NTASHA - Part 4

Sunday mornings alarm came faster than I would have liked! Our class was the 6Th class of the morning - so we did not have much time to spare. We hurried through breakfast and got over to Las Colinas as soon as we could. Once there we found out that 2 of the classes before us were cancelled! Again it was quite cool and breezy.

I quickly changed clothes while Kelli tacked Oliver up...again putting on everything but my gloves and my skirt. I led him into the show ring. The show did not start for another hour and there was only 1 other person out there. We went to the far end and I started to lunge him. I worked mostly on going from any gait down to a FLAT walk...and repeated it over and over trying to establish a calm for both of us. He was responding well.

We took him back to the stalls and as I finished dressing, I breathed a prayer. The woman who's horse had reared up was not showing that day. She was very sore. A trainer from their barn would show the horse instead. I just wanted a more calm atmosphere for ALL the horses and riders.

I met Kelli behind the stalls since we decided to get me mounted back there today. There was more privacy and less traffic. I walked Oliver around the stalls and into the arena. On this day I was wearing the shorter black jacket and a brown and black plaid WOOL skirt.

We adjusted the girth a bit and I took him to the rail. After walking a few rounds, I clucked him into the trot. Ahhhh Yes! I thought. This was so much more comfortable...or at least a bit more secure feeling. I trotted around the ring and had to deal with a 'spooky' area for Oliver. It was god practice for me as I had to use left leg pressure to keep him from jumping into the center of the practice ring.

Again the class just proceeding mine was full of very young academy riders..so I waited until they were all in before I asked for the canter. Yeah! I felt so much more confident!

Our class was called and the gates were opened. Again, I waited for everyone else to enter before me. There were 6 of us in the class. This time we trotted into the arena..probably too slow, but I was being very cautious. As we reached the other side, Oliver stepped up a bit and gave me a beautiful level trot. I started to smile and knew I could go for quite a long time if I needed to. Before I knew it, the walk was called and I pulled him down. He gave me maybe 2 jigs before he truly flat walked. Then came the canter. I cued him and off we went. It was perfect. I could hear Kelli's approval and Oliver was cantering and flexed so beautifully. We then reversed and again began to trot...walk..and then again cantered. I did not see any of the other horses misbehaving..so my prayer had been answered. We trotted into the line up and I scratched Oliver's neck telling him what a good boy he was. He whinnied again and the crowd cheered for me. I love it when Oliver does that...but I wish I knew what he was saying!!

The first place winner from the previous day won the championship. I am not sure about the placings of the other horses, but our names were called for 5TH place. I perked my head up and listened. I thought there were 6 horses in my class, but maybe someone dropped out... I waited...and then I heard it... the announcer spoke and revealed that someone else had placed under us.

"Oh my gosh Oliver!!! Did you hear that? We were not last!!!" I said as we trotted out the arena. "Yeah!!! We were not last today!!" I said with a bit more excitement and volume.