Evergreen Classic, 2016

What a fun, but hot, this show was. I was lucky enough to ride Milo in the medium rated ponies and the pony equitation, and I rode What's up Doc in the small ponies. This show was at Meadow Wood Equestrian Center and had access to a refreshing river for competitors to escape the heat. Schooling days went terrific with the ponies; they both got used to schooling on grass and showing in dirt. They showed in the schooling ponies on Wednesday and Thursday in which Doc got champion and Milo got Reserve Champion in! This show was off to a great start, and the ponies were better than I could ever ask of them.

Friday, equitation day, was very successful with Milo and I winning every equitation round and snagging the champion as well. Milo was an absolute gem in his low round, as well. Over the next two days, Milo and Doc jumped their tails off in the hunters, and Milo was champion there as well. The two ponies showed me what they could do this show and helped me gain confidence as well as them. My proudest moment of this show was getting overall high point pony rider with Milo and having very consistent rounds with Doc. I was very impressed with my ponies and myself this show, and it makes me excited about how we will do at our last show in October.

Western Family, Thunderbird, 2016

What a fun show this was; it was my first time at the Thunderbird Show Park, and I was very impressed. Even though I was in the muddy pony ring, the experience that these showgrounds provide is like none other. I rode Milo in the medium rated ponies and the pony equitation, and I rode What's up Doc in the small rated ponies. The weather was not on our side this horse show; we had rain every day with only short breaks of clouds. Both Milo and What's up Doc schooled nicely in the mud, but I had to learn to adjust my ponies step so they would keep impulsion without getting heavy or breaking in the footing. 

Equitation day rolled around, and Milo was as responsive as could be, and I went into the ring confident. Overall I was thrilled with how Milo was for me. We were second in our first equitation over fences, third in our second equitation over fences, and we were second in the flat. I couldn't be happier with how Milo was, and he got us a reserve champion in the pony equitation. Saturday, showing was good with the ponies, and both were very consistent and responsive, earning us some middle of the road placings that I was happy with. The next day, Milo was jumping out of his skin, and Doc got almost every lead change. In the first round of Milo's classic, he won the class with a 78 and some phenomenal jumps. What I was most happy with Milo is that he was soft and responsive without getting quick and rushy. With Doc, he had his best round yet in his second round of the classic. He jumped everything beautifully and got all but his last lead change, earning him a 79 in the second round. 

To review, I was delighted with how both ponies performed, and I had a lot of fun at this show. These show grounds are a must-see for competitive equestrians as they are gorgeous and very well run. I look forward to my next visit to these grounds.