I feel like I am running on fumes right now. The rush to start school AND prepare for fair is just overwhelming at times. Consequently, I don't feel like I'm doing all that well at either task.
E's 4-H group has been decorating and practicing for competition almost non-stop. "Pre-fair" events were held last Thursday; E competed in a halter/showmanship class. As she and Monte completed their pattern I was hopeful that she would get at least a red ribbon, possibly even a blue. We knew she would get dinged for not shaving his whiskers (she disagrees with the practice, since those whiskers are there for a purpose!) but he was attentive to her cues, picked up his trot right away, did so-so on his fore-hand turn and set up decently for inspection. E was attentive to the judge and quartered nicely. And then the judge told her to hold her lead rope directly under the metal clasp. Huh???? We've been taught from the get-go to leave space between your hands and the clasp - that the rope is to act as an extension of your arm and that this extra space helps you SAFELY lead your animal. E, of course, did as the judge asked, and then trotted her horse off the field.
And that judge gave her a white ribbon. I don't get it....I think of white ribbons for the horses that totally mess up the pattern or refuse to do something. Her horse did as asked - on a loose lead rope!
So I became what I had promised myself I would never become - the parent that blames the judge (or referee or ump....) for their child not succeeding. After hearing the ribbon placements we kept muttering "Stupid judge" for the rest of the evening.
Saturday was a busy day trying on saddle after saddle after saddle..... Turns out Monte will be difficult to fit, so we drove all over attempting to find anything that might work. We eventually found one in Hermiston (about 50 miles away) and the shop owner is letting us borrow it for a week to really make sure. Which is good, since the dang thing costs almost $1K! Plus we are probably buying a new saddle pad (to the tune of $200) to ensure that whichever saddle we settle on is as comfortable as possible for Monte. Geesh!
I feel broke now. And I hate to think what fair will end up costing (imagining food, rides, parking, entrance fees, etc.) for the week.
Okay, enough whining....
On the bright side, E is riding Monte again. He seems to be much better. Curly is getting fat and appears happy in his new herd. I hope to work with him more next week and E said last night that she'd like to ride him after fair is over.
Which I think is a grand idea......
