So the biggest show of the year for our city was this last weekend (it's this weekend too but I could only afford one weekend). My mare and I were in the Long Stirrup division. The first day went really well. I got a first in my Eq. over fences, then we got a third in our hunter over fences because she broke into the trot around a corner for 2.5 seconds, and we got a 3rd in our flat class. Not too shabby. Then Sunday we had an awesome jumping round. I mean AWESOME. Got all of our changes beautifully, all of our strides, etc. We had one jump that was a little long but other than that it was great. An after all of my competitors added strides or missed changes, we thought we had it in the bag. Come to find out the judge that day was the same judge that is part of the barn as one of my competitors (remember she placed another lady from her barn higher than me even though she fell off and was dismissed from the ring last show). SOOOOOO she placed the lady that added strides and missed a couple lead changes over me and we got second. Boo. But second is good. Then we got a third in another flat class and a second in the Eq. flat class. Over all we took Reserve Champ for the weekend! I was very proud of us. My horse and I are taking at least a week off to relax.
I have to admit that the politics of it all really got to me last night. I have been working so hard to get good corners, lead changes, etc. and because this lady knows the judge she doesn't have to work as hard and does better than everyone else. But I know it's part of the hunter world and I am just very proud of us. My mare was amazing and I felt good about my rides. We'll just keep working and come back in the next show in August ready to rock!
I have to admit that the politics of it all really got to me last night. I have been working so hard to get good corners, lead changes, etc. and because this lady knows the judge she doesn't have to work as hard and does better than everyone else. But I know it's part of the hunter world and I am just very proud of us. My mare was amazing and I felt good about my rides. We'll just keep working and come back in the next show in August ready to rock!