Our First Stock Horse Show!

We did it! We ventured outside our norm and entered our first Stock Horse Show. My husband has been training for this since last Fall. I haven't, but that's ok. I didn't really plan on entering due to my horse just getting shoes on for the first time the night before the event and because of my lack of training when it comes to working cows. This was something my husband needed to mix things up for him and have something else to strive towards. Patrick is very competitive and thrives when challenged with something new. This was to be his "new". I'm just fine competing in Mounted Shooting and just kicking around on Kitt. I'm not near as competitive as my "other half". However, after he crushed me at our last mounted shooting competition I just had to enter the pleasure class in the stock horse show. It was here I could redeem myself, I knew I could take him, easily. And I did. Whew, chalk one up to the wife. When it comes to pleasure or equitation classes, I can take it, hands down. With my riding experience compared to his I would expect nothing less. This isn't to take away from Patrick's riding accomplishments, he does quite well. He's just not always as polished. In mounted shooting that's ok. In the pleasure class on Saturday, it wasn't.
For fun I also entered the trail class and didn't fair as well but made a good showing having not practiced for trail at all!!! I believe I'm getting the stock horse bug, but my work will keep me out of the running for any more competitions this year. I work every other weekend at the store and my other Saturday employee I rotate with likes the stock horse competitions (and is competitive in them), so I'll be sure to work the schedule so she can compete there. I'll stick to mounted shooting and just kicking around.
It was good to get the horses out to another event aside from mounted shooting. It's always a good idea to mix things up for them as well as us. In the past it's been difficult for Patrick & I to do much other than train for the shoots. With two little kids our riding time has always been limited, therefore we have focused on our sport only. This year has been a bit different. Liberty & Lexington have reached an age where they don't need us constantly. Patrick & I can actually ride together in the arena, which has doubled our riding time! Before, we would alternate nights to ride because of the kids. Now, the kids can play themselves, where we can keep an eye on them. Our arena is in the backyard, so Liberty & Lex can play in the backyard or in the house and not get into trouble. I'm proud to say we have good kids. They know what they can and can't do and respect the limits. Not that there isn't the occasional squabble we need to help work our from atop our horse, but all in all it works well. The kids have even started riding more this year, so that also helps. We're actually becoming more of a "riding family".
So after taking the pleasure class at the Stock Horse Show and trying the trail class, I watched everyone else and let Kitt just nibble on hay and take it all in. It was great to see all different levels of riders and horses run through the reining patterns and work the cows. The show was at Riverfare Farm in Webster, right down the road from where we live (bonus!). They have a great series for those looking to get into stock horse shows. They use the rules of the S.H.O.T. program, which is now an affiliate of the American Stock Horse Association. The shows are laid back and a perfect place to start out. Everyone is quite helpful and cheers everyone else on. You can ask anyone anything. It really is a good crowd of people. There are competitors from Novice (us) to experienced. It really is a good mix.
Ok, so it's also here that I did my stupid move of the year (we're each allowed one per year, right?). I'll tell you about it because I'm blogging, therefore I don't have to see your "yeah, that was pretty stupid" facial reaction. There became a time that I wanted to jump on Kitt, bareback, and just kick around a little. She had been nibbling on hay for a while and I wanted to move around a little. I put on her headstall and tried to figure out how to get on her. There was a mounting block out on the trail course but that would be too easy. I wanted to be more creative (and was feeling a bit too lazy to venture out that far). That's when I spotted the cooler. A little blue cooler I had won at a shooting event that would work perfectly. I pulled up the cooler and got on top. Kitt stood still as usual. I felt I was high enough to swing a leg over her and pull myself up instead of throwing my body over her and having to right myself. As I threw my right leg up the cooler tipped over and down I went, under Kitt. She backed out from over me and pulled back, obviously nervous about what had just happened. I had good hold of the reins and was determined not to let her go but she was just as determined to get away from whatever had just happened. I made a few loud "whoa" sounds to get the attention of others who could help me catch her if she chose to run and let go of the reins. Just as most horses would do, she put down her head and began to graze on the nice green grass. I picked up myself and my pride and slowly walked up to Kitt who quickly grabbed a few final bites of grass before I again had her reins. Glancing over my shoulder I saw my loud "whoa's" worked as there were a few people, including Riverfare Farm owner Kim, there and ready to help if needed. I assured them I was fine. Kim came over and offered a leg up which I gladly accepted. After a few minutes of walking Kitt around the area, I dismounted in a much less eventful way than I had mounted. I put Kitt back at her haybag on the trailer and returned to my folding chair beside the arena to watch the event and take pictures. Stupid move of the year complete.
What I think we'll get the most out of trying something new like stock horse shows is the adventure of trying something new. While our love continues to be mounted shooting, it's good for both horse and rider to mix things up a bit and continue to challenge ourselves and our horses.