Just call me the "queen of green"

After a frustrating weekend at the Susquehanna Whips and Wheels show, (e.g. too many 6th place ribbons) extremely tough competition and a long pair of days, I've decided to maybe keep working on my progress, skip some shows and go down a division or two. I'm just not ready for the big leagues yet! sigh :-(

I now have a 2nd riding horse.. WHOOOO HOOOO!!!

Went on a lovely trail ride with my friend Michael L. on my green and black and white mare, she was a dream boat. Only one little spooky thing, piece of rubber mat layover over a culvert, deep ditch on both sides so I decided not to school today :-). I'm so tickled with her!!

Next up- Susquehanna Whips and Wheels 2 day show

Ever heard about the "Traditional Day of Driving" events which are popping up everywhere? Well they include a 1) Road trip-where the driver and horse encounter road sort of hazards commonly scene. Quite often, a parade is included in this portion of the day, 2) A Turn Out class- where the appropriateness of harness- carriage and then horse-outfit is assessed. This is where fit and appropriateness take precedence over pretty~ (or at least it's suppose to take precedence), 3) Progressive Cones class which is wear the simple cones class offers the team of driver and rider progressively narrower and narrower cones to navigate. Clean and fast will when the day!

Susquehanna Whips and Wheels, a club based in Williamsport, PA offers its 2 day show which includes a standard Pleasure Show format on day 1 and the traditional day format on day 2.

Hope to do well but regardless it is such great fun, we go with friends and eat and drink up a storm!

Show 3 of the 2011 season is done!

We can assume that when we progress through the season, we get better. Well not always! I possibly 'over-thought' this year's Brandywine Valley Pleasure show's Cones Classes. I planned and planned, various expeditious routes over scurry and your route-my route. The result? I competed both courses (no DQ or eliminations THIS year, LOL) but man, were we slow! Lost my way (Bah Bah Blacksheep)_on the Your Route-My Route course.. "Cone #4 WHERE ARE YOU???"

Oh well, next show is the most fun anyway.. its a 2 day show in Hughesville, PA called Susquehanna Whips and Wheels and a ton of friends come up and party together.

Gearing up for the Brandywine Valley Driving Association Show

Well its almost show time and it will be the fourth show of the 2011 Mid-Atlantic Carriage Driving season. I find myself surprising unenthusiastic about this show. Don't know but perhaps a little apprehensive about the heat. You see, last year was probably the most inhospitable weather during the BVDC show. Pictures of the others all displayed extremely red faced and hot exhibitors.

This year, Brandywine is showing 15 ponies in the Single Pony Division.. YIKES!!!! Thank goodness I don't drive ponies :-). I don't really have the carriage setup for the pair at this time so I am going to continue and school my big guy, Rascal at the next two Mid-Atlantic shows. Fortunately, there is a draft horse like division, so that's where we will be! I'm not keen on competing against the like of the semi-pros (Open Horse) or the semi-pros (Multiples Division). Sigh.. it may be my fate next year.