Happy Ground Hog Day!
We are back from Wellington and ready to go to Katy for February! Anyone interested in going to Katy who has not already told us, this is your time to speak up! If you are interested in going to WEC in Ocala, Florida, February 26 to March 9 please let us know by February 9.
Wellington January 2025.
It always strikes me as odd that some of our hardest competitions come at the beginning of our show year where many of us are moving up a division. I was so proud of all our riders that showed at WEF this year. Every rider got ribbons often in classes with over 20 or more competitors. We held our own in the Equitation, Hunter, Jumper and Pony Rings. Here are some of the highlights of the month.
Margot Evans rode Bada Bing Bada Blue aka Blue and Ontario aka Dusty to ribbons in the Children’s Pony Hunters.
Annabel Grefe rode Sorry Not Sorry aka Nacho to ribbons in the Medium Green Pony Hunters. This was the pairs first time doing the Green Ponies.
Liston Johnson placed in the 3’-6” Equitation on Royal Odyssey aka Odie. She also jumped super double clears in the 1.15-meter jumpers on Katmandu aka Kat. The pair were consistently in the ribbons. Weeks 0, 1, and 2 found Liston and Grand Romance aka Champ consistently knocking on the winner’s door with second place finishes. During Week 3 Liston and Champ got the job done with an 87 and a win in the Older 3’-3” Juniors Hunters.
MJ Maestas and Perry started their month off with a bang. The pair were 12-14 Equitation Reserve Champions. MJ and SWS Charleston aka Charley also had a nice month bringing home a blue every week in their meter training rounds. MJ and Oswald Van De Leeuwerk aka Ozzy continued to cement their partnership in the 3’-3” Junior Hunters including a number of scores in the 80’s.
Sam Marshall and Kingland aka King made WEF their first show together. Not only that but Sam made the move up to the Children’s Pony division. AND wait for it! Sam and King won an over fences class in the division.
Amelie Schaeffer and Cool Whip aka Finny moved up to the Children’s Pony Division and brought home ribbons both weeks they showed.
Congratulations and Birthdays.
Congratulations to Liston Johnson on her new jumper, Gigolo VD Berghoeve Z!
Congratulations to Bowen McKinney on her first pony, Elphaba. Rumor has it her barn name will be Maple because she is from Canada.
February is a big birthday month! Happy Birthday to Marisol Hess, Emalyn Bilski, Delaney Husted and Brittany Tribble!
Horse Show Corner.
People ask, what are Opportunity Classes? These divisions are entry level competitions. The USEF waives some of their standard fees to give people a taste of horse showing at a more reasonable price point. I am often asked what the riders are being judged on in the Opportunity Classes. The classes are usually designated hunter or horsemanship.
If the class is a hunter class, the horse or pony is being judged on their movement and jumping style. That said, it is up to the rider to be on the correct diagonal and lead to show off their mount’s movement. It is also important that the horse and rider have the correct pace. We like to tell our riders to go medium, not too slow, not too fast. The rider must also make good turns and the correct canter to show off their animals jumping style. In hunters, when all else is equal, the horse or pony with the best movement and jump will be the winner.
In horsemanship or Equitation classes, the rider is being judged on their position and control of their equine partner. Diagonals, leads, pace and turning are all as important in these classes as they are in hunter rounds. In the case of all things being equal in horsemanship, the winner would be the rider with the most correct position. This would include having their foot placed correctly in the stirrup, heels down, leg under them and on the horse’s side, sitting evenly in the saddle, upper body tall but not stiff, thumbs up and fingers closed on the reins.
Opportunity classes are generally held in a smaller area to help with controlling the horse or pony. The jumps in Opportunity classes are simple as well as the courses. In general, judges are looking for safe riding and mild-mannered horses. Suitability (size of horse to rider) may also factor into the placings in these classes. Riders in these classes may not cross enter in other divisions.
Pin Oak Charity Horse Show.
As many of you know, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show which benefits Texas Children’s Hospital is near and dear to me. Along with my good friend Lynn Walsh, I chaired this event for many years. Although I no longer chair it, I would like to take this opportunity to mention what a great event this is and to tell you there are many different levels of sponsorship still available. Along with sponsorships there are also tables available for the weeks and Saturday night events. If you are interested in being a sponsor or buying a table please let me know.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
