IDS Show Part 2: Hampton's turn

My main man
I left his forelock unbraided. Opinions?

... picking up where we left off. Royale was perfect.
Hampton was ... just blah?

I was really happy I was able to patch him back together for the show. His face swelling vanished, and we got his shoe tacked back on.

Friday night I went to school him and he was borderline wild. I was doing a decent job of keeping the lid on it, until we were counter-cantering down a long side and before I even knew what was happening his head shot up and we went FLYING backwards, damn near 40m down the arena. We came close to mowing down a child on a pony, and while I tried to bend his neck his jaw and neck were LOCKED.

Some rail bird commented on how he "looked like a western pleasure horse" until he did that. Thanks for the back-handed compliment, lady.

So I worked his ass some more until he was obedient and no longer spooking at who knows what.

Oh, I must mention that during some "turbulence", somehow my back seized up. It was so bad I had to stop Hampton and slump over in pain, hoping for the spasm to stop.

After I was done riding, I could barely bend over. Braiding nearly made me cry. I still have no idea what caused it?! I never get back pain like this!

Thankfully my BFF Liz had a heating pad at her house, which I cuddled with all night. Also I mixed booze and Advil with wild abandon. In the morning I was quite a bit better, but still pretty painful.

We showed 3-1 first and Hampton was clearly tired. I was riding like shit to top it off, so I did not have him supple, or really in front of the leg like I need. Even so, we managed to get through the test with no mistakes and pulled off a 64%+. That's actually pretty darn good for us. But I was bummed because my back was bothering me still and I could not really make a real half halt without losing my breath from pain.

Jen took nearly 200 photos of us!
Including this great shot!

After chugging some booze rehydrating, it was time for 3-3. I switched to the snaffle this time to see what happens. I also tried to light him up a little more in the warm up ring with some half steps and forward/back. It did help, but once in the ring we started to fall apart again. I just could not anchor myself to the saddle to support him. And he kept getting more downhill and sucked back. No major mistakes or anything, but not the ride I had hoped for. We managed a 61%+ ... which actually is great because that's the score I needed for year end awards and championships. Woot!

3-3 half pass

Hampton held up his end of the bargain, but I didn't. I was a little disappointed in my riding, and for using up all of Hampton's energy on Friday night. That's my fault. But was still quite an enjoyable and BUSY show. And hell I got the score I needed so I will chalk this one up to "it was doomed to be a clusterfuck from the beginning so way to hang in there."

Hey look! his poll is UP!

Turn on the haunches, I will make you my bitch.

We also hung out with Jen from Cob Jockey, and I got to watch the amazing Connor and Jen SMOKE FIRST LEVEL. I don't think Jen gives herself enough credit on her blog, but these two are a true pleasure to watch. Such correct basics and a really wonderful flow to their tests. Won't be long until Second Level for them.

Let's have a moment to admire Connor's tail.

So overall a very fun show, and a success even though my riding is subpar!
Onto the next sandbox.