Nice Horses, Nice Event: Who Knew?

I'm just back from the Paso del Norte dressage society's annual dressage show benefitting a local hospice. I was super impressed (and thanks for ordering up that very cool breeze) with the show management, the number and variety of prizes (I can't remember the last time I got something other than a ribbon for my efforts), and the way they honored everyone who came to the show at the nice (if crowded) competitors' party. The racetrack (see my earlier post) was great place for the show (and practicing downhill balance on the sloped warmup arena made me realize how much dressage horses need hill work) and we even got to hear a sound check by the band Malo (Carlos Santana's brother's band) for a concert at the casino across the "lake." (quotes intentional). 

Comments: A great number of very very nice horses and riders--And incredible that the show had five Intermediare I rides--that's really quite amazing for little ole West Texas. I mean it isn't really the dressage capital of the world, now, is it?

And not only that, but they were five really decent rides, too. I watched all of them on Saturday (too busy on Sunday), and was very impressed with the quality of the riders and horses. And it was very good for me to get out of town and show with some new faces.  I was the only open 2nd level rider, so I won all the fun prices just for showing up. 

As usual, I forgot to bring my camera, but if you're driving around El Paso you should see some of those cool yourhorsesports.com bumper stickers.

We were just about the last to leave, since my horse show companion, Penny, had the second to last ride of the day. The horses behaved pretty well--Penny's mare was tight and tense at first as was B, but both settled in quickly and went to do their jobs with workmanlike, if not exactly spectacular, results. And they fell in love. You know horses. One trailer ride together and they become inseparable. 

The good thing about horse shows, after you've pulled out the braids and unpacked the trailer and reflected on your performance, is that you really can learn from them. It's a mindset change for me, having been used to eventing competitions, where your just darn happy you got around. Here, the danger factor is nearly nil, but the psychological pressure is much more intense. I've learned, too, that you really have to ride every step and be just as deliberate as you are in the jumper ring, if not more so. You have to plan your ride, and adjust after each one. Ride number one was tense and forward, but I got some sevens. Ride number two was obedient and dull. Ride number three was a combination. Ride number four? Forward, accurate and obedient. My best score of the weekend.