A pile o' placings

I'm bushed; I can't imagine how Lance feels! We haven't ridden that much in one day, especially at the canter, in I don't know how long. So thankful for the cool, cloudy weather, and for a ground crew of three fantastic friends who were there for us all day.

We started the day off with three trail obstacle classes, and got three 4th place ribbons (white). Lance got better each time, so I was really pleased with him.

After a short break, we headed back into the ring for the first of three English Pleasure classes. Lance had a scary stumble in front of the judge, and we placed 5th/last (pink). In the next class I worked to keep him more uphill, and had a stumble-free go. When the announcer called our number for first place (blue, plus a glass tumbler), I about fell off! I felt we did equally well in our third class, but placed 3rd (yellow).

Our first place earned us a spot in the English Pleasure Championship class, so back in we went – for a Reserve Champion rosette (red)!

Lance got another short break to eat and drink while we changed out bridles and clothes for the "dressage" classes. We were the only ones who didn't scratch them (I think everyone was tired; my friends thought they all saw how good we were and gave up – ha!), so we got two more blue ribbons (plastic tumbler and glass tumbler) for showing up and showing off.

I saw our competition for the Liberty class in the warm-up arena and realized that there could be a lot more to the class than the horse running around and looking pretty to music. The gal had trained her pretty mustang mare to kneel, lay down and rear on command – all off-lead. Oh well; Lance showed all three gaits nicely if not with a lot of flair to earn 2nd/last place (red) and well-deserved rest.

The only horse show photo I got (above) was taken after I got home. But my friends shot photos and video with their smartphones; I'll share when they do!