NCASHA Fun Show in Livermore , CA , Show Results:

You know a fun show is TRULY fun when every time you think back to it, you smile; that is exactly how we were left feeling after the 2006 Fall Fun Show, hosted by Diamond Hills Stables. Let me first paint you a picture about the location. Tucked far away into the hills, pastures with white fences surrounding the stable, an indoor show arena….now picture an overcast sky, spirits of an icy wind cascading down the hills to welcome us, and a temperature easily below 50 degrees. We gave ourselves a pat on the back for bringing our Friesian’s blankets to the show, which were very necessary, after much contemplation at home. The Fall Fun Show was over a period of two days, but we only attended the second day.

Well, to be quite honest with you, the show begins the first day, on the eve we trailered the boys up to the show. Janna had clients flying in to see sale horses on Saturday, so we had to forgo competing that day-- so she could show them our well trained geldings for sale. We were to wake early on Saturday, clip and bathe and load, and arrive at Diamond Hills in the early evening, with possibly enough time to unload in the daylight, and catch the tail end of the show-hosted  barbeque. Janna wanted to go to the barbeque. She WANTED to go, and she was determined to find it. So, we wake late, get to the barn late, clients were late,  and leave even later. We do not even arrive to Diamond Hills until it is beginning to get dark.

After unloading the horses, bedding their stalls, and giving them something to munch on, we hopped in the truck and sped down the street to the indoor arena lights that Janna said looked like the barbeque. –I guess you could say she was a little hungry. Well, we park and make our way to the party; mind you, it is quite dark and the gathering ahead is being lit by a few spotlights on what looks like an indoor arena. As we descend, we realize, after Janna almost grabs a plate and stands in line, that this is NO horse show barbeque. This was a private Hispanic get-together we have just crashed!! Andy and I hightail it out of there before we draw any more attention. 

Well, it turns out that the party had ended before we even arrived that evening, but we did not find that out until the next day!! When we arrive the morning after our crazy party crashing, it is COLD!!!!! –but this is no excuse for fighting the urge to sit in the truck with the heater on, Stormy, Ate, and Ravello need to be cleaned for their classes. I was first in the show arena. I showed walk and trot in one of the first classes in the morning. I pinned my number, #22, onto my jacket and after a countdown, “1…2….3….” with the help of Blu, I was on Stormy’s back.

After warm up, Janna and Blu were giving me pointers and talking about how Stormy was ACTUALLY setting his head, which is not an everyday occurrence if you know Stormy, well, we turn around and the class is under way!! Apparently I was not entered in the class –according to the gate keeper- even though Janna DID enter me in it, so they were working second direction until we realized WE were supposed to be showing in the class!!

I made up for it by winning a large Limit Equitation Class with Stormy. After our win, Janna and Ravello stole Open English Pleasure with an effortless execution of all three gaits. We sprinted back to the stalls, (which consequently were some of the farthest away!!), for Janna to hop on Ate. It became fairly habitual, this sprinting between the show arena and the stalls because we were showing in so many classes, almost back to back!! Janna and Ate won the Dressage Suitability qualifier, and finally there was lunch!!

Lunch did not last long at all, and after taking a quick glance at the silent auction, with Janna buying one full re-set from a horse shoer that does not come to our barn, we were back at our stalls re-tacking the ponies.

Stormy and I were up next in Pleasure Driving Championship. I have never shown in driving, and I saw the competition, a pretty Saddlebred standing in the Diamond Hills crossties, and it was a nice horse! We scrammed to get Stormy hitched, and I went to the show arena, where evidently we were being waited on by the competition. I arrived to hear the class is being split into two groups, the junior exhibitors, and the adults. At least I had a chance! I was quite mistaken  upon entering the show arena, as I was followed by the Saddlebred with an adult driver. Stormy drove very easily and we lined up. The Judge examined both entries for a good 8 minutes before she placed Stormy and I first!! We won, and it was the first time I had ever driven Storm in a show. We made a victory lap as Pleasure Driving Grand Champions, and only after I exited the arena did I realize, I had just competed in the Adult Pleasure Driving class, not the junior exhibitor class.

SPRINT!! Back to the barn once again for a quick tack change for Storm and I were going again in English Country Pleasure Championship. We had only ONE class between. I sprinted back to the barn, and trotted up to the arena after the tack change, and made it in time!! This was the largest class at the show; it was hard to get a good place in the crowded arena, but that did not stop the judge from putting us first on her judge’s card!! Storm and I had a great show.

Janna finished our winnings with a slam-bang finish in the English Pleasure Non Saddleseat Championship. Ate and Janna went around and around with great transitions, and Ate was actually using his ears!! They had a really solid class!