When you lose, don't lose the lesson

A very good friend told me this today. VERY fitting, and I need to remember this!

Yesterday, I entered my showmanship class (Novice Amateur - last time I'll ever get to show that class in my lifetime!) as prepared and ready as I could possibly be. We practiced that hairpin trot turn until Taylor was able to bend her big 17-hand body into a U around the cone and end up straight with the judge. We practiced our 360 turns, or 90 turn, our straight back-up, out quick set-ups, every skill we needed to be successful. I concentrated on keeping my wristst straight, arms and hands still, and ran in step with Taylor (NOT an easy thing to do!). We go into the class, and she makes a very elementary mistake - stepped out of her pivot. I don't think she has stepped out of a pivot all year!!! What a place to start. In a class of 200 entries, that knocked us out. It was very disappointing...to get knocked out due to such a silly mistake on her part.

Next was the amateur showmanship class. It required a back in a C-shape between two cones. We had not really practiced that curved back because I didn't want her to anticipate a curve when we had to back straight in the novice. Well, we went into the class and got the curved back fairlt well, but we were slightly off center. Our 360 pivot was perfect, and our setup was instantaneous (I love when that happens!). But being slightly off center in a class full of world and Congress champions means you get the gate!

Overall I was happy with Taylor. She made a mistake, I can't hate her for that. I've made plenty also. She wasn't trying to be bad, she just messed up a bit. Even so, it's disappointing. But what isn't disappointing is finding out who your friends really are. I really felt good knowing there were people who were pulling for me. I received e-mails, calls, and visits from people. Kevin, Kerry, Pat, Cassie, Jessie, Beth, Michelle, Susan, and many others - you'll never know what your simple phone call/e-mail/message/visit/words mean to me!

On to Equitation on Saturday night...estimated start time is 7:00pm. This is the class I have worked my butt off preparing for. I have a red, oozing raw spot on my leg from riding so much the past few weeks. This is out last novice amateur equitation class ever, as we are also pointed out of this class for good. I'd like to say I feel confident and positive, but after seeing how one teeny tiny mistake can blow a class for you i showmanship, I am thinking perfection in our eq pattern is going to be nearly impossible to achieve.

Photos from yesterday coming soon...be patient