fun show

Today we had the draft club's fun show. It is different from the circuit shows; it required no washing of ponies, no mane rolls or tail bows, and no show clothes. It was just a day to hang with friends, show ponies and mules low key, and have fun.

One of my new friend that helps out with all the shows, Lisa, and Becky came up to take Shyloh down to Ohio. Shy was going to have a sleepover at Beth's house!

Yeah. . .Shy is the only horse in that bad boy

In the morning, me and Beth loaded up the ponies and headed to the show, a mere 10 minutes away! We got there early and got a coveted under the tree parking spot. Ahhh. . .shade. It was much needed for the 90 degrees and humid day that was ahead of us.

Can you see Shy and Art?

First up, halter class. We never place in halter or showmanship. So when it was out turn and Shy drug ass up to the judge, then decided to speed trot away from the judge, then half trot back to the judge, I figured we were just doing halter just because. . .  imagine my surprise when the judge called us out for second! Second place!! I was shocked!

Happy pony with her ribbon

Showmanship was our usual blah. I get so bored standing in line and so does Shy. But next up was line driving obstacle course. . .which we rocked! We took third place and I think that was because She refused to trot around the cones. But she did go over the bridge without a problem!

Next was the scary part. Hooking Shy to the cart. She had not been hooked since the last show she was at, which was in May. But Shy was a superstar! Beth rode with me, just to be safe and we ended up taking fourth in the class. 

Go Shy!

Nevermind the hair-fro. . .it was so hot and humid!

Then Shy was used for youth cart class. The little girl who drove Shy did an excellent job and Shy was great for her. I think they took second place. 

Becky took a spin on Shy and I convinced her to do the obstacle class with Shy. I rode with her. Shy was doing good until we had to back in a U shape, then pull out. She did a major scoot coming out of the U. A major scoot. Becky got after her and made her do it again so she could do it right. After Shy got herself together, Becky had me drive her back to the trailer. 

Now it was time to hook Shy and Art together. They did an obstacle course and I think they took either first or second with Beth driving. Then they did a farm team open class. Beth said that the way they drove together was amazing, they were so good! And they took first place!

Teamsters

The last team class was on a wooden sled, where the driver stands. A water bucket was filled to the top and placed on the back of the sled. The driver had to take the team around three cones and back around the cones. The winner was the person who spilled the least amount of water. Beth went first with Art and Shy. Then it was my turn. Let me tell you, driving two horses is hard! I don't know how people drive those hitches with six and eight! And since Shy and Art aren't technically a team, they both have different words to go. So I had a bit of a difficult time getting started. . .but Beth helped. Then I took over. It was fun, but I have a difficult enough time with just one horse, I am not sure I am ready for two! And turning them is much easier than making them go straight. But when we crossed the finish line, I had more water in the bucket! Me and the team took first place!!

After that, Shy and Art got hooked back up to the cart and gave pony rides to Lisa and her husband Ed.  And by the time Shy was unhooked, she was exhausted and sweaty! Pony doesn't know what it is like to work! She took a little snooze at the trailer, then resumed her eating. We loaded up and Lisa and Ed took us home. How awesome are they for coming to get us and bring us home for the show? Super awesome!!

That's the sign of some hard work!

The rains when we got home probably felt so good!

I am so proud of how Shy did today!! I wish I would have gotten way more photos, but I was so busy all day! If anyone at the show took some, I will share them on Shy's Facebook page.

driving art

Beth was kind enough to invite me back down to Ohio to drive Art again. I am happy to say I made it all the way down there without the use of a navigational device or getting lost. It's about time. . .I am only down there pretty much all the time. 

So I made it to Beth's without a problem (and I have to remember to get gas in Ohio, much cheaper than Michigan!) and she got Art out. Art is one smart pony. . .he doesn't come up to the door like Curly, Leah, and Rambo. No. . .he seems to know that we were getting him for work and he keeps his distance. 

I got a crash course in putting on the farm harness, since it is still new to me. I love how Beth has everything so organized, makes it so simple. Then we hooked Art up, added Skylar the most lovable dog ever,  and away we went. 

Handsome Art

We were going for a drive on the Wabash Cannonball Trail, which was originally a railroad. It was very cool and very pretty. Most of the way we went had trees lining each side, which was nice at keeping the wind out since it was so pretty. Here is a map of the trails. . .we went from Section 2 to Section 7. 

I had set one small goal for myself. . .it was not to jump out of my skin when we started moving. I don't know why, but that initial jolt always startles me. I am pretty proud to stay that I did not jump! Goal met! I also did not hold on to the side of the cart for dear life, either. I really think having Skylar in the cart helped. I can honestly say that this was the most peaceful and calm I have felt in a cart. 

And Art was not making it easy. After we got in the cart, Art wanted to go. He almost ran into the trailer! I was actually really surprised at myself for keeping my composure. In fact, I wasn't even scared. Beth was driving and I was just fine. 

After a while, I got my turn to drive. I was having a ton of fun! Art is really fun to drive. He did spook at one point when we were switching the lines and dog over, but I was able to control him, even though Beth tried to grab the reins. I trotted Art through an area that had no trees so we could get back to the trees, that wind was cold! Poor Skylar had to go in Beth's jacket. Good thing he is a little guy. 

There are a couple spots in the trail that have holes that need to be filled. There was one that was right in the middle so the chances of either Art stepping the the hole (very bad) or the cart wheel going in the hole (not good either) where too great. So We got out to walk Art around the hole. 

Well. . .the lines accidentally slipped under poor Art's short tail, he clamped (he clamps worse than Shyloh), then decided he did not like the feeling of the line under his clamped tail. He worked himself into a little fit as he tried to go and tried to turn and just tried anything to get the line from under his tail. Beth was able to calm him and fix it, but that could of been a potential disaster. Whew. 

We climbed back into the cart, and I didn't even have a second of hesitation about that. Beth had him trot for a while to get his mind on something else, which worked wonderfully. 

Then it was my turn again. We were cruising along nicely, when all of a sudden Art tripped and fell on his knees. He got up and wanted to take off, but I held him back and got him under control. Again, my heart was not beating out of my chest or anything. It was nice to not be scared. I took Art all the way back to Beth's, which included taking him on the road. When we got on the road, Art started calling for his little herd and picked up his speed, but was very good for me.

Such a good pony!

That really was the best time driving I had. I think I got some confidence from today's events. Art was awesome and even though there was a few things, I handled it well without being terrified. And I can't thank Beth enough for letting me have the opportunity to drive Art again.

After that, we went to visit Becky at the first Harry Hughes Circuit show. We chatted and watched a bit of a Western class before heading back. What a fun day!!

monday musings by shyloh #83

What a weekend! I was forced to do work. Actual work. Not the "work" that I do with Allie. It was fun and I think I may have a new love. I was paired with Art. He sure is a handsome Haffie. We kept looking at each other when we had the chance and nibbling on each other. 

Can you see my tongue sticking out?

See. . .I am a good horse! But I have been getting a bad rap at my home. Ever since Lukas left (he was my meal ticket), I have had to fend for myself with my food. So I was forced to be a little bit mean. See. . .

Hey, a working girl has got to eat! And I have to do whatever is necessary to make sure I do.

But I can be nice and share, too. . .When I want. . .

But my ears do get sore from being held back all the time

So it seems that Allie is getting super serious about me pulling a cart. She got me an actual driving bit. She means business now!

It's a straight bar Liverpool. I used a similar one at boot camp.

Allie just needs to realize that I do enjoy going fast. My legs may be short, but they are quick. She has to get used to that and then I think we will be okay. 

And I got a visit from the treat guy! I let him give me hugs because he gives me treats.

Awwww

Well, I'm off to wash all this sand and dirt off me. It's raining and I am pretty dirty. Ah. . .natures shower!

~Shyloh

the drive

Did I ever mention I have some awesome people in my life?

After yesterdays big fiasco, I had someone to pull me out of my pity party and another person offer to help me. So I drove myself down to Ohio and got some drive time with Beth and Art.

Art is a punk rocker! And Beth rocks!!

The first thing you must know about Ohio (and I really apologize), is that people from Ohio cannot drive a car. They are terrible drivers! Since I live pretty close to the Ohio border, I see a lot of drivers form Ohio. They will be the people going 50 mph in the fast lane (where everyone knows you go at least 80 mph in that lane). The second thing about Ohio that you must know is that it is boring. That being said, most of my experience with Ohio has been driving through it on I-75 to get to Florida or somewhere. 

I totally take back the second thing about Ohio! Sorry, Ohio-ans are still slow drivers, but Ohio is actually really nice! Just not on I-75. I first noticed Ohio being pretty is when we started going to Harry Hughes. They had some really beautiful "up north" trees. But my trip today really solidified how nice Ohio actually is. 

Beth's place was amazing! She had a pond, trails through the woods, and four funny Haflingers. I mentioned to her how I would never get anything done with four Haflingers on my property and she pointed to her house. The front window faces the paddock where the Haffies are and Bath said her chair was positioned so she could watch them! How awesome!

Beth got Art out and put his harness on him to drive. Funny how Art was the only one that did not mob us as we entered the paddock. The other three wanted lots of love! Watching Beth hook and set Art up made me realize that me and Shy still have some things to work on. Art cam move completely sideways, which turns the cart on its wheels, without moving forward. Shy always wants to move forward when doing this. And Art can stand perfectly still when he is all hooked up. 

We both got in the cart and Beth started driving Art all over the property. Art was forward and wanted to go, but he listened great and had an amazing stop. What a good pony! If you have never ridden in a cart before, it is a different feeling. Sometimes the first step is more of a lurch forward. . .this is where my body tightens up, which can be transferred through the lines to the horse. Because I do not have a lot of experience driving in carts, my body is still not accustomed to that feeling, so I tense. It is kind of like the first couple times riding a bike or rollerblading, or doing anything new where your body is moving in ways it is not used to moving. . .make sense? I am sure after a few  drives, I will loosen up from the get-go and be fine. Plus, driving with the big horses is different from the Haflingers.

After a while (and after I had loosened up and relaxed), Beth handed me the lines. Art seemed to know there was a transfer there and was very kind to me when I was driving him. He did not pick up speed when heading in the direction of the barn. He was so good. So good. I walked him all around the property. Then, Beth told me to ask Art for the trot. And I did. And Art was a super star! I really wish I got some photos, but I was so busy learning. And I learned a ton. 

I am so very grateful for Beth taking her Saturday to give me some instruction and let me drive Art. I needed that. And its cool that Art has a poofy, short forelock like Shyloh.