Championships Update!

We have pretty good news to report from Thursdays Championship rides. Patrick was in the Championship ribbons in 4 of his 6 rides and the other two he barely missed. The Championship ring was very scary and Glenda and La Coruna had a few tense moments and bobbles at Second Level. They didn't make it to the final ribbons but their scores were very respectable considering the "I" and "O" judges. Both mares received scores in the mid to high 60's. At Training Level Open GAIG, La Vienna was 5th place and Grapette was 8th place with scores just a couple of points below the winning rides. But, you know, at Championships, every one tenth of a point matters. At SWDC Champ Training Open, La Vienna was 4th and Grapette was 6th place so we were very proud of Patrick. Unfortunately, Dream Girl did not pin in the Championship rides but her scores were respectable in the 60's. She just needs more mileage so she can cope with a show this size. Patrick and Alyssa got their steaks and fine dinner Thursday night at an old and well known restaurant called Brenner's Steakhouse. It was wonderful but we had to travel through monsoon rains going and coming to enjoy that meal. Thank goodness, Sharon's husband Lynn was still in town and drove all of these tired horse show idiots.

After some nourishment and a good nights sleep, Patrick and Alyssa had some very good rides on Friday in the open show. Alyssa moved Mamie up to First Level and received a score of 59% from an "I" judge and we were pretty pleased with that. Patrick won all of his classes and most excitingly, Glenda got scores of 65 and 64% at her first time at Third Level. She got very nice comments and did an excellent job. Grapette also moved up to First Level receiving scores of 65 and 64% as well. We were all tired but we went to the "Masquerade Party" at the show grounds. Sharon saw many old friends and Patrick and Alyssa met many of them as well as seeing some friends they have met at horse shows in the past year and a half. The big deal yesterday was that Patrick purchased a top hat. We are posting pictures of him proudly wearing his top hat.

Today was another successful day in the open show. Mamie got over 60% in the Open First Level today and had a very nice test. We were very happy with Dream Girl because she got a strong 63.8% at First Level Open and had a very nice test. La Vienna moved up to First Open and received a huge score (under these judges) of 72+%. Patrick was very happy with that and it puts him in the running for High Point Hanoverian. La Coruna did one of her most relaxed tests ever at Third Open. She got confused over her changes but still received a 66.5%- another first place day for Patrick and Third place for Alyssa and Mamie. We will take a picture tomorrow of our tack stall so you can see all the ribbons we have won.

Another exciting thing for us is that Bonnie Canter was the Training Level Amateur Champion on Fancy This GCF against 38 other competitors. As you know, Fancy This is our homebred and she did us very proud today.

We are tired now and Alyssa has her Pony Training Level Champ class tomorrow and Patrick has 6 open classes with La Vienna, La Coruna, and Dreamie. We are about to go have a nice dinner and crash so we can "hit it" another day.

Thanks for all the comments and support from all of you. We really appreciate it and we are excited about our overall success.