Day 4!

16)  One thing you'd like to change about your horse.

I'd love for Oscar to have new hocks.  They are both fused, and mostly painless for him, but it makes his lope so rough neither of us enjoy it.

I'd love Chilly to have a tiny smidgen more energy *I might take this back later as she gets fitter* Shes a bit like her mother that once her gas tank is empty you might as well get off her and put her away! 

17) Your horse's future

A tough one.  Oscar will continue to be ridden by me for the winter.  His mom is done school next December and things are still up in the air for the summer.  She's got practicals and I'd love to be showing Chilly.  We'd like to find a nice child for Oscar to show walk/trot with next summer but we'll see.

I'd love to have Chilly for my very own.  However hopefully I'll show her this summer, and we'll find her a nice person to love her next year.

18) My worst show ever...

I had some bad shows as a kid but my worst one was my first show with Lucas.  We had a major melt down on both of our parts.  We got though it but it was not a fun weekend.

19) Favorite horse show venue.

I have to say that I loved grooming at the old Collingwood show.  Weather was great, good tents, nice rings.  Our local facilities leave something to be desired.  The Sussex NB facility is good but the stalls are only like 9x9.  Makes it hard if you have anything bigger than 15 hands.

20) Show day routine

Usually I get up, hay and water and then clean stalls while the horse has a chance to eat some hay.  We then go for a little lunge (if we have showmanship and halter) and practice the showmanship pattern or pieces that were having issues with before going back to the barn.  Then if the horse gets grain they get it then while I finish painting feet, putting the fake tail in and tidy up the rest of the horse (and me!) Once that is done I get dressed in show clothes, do my make up, get the horse haltered, do their make up and get ready to go in the ring.  Days I ride first are a little more laid back but I try to be ready about 20 min before my class so that I can have that ride time if I need it.  Getting me into my chaps takes at least one other person so that is a team activity, just about everything else I do on my own.