Katy show results

I drove up to the show grounds on Friday at six in the morning and, luckily, ran into no traffic. I arrived at the show grounds around ten and was just in time to watch my trainer show my horse. My trainer showed my horse in an under saddle class, which is where the horse is judged on how well it moves compared to the other horses in the class at the walk, trot, and canter. My horse placed eighth out of forty horses. I was so proud, especially because this is only my horse's third show. Later in the day I got to ride my horse. I was really nervous because earlier in the week my horse had been very bad for my trainer and had actually tried to buck my trainer off a couple of times. However, as soon as I got on my horse, she was perfect. My horse only performs that way for me, which shows that horses really do pick their riders. The next day I rode in two jumping classes with my horse. She was really good in both of them and we placed fourth in both of the classes. The next day I rode in an under saddle class and two more jumping classes. She was a little wild in the under saddle and as a result she kept spooking at the camera tripod near the judge's box, but we still placed third. She was really good in the jumping classes and we placed second and third in those classes. I was so proud of my horse for the amazing jumping courses that she laid down. I left in the afternoon on Sunday and arrived home late at night. I was tired but really happy. My horse and I make a great team and I can't wait until our next show.

Frenchie and me waiting for our class to start.

What happens at a show?

Update: The barn didn't attend the Katy show because on the way up to show the main trailer broke down and couldn't be repaired. The barn's owner, Nancy, now has to buy a new trailer because the old one was rusting out from the inside. Now the barn only has one four-horse trailer which is definitely not sufficient for taking the whole barn to a show. Until a new trailer is purchased, everyone has to choose which show they want to go to between the two that are currently being offered. One show is in Katy and the other is in Waco. The Katy show, which is the one I picked because it's closer and less expensive, is in November and the Waco show is in December. There are only three riders besides me attending the Katy show, which is quickly approaching. Hopefully, nothing else will happen and we will be able to go.

A lot of people wonder what actually happens at a show. First, before we even arrive at the show, we have to register for the classes we want to compete in and we have to reserve stalls for our stay there. Next, we have to pack the trailer, which takes a very long time, and then we have to load the horses onto the trailer. Most of our horses cooperate and get on the trailer without any problem, but some refuse to get on the trailer and cause a lot of problems. Once the trailer is ready to go, we drive up to the show location and we check in. Checking-in can either go very quickly or it can take forever. Next, we set up the stalls, unload and take care of the horses, and unload everyone's stuff. Then, we find a braider to braid the horses' manes that need to be braided and we show the horses around to get them used to their new surroundings. When the show finally starts, we run back and forth between the different riding areas to make sure that everyone gets where they are supposed to be on time. After the show is over, everyone checks out and pays their bills to the horse show office and to the braider. Finally, the horses and everyone's stuff is repacked in the trailer and we head home.

The show that I'm going to is only a week and a half away, which means that Frenchie and I are running out of time to practice. However, I think we will be fine.

This is footage from a lesson I had with Frenchie last week.

Clipping for the Katy Show (Audio)

Frenchie before body clipping.



Frenchie after body clipping.

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Clipping for the Katy Show

The Katy show starts this Friday, which means that everyone is trying to finish last minute preparations. Packing, training, and laundry are the primary concerns on the riders' minds, but there is one very important issue regarding the horses that has to be taken care of before the show; body clipping. All of the horses that are going to the show need to be body clipped. Body clipping is when you take clippers and shave all of your horse's winter coat off. Many people, due to ignorance or stubbornness, think that clipping the horse's natural defense against the cold,especially in the south, is wrong. On the contrary, clipping is one of the most helpful things you can do for your horse in the winter, especially in the unpredictable Texas weather. During the winter, if you plan on keeping your horse in a heavy work program or if you plan on showing him, body clipping will help you maintain your horse's health by keeping the horse from getting overheated during work due to a heavy winter coat, by preventing chills and colds due to wind by getting rid of the dense water-trapping winter coat, and by removing the dirt-attracting coat which allows you to keep your horse cleaner and its coat and skin in better condition. The most important aspects of the clipping process are having a clean horse, sharp blades, and a lot of time.


Robert, my trainer's husband, and I clipped my horse Frenchie on Friday, October 16, 2009. Frenchie had never been body clipped before and when we turned on the very loud clippers, she was quite scared and tried to either get away from or kick them several times during the clipping process. Robert began the process by just holding the clippers near her and touching her with them so she could get used to the sound and vibration they emit. At first, Frenchie twitched when the clippers would touch, but she got used to them after awhile. A little later, however, when Robert switched sides she became very agitated and tried to kick and bite Robert. Robert gave her 2ccs of a low-grade tranquilizer to get her to calm down. The tranquilizer didn't kick in as fast as Robert thought it would so after dealing with a still-twitching Frenchie, Robert decided to use the Twitch. The Twitch is a device that is used to pinch the front part of the horse's nose below the nostrils. This device causes the horse to relax because the pinching of the nose releases endorphins into the horse's system. This device looks cruel but it is very humane and does not harm the animal in any way. After Frenchie was Twitched, she calmed down considerably and allowed Robert to finish clipping the rest of her body. By the time Robert was ready to clip her face, the tranquilizer had taken effect and the Twitch could be removed. The whole process took about four hours to complete, but it was worth it because Frenchie looks and feels much better without her winter coat.





This video shows what Frenchie looked like before we clipped her, the process of clipping her as I described above, and what she looked like after we finished clipping her.

Preparations for the Katy show are going very well and the attendance roster is full. We will be taking a total of twelve horses, eleven tack trunks, ten riders, three trainers, and a six month old baby. This is going to be one busy show, but it's totally worth it for the great experiences that come from being with your barn and bonding with your horse.

The sudden rain has left the paddocks unusable as of Sunday October 4, 2009, which means wild and cranky horses. Horses need to go outside to stretch and socialize, and when they can't do this they get barn fever and they turn into the grouchiest animals on the planet. Hopefully the weather will permit some sun so the paddocks can dry up and the horses can return to their regular schedule. Riding has also been put on hold since Sunday due to large quantities of rain blowing into the indoor arena. The usually dry and dusty ring is now a swamp. We have no idea when the ring will be usable again, but I hope it's really soon.

The good news is that with all of this rain I have been able to spend some really good quality time with my horse Frenchie. On Sunday, Frenchie and I took a walk around the whole property while stopping to graze and talk to other people and horses. Also on Sunday, I gave Frenchie a bubble bath and the horse massage therapist arrived to give Frenchie an Alpha-Stem treatment. An Alpha-Stem treatment is where the massage therapist uses a machine that gives off small electrical currents to bring in fresh blood, oxygen, and nutrients to an area and to disperse toxins that have built up in the body. This process leaves the horse feeling brand new and very relaxed. Our horses do so much for us that it is only fair that we thank them for all of their hard work.

Frenchie and I are both ready for the Katy show, and I can't wait to go in the ring with her and have a great time.

Preparing for the Katy show

The riders of MountBridge Farms participate in many hunter/jumper shows throughout Texas, and some in Oklahoma. Our last show was at the San Antonio Rose Palace; where we came home with four champion ribbons and two reserve champion ribbons. This is quite an accomplishment and we are very proud. Our next show will be at the equestrian center in Katy, Texas during October 22-25. Everyone is very excited and we have already begun training for the challenges ahead. The riders and trainers are composing crazy jump courses so when we get to the show we will be ready for anything they can throw at us. I am especially excited for this show because I will have another opportunity to bond with my horse Frenchie. This will be my third show with Frenchie. I'm a little nervous because we will be moving up to a new division with higher jumps, but as long as I stay calm everything will be fine. The hardest part for this show will be transportation because we can take twelve horses, but we only have three trailers. Transporting horses in one trailer can be stressful enough, so taking three trailers can get pretty scary. However, as long we check everything, especially the tires so we don't have blowouts, the trip should go on without a problem. Good luck to everyone and keep practicing!

My horse, Frenchie, and me practicing for the Katy show.