Lili has been horseback riding for about 5 months now and today she participated in her first horse show.

For those who are not familiar with a horse show (because I didn’t know what it was), this is an opportunity for riders to participate in different events in front of a judge.  The horse show world can apparently be quite cut-throat, however, this event was held for the students and was intended to do nothing more than allow them to experience a day of fun and learning.

The weather was a little iffy at first, but all the participants were inside preparing for the first event which was Paint Your Pony, so no need to be concerned yet.

 

The rain cleared out and it was time to head outside for all participants to be judged on Paint Your Pony.

Her next event was Beginner Walk Trot.  During this event, the judge would give the rider instructions to walk, trot, reverse or halt.  They were judged on their posture as well as their ability to control their horse.

She walked away with 3rd place in this event as well.

Her next event was Leading Trail.  In this event, she had to lead Cooper thru an obstacle course, both walking and trotting.  There were 6 riders in this event.

Because I was helping Lili get ready for each event, I wasn’t able to take any pictures.  No one else in our group took pictures either, so no photos – bummer.  However, she did very well and placed second.  Woo Hoo!!  Go Lili!!!!

Now, on to her next event – Barrels Walk Trot.

In this event she needed to have Cooper either walk or trot to each of three barrels, in a specific order, going around each barrel in a specific direction and then trot back to the finish line.  This is a timed event and Cooper is not the fastest pony.  In addition, he was obsessed with stopping and eating grass today.  As a result, one of the trainers had to hold the lead rope to make sure he didn’t stop to eat.  The trainer was doing nothing more than holding the rope in case Cooper decided to stop to eat, so Lili had to do the work and did a really nice job taking 6th place out of 8 participants.

Next event – Flag Race Open

There were 11 participants in this event.  It was another timed event requiring the rider to ride around the ring taking the flag on one side and placing it in a sand bucket on the other side of the ring.

Of the 11 participants, only 6 qualified and Lili got 6th place!!!!  Awesome job!

Now onto the Poles Open event where riders must make their way to the end of a line of poles then ride their horse back weaving thru the poles one direction, then back the other direction, then trotting back to the finish line.  There were 10 participants in this event.

Lili and Cooper – 3rd Place!!!

Her last event of the day was the Ribbon Race.  In this event, she and another rider ride their horses side-by-side while holding a crepe paper ribbon between them.  They ride down the center of the ring, around a barrel and back to the finish line.  The goal is to complete the event as quickly as possible without breaking the ribbon.

Still, they finished with a 5th place ribbon.

I would like to point out that of all the kids who participated today, only one other little girl had less experience than Lili.   Most of the kids had been riding at least 1 year with one participant who has been riding for about 12 years.  She was also the youngest participant in the horse show.  I think that’s pretty darn good for a young rider and she is very proud of her accomplishments today.  I’m also one proud mommy as well!!

Good job Lili!!