Behind the Scenes at 2016 Sun and Surf, My First AQHA Show, with Mackenzie Preston
Tebow and I supporting The Equine Chronicle at the 2016 Sun & Surf Circuit! Photo courtesy of Gordon Downey.
EC Blog by: Mackenzie Preston
Trip to Del Mar:
I’d been packing a week in advance for this trip to Del Mar; it was going to be my first AQHA show with my new horse, Where Do I Sign, aka “Tebow.” When Wednesday finally came around, I couldn’t wait to get out of class and head to the airport.
The plane ride was an average one; I was so full of excitement that I couldn’t sleep. I just couldn’t wait to reach our destination. The state of California was beautiful from above, and the Del Mar Horse Park is even more beautiful. When we got to the show grounds, it was starting to get dark, so I quickly got on and rode through the Youth Trail pattern to practice for our debut in Trail on Friday.
We’re onsite at the beautiful Del Mar show grounds. I think that’s AQHA trainer Jim Searles from Arizona!
Day 1:
Today is the day when I get to show Tebow for the first time in Western Pleasure, and I can’t wait! Generally, I have a hard time waking up in the morning, but not today. I was wide awake by 6:30 am and out the door by 7:30. This uncontrollable excitement was empowering me!
Charlie and Tebow doing their thing in Trail.
Charlie Cole and Tebow were first to go in Green Trail. We watched and waited to hear the scores. Later, we watched Charlie show Tebow again in the Junior Trail and a 3 & 4-Year-Old Sweepstakes Trail class. We had a little bit of down time before I showed in the Youth Western Pleasure, so I ate my lunch and patiently waited for it to be my turn to show.
Finally it was my turn! I showed in Youth Western Pleasure and ended up receiving a second place, a second place, and a fifth place. I couldn’t be happier considering that he was a little tired and this was my first time showing him. After my go in Western Pleasure, Tebow was done for the day. I gave him a nice bath and a couple of mints and put him to bed.
A beautiful day at the beach.
After I was done taking care of Tebow, I headed off to the beach with my cousin Matt Howard and his girlfriend Sam Shapiro. The sand was warm between my toes, and the sun was even warmer against my skin. Also, I ran into Gordon Downey from The Equine Chronicle at the beach!
Look who I found taking pictures at the beach!
My family and I ended the night with a wonderful dinner at a Thai food restaurant just down the road. Day one of my first AQHA show was full of smiles and joy. I can’t wait to see what day two has in store for Tebow and I!”
Dinner with family!
Would you like to blog from a horse show like Mackenzie? Email B.Bevis@EquineChronicle.com to find out how. Scroll below to view more fun photos from Mackenzie’s adventures in Del Mar.
