Character Building

Wow, where to start?! I have been so busy since I hit the grounds at Will Rogers that I haven't had a minute to sit down at a computer until now. So for those of you anxiously awaiting updates, I'll try to fill in some of the details of our last 48 hours.

Got to Ft. Worth midday on Wed. Checked in and unloaded Eli from the trailer. It didn't take him long to realize he wasn't in his element! The first spook was sideways away from a giant blue manure cart and onto my right foot. Ouch! But he seemed to be ok with his stall, so I let him chill out and eat while I unpacked everything. Took him for a walk, more spooking...even at stuff that normally wouldn't bother him. But there was significantly more action around us - horses everywhere, stalls decorated with all sorts of flair, people, also decorated with lots of flair, and a definite ENERGY about the place. I hand walked him into the arena where we'd be showing about the time many riders were practicing shooting .45 blanks, cracking whips, laying their horses down, and banners on the rails...I think both Eli and I were put into sensory overload! He was jumpy, but didn't totally lose it, so I figured it was time to ride. Our ride was just ok - Eli was hesitant to move forward amongst all of the action in the arenas, but I never felt unsafe.

Thurs. was our in hand class and body condition scoring. We got a walk thru of the course - trot inside and outside circles around barrels, 360 pivot in a box, load in the trailer, pick up feet, back thru an L, trot over poles. Eli made me proud! It was obvious that he was terrified in that arena, but he gave it a good shot. I had some trouble getting him in the trailer - sort of surprising, since he's been particularly good at that recently, but he finally followed me in. We scored well, and got a great body condition score too. I even got that crazy mane to lay down! Our placing was in the upper middle part of the group, right where I expected to be, and I was super pleased with how we'd done.

Today was our under saddle class. I was the second person to go in our division, but I'd learned from the day before that things moved slower than predicted in the arena, so I had planned to warm up, then just let Eli chill a bit before hopping back on for a quick refresher right before our course. The course itself didn't worry me - lead the horse in, mount up, canter left lead to a cone, turn around canter a circle on the right lead, trot to an L, back thru, work a gate, cross a bridge, trot some poles. I knew our cantering may or may not happen, but we'd done everything else a million times before.

My first indication that this was not going to be like our typical day was when Eli bucked in the warmup arena. He's never bucked with me under saddle! Oh well, he seemed to relax after that little incident. Got into the show arena, went to mount up...and Eli backed away from me. What?! Tried again, he moved away again. I was floored. Eli has always stood like a stone for me to mount. Finally got on, tried to ask for a lope and he just sucked back, so I decided to trot and try for the right lead on the circle...nope, no right lead either. Oh well, the rest of the course we got, no problem, right? WRONG! Started to back thru the L, and he just kept on backing, right toward the gate! He wanted out, NOW! Tried again, only slightly better. Attempted the gate, he wouldn't let me near it. After a few attempts, we were past our time limit. I decided to use my two minutes of freestyle time to try to complete the course. After all, I'm an endurance rider, and to finish is to win! :) Only halfway finished the gate, and coaxed him in a hesitant jog over the poles. Did a little sidepassing to show and a couple of serpentine loops at a trot to demonstrate that I had some control, and called it a day.

Needless to say, I was disappointed. The part that was so painful was that I knew what Eli was capable of under saddle, and wasn't able to show it in competition. And then, of course, I couldn't stop the tears from coming, and was embarrased that I'd let such a little thing reduce me to tears! But honestly, I can't blame Eli for anything. Considering what an overwhelming situation I'd put him into, the fact that he was even rideable was amazing! I know a lot of upper level dressage horses and endurance champions who would've been in the next county if they'd seen the things Eli's seen this week!

Despite our rough day today, I've gotta say, this has been such a fun environment to show in. I've met so many competitors who've been so positive, outgoing and helpful. You really get the feeling that the trainers want the best for these mustangs. I'm so grateful for everyone's words of encouragement, and I'm looking forward to keeping in touch with all the people I've made friends with this week.

I have photos to post, but naptime is almost over for the boys, so I'll try to get those up during my next break.