We picked stalls, longed horses, filled water buckets, and swept. Then, the Hunt Seat Equitation clinic began. This was manned by Brent Maxwell and Nancy Cahill. Then, the Hunter Under Saddle clinic began. This was manned by Brent Maxwell and Charlene Carter. There was a free ride from 4:30-5:30 indoors for the USA. The clinics were very informative!
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“Walking into the show pen for the first time in four years was almost enlightening. My dreams were finally coming true, and I was given a second chance at showing my dream horse. I had almost forgotten what it was like to have so much trust in an animal and what that bond felt like.”
Continue reading …Day 3-7 at AQHA Youth World Cup With Team USA- First Two Gold Medals!
June 27, 2016 Comments Off on Day 3-7 at AQHA Youth World Cup With Team USA- First Two Gold Medals!
First, walking into the arena while the national anthem plays, with your team by your side, is the closest to feeling like we’re at the Olympics that any of us will probably ever have. It was a once in a lifetime experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Continue reading …Catching Up With Old Friends and Meeting New Ones at Oregon Summer Classic
June 27, 2016 Comments Off on Catching Up With Old Friends and Meeting New Ones at Oregon Summer Classic
Since I just started showing Quarter Horses, I don’t know most of my barn mates on a personal level, but this weekend at the show I really got to know everyone better. Ashley Davidson was one of the competitors I got to know a lot better over the weekend.
Continue reading …Live From the AQHA Youth World Cup With Team USA- Day 1 and 2
June 23, 2016 Comments Off on Live From the AQHA Youth World Cup With Team USA- Day 1 and 2
Everyone on Team USA got to see a variety of animals including wallabies (a pony in the kangaroo world), ducks, cockatoos, peacocks, and the famous kangaroo. Calley, who was the first to hold a baby wallaby, was extremely excited to hold one.
Continue reading …“We All Saddle Up The Same Way” – My AQHA Adventures with Steven Pelzer
June 21, 2016 Comments Off on “We All Saddle Up The Same Way” – My AQHA Adventures with Steven Pelzer
“I began chatting with Kristy Starnes. I was so nervous, because I didn’t want to ask any dumb questions and make her think I was a babbling star struck idiot. I managed to keep my cool, and we had a nice chat. I never would’ve met these people unless I stepped outside of my comfort zone and spoke to them. I also realized that all of the people I met are a lot like you and I. We all started somewhere, and we all saddle up the same way.”
Continue reading …How I Prepare For Bareback Equitation- With PtHA World Champion Peyton Weldon
June 20, 2016 Comments Off on How I Prepare For Bareback Equitation- With PtHA World Champion Peyton Weldon
To prepare for this class, I practice with no irons as home, two point a lot to get my heels down, and constantly tell myself to sit up and be confident. Going through this pattern, I told myself to stay straight, keep my horse consistent, be confident, and keep forward motion. The reason forward motion is key in a pattern is not only so it flows better, but also so that it’s easier to post while bareback.
Continue reading …From Austria to Oklahoma- Redbud Recap with Cathrin Gutmann
June 10, 2016 Comments Off on From Austria to Oklahoma- Redbud Recap with Cathrin Gutmann
Especially the all-around classes are very big and strong; there’s up to 70 in Western Riding and Trail classes and all of those horses are high quality. Now that I’m really starting to get into all-around classes with my mare, Onlyafraid Inthedark, it’s great to have the opportunity to show to eight judges and to show three times per class at one show.
Continue reading …The Redbud Spectacular Big Barn Party Was a Blast!
June 9, 2016 Comments Off on The Redbud Spectacular Big Barn Party Was a Blast!
Yes – horse shows can be really serious. But, when the equestrian community throws a party, we go all out. The Progressive dinner here at the Redbud was super SPECTACULAR. The event helped raise money for the OQHA. There was a silent auction and tons of activities.
Continue reading …The Loss of a Fellow Competitor and Friend, In Memory of Kiley Marschand
June 6, 2016 Comments Off on The Loss of a Fellow Competitor and Friend, In Memory of Kiley Marschand
On June 4th, 2016, the world lost Kiley Marschand, a 15-year-old girl who fought against all odds all for the love of showing horses. When Kiley was diagnosed with leukemia, we were saddened, but we fully expected that the girl with the bubbly personality and constant smile would pull through.
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