09/09/2026
As show season winds down I wanted to make a post about the amazing students who worked hard and have had so much progress!
We will never praise the ribbon, showing is so much more than the ribbon, mind you our girls did amazing and I am so proud of all of them for their accomplishments in the ring but it is learning and understanding outside of the ring that impressed us more!
Leaps and bounds many students have made to understanding what it takes to keep a horse fit and ready to show 5days straight, to understanding why we wrap and poultice, how trailer safety and tack loading and of course much more.
Riders competed in Hunter Schooling shows, Dressage shows and in Gold Jumpers learning along the way about there horse and themselves.
Riders learned watching the big ring that jumping higher does not necessarily mean you are a better rider, that riding the track clearly, as planned by the coach is a huge part of being able to do the job at hand. As they watched other riders choose to go off the track and make dangerous decisions for their horses confidence and for themselves resulting in fall offs, rails or a knock to the riders confidence.
Riders learned steps we can take to manage our own anxieties and stress so that we do not impact our horse.
Riders learned about braiding, bathing to be show ready.
Some riders stepped into the ring with young horses, green horses and steady eddies depending on where they were at in their riding career.
They learned how to manage the green horse in a busy environment of Golds. With using the arena to get there horse on the bit, listening to there seat as other ponies came bolting passed, or managing the green horse’s anxiety in the ring alone.
Even one of our junior riders stepped into the arena on RSH The Messenger (Our 5y/o stallion, who had only competed in dressage at the point) and did well with getting him to the jump and allowing him to do the job without interfering or asking too much.
Riders learned the meaning of being a team and helping one another get ready, loading, cleaning stalls, filling hay bags, wiping boots, tightening girths and so much more.
Riders learned to cheer each other on even when they were in the same classes.
They demonstrated that they knew even if the round did not go as planned that they gave their horse a pat on the neck and thanked them because they have no knowledge of the did well.
Our girls brought home lots of ribbons, but we are more proud of the knowledge and understanding that they brought home from showing and how they have matured into great young riders.
My riders need to pat themselves on the back as they put in the work and the time to demonstrate their knowledge and riding.
Here is to planning the adventures of next year and can’t wait to have many new faces joining us.
