When it was time for our first class, I was summoned to the show ring. Tying to the hitching post went well, but my mind was scattered that I totally missed the gate, instead heading straight for the mounting block. Oops! My bad!
I lined Hazel up to the block, but she was in no mood to stand still and quietly sidled away from me. A few more attempts and she was closer, but she wasn't close enough. My trainer had brought a treeless saddle for her to use. Very comfortable, but I didn't find it very stable for mounting in this situation.
Finally, I was in the saddle and we were off--over the hills and through the dry lake bed. We did well through this section, although we were a bit rushed. After a few more hills we came to the ditch. This was parrellel to the fence where the crowd was gathered to watch. Hazel was not happy with the attention and blew right past the obstacle. I was no help, of course. I simply wasn't ready for this behavior and let her slip right through my hands. That said, I'm not one to stand down easily. While it took some power on my part, we did get through the ditch.
We then walked up to the bridge, which Hazel again blew past. Oops, I was a little late with the halt cue. Never-the-less, a few do-overs later, and we were crossing the bridge.
Personal observation: At this point I was a bit flummoxed. I've ridden Hazel a few times now and I've never experienced this behavior. Frankly, I wasn't sure how to handle the situation. You see, I don't always recognize when an animal is acting like a butt vs. when there is something actually wrong with them. I tend to lean toward the latter. In other words, I began to think that Hazel was bothered and therefore I shouldn't push her though anything.
A refusal (the walk-over box), a ditch (successful), and a less-than-perfect ground-tie attempt later, and our class was finished. I thanked the final judge and left the ring with a smile--the only way I know how to show.
Back in the warm-up arena, my trainer assured me that Hazel was taking advantage of me and asked me to trot her down some more. Gladly! We still had our class in the big arena ahead of us, and I wanted to be sure that we were prepared. I just knew something was bothering Hazel, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Fortunately, my trainer has a good eye. As I rode around the arena, she noticed that Hazel was spooking at the number and tassels that hung from the back of the show pad she was wearing. Eureka!
A quick tack change and I was back in the warm-up arena with a much calmer Hazel. Phew!
I'd also changed to my own saddle--one with a tree. The next class called for me to mount in the arena just like the last one. The fitted saddle gave me a bit more confidence for that obstacle. Hazel, however, still wasn't certain she wanted me up there, so she fiddled a bit before standing still.
Personal observation: I was starting to remember how I'd felt during my first big trail show with Maxine. We had to mount in the ring in the first class that year as well. I was 30 pounds heaver at the time and they didn't have a mounting block in the arena like they do now. I was so nervous and Maxine could tell. She didn't want to be anywhere near me. In fact, she broke away from my grasp and wandered away, leaving me standing atop a rock, feeling like a fool! The judge was kind enough to bring her back. Dreading a repeat performance, I asked, "Would you mind holding my stirrup? I don't normally ride in the wilderness alone."
Back in the saddle, we headed toward the hill. As we ascended the switchback, I was slow with my right-turn cue ("Use more leg") and Hazel went over top of a large boulder! "My fault," I told her as we eased back onto the path and headed up the hill.
At the top of the hill we reached the bridge and Hazel said, "I don't know about this." She dropped her head and inspected the footing. After some hesitation we were across the bridge and down the hill.
Hazel rode quietly through the next set of obstacles, cautiously exploring a ditch and picking her way carefully over rocks and trees. My favorite obstacle by far was the double-row of trees. These were set about four feet apart, with the limbs meeting in the middle. The object was to ride about twenty feet into the "tunnel" and then back out the way we came. Hazel did this well.
Then we were on to the skinny trail that led behind the lake. Hazel was cautious about the rock stairs that led up to the trail, but I urged her on with a "Step up" cue. Unfortunately, she was less secure about the trail behind the lake. After a few "almost" attempts, I ran out time and was waved on by the judge. We had the same struggle with the water.
Personal observation: At this point, I could've become very frustrated. There was no reason for Hazel to refuse these obstacles, and I'm sure that my trainer would've had her across in a second. That said, I know that I'm still learning. I simply didn't have enough tools in my toolbox to address the situation. One day I'll have a big fancy Snap-On, 20-drawer tool cabinet chock full of tools for every imaginable task like my trainer does, but at this point I'm doing pretty well with my heavy-duty, flip-top, portable Stanley tool chest. At least I outgrew the Fischer-Price kit long ago!
After that, it was smooth riding for the rest of the course.
The next two days got better and better. We had a few struggles, but what we did do, we did well. While I knew we wouldn't come in first in the big arena, we'd done well for our first time together. Donkeys can be a tough nut to crack, and I'm determined to become the best donkey rider I can be. Yes, I'm crazy.
Photo: Hazel and I prepare for the big trail show.
1 comment:
I like your attitude in showing.No whining, as Mugwumps would say. I think you are very fair in acknowledging the things that you miscue and not blaming the animal. I feel you on the mounting. I had to get off and get my hat at the end of reining class the other day and I just prayed that Matt would stand still, that the saddle wouldn't slip and that I would get my large behind up into the saddle. I did! It was great.
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