We have a very busy show year planned for 2009.  The Diamond Equestrian is a new series close to home, we plan to attend most of the Blue Ribbon series, and also some AQHA shows.

“Louie” has progressed so well, he’s really to the point of just fine tuning.  Charlotte has done amazing work with “Leona”.  They have become a tough team to beat!

I will try to maintain this page so that the most recent show is always at the top of the page.

December 6, 2009 - Blue Ribbon Open Horse Show Series

The last Blue Ribbon Show of 2009 went great.  Grandma Gail is the newest member of the show team.  This was her first time showing since the late 1960’s, and she took a 3rd and 4th in Novice Showmanship!  For now she will be sticking to just Showmanship, but we are hoping to get her riding again too.  Brittany and Louie came home with lots of high-point awards.  A grand champion, a couple reserve champions, and a couple of runner-up champions.

Charlotte took home the blue in showmanship. Her showmanship skills have taken off this year, and I think next year is going to be a great one for her.  Leona has thrown a couple challenges at Charlotte in riding, but they are working through them as a team.

 

Novemeber 7, 2009 - AzQHA Scholarship Show #2

This was the final AQHA show of 2009, and was a good one.

Some of the highlights included, Brittany’s 3rd place finish in Showmanship, and Charlotte’s 3rd place finish in Equitation.    

 

 

November 1, 2009 - Blue Ribbon Open Horse Show Series

Triple Judged and lots of tuff competition.  The girls did great, and had lots of fun.  Both girls ended up with some end of the day high-point awards.  Charlotte took home a blue in English Pleasure, and Brittany took home blues in Western Pleasure and Showmanship.  Megan showed Louie in Showmanship for this show.  She got a 3rd and a 4th in 10 & under!

 

October 5, 2009 - The Scottsdale Classic AQHA Show

Back to another show and Louie seemed to love every minute of it.  2 more 6th place ribbons and lots of smiles from Brittany!  She is learning so much, and every time she goes home with something new to work on.  It was another great day, she’s already looking forward to next months shows!

 

October 3, 2009 - PM - Blue Ribbon Open Horse Show Series

WOW!  Wasn’t sure how Louie would feel about going to a show, loading up and heading off to another show, but he seemed to enjoy it.  Another night show...the last one for the season.  Since we went to the Scottsdale Classic this morning, we only stayed for Showmanship and Huntseat this evening.  Brittany and Louie did great.  Never placing lower than a 3rd in any class, she also got her first 1st in Hunt Seat Equitation.  She also won High Point Champion under judge A and High Point Runner-up under judge B.  Biggest bonus...we were home by 11:30 PM!

As usual with the night shows, it just gets too dark for good photos...so this show I gave up after showmanship!  Had to get a photo of the final awards though...

 

October 3, 2009 - AM - The Scottsdale Classic AQHA show

Another great experience, and Brittany got 6th in Novice Youth Showmanship!  We knew this one would be big, but what better way to gain knowledge and experience.  Louie is still a little fast to compete at this level in western pleasure, but the experience was great for him too.  We hauled-in Saturday morning, and then for the afternoon, hauled over to the Blue Ribbon night show!

 

September 19, 2009 - Tucson Fall Circuit AQHA show

This show was so much fun.  We weren’t sure if we were going to go, but in the end, very glad that we did.  We hauled in on Saturday only, and showed in Showmanship and Huntseat.  The highlight of the day was when Brittany got a 2nd in Youth 18 & under Hunter Under Saddle.  It was worth the drive!

 

September 12, 2009 - Blue Ribbon Horse Show Series

The first show after what seemed to be a long summer break.  Even later than last time, we didn’t get home until 3:30am.  It was a good show though, and usually we had a great time.

As usual the classes were nice and big.  Brittany got 2nd under both judges in Hunter Under Saddle with 15 entries!  Louie also did really good in trail at this show.

 

June 20, 2009 - Blue Ribbon Horse Show Series

We finally did it...didn’t whimp out...stayed for the whole show.  Brittany’s last class was at 11:30pm, the final results for trail and high-point were announced at 12:30am...we got home at 2:08am.  It was worth it and we really had a lot of fun staying up so late.  So this time Brittany and Louie went in 8 classes...2 showmanship, 3 huntseat, 3 western (including trail).

 

CONGRATULATIONS BRITTANY!!  

HIGH POINT RESERVE CHAMPION...ENGLISH 14  & UNDER NOVICE

HIGH POINT CHAMPION...WESTERN 14 & UNDER NOVICE

 

May 30, 2009 - Blue Ribbon Horse Show Series

We love the Blue Ribbon Shows.  The competition is tough and the classes are always big!

This was our first night show of the season, and we whimped out...avoiding the wee hours of the morning by scratching western and trail.  June 20th will be our last show before “summer break”.  No whimping out for that one!

The girls both did fantastic at this show.  Both brought home some blues and stayed right at the top of the ribbons in all of their classes.

CONGRATULATIONS CHARLOTTE!!  HIGH POINT RUNNER-UP...ENGLISH 14  & UNDER NOVICE

 

 

May 2, 2009 - AzQHA Scholarship Show #1

Brittany was so excited for this show.  This was “Hillary’s” show ring debut.  Although she’s not ready for riding (and really not ready for showmanship :)  it was a great experience.

 

April 18, 2009 - Blue Ribbon Horse Show Series

Another great show for the girls...Brittany is still only showing Huntseat and Showmanship, pretty soon we’ll add Western and Trail again.  Once again the classes were big (12-14 horses average) and the competition tough.  The girls held their own and were consistently placing at the tops of their classes.

 

March 22, 2009 - Blue Ribbon Horse Show Series

Brittany has been patiently awaiting the time for “Louie” to make his Hunt Seat debut.  Today was the day...she was so happy.  Since this was his very first time showing Hunt Seat, we thought it would be best to just do Showmanship and Hunt Seat for today.  They did great and had another wonderful show.

 

 

February 1, 2009 - Diamond Equestrian Show Series

What a great show!  This was Charlotte and “Leona’s” first time riding in the show.  They’ve started off slow with just halter and showanship, and have graduated to walk-trot.  The girls are learning to relax and it’s really starting to pay off...next show Charlotte might try 3-gaited classes.  Both girls brought home High-Point awards!!

Charlotte and “Leona” - High Point Champion - 13 & over Walk-trot

1st place in all 4 of her riding classes, 2nd place in showmanship!

Brittany and “Louie” - High Point Champion - Youth 13-17

High Point Champion - Open Division

Reserve High-Point Champion - Novice 13 & older

Showed in Halter, Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, & Trail.

 

January 3, 2009 - Arizona National Livestock Show (AQHA)

This was a tough first show of the year.  Neither of the horses had ever spent the night at a show before...neither appeared to have gotten much sleep.  They both minded their manners, but neither were performing at their best.  The girls are still having problems controlling their nerves.  It was a good learning experience for all, and although frustrating at times, the girls still had a lot of fun.