Post-show ponderings…

After our big show, I took a few days off from riding, but I can’t seem to stop thinking about shows! lol

Last week, I got some unfortunate news from my coach - she is retiring from coaching September 1^st.  She has been hinting at this for the past year, so I was somewhat prepared, but it is still upsetting. I’ve been working with her for the past 2 years and have progressed so much.  There isn’t really anyone like her in the region to coach western riding for the AQHA shows.   Luckily we have become friends, so I still will see her, but it won’t be for lessons.  She has said she might do some one day clinics next year, so I’ll still be able to get a bit of help here and there.

My friends and I are trying to decide what to do for next year. One lady has approached another trainer that shows at our QH shows and asked to get some help during the shows.  I may try that as well, but I still really need/enjoy weekly lessons at home to get us ready.  Maybe I don’t need that as much as I think, but it is too early to tell.

I’m trying not to worry about things too much – just let things sort themselves out.  I’m not sure how much I’ll show next year – maybe I will want to try something else?  Who knows? I am thinking about taking English lessons this winter, from my old instructor, who is just a few minutes away from me. English lessons will help keep my legs in shape over the winter, so starting in the spring won’t be as tough. I’d like to show Spencer in HUS classes next year as I think he will be better at that than the WP.

Moving up to a double hat can!

I like thinking about show logistics and prep and made a list of some extra stuff I will need/should bring to shows to be better prepared.  The more I show, the more I feel comfortable with how things go.  A quick glance at the list:

• electrical tape and white zip ties for putting in a fake tail
• wet wipes – for quick face/nose (of the horse) cleanups before going in the ring
• clear shine hoof spray – to touch up hooves at a multi-day show
• good sharp scissors – to cut out the damn zip ties!
• another set of magnets for show numbers and/or more safety pins (you can never have enough pins – bobby, safety, etc!)
• some sort of storage bag for shirt magnets, jewelry, hair stuff (like this one )
• small rubber mat for applying hoof black
• a nylon stable sheet to keep Spencer clean - that horse loves laying in manure!
• a double hat can - I now have a straw and felt hat to wear...the fashion of showing is tricky! lol

An old picture of all the stuff that
gets shoved in the car!

And, for “people stuff”, I relied a lot on my friend to bring all of the extra stuff for our trailer/shade set-up. The horses were in stalls, but she slept in her trailer on the grounds. I was close to home, so I went home every night. I kept all of my tack and clothing in my car (which was sort of good and sort of a mess!) I spent a lot of time during the day under the awning of her trailer in between riding and classes, which was awesome!  A few extra things I would take with me next time, to help contribute:

• big garbage bags
• paper towel
• paper plates and cutlery
• kleenex
• napkins
• hand sanitizer
• wash cloth/facial wipes/hand towel
• toothbrush/toothpaste – I did go home every night, but man, the sand ring had my teeth feeling like they were coated in dust!

Of course, all of this would be much easier if I had my own trailer, so I could stock it and organize it how I wanted, instead of loading and unloading my little SUV all the time! Maybe someday...  :-)

Am I missing any horse show essentials?