Update!

Woody goes to his first show

Oh hi! It’s been a busy summer, and we’ve made amazing progress. He keeps getting better and better, plus: WE WENT TO A SHOW (and my sister went to another). I had no expectations for his training this summer, but in July, he seemed ready for an introduction to being off property in a busy show environment. We entered the lowest level, EV60 (starter level)—the 60 refers to centimetres, the maximum height of the jumps.

He’s generally good at trailering and got to Alhambra Stables without incident. He was great in his little outdoor stall, and unbothered by the canopy tent set up to keep him out of the elements. He made friends with his neighbours. A little wary walking the grounds. He kept looking over at the cross country field, whether he was scared or excited, I couldn’t tell. I expected him to be way sillier than he was, and I learned how he responds to the excitement of show life. For example: do not lunge him at a show. It upsets him. He feels better if he’s allowed to walk around, on a lead rope or ridden.

We did a little ride, gave him his evening meal, then tucked him into bed. In the morning, we got ready for dressage. I had braided him a few weeks back just to see how he responds, and he’s mostly chill and patient. He looked pretty spiffy! It was cold and windy, though, and he was pretty amped up and prancy on his way up to the warm-up area. Then it was showtime! Goal: stay in the ring, score below 50.

The bell rang, and we did our tour around the ring and acknowledged the judges. Something came over him, and suddenly he felt focussed and energetic, in a good way. He was AAAAMAZING. Aside from a couple of looks at the photographer and a little head toss in a couple downward transitions, it was a decent test. We stayed in the ring! We got 38.9. Tied (with our barn friends, Dawn and Kintsugi Kat!) for 8th. I literally cried on the way out of the ring, and cried more when his old owner came over to congratulate him. I’m so proud of him!

Then bucket, hay, and the rest of the day off. Pretty nice life, these show ponies have.

Next day: cross country! He has a nice little warm-up, then into the start box. Goal: jump all the things in the right order, try to do it in a civilized canter. Maybe make time.

It was a fun course. He trotted the first log, got into a calm canter, had a hard look at the next couple of jumps, but hopped over. Came back to a trot down a gentle hill, so I decided to try just letting him flow in the flat parts and putting him together several strides out from the jumps, which he did. Not being able to slow down or stop is a fear of mine, so I was relieved at his behaviour. I had to trot him over one jump on the way into the trees, went up the hill, and through the water (after a brief pause), and came in just within minimum time. Clear round! Exhilaration! Barely broke a sweat. Tied (again, with Dawn) for 3rd!

Bucket, hay, bedtime. We learned that he will play with anything within reach. In the morning, my camp chair was in the stall and the tack truck was upended.

Show jump day. He felt ready for anything, which is great except he gets a bit strong and overconfident when he thinks he knows best. We had a very mediocre round (lots of trotting, many lethargic hops), a tiny time fault, but the jumps stayed up. I was happy with that. There was a good chance we’d get a ribbon, so we waited until everyone was done. He does not like waiting! Little trot circles kept his body and brain busy until then.

Because of our time fault, we came in 4th, which is a huge achievement even if it WEREN’T our first time, plus we got reserve TIP (Thoroughbred Incentive Program). TIP is for off-track thoroughbreds competing in new careers, and as a huge fan of OTTBs, it was an honour! To say I was thrilled is such an understatement.

It was our Woodyversary a few weeks ago, and I can’t imagine how far we’ve come in one year. Our first horse, a green one. Lots of good progress (he’s starting to do some bigger jumps and turning with more balance), but just as many setbacks and problem-solving. I wouldn’t have it any other way.