Santa Barbara Regionals came and went faster than the blink of an eye. Actually, faster than half a blink. The show was incredible, our best Santa Barbara ever. Black Sterling Friesians Pit Crew won a total of 13 classes. The most amazing part was that we took 5 horses instead of our usual strand of six, because Janna’s saddleseat horse, Laurens, had just been sold. We won 13 blues—that’s one less ribbon than at Del Mar Charity Fair… and we had one less horse with us!! Laurens was sold to Micaela in Mass., who also bought our beloved Ferrari; we wish Laurens the best of luck in his new home.
The drive down was really long and really slow. When we finally arrived at the fairgrounds, running late as usual, Blu, Andy and I reloaded Stormy within a matter of seconds of him stepping off the trailer for an additional 45 minute haul south to pick up his new driving carriage, which was going to be fit to the horse. We did not finish unloading and entering the hotel address into the TomTom, (which we have nicknamed “DumbDumb” after our little trip to pick up the carriage), until the dark and isolated time of 10:30 p.m. We were definitely the last to leave the show grounds that evening.
The next morning, the show
opened with Ravello taking third in Open English Pleasure. He was not
feeling well and Janna said he looked “off”—talk about a rough class.
Ravello was pushing every button possible to mess us up and be
difficult. It is disappointing to have a compromised ride when you train
so hard for such a long time, but (as we found out later) he was trying
to tell us something.
With once class in
between, Janna already had mounted Sterling for the IFSHA Region 10
Western Pleasure Open class, as Ravello and I exited the show arena. I
sprinted up, after a quick clothing change and throwing the tack off
Ravello, to watch Janna step into the winner’s circle with her beautiful
steed. The pair made a stellar victory lap and returned to our lovely
stall set up, which consisted of an obnoxious green Tupperware bin which
we use as a make-shift table, in between the BSF director’s chairs. We
flipped it over and covered it with the lovely navy IFSHA engraved
cooler which Sterling had just won, as our first champion of the show.
With a long, and
much needed break, we tacked the Stormbucket and Calypso up for the last
two classes of the afternoon performance. After expecting to see
Kassandra Young in the warm up arena, I was baffled to hear she and
Jolmer planned to make their debut the Friesian Saddleseat Pleasure Open
that evening—with a stress on the “Open”. She stole the blue ribbon, as
well as the appreciation and cheers from the crowd in that large
competitive class, sporting a giant smile as Jolmer bounded down victory
lane that evening. Kudos to her courage, competitive attitude and
success, going against the pros! I would like to extend congratulations
to Kasandra again for winning the IFSHA Saddleseat Pleasure Open as
well, on Friday Evening, with a second stellar class, victory and now a
new dark blue cooler to dress Jolmer in! We think, quite possibly, that
was Jolmer’s best performance we have ever seenJ
Stormy was called
Friesian Saddleseat Pleasure Amateur Champion after a close to perfect
performance on his behalf. He got a little ornery and anticipatory for
the canter signal second direction, but after I finally asked him, he
abandoned his naughtiness by nicely cantering until line up was called.
Since Barend showed Calypso in the next class, while putting Stormy away
I missed watching his performance but when I popped my head from the
stall, they strode by… sporting the tri-color in the IFSHA Region 10
Dressage Suitability Junior Horse class.
We had a 30-minute
break, which everyone agreed was more of a 10-minute break, before in
hand classes were called. Ate placed Reserve Regional Champion in In
Hand Stallions 3 years of age and older and Regional Champion in IFSHA
Reg. 10 Baroque Stallions In Hand. Blu ran Ate for his first class, and
Janna took over for the Baroque stallion class, and both were completely
out of breath, trying to keep up with our strutting stallion.
Finally the day was
over---wait, just kidding! Although I was running off my reserve tank
for practically the entire day, we had two classes in the evening
performance as well. Calypso and Stormy would be called upon yet again
to catch the judge’s eye. Barend diligently mounted Calypso in the warm
up ring, jacketless, or with no jacket required, as some may say, while
we watched and waited holding his jacket in center ring. We asked him,
“Barend, why is it so appealing to warm up without a jacket, your
competitors all seem to manage warming up with one?” Well, aside from
showing off his big, bulging muscles, Barend replied it is the feeling
of the fresh air gliding over his toned arms. Calypso bounded into class
33, the IFSHA Reg. 10 Dressage Suitability Open and after a brilliant
performance, was called to the winner’s circle, with a compliment from
the Judge. Finally, Stormy’s class was called: Number 41, the IFSHA
Region 10 Carriage Pleasure Driving Single Turnout Open. Blu had on his
apron, brown gloves, new driving whip (an actual authentic whip-we
finally bought one that meets the rules by the lash reaching Stormy’s
shoulders) and we hooked his fancy new carriage to the Stormbucket.
Blu’s diligent directions delivered a breathtaking example of a pleasure
drive and Stormy and Blu were crowned champion! Not exactly crowned but
called, bestowed, placed! The new cart, excuse me, carriage, compliments
the pair more so than the little jog cart they used before. The “Ronald”
pair [Ron Goldman and the horse registered as Ronald] strikes again! Now
our day was finally over.
The next morning,
Ate, Stormy, Calypso and Ravello were scheduled to show. Ate strutted
his stuff in the IFSHA Hunter Pleasure Open with
Janna.Ate bagged the blue ribbon and Champion cooler to
add to our growing collection, covering the ugly green Tupperware
container. The Ronald pair returned with their new buggy for the IFSHA
Region 10 Carriage Pleasure Driving Reinsmanship Open. Janna accompanied
him in the cart for yet another escapade down victory lane, or as
someone put it, “taking a lovely lady out for a Sunday’s drive.” The
difference in “Reinsmanship” is that it is judged a bit like an
equitation class. It is primarily judged on the driver’s skill, form and
ability to drive his horse to his best ability and the driver’s skill is
weighed heavier than the horse’s performance or the turnout of the cart.
Blu was asked to execute a figure eight at the far end of the miniscule
arena and he did it with such ease, he certainly fooled the crowd into
thinking he knew what he was doing and that he had actually performed a
figure eight before! Good thing Stormy knew how to do a figure eight
from his equitation days with meJ
The last class of
the day was Ravello and Blu in Walk and Trot Pleasure Amateur. Poor
Ravello was being as difficult as I had ever seen him, throwing his head
in the air- nose out, but Blu was determined to have a good ride, which
he did in the class. When your horse is being difficult, it is easy to
make up pathetic excuses that place the blame on anything but the fact
that you and your horse just did not have a good ride, and Blu did
nothing of the sort! He was happy that he got Ravello around the ring
and through his gaits with no fuss. He kept his form well and although
he was down the ribbons, we were all happy with his ride; not quite as
happy with Ravello’s performance.
On Friday, Stormy,
Sterling and Ate were washed, saddled and ready to show. First Stormy
competed in the IFSHA Region 10 Saddleseat Pleasure open to the Amateur
rider. All I did was sit on the horse and push the right buttons, he
took care of the rest. Stormy loves showing, he has figured it out and
really steps up under the competition. He won the title of Regional
Champ and I could not have been happier with his job well done. Sterling
was up. Although he was a little tired from all the excitement, he made
a good show, took his leads effortlessly and made a stellar victory pass
for the Black Sterling Team. Barend showed Ate in the IFSHA English Show
Hack Regional Championship after Janna realized she was missing her
dressage clothing. The only way to describe the class was a Simon says
obstacle course. Ate had many gaits to perform, 10 in total, and the
occasional horse he had to steer around while bounding down the rail at
a full gallop that would probably read 20 mph on a reader! The pair won
the class and flew down victory lane at an extended trot that got more
air-- Ate’s hooves rarely touched the ground.
Calypso
not only stole many classes under the direction of Barend, he stole my
heart in the process. This little FOUR-YEAR-OLD gelding has super spunk
and the attitude of a champion. He swept his dressage classes but the
highlight of my show was our last class of the show. I gave up showing
Ravello, my Country Pleasure horse, because, after being examined by the
farrier, we determined that he has severe and painful thrush in his
heels that we are going to start treating so he can fully recover.
Instead, I decided to take Calypso in the IFSHA Friesian Amateur Walk
and Trot Championship. This gave us Saturday, the last day of the show,
completely off so we could pack up and set off for Sonoma early. In
preparation for our class, I rode Calypso the day before in a full
bridle: first time the horse had ever been ridden saddleseat, and first
time he had ever gone in a full bridle. The little four year old began
to figure out what the curb bit and full bridle were designed to do (
i.e. set his head and raise him up out of his oh so familiar dressage
frame). I hopped onto the cute horse and could literally feel his
anticipation radiating out of his every step. Our goal was not to make
it into the Walk and Trot Hall of Fame, I just enjoy riding the little
squirt so much I wanted to end with a fun ride. The plan of attack was
to go in and see what he would do. I had my top hat centered straight on
my forehead, my fancy blue coat and shiny silver vest on. The warm up
was a bit of: okay lets remember what the full bridle does…ooh yea, it
sets your head!! Then, the class was called. The only way to start this
cute boy’s debut in saddleseat was to be first in the ring. I was at the
in-gate waiting and upon entering, Calypso’s head shot straight up in
the air. He was scared of the many people along side the rail, but dare
not spook, he was just curious and confused. Behaving himself and
minding his manners perfectly, Calypso gave me the ride of my life. He
definitely was my favorite ride of the show. When ribbons were called
out, first place went to number 273. Shucks! I knew all of our numbers
were in the 150 range. I did not recognize the name but then they called
me out as the rider when I realized Calypso was a post entry and was
given a different number. My heart skipped a beat and I was so proud of
this little Friesian competitor. A true champion at heart, Calypso made
a thundering bolt down victory lane, at the canter, (he still needs
practice in that department), and this adorable four year old became a
Regional Champion in the Friesian Walk and Trot division. What a way to
wrap up Santa Barbara! GO CALYPSO!!!!!
And then, when we were less than 1 hour from home, and the sun
was just beginning to set on Saturday evening, we were almost back at
our barn and everyone was looking forward to a shower and their own
beds, and than BANG!! All kinds of smoke, we thought something was on
fire on the very back of the trailer. Blu thought he saw a horse’s leg
sticking out somewhere, and I thought perhaps the new carriage fell off!
Our
trusty driver pulled as to the side of the busy interstate, and we
discovered the rear Carlisle tire on our 6 horse trailer [with less than
6000 miles on it, mind you!] had completely blown out, damaging the
trailer in the process of the hot rubber flapping and flying, when
falling apart.
Good thing we bought that “option”…. the spare.
The jack wouldn't raise the trailer high enough to get the spare on, so
Janna had to take Sterling out of the trailer, on the side of a VERY
busy interstate highway. Still the spare wouldn’t fit…
So
out came Stormy---Janna was freaking out, Stormy looked like he might
take of any minute, and she was holding both Stormy and Sterling in the
brown grass on the side of the highway.
Still the trailer was too heavy for the jack.
And
then out came Calypso.
Barend held Calypso, and the three stoic, and thankfully CALM FRIESIANS,
stood on the side of interstate 80 while Blu put the spare on.
Then the CHP came and Blu thought they were going to offer to help, but
alas the officer was livid that we had horses on the side of a busy
highway and was going to write him a ticket!
He got away with a warning, and
the officer offered no help, except to say that he had NEVER seen horses
standing on the side of interstate 80!!!
We can't help but wonder if we
are doing something wrong...we seem to get one flat EVERY show season?!
This
wraps up the official show season for Black Sterling Friesians in 2007.
We are still deciding on a string to take to the Grand Nationals in St
Louis… Ate and Stormy are our “for sure” horses at the moment. There is
room for a few others, possibly Calypso. I am heading to Kentucky for
about a month to train at Marilyn Macfarlane’s, so I will check in with
you later.
Calypso, at his first show in the states, went undefeated! Stormy went
undefeated in his riding AND driving classes, Ate remained undefeated
and Sterling stayed undefeated in Friesian Western classes. Overall,
this year heading to Nationals undefeated at Monterey, Woodside, Del Mar
and Santa Barbara:
