Eventers are cool peeps and my side biz...

This past weekend was HORSE filled FUN

Saturday, after gardening and weeding like mad, my Husband and I went to the barn

I wanted to get some pictures of Laz and I in my own gear, finally!

He did a great job capturing some fun moments

"Geemee dem cookiez!"

Red barn door, Red Heart/Horse logo, yea, done on purpose!

I swear Laz is smiling next to his Dad!

Of course, RAIN!

But, really it was more like cloud spitting, so we endured.

Laz was like "I don't dos rainz!"

Yes, Laz, we are future eventers (lol!) we do RAINS!

 His smile is one of my favorite things in life.
It's so ridiculously goofy that I can't get enough of it.

 So, speaking of Eventing-I worked a one day Event show.

I'm not even sure if that is what the technical name is, (a Horse Trial??)  but it was FUN FUN FUN and a CANTER Benefit and I was able to raise $105 for them, for the day!

And I donated a t-shirt to the person who rode an Ex Race horse with the highest points...although by the end of the day, she/he left and I'll have to mail it to them when they claim it.  I was SO hoping to getting a picture of them, with the Tshirt and a blue ribbon, but oh well.

 When I pulled in, there was MAJOR horse competition going on all around.
XC and dressage were happening ALL OVER the property.  Well, the XC was..dressage was in one location, in two rings.

They had over 75 riders in show, and each and every horse I wanted to steal.

XC!! is crazzeee to me! That is some BALLS out riding.

 Maybe not this one...

Nah, I'd take him too!

 Their TEAM shirts, I bought one to support them and to totally fake that I'm cool!

 My OTTB.Tees!
I'm happy to say, I got LOTS of compliments and purchases!

What a fun jump..what is that set up called?!

Look at this vertical leaper heading into their triple combination

LOVE the lime green..when we XC (lol) that will be our color.

See?! That's us below, 3 yrs ago

 Now imagine that tearing up the babiest version of an XC course!

And by tearing it up, I mean, a slow collected canter...and by XC I mean maybe a few sticks in our way on a trail

;)

Leeeg!

Meet one of my 'clients' from that day and her 19 yr old OTTB.
Too cute and don't let the cuteness fool you, I saw NO timid riders out there that day.

It was full on CHARGE and in sync with their horses

Some more pic's of stadium ( I was located next to ring so I have more stadium)

The tires, three levels

I like the baby firestone ones ;)

Dressage

It had POURED that morning but good weather had moved in for the remaining of the day

Leaper

Love this XC pic!

I was at this event from 9-6pm

The people (riders, family, staff) were ALL incredibly nice, funny, laid back people.
I saw NO typical bratty rider behavior and in fact, everyone took very good care of their horses during and off the show times.  I was told some of the Eventing rules have changes to protect both horse/rider-no dangerous riding, excessive galloping, over use of crop/whip/kicking.

Trainers are allowed to work with students in practice areas, but not able to ride horse for student.  The student must be at a competent level to show that horse at chosen level to better achieve confidence in both. All in all, I was impressed with what I saw/heard.

VERY different to any show experience I had had growing up in a H/J barn.

Not knocking all H/J barns/trainers/etc but the strong majority I saw growing up, was nothing positive or encouraging.

Hopefully things now in the H/J world are different as well

After the Event, I drove home and past by the barn, so obviously had to stop and tell Laz all about it!

He was in his shiny glory.

He was a quiet, loving boy and made me feel so grateful that he's mine

This boy is a gem!