Horse day

'scuse the blurry image, a 15 year old boy took this pic and he ultra zoomed it me thinks.

This is Contro and yours truly in the spring of 2008. I hadn't shown Contro since 2004-ish in Saddle Seat and this 17-year old horse is just full of tricks. He's an older fella' though he still has the knee popping snorty behavior of a younger horse. This particular show he and I had moments. Moments that made me feel like a beginning rider, such as anticipating each and every gait the announcer called out. Sometimes he wanted to jig (trot) at the walk, sometimes he flat out stopped and attempted a reverse. Other times he broke into a canter during the extended trot. I tried my best to keep him in frame, I relaxed, I used every aid and technique I'd been taught, but to no avail. This horse is show ring savvy, and NOT in a good way I tell ya'. I blame myself however, I barely rode the poor guy prior to this show (see the pot belly) and he had never really done an extended trot before. I did place in every class but one and even got me a 3rd place yeller' ribbon. Ugh, looking at my equitation though, oh lawdy lawdy - I see what I am doing wrong equitation wise alright! All in all though, I love me some Contro. He's the Cadillac of horses, smooth as butta' and fun, fun, fun!