PFEC Hunter/Jumper Show

Our division loot- a new startlingly white saddle pad embroidered 

with the Post Falls Equestrian Center's logo.

It was a gorgeous Fall day here in the Pacific Northwest.  Mid 70's and sunny, with a hint of dust.  A LOT of dust.  We need some rain.  I really did bathe Jasper yesterday, with shampoo even, but it was too warm to put a sheet on so I just had to turn him back out in his paddock with a gallon of show sheen.  I'm not willing to deal with the consequences of keeping him in a stall overnight.  Anyway, scraped the chunks off and sponge bath this morning and we hit the road.

I thought I had given myself plenty of time based on the spring show, but when I pulled up the parking lot was pretty bare.  They were running hours ahead of time.  We had just enough time for a quick lunge and warm up in the indoor arena before our first class, 2'6-2'9 Hunters.

You know, I think that someday Jasper could be a good Hunter.  He needs his flying changes, and needs to be more consistent.  If someone was riding him that really knew what they were doing I think he could be a Hunter star.  I am not that person, but he put in two really nice rounds.  We *did* completely annihilate a fence because he didn't want to pick up his right lead (a common thread today, I think something's going on?) and hit the fence with complete awkwardness.   Having said that, he still tried to jump it even when it was a lost cause.  He didn't stop.  Love him for that.

Jumpers B- last and favorite class of the day.

I signed up for the 2'6-2'9 Jumpers for more practice at that height.  Plus, leads don't count and you can leap over those fences from wherever you want without penalty.  :)  Yes, I KNOW you aren't supposed to ride jumper courses like hunters and use the whole arena, but these were confidence building classes.   We had two great, clean rounds.  The second course had some loop-de-loos (technical term) and was super fun to ride.

WE WON.  HA!

Much much thanks to Pam for taking video and photos.

Jasper falls in looooooooove

 

Jasper and Ember

Jasper got trailered out to a friend's house this weekend for some trail riding out on state land.  He was kind of a nutcase.  Actually he was doing OK until he saw her pig.  The pig is large and tame and walks around the property at will.   Jasper seemed to think it was a dog at first and marched up and took a good sniff.  Then the pig snorted.  Jasper teleported about 10 feet away and spent the rest of the weekend freaking out about the pig if he could see it, and freaking out about the possibility of the pig if he could not.  The pig couldn't have cared less about Jasper and didn't mind if he was dancing around the trailer in a sweat with white rings around his eyes.

Jasper's two equine companions were a couple of nice mares, a bay 5-year-old Thoroughbred and a black Friesian/Appy/TB/QH cross.  Ember the TB LOOOOOVED Jasper.  As in, well, we won't use the "whore" word.  To the point where she would refuse to lead on the rides because she was too preoccupied looking back at him.  Jasper was pretty oblivious to her seductions and just wanted to go faster.  Situation normal.

We went on a loooong trail ride on Saturday at speed.  Mostly trotting and cantering.  It was fantastically fun.   I swear that horse does not get tired.  Ever.  Most impressive was my friend's boyfriend who just started riding a couple of months ago and kept up like a champ.  He can post the trot and everything.  

Everyone seemed to get along so well we just threw Jasper in the pasture with the two mares last night.  Amazingly, they all got along famously.  He didn't have a single bite mark on him, and he didn't foolishly try to dominate either one.  They got to hang out most of the day today while we went rock climbing, then we for a short ride through the park this evening.  He absolutely refused to get in the trailer tonight.  He just kept looking longingly into the pasture.

 Ember going so fast she's blurry.  Or I'm taking a pic on a moving horse.  

Which never seems to work out well.

 Hubba hubba

 The 5.9 rider

Jasper's first friend that didn't bite him.

I'm thinking about going to a little H/J show next Sunday in Post Falls, ID.  We did their spring show and it was fun.  Haven't really jumped in over 3 weeks.  Or more?  More I think.  Have to get on that tomorrow.