Sun and Fun at BRAHA

Next up we took our usual gaggle of kids to the BRAHA spring show on April 12th. What an absolutely fabulous day we had. We arrived at the facility in great time with limited traffic. Now that’s an accomplishment considering the distance we had to go! When we arrived the weather was perfect and the kids were geared up to get things going! It is so amazing when we stand back and see how much they have matured over the past year. They were all hands on with no trouble with each other and they were never told more than once that something had to be done. It was a sheer pleasure to be with these kids this year. We brought Rachel Dors and Ian Dors with their pony EF Senor Rojos (Charlie), Megan Santmyer with EC Wayne, and Nikki Zuleger and her horse, Bucephalus (Cephie). Jacob Tumblin rode with his dad and us and step-mom and Rachel and Ian’s dad and brother rode up the next morning with Jacob’s pony River. In another trailer was Christine Reed with her two mounts Sierra and Chessie (very ambitious girl!). So we had quite a crew of kids. They came home with lots of ribbons and lots of fond memories. I am so very proud of how they all helped each other out and how despite some rough spots in the day, they all rode their hearts out!

On a side note to the BRAHA show, our kids decided they wanted to start their own 4-H club. They call themselves the Rebel Riders. Rebel generally has a negative connotation, but the motto they came up with says it all “We have the right not to belong”. Anyhow, thanks to BRAHA for allowing the kids to set up a bake sale at the show. Based on donations only and the honor system the kids raised over $100 for future endeavors. Kudos to them for trying so hard “not to belong”!

Show season has begun!!

Our first show of the season was at the Spring Arabian Classic held in Lexington, VA. I just love that facility. This time we ventured out with just one other friend, Wendy Spangler. No one else was ready to show yet due to the winter weather. It is times like that when I realize just how spoiled we are with the ability to ride no matter the weather. Yes I am spoiled!! Well the winter riding paid off. Beauty was a superstar and has proven herself yet again. We did Dressage, Sport Horse Under Saddle and Sport Horse In hand. We also took fledgling show horse, EF Perfekkt Harmony. She is a coming yearling by KKoi and out of an Oldenburg mare. She went in two Sport Horse in Hand classes and did very well. All in all we came home with four firsts, one second, two fourths, and two fifths. We even got a qualifying score in Dressage. Woo, hoo! What a way to start the season.

Shawna Miller, another friend, met us down there for the day with her two KKoi babies. She showed CA KKarismatic and He’s a Hoot (Hooch) in Sport Horse in Hand. Hooch is a coming yearling gelding out of a paint mare. This was his first time off the farm and out into the big world. The best part was that Shawna’s significant other, Gary, showed Hooch, so it was a new experience for both. They did very well and came home with a first and a reserve Champion.

KKoi just keeps repeating himself by throwing sane, sound, and trainable foals. Kudos to him and a great thanks to the people who take the time to work with the babies and show them to their best potential!