The Firecracker APHA Show

I REALLY want to post more pictures of lead liners....and I have some too but they'll have to wait.

This show was in Midland, a fairgrounds we really like but the show didn't have a great turn-out so the points were low.  Most classes only had 4-6 riders but it was still a VERY good show for Equestrian Girl.

Showmanship:  First place under both judges.  They were smiling.

They were also still fairly cool and comfortable at this point.

By the time we were into Hunter Under Saddle classes, it was steamy hot.  You can see the dark around Stanley's eyes - that's sweat.

Only 4 in the HUS 13 and Under class.  First under both judges again!

Blue Ribbons make Equestrian Girl smile.

Not much could make Stanley smile.  Maybe treats.  He got plenty of those for doing so good.

It was so steamy hot by the time Western classes rolled around, the white shirt was in order.  It at least gave the illusion of cool.

The good thing about small classes is that the show moved really fast.  By 5:00 we were on trail.  That's a far cry from the 2 am start for trail class at the Memorial Day show.

This was the first time Equestrian Girl has ever had a "solid" gate and not just a rope gate of some sort.  She watched one of the trainers go first and handle it pretty well. Then several other adults went and didn't do so good.  She nailed it.  Pushed it open and held on in the right spot.

Slide Stanley out and around while still  holding on.  If you let go right here you were in trouble.  The gate was tilted so it would swing out the other way if you let go and would be impossible to catch.

 And then sidepass him into the gate to close it.  Good job!

The next day it wasn't QUITE as hot and humid and Daddy and Motocross Boy made it up to watch.

The Novice Youth HUS class was big enough but the 13 and under classes got even smaller.

I love this class.  I love that everyone has to dress "the same".

It's such a classic look and Equestrian Girl pulls it off so well.  She actually looks GOOD in breeches.  Not many do.

I think I was getting the evil eye.

And then there were two.  Not really.

Actually there were 7 in Novice Youth and 4 in 13 and Under.

Can you see Stanley licking his lips?  He knows when he did good.  His buddy has such pretty markings...

The over-all results for the weekend?  High Point winner for Novice Youth and High Point winner for 13 and Under!!!