5th in the 2D!

Fancy and I went to our first NBHA show at Henry Arena yesterday! It was a little chilly, still only around 45 to 50 degrees, but I was just glad to be back at my favorite arena! The ground is so perfect and it’s great running outside again. We didn’t get a chance to warm up in the ring since we arrived just before the show started, but were able to warm up in the little practice area. I could tell from how well she was responding to my cues and the extra spring in her step, that she was ready to run her little heart out.

I always like to trot her to the first barrel of our first exhibition, mostly to remind her to keep her head about her. This time she wanted to lope, so I figured I’d let her and see how it went. She went nice and slow for me and listened to me perfectly. The second (and last) exhibition was great- and I kind of wish it was my actual run but, I’ll get to that. I pushed her out and she turned every barrel exactly how I asked. It wasn’t timed, but I’d say even with holding her back on the way home it was a 17 something.

Photo by Rumoured Moments Photography

By the time our open run came, Fancy was ready to go. I was circling her during the run before mine, and she just wanted to get in the ring and go! I learned after the last show to put my trust in her, so that’s what I did. Going in I let her have complete speed, and that first barrel came up WAY too quickly for me! She managed to get around it just fine with me struggling to keep up, and galloped full speed to second. Second is either her best or worst barrel every run, and this was no exception- best barrel of the run! Unfortunately on my way to third I totally lost my balance, so Fancy went waaay out of the way around it, which probably cost us at least half a second. She ran her heart out home and we finished with a 17.447!

Photo by Rumoured Moments Photography

And that 17.447 won me 5th place in the 2D with at least 40 competitors. This was the most competition I’ve had since I’ve started, and I’m so proud of Fancy for not only running an amazing time, but keeping it together when I was falling behind. My mare continues to amaze me every day, and I really hope with more practice I can get my muscles back to what they used to be and my abilities greater than they ever have been. Our next show is May 17th, let’s hope for no rain!