Third Horse Show with my New Thoroughbred

Knight and I will be celebrating our one-year anniversary next week and as of yesterday, he has been to three horse shows. The first one he was a little crazy, the second was better, but he still had a bit of an edge, and the third truly was a charm. Here is how my third horse show with my new Thoroughbred played out.

I think he has figured out his new job. He acted as though he’s been showing his whole life now. Although maybe it was the 90 degree heat that made him super mellow.

Our canter was fun, but a blur. Literally and photographically.

The Evidence Knight is Becoming a Full-Fledged Show Horse

This show he cantered without making each stride longer and/or faster. Win! And his eyes looked normal, not like a wide-eyed cartoon horse.
While waiting for our class we stood under a shade tree and our teenage groom began tickling his muzzle with a small twig; he closed his eyes halfway and flickered his upper lip like he was trying to get the twig. She would move it again and he’d close his eyes. This process went on and on. While golf carts drove by and horses cruised past and announcers announced. He ignored all the commotion and focused on the tickling with sleepy eyes.
During our hunter hack class we were first to jump and thus had to wait in the lineup for 7 other people. He stood like a champ the whole time. No nervous fidgeting (although he did crane his neck a bit to check out the chestnut pony next to us).
I didn’t even really have to warm up that long and he was pretty good in the class (which was great because I got to talking to people on the sidelines and didn’t realize my class was coming up so quickly, therefore my pre-class schooling session was short!).
Back to number three: WE ACTUALLY GOT TO JUMP AWAY FROM HOME! And he didn’t rush or launch himself. Or evade my contact on his mouth. He’s turning into such a nice boy!

Love my pony! Awkward muzzle hug.

I’m so happy with his progress! Love him! More details on actual placings in our classes and why I thought I was supposed to pick up a right lead canter on a loose rein in the next edition of this blog.

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