I cannot believe show season is almost over! Where did the time go!?
So, right where we left off. Our pony club's equitation show was on August 25th. We had a GREAT turn out! I took Dixie in the W-T-C classes, English and Western, and the majority of the open classes. Duelli had an easy day, doing the W-T classes, English and Western as well! Yes, my Oldenburg did western. Most people would disagree to doing the equitation stuff with a future event horse, but i think it is excellent expose er for young horses. Especially where this one was during a fair. But anyway both horses were fantastic! Dixie ended the day with Reserve Champion in her division, and Champion in Open. Ms. Duellsa got reserve Champion in her division!
Next on the schedule was our pony club's horse trials!!!! After SO many working days, and figuring out courses, we had an excellent turnout. Duelli was pretty great all day! Dressage warmup was phenomenal, but in our test she was a bit tense. I'm thinking it was the slightly slippery grass ;). We ended up with a 35 in dressage, a clear XC round, and two rails in stadium. The rails were ALL my fault. We ended the day with 2nd! It was a pretty solid show, and we know we need to work on stadium.
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Taken by Chris Hubbard! |
Duellsa had a 6 day break after the horse trials, and then it was back into work to prepare for our last two events of the season!
Last weekend was the 2phase at Stepping Stone farm! it went SUPER. We got a 31 in Novice, and a clear round in stadium, and a 26 (AHHH!!!!) in Training and a clear round in stadium! Placed 1st in both divisions. I was super proud of her considering the conditions. It was not anyone's fault. Well, except for mother nature that is. The dressage was in an indoor so that wasn't so bad. But the jumping was in an outdoor and the whole arena was water! My thoughts on it? WOOHOOO! Water schooling for the Duellsa mare! The footing was totally fine under the water. Both courses rode pretty well.
This past weekend was CRAZY busy with my brothers wedding and such. Friday we headed to the Salon to get spray tans, and manicures (SO new for a real equestrian). Then we had a cookout at my house with family and friends. Saturday morning we headed back to the Salon for hair and makeup. (Thank you Taylor Dow!) Then 2 o'clock came SO fast. It was my 1st time being in a wedding where I was more than a guest. The wedding was so nice. Kelli (the bride) looked absolutely gorgeous. Being a bridesmaid was neat because you could see everyone laughing and happy tears. One of the funniest moments was when the JP said "By the giving and sharing of these rings", you could see Kelli, My mom, and I crack up. The reason? We are obsessed with the show Friends. This is a video of the part in Friends that made us laugh.
Too funny. Everything and everyone were so beautiful. It made me feel old seeing my brother get married. I also have to give props to the Best Man, Ryan Heath (Kelli's brother) for pretty much the best speech ever. It made me, Ashley Shaffer, tear up. That's hard to do! It was so great to see the family that has moved away and such.
Then Sunday I had the Lincoln Horse Trials. I wouldn't be me if I didn't cram a very important life event and a show in one weekend! It went really well! We got a 35.2 in dressage, clear XC, and clear stadium. Dressage was a bit stiff. It felt worse than it looked. Cross country was SUPER slick, but there was nothing the organizers could do. Stadium was a little nutty. She was super speedy and not listening to my core half halts. But, you've gotta work with the horse you have at that moment! This was the last bigger show of the year for Duellsa. It's very sad, but I am so excited to be in boot camp with Gail McCormack this winter! I'm so proud of my mare. We've had some ups and downs this year, but we worked hard on our issues and pulled through! Duellsa <3
The next events are a Mary O'Rourke clinic and a little "exposure" Equitation show this weekend. Then the MeCTA Banquet and Equine Affair! Woohoo!
Then Sunday I had the Lincoln Horse Trials. I wouldn't be me if I didn't cram a very important life event and a show in one weekend! It went really well! We got a 35.2 in dressage, clear XC, and clear stadium. Dressage was a bit stiff. It felt worse than it looked. Cross country was SUPER slick, but there was nothing the organizers could do. Stadium was a little nutty. She was super speedy and not listening to my core half halts. But, you've gotta work with the horse you have at that moment! This was the last bigger show of the year for Duellsa. It's very sad, but I am so excited to be in boot camp with Gail McCormack this winter! I'm so proud of my mare. We've had some ups and downs this year, but we worked hard on our issues and pulled through! Duellsa <3
The next events are a Mary O'Rourke clinic and a little "exposure" Equitation show this weekend. Then the MeCTA Banquet and Equine Affair! Woohoo!
Taa taa fo now!
-Ashley
