss Carol!  :)

Beautiful boy - Jose's HALO.

When I went back to see my colt in the morning, it was just us, again.   But a good chance to get to see him in the light of day and to experience his personality.  Then off to the colt sale.  I met up with Carlan and her girls - and got to personally deliver a brand new ruby red day-coat for Emily!  (Kricket - it fit her PERFECTLY!)  We hung out and socialized…and then all four of us went over to see "my" colt.  Carlan and the girls agreed - he was something.  We shopped, we lunched….and we visited Katie's new pony and watched her ride!  She's getting so big - and brave to ride.  Then we said our good-byes.   I love seeing them…its so much fun.  But…it was close to 3pm - and F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. I would get to ride my colt.

Hannah and Bub were already in the arena when I arrived.  Hannah was working with another client - and Bub had my boy in the round pen.   As I came up and rested my arms on the rails to watch - my colt ran around and stopped right by me.  Bub just shook his head and laughed.  Like the colt had chosen me already too. :)   In no time, Hannah had mounted him and was riding.  And my heart was happy.   Again, each element - front lift, shake, stride - potential, potential, potential.  His confirmation seemed right - he'd be a nice size.   And, once I got into the saddle, I could tell he wanted to figure out what we wanted him to do.  And, he was all new, young and perfectly inconsistent and imperfect.  Just as a young coming 2yo should be.  And, I could tell, he was perfect…for me.

He gets his name…and is introduced
to the world.

Paperwork, hugs, celebration and he was mine!  And, I celebrated further with Bub and a whole gang for dinner- tipping margaritas and eating mexican (again).  Thanks for letting me crash your fiesta Beverly, Billy, Frankie, and the Dr. Richards family.   I drove and stayed by the airport that night - I would catch the 530am flight back home….so staying next door to BNA was a necessity of convenience.  I had sent Scott text messages, video snippets and photos - but once I got home, I recounted every detail and each moment.  And we smiled.  Yep, he'd be perfect…for us.  :)

And, while we had worked our way through (literally) 500 names.  Scott came up with HALO - and once we realized that Jose (the colt's papa's name) was also spanish for Joseph - we just knew that Jose's HALO would be his name.  In memory of Joe Stasiewicz, Scott's father who passed away on new years eve.  Another detail fell perfectly into place, that reminded us both, this was meant to be.  

Celebration Top 10 Memories for 2013

Krysta & I are wearing our
Jordan & Jessica pins!

Well, I didn't do a very good job with blogging this trip. Between working and showing I really didn't have much time left to do it. And when I did have a few moments, it was during dinner or late at night, and honestly I spent that time with Krysta and Rachel in conversation or food preparation and watching the Castle marathon. LOL.   

Here's my wrap-up - my blog for the week... This time, I'm sharing my week in a single update....as my top 10 memories of the 2013 Celebration. 

10.  Staying with the Allen sisters. First of all, we got along great. But most of all it was fun to share stories, enjoy their excitement when they bought a new yearling, and give and get moral support as we showed all week.  The two of them are completely different, despite looking like twins.  So i have to say it was pure entertainment from arrival to departure a week and a half later  Thanks for inviting me to stay with you....it was a blast!  And our place was awesome!  Let's do it again!

Hannah Pulvers VIP on the Celebration
grounds.  HP Central all week!

Rachel seated on the fur
bench in the HP suite.

9.  The Hannah Pulvers VIP suite.  Hannah created the most wonderful client space on the show grounds. It was right across from the entry to the warmup area. So we could watch all the comings and goings every night.And , more importantly sit and chat with all the other customers in a space that was appointed with a big couch, white fur covered bench, chairs and tables.   It was like hanging out in an awesome living room complete with rug, lamps, framed pictures, plants and vases of flowers  It was a great environment to catch up with those I've met before, and get to know others better. It's a wonderful and interesting group from all over the country, and I have made friends with so many new people. Plus, there was always something to eat or drink. Especially on cookout night when Bub cooked chicken and ribs for all of us!  It was the big party night. 

Me by the B banner!

The whole row of client banners!
So cool!

8.  The client banners!  OMG!  Hannah had posters made of each of the competitors from her barn. They were full color 4x6' banners. each headlined the horse and rider and were hung along the entire stall length of the Hannah  Pulvers Stables barn on the show grounds  It was so cool to see them all, and they provided shade for the stalls and horses each morning on barn #14. We all had fun taking our pictures in front of our own poster. You felt like a movie star.  LOL. Hannah is spectacular at helping to promote you and your horse. From these banners, to helping place/design ads, to Facebook posts. She goes well beyond the training to help your horse become memorable, by name, as well as by talent.  Thanks Hannah for all that you do for us, we appreciate it...and YOU. 

Emily - the Grecian goddess.
Ready for ribbon giving!

7.  Preparing Emily to give out a ribbon. On Thursday night miss Emily was going out into center ring to give the prize ribbon. This is a huge deal and anyone who gets this honor at theCelebration gets all dressed up, and I mean ALL dressed up. Emily met me on the show grounds in her long pink dress and I put on her makeup and worked a tiara into her hair (yes one of mine - they come in handy pretty often!)  She was absolutely beautiful. The dress was a floral spectacular and her hair was in ringlets around her face. She looked like a Grecian goddess as she walked out under the lights to award the winning blue ribbon and prize that night. I watched it all unfold from ringside. So proud of her!

Me & Darden - enjoying
the show.

6.  Enjoying the show. From the morning pleasure classes inside the Calsonic, to the out door celebration oval each evening....this is an amazing experience to see the best Tenneessee walking horses in the world. And better still is meeting up with friends in the box seats each night to socialize. I sat many evenings with Darden Gladney, sat on the rail a few evenings with Carlan, Kathy, Ronnie, Sam and Carlan's girls (Which are seats an arms length from the action, literally), and one night sat with Kathy Anderson on the opposite

Carlan is trying to turn me
into a Kentucky blue!

side of the ring for a different perspective  I count myself lucky for great seats and great conversation every night.  Plus I visited with Carol and Mary each night to check in.  And you always see someone you know who stops you or you stop by to see. It's all so much fun!  And the sweet tea, Curley fries, and deep fried Oreos hit the spot. 

Gale & Mick from Wisc.
Way to represent!

5.  Wisconsin represents!  Yes one great memory is seeing folks from Wisconsin at the Celebration.  Carol and Mary are fixtures every year. But also Mick and Gale drove down and we caught up for a few nights. And it was great to see Jacob and Laura Schultz, Lori Greenwood and Theresa Dietz and her husband John (who are from Illinois but I know them from Wisconsin show circuit).  It was nice to get some hometown cheers and support so far from home. You wouldn't think that in a huge ring you could hear cheers and your name called out, but you can.  Thanks guys!  I heard you and it meant a lot. 

Whaa What?  Com'on
when will we be home?

4.  Bringing B home. While showing has been a blast, and we've had such an outstanding show season...3 blues, multiple reserves....and always in the ribbons in every class and making every judges card (just WOW!)...it is super exciting to bring Bourbon home afterwards.  It was emotional to arrive at Hannah Pulvers Stables at 530am to pull B from his stall, wrap his legs in a quiet cross tie space, and walk down the aisle and out the door to the goodbye nickers of all Bs horsey friends. But B jumped right into the trailer and poked his head out the front window as I hooked him up. He gave a few hoof paws for good measure as we drove down the gravel drive and pulled out onto the road.  We passed the Hannah Pulvers Stables sign, which was now lit by the early dawn light. Good bye again for awhile, Main Gait Farms.  Arrival home 11 hours later....and B was out to pasture with D and F.  It was as if they had never been apart.  And everything was instantly back to normal. ;). And my barn was not devoured yet...but it has only been one day. 

Bourbon riding in our Novice
English class to a 6th place!

3.  Showing. Yep there is nothing quite like showing at the Celebration!  The nerves, the excitement, the sounds, the smells, the spectators....and every detail in between.  Being able to put on your riding duds...and hop up into that saddle and enter these historic rings, where so many great horses have entered before, is quite awe-striking.  You kinda want to pinch yourself to make sure you're not dreaming.  While I personally hate the warmup ring...once Hannah grabs your headstall and guides you up the ramp and into the ring, it is so exciting. You ride hard, try to show off your steed the best you can for the judges...and pull into the lineup afterwards hoping you had done well and the judges noticed AND liked you.  The wait for the results is long and nerve racking....but no matter what the placement, when they call your number and announce your name and horse...you are so happy. The exit ride is always a happy moment with ribbon in hand!  ;).  

B in Western - riding
for a 5th place!

2.  The judges cards. For me a personal accomplishment was that we made every judges card, in every one of our classes. Our placements in the end were a 5th, two 6th, and an 8th place tie.   Our highest tie on one judge's card was a 2nd place. And another judge placed us 4th in the championship class. The rest were mostly 5th or 6th placement...and as expected much variation between judges.  But it is the first celebration where we consistently made every card!  Woot woot.  So I chalk that up to an outstanding accomplishment. Especially considering that we aren't well known...so we're making a dent in it that and making a mark. I'm estatic that they are starting to appreciate B as much as we do. ;)

In the line-up in The Big Oval at
the end of my very first ride in this
historical ring.  Spectacular!

1.  My first ride in the Big Oval.  Yes, this is the top memory. While I have shown the past two years at the celebration, I have never shown in the Big Oval. The pleasure classes are typically held in the morning inside in the Calsonic. It's only the evening classes that are held outdoors in that huge 30,000 seat coliseum.  Classes start at 7pm, so it's dusk, and the flood lights are on.  You start up in the warmup, and then a huge digital clock is set for 2minutes and 30 seconds and the count down begins.  Everyone lines up, and the trainers grab their clients and guide them down the "chute" towards the ring. As you come through the doorway and make your way down the ramp, I mean chute, you come around a bend and there for the first time you see the ring. It's the coolest moment and it looks totally awesome from between Bourbons ears.  Bub was guiding me and B, and I looked down and said to him, this is my first time out here...and he smiled at me.  Then Hannah arrived, smiled up at me and said good luck and have fun. She ran along side me, down the chute and right to the gate...  I picked up B and began my first ride out in The Big Oval.  It was early, so the crowd was just beginning to assemble, but it definitely was a lot more people than I've shown in front of then ever before. B kept looking over the wall at the people sitting in the first box seats, and I think it was distracting him.

My second Oval ride - Hannah
bringing us down the "chute" to
the ring for our Championship class.

Typically the seating is above you, not below....so I pulled him a little off that wall to keep him focused on the task at hand. He actually did a great job, and other than a little bauble near the end, which I think was someone's horse behind me that spooked, we had a great first oval ride. I'm not sure I was breathing or not, but it did help to have Hannah with me in my ear on the Bluetooth. Just in case. Once in the lineup I finally looked around. So many people watching. I saw Jane and Sam sitting in that front corner box seat, and smiled. Sam pulled out his phone/camera and captured the moment.  The first ever moment of the big oval.  When the announcer made the winning awards....the Honey Badger won the class...and me and B, we took 8th.  We pulled out of the long lineup of 17 hopeful horses and riders..and rode up to collect our ribbon....and then rode out of the big oval.  Smiling.  We did it!  Woot woot. 

Pretty in pink.  Libby, me
and Krysta pose near the
HP stalls...

Of course I probably could have filled a top 25 or 50 list with cool memories.  Like Hannah's customers who rode to the blues...and winner circle photo sessions and celebrations.  Congrats to Kathy Anderson, Maggie Moore, Jordan Howell,  Jennifer Bingham, James Abernathy, Wayne Westbrook, Allie, Whitlie, and so many more on earning their WC, WGC, or RWC titles this year.   And Hannah, Bub, Candy, and Alberto, who work so hard to make all of this possible. To show baths, show shopping, and to bling accessorizing. To getting ready, And to packing up.  To laughter and to tears. 

I'll never forget all the memories and all the friendships of the 2013 celebration.  Thanks everyone!

Here are more photo memories below.  Enjoy!  (Tip If you click on a photo, you'll be taken to the entire gallery and can page through them and  see larger sized pictures.)

 B's ad appeared in the Thurs. issue
- the night of my Oval ride!
Was cool to see.

Ed Lewis in the HP suite.
Ed owns Main
Gait where B stays.

The Allen sisters (left & right), and the
Dennis sisters (3 middle) all dressed
up to give ribbons in center ring!

Yummy.  Fried Oreos (I know!)
and curly fries with cheese.  OMG!

Alberto giving B a post-
class shower on the grounds.

B drying in the rack after
his show bath!

The line-up in the Big Oval.  I
think there were 17 horses in this
class...we went end to end of the ring.

The Warm-up ring.  Horses prepping
for their classes.

Carol & Mary enjoy the
show from their box seats!

Tami, Marcia and Sheryl
sit with me to watch the
show.  Lovely ladies!

Tami sitt'n front and center on the wall.

B and me - enjoy a ride
down the driveway
when we get home.

Bourbon on the cross ties
at the HP stalls on the grounds.

Love these guys!  Bub and Hannah
at the "cook-out" enjoying some fun!

"SHOW BATH" - says Bub!

Me and Marcia relaxing
in the HP suite.  Love the fur
bench!  :)

B in his stall.  Note his stall
boasts his name...and FC
status - Futurity Champion!

My saddle all shined up
and ready to go to the big
show!  Silver is sparkling.

Me, Candy and Kathy toasting
in the HP VIP suite.

B is sporting his dread locks.
Handsome boy!