end of the 2011 UHJA show season

We had our last 2 shows of the Utah Hunter Jumper Association show season.  Rose Ranch was last week and due to rain, they held it in the indoor arena, which is smaller than their outdoor.  My OTTB can get a bit worked up in smaller indoor arenas.  Worked up = go faster with some silliness.  First round, we hit a rail on the jump off.  But for the 2'9 class, we took first!  He was rather fast but did the job

The next show was the UHJA Medal finals and it was so much fun!  Our first class, it took 4 fences before he figured out what we were doing.  It like a switched turned on and then he was jumping quite nice but we did take a rail on a fence during the first-4-fence-warmup so no jump off.  The next class was the 2'9 and he figured out what we were doing.  Made it to the jump off and I decided to use his wonderful long stride and speed rather than attempt the odd, quick turns that would be needed to shave off seconds.  Since we have only shown in a few 2'9 classes, I did not want him to take a rail by having to do a really tight turn, get too close to the fence and take a rail.  I used his stride!  We were 8 th to go and after our jump up, we were in 2nd place, but as often is the case, those that get to go towards then have the best chance of the top speed.  3 riders near the end of the class, after watching the others go, were able to shave of seconds by really doing so great, super tight, roll backs.  We place 5th and I was thrilled.  Video  below.

The next class was rotating relay rider.  My partner was my Instructor and it was also a costume class.  We did snow white and the evil queen.  I was the later!  This class was 3 ', which we have never shown at, and the first rider relay class I have done.  We took 3rd and then won Best Costume!  Pics to come soon