EDIT: MORE PICS from my first horse show!!!

[Suki Wingy]

SEE POST #9

Can you tell I'm super excited about the whole thing? Well, I am. I had my first horse show today, after riding since 2001. I rode my instructor's big fancy horse Calvin, show name "Holy Cow" He's a 9 year old 17.1 hh grey tb gelding that I've ridden I think 3 times total, but he's kind of easy once you get the hang of him. I've finally gotten the tall boots dilema sorted out. I have very long legs, and I wear size US 11 womens so finding anything that would fit, let alone in my price range was super hard. I ended up just doing what I always thought I'd do and buying a nice pair of half chaps and a cheap pair of black paddock boots (because my old ones were a size or two too small, I got them back when I started riding at age 11) turns out they look like tall boots from the ground.

My parents showed up about 30 minutes after my over fences classes were done. Calvin was really on today even though the fences were tiny. He/we won 1st out of 12 in long stirrup working hunter O/F going to the left, 6/12 in the same thing going right lead (I'm dumb, he landed on the wrong lead and I wasn't sure so I didn't do anything and we went to the next fence on the wrong lead) and I got 3rd out of 12 for long stirrup equitation O/F.
As for flat, he was amazing and got 1st/ 12 for long stirrup working hunter U/S, I was kind of taken by surprise and didn't know what to do!
Equitation on the flat I didn't place.
Then Calvin won Champion hunter. He's so easy. He's for sale too, due to an old injury he needs to be worked every day and my trainer doesn't have time. I'd like to buy him but I can barely pay for my weekly lessons as it is.

I felt kind of bad actually walking around with all those ribbons because I won them on such a flashy, easy horse. I know if I saw someone in that position I'd be very jealous. Especially because I didn't even place in flat eq. Calvin did win me a total of $20 to a local tack store. Since I don't need any tack, I think I'll see if there's some freestyle dressage on DVD there.

As for finances, the whole show cost $270, that's about 136 pounds. My parents were going to pay up to $200 for my graduation present, but I needed a hunt coat, boots, and half chaps that look like field boots, so they payed for that and I had cheques from graduation presents from the rest of the family to pay them, so now I have the summer to pay my parents the $100 I owe them. Looks like no more horse shows this summer.

HERE is the photographer's proof gallery, Feel free to suggest one you like, because I'm trying to decide whether to buy one and if so, which.

My mom took some photos in our flat class and also my friend took a short video, I'll post them when they get them to me.

[Casper]

Congratulations on your first horse show! It sounds like you had a blast.

Calvin is simply gorgeous! I wish I could help you on the decision of which picture to go with. I know next to nothing about horses, so I am unable to figure which picture he looks best in and when posture is best.. all that rot. :] All of them look great in my mind.

I can't wait to see the other pictures and video when you are able to post them.

[Husky_mom]

nice!! what a great thing to attend

I like 1 and 17 the best... others are great too but one may get biased

such pretty horse and a friend....

there´s also one where you seem like floating...full body floating.. just the background is not so good...

[Suki Wingy]

Thank you! I'd love to do it again, it's just so expensive if you don't have your own horse. If you do, then caring for it is even more expensive!
Actually, someone on a different forum suggested 17 as well.

[horselover365]

Really? I just had my first horse show on Saturday! Isn't it exciting! I wasn't jumping, though, I was only on the flat, and I was riding a chesnut named Zoey. I hope you had as good of a time as I did!

[Suki Wingy]

I had a great time. I'm glad you did as well. Do you have any photos of you and Zoey?

[horselover365]

I have photos, but we took them with our own camera and they are not on the computer yet.

BTW,Calvin is gorgeous. What kind is he? Zoey is a breeding stock paint.

P.S. My parents are considering getting me my own horse!! (FINALLY!!) Any reccomendations on breeds or websites??

[Suki Wingy]

Cal is a thoroughbred from racing stock but he's so slow he never even made i into race training. My trainer's had him since he was 4, and he's 9 now. He's actually for sale in Illinois. I like to browse equine.com or dreamhorse.com for sale classifieds. As for breeds, it all depends what you want to do.

[Suki Wingy]

Here are some that my mom took




ugh, look at how rounded my back looks in that one.


Calvin going nicely


That's my step-dad. Unfortunately the camera was out of battery.

[vinjashira]

congratulations for your first show. you did very well.

[Suki Wingy]

Thank you. Now the only question is, what will I spend my gift certificates on? Probably a DVD of some competition.

[lvpets2002]

Cal your very Adorable.. Very nice & glad you did very well.. Congrats .. great pics thanks

[zippy-kat]

"Holy Cow!" what a great lot of pictures! Congrats on your first show - here's to many more and all in the ribbons!

[Husky_mom]

nice pics....

what do you mean by..."round".... LOL

not very good but LOL....