Friday, August 31, 2012

Wacker Performance Horses OFEA Open Show

One of the local training barns hosted an Oregon Family Equestrian Activities Open Show.  These open shows are fun because they are inexpensive, have a wide variety of classes, are well attended and best of all they have ribbons and prizes!

Since this one was so close we decided to go.  We had also decided to have Kerry ride English on Lola for the first time.  That in itself was exciting!  They did great in English with:
                         English Walk/Trot 13-Under     2nd
                         English Pleasure 13-Under        1st
                         English Equitation 13-Under      3rd


Then they did two Showmanship classes.  Here's the video from the first class, Showmanship 13-Under, where they took 2nd.  In the Showmanship Novice Horse they got first!




She and Lola entered the Western Pleasure Walk/Trot 13-Under (2nd), Western Pleasure 13-Under (5th), Western Pleasure Junior Horse (1st), Western Pleasure Colored Horse (5th) and Western Equitation 13-Under (4th).







Last but not least was the Trail course.  She did Trail 13-Under and Trail Junior Horse.  She placed 2nd in 13-Under and 1st in Junior Horse!





And I think the best part of the whole day was that she and Lola won Reserve Champion High Point!  It was a really fun day filled with great performances, lots of ribbons and a High Point award an prize!  Way to go Team Lola!





Sunday, August 12, 2012

Paint Idaho

The trip to Nampa, ID for the Paint Idaho show was great for a number of reasons.  First, we were going to visit Grandpa Chuck for a few days on the way.  Second, we were going to meet with Liz Workland of
Dry Creek Designs to have she and Kerry design a custom show outfit.  And third, we were going to the
Roaring Springs water park for one afternoon while in Nampa.

After spending two and a half wonderful days in Baker City with Grandpa, it was time to drive the 2 hours to Nampa, ID and the Idaho Horse Park.  Savannah calls this place Horse Disneyland and it didn't disappoint.




Lola getting banded
We arrived on Wed. 8/1 about an hour before Savannah, Alexis, Emilee and the horses did so we found where our stalls were and then met them as they pulled in.  They had barely gotten out of the truck when a sturdy cowboy came up and asked if he could help us unload.  So we put him to work and had everything unloaded including the horses in no time.  Then it was time to get box fans up and running, stall drapes tacked up, water buckets filled and mini fridge plugged in and ready for drinks.  It was already in the 90's and it was expected to be in the mid-90's and potentially higher for the next several days.  Luckily our stalls were in a covered barn so the aisles were not exposed.  But we were going to have to make sure both people and horses stayed hydrated.


Wednesday afternoon was spent bathing and banding so all the horses looked pretty for the show on Friday.  Banding their manes is a skill and Savannah is definitely good at it!  Then everyone kinda chilled out and got the lay of the land.  We checked out the arena, the restaurant and all the other facilities.

Thursday it was time to get the horses out for warm-ups, pattern practice and any last minute beauty touch ups!  By late afternoon all the work was done and it was off to Roaring Springs for some waterpark fun!

The show started on Friday.  Kerry and Lola would show Western Pleasure and Horsemanship.  Grandpa came to watch which was great!  The did well in both and then were able to get in some practice on the trail course.  The Trail and Showmanship classes would be on Saturday and Sunday would be Western Pleasure and Horsemanship in front of four different judges.

Grandpa and his friend Suzanne came back on
Saturday and had a great time meeting everyone,
meeting Lola and getting to watch Kerry show.  They enjoyed watching Kerry and Lola ride the trail
course.  After a great afternoon they headed back to Baker City.

Saturday night we had the perfect seats for dinner and a show.  Journey was playing at the concert arena and Savannah's RV spot was behind the venue.  So we all sat outside and had dinner and listened to the great music.  It was awesome!


Sunday the classes moved along fairly quickly so after we were finished we decided to head home.  Savannah, Alexis, Emilee and the horses would load up and head for home on Monday.

It was a great show with great Idaho hospitality and it was great to have been able to spend time with family.  Most of all it continues to be a thrill to watch Kerry and Lola perform and grow as a team.  They are proving to be an amazing pair and we couldn't be prouder!