saturday was our 3rd show!

[Annasmom]

Well Anna and I had our 3rd show on Saturday. And it gave me mixed emotions :) My trainer was there and after I finished all my classes I was more than estastic and my trainer was so proud of me. Every transition was flawless , she was listening , and rounded and it was completly beautiful probably the best show I've had out of the three and definitely a sign of how far we have come.

Anna did incredible and she was happy, and I gave every right cue and to me it was just amazingly perfect but I just starting crying I guess because i expected our progress to reflect on the ribbons I won. The girl who took the higher places had a completely push button horse trained by someone else and it just made me dissapointed.

I still think Anna and I did incredible Its been 2 years and finally we are riding well.

here are some pictures :) enjoy!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Savvy_cowgurl/IMG_2099.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Savvy_cowgurl/IMG_2098.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Savvy_cowgurl/IMG_2100.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Savvy_cowgurl/horse2.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Savvy_cowgurl/horse3.jpg

[FatSpottedAppy]

Really nice pictures.. Even getting 3rds and 4ths I think is really good.. Just be proud you two have really improved. :) Can't wait to hear about your next show.

[Annasmom]

thank appy! you're right though. The improvement is like a personal 1st place haha. :) I love you sig your horses are so cute!

[GrungeEquestrian]

Yeah sometimes being proud of your poneh is better than the ribbons. I remember my best class I won 4th place....it meant more to me than all the first place ribbons in the world! You and Anna are doing great!

[Annasmom]

yeah your right grunge. I was thinking someday those ribbons will pass.. I probably won't ever remember what I got but maybe me and my horse will get even futher than the people who got 1st if we keep progressing.

[Buckpoco]

Congratulations!!! Just look at your own accomplishments, because there will always be people who buy horses that are made and push button. Just keep track of your progress...that's all that matters. Keep up the good work!:rolleyes:

[Gypsy Rose]

Sounds like you're doing really well! Always remember that every judge is different, and there are different riders at each show. Your personal best is the best goal you can shoot for at any horse show.

[Annasmom]

you guys are so encouraging! your really helping me put a new perspective to this. :)
thank you.

[cloedoll]

Well, what matters more: ribbons that are given to you based on how well someone else thought you did, without knowing your history, your horses history, who trained it, etc. or you knowing how far you came, regardless of what ribbons you got? Showing is whose best (very standard definition there, ha ha), not whose horse has come the farthest, whose horse is and is not a push button horse, etc. - who is the best. I am not trying to be mean or offensive, I'm saying, you have come a very long way with Anna, you two are an amazing team, that's what matters, not the ribbons a stranger gave you. Be proud, you two are doing amazing!

[Country Girl 43]

Aww...that is great! I am always proud of my Dallas if he does good at the shows, even if we don't place. Heck, we didn't place last month, but he did great and never bucked. THAT was a big accomplishment!

[Annasmom]

wow caitlin- that was good haha :) I never thought really about the judge not knowing any backround just judging on how things come out thats definintly more than true. Thanks

thanks countrygirl43- haha that is an accomplishment!

[Annasmom]

:):)

[JackieB]

Great job Annasmom and Anna! We're really proud of you two.

Please don't be disappointed because you and Anna didn't win a bunch of first place ribbons. Judging is rather subjective in the first place and another judge may have placed you in front of the other riders. But even if the rider with the push button horse was more technically accurate in her exercises, that doesn't detract one bit from what you and Anna have accomplished. Cloedoll really summed it up well.

Although this show is fresh in your mind right now, it will blend over time with the many other shows coming up, where you undoubtedly will win some blue ribbons. But the progress you and Anna have made together will stay with you for the rest of your days. Of that, you can be absolutely certain.

When I was young, I wanted to be a motocross racer. I started racing in college (my parents wouldn't have allowed it when I was younger) and continued for about 10 years. It was so important to me to win a trophy. That just seemed to mean everything to me and I was so disappointed with each race where I didn't quite do well enough to get a trophy.

Over time, I ended up winning dozens of trophies. I thought they were so cool. But they are kind of tacky looking, so I finally gave them all away, or sold them in garage sales. :) Now as I think back, I can't remember when it was that I won the first one, I don't know how many I won, and I don't care. But I do remember how hard I worked to improve until I was very competitive. This is how it will be for you and Anna if you decide to continue working hard at riding English for years to come. You'll look at your ribbons and forget where you got them, but you'll cherish the memories.

Glad you had such a great show. We can't wait to hear about the next one!

[Annasmom]

JackieB- you never cease to encourage me more. I've had the weekend to absorb it all that way and look at the ribbons but I think no ribbon can compare to me and my horse finally working as a true team and my trainer being proud because of course I want to impress her!

Thank you again! I'm going to keep going at this and your right all those ribbons will just lay around even the 1st place ones but anna and I will keep going strong

:)

[WashingtonBay]

The more advanced you get, the closer the competition and the smaller the difference between first and last place. You're riding among better riders now, and that is the accomplishment. :) The awards, when you get them, will mean more because of it.

[JackieB]

JackieB- you never cease to encourage me more. I've had the weekend to absorb it all that way and look at the ribbons but I think no ribbon can compare to me and my horse finally working as a true team and my trainer being proud because of course I want to impress her!

Thank you again! I'm going to keep going at this and your right all those ribbons will just lay around even the 1st place ones but anna and I will keep going strong

:)

You're most welcome. I'm honored that you find some of my posts to be uplifting. You're doing a fantastic job with Anna and we're really looking forward to hearing about more of your successes in the future.

[Annasmom]

Thanks JackieB :)

WB- thank you very much. It is certainly harder work but its so fun and rewarding! I love it

[Piper522]

I have never been to a show...how to next Spring...so I am super impressed with you! You look happy and so does your horse! Your inspiration to me and to others to keep trying!!!

[Annie&Dixie]

Congrats!! I know how it feels when you don't get the ribbons that you thought you should have, I showed for two years and I have many 5ths and 6ths (it only goes up to 6th :rolleyes:). You just have to not care and really just focus on the fact that you were riding, something you absolutely love doing, and it's a great experience. You'll show everybody else what you can really do someday...it was just the winning girl's day that time.

That's how I think about it anyways. Regardless, I think you did great!!

[Annasmom]

piper- thank you! definintly let us know how your first show goes. The first is always fun! haha and a little crazy :) I'm glad I could give you some inspiration.

Thanks Annie you're right it was just "her day" someday it'll be mine :)