5 day challenge - part 4

1.  One thing you’d like to change about your horse

Not sure – I guess I would like him to have a better head set – not sure if more training will help or if it is a mix of conformation and attitude that makes his head set not 100%. I was told that if he could keep his head down he would be worth 3x what I paid for him…

2.  Your horse’s future

Well, in 2014 we are going to be showing a lot more. 4 club shows, at least 4 fairs and at at least 1 AQHA show…maybe more if things go well.

If he stays sound, 2015 will be more AQHA shows and fairs.

As for the long term, he has a home with me.  He won’t be sold, unless I have some sort of life crisis that forces my hand.

3. Your worst show ever

So far, I don’t really have one that went bad enough to write about. I do battle nerves a bit and that affects me.

4.  Favorite horse show venue

As a competitor, I don’t have one. Too new to the showing business. 

As a spectator…Congress?  ;-)

5.  Your show day routine
It starts the night before: get Spencer bathed, banded and in his super-suit.  Pack my car and check it twice...

Someone is not amused! 

There must be a better way!

Day of: Up way too early. Feed Spencer.   

Go over my checklist for the 1,000,000^th time. Check stuff in the car for the 10th time. Pack cooler and load that in the car if there is room...

Hoof black at home while waiting for the trailer to arrive.  Load up horse and I drive over to the show in my car.  Unload everything, get Spencer settled in a stall (this summer’s shows had stalls). 

Lead Spencer around the grounds – more for my nerves than his. Maybe longe, but not required. 

Fret and wring my hands. Try and eat something – usually a banana is the only thing I can stomach until later in the day.

I do two halter classes first, so I do a final groom, comb out his tail and apply face goop and get ready to go in the ring!  Usually after the first two classes are done, I start to relax and enjoy the day!