Best and I went to our first riding show this weekend. He did great! We came home with 2 blues, 1 second, a fifth and a sixth, out of seven classes. We didn't place in the first class, Best was clearly a bit baffled by what we were doing (keyhole race) but never refused. And then there was the jug race (you're give a milk jug, you ride down to a barrel, pop milk jug into bin, and then ride back) which his rider lost for him. I was determined not to get my hand stuck and thus proceeded to drop it, bouncing it off my knee, toe and finally the barrel. Good news though, Best couldn't have cared less. In other classes, especially those without a lot of turns, well, let's just say in walk/trot speed classes a STB can trot it out!
We won this team class called Twister.
Yup, he was really concerned about things. Note the loose rein. This was toward the end of the day. He was concerned in the morning for about 10 mins. about the STBs working on the track but after that he was fine. He still needs a bit more work on his social skills but by the end of the day he was weaving between horse on the way to the gate like a pro.
While it was great that Best placed it should also be noted that once again he was a great ambassador for Standardbreds. Several people mentioned that they were impressed with his temperament. One lady specifically mentioned that we inspired her. She is about my size with a STB that she doesn't ride. Hopefully she'll be able to get out there and start riding again. I also talked to two ladies in the supermarket who had been at the show, they said that I should be very proud of Best. I am.
