What worked
- White Fences. I enjoy showing at White Fences Equestrian. The Show Office is helpful and well organized. The music for my freestyle is played promptly when I signal for it. The speakers are clear and the volume is just right. The footing is excellent. I rode on Saturday after a torrential Florida rain and the footing had no puddles nor surface water in the warm ups or competition rings.
- Help to take Biasini for a morning handwalk. I was not riding till 4:30 each day and one of Coach Lou’s other students, Ciara, who lives near the show grounds, came over Friday and Saturday and took Biasini out for a walk to start his day. I did not have to arrive till later in the morning.
- My husband David. He was not able to be there for the set up on Thursday as our little puppy, June, had been unwell. She recovered in time for him to come on the Friday and Saturday when I was competing. That is such a big help for me . Here is a photo Carmen Franco took of him while I was warming up. My jacket over his arm and his orange bag of grooming essentials: sugar for Biasini, water for me, fly spray for Biasini and a cloth to wipe anything that needs wiping.
- Moral support from Coach Lou. In both my tests Biasini and I seemed to start well with our tempi changes but then they went on holiday. He assured me they were not gone forever just temporarily missing-in-action and would come back. This was seconded by my home coach Belinda Trussell who emailed me and told me her Olympic mount Anton once had his one tempis take a holiday!
- Sensible and helpful comments from both judges. The judge on Friday was kind to give us a good score despite the absence of the required number of tempi changes. The judge on Saturday gave us a fair score for the test we rode, in the rain, and with Biasini giving a good imitation of a lower level horse instead of an FEI Intermediare 1 horse.
What did not work.
- Coming to a horse show without rubber reins when there is rain forecast. I was not able to keep a hold of my reins on Saturday and once they were wet, with the ongoing rain, they kept slipping through my fingers. With a double bridle there are two sets of reins so it was double the trouble. Biasini is a horse who is quick to take advantage of that! I will never go to a show without my rubber reins again even if I am showing in the Sahara Dessert!!
It was an enjoyable weekend despite the absence of rubber reins and tempi changes. The pond beside the stabling gave us a beautiful sunset.
Our puppy June got through her first horse show and was very well behaved. Once we got home on Saturday evening she was one tired pup.
On Sunday we took it easy. I read a good book and June kept me company.
Biasini and I had some good moments in our tests and we have lots to work on at home before the next show. Thank you Lauren Tobias who took this photo in Saturday’s rain. I am getting a new saddle from Tobias Saddlery and I will be devoting a blog post to that soon!
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