>>>> For Alex's first time in a show I thought that Gat would be perfect-I expected that the coach would enter them in cross-rails, flat work and possibly low verticles. If she had, then the day would've been fine, ribbons or not. There were plenty other ponies smaller than Gat who were jumping like crazy, and high too.
That's the spirit. I DO think Gat's lateralness will be a complication if Alex continues to advance and show hunters for very long - but I think you know that, and you can cross that bridge if/when you get to it. A lot of kids show a few times and lose interest...or change from hunters to western, or decide they just plain prefer trail riding. And a heck of a lot of parents rush out and buy the perfect and pricey hunter/western pleasure/dressage prospect, for the child...only to have the horse be ignored soon. I'd hate to see you (and Alex) do that, before you know how serious her interest is - and even more, I hate for kids to see horses as an easily upgradeable piece of sports equipment. I think they should be taught to value their commitment to their own animal unless/until the match truly isn't right, or if the horse is dangerous. Who knows, in a year or so she may realize she'd rather "do" something like trail ride, or enter trials or trail classes on Gat - who just might excel at that sort of thing. I'd prefer to see the kid modify their own interests slightly to suit what their horse can do well, rather than always feel they have to get a "better" horse to keep up with little Susie Jones. In the meantime, there's a lot of fun to be had in the right circumstances with the "perfect" little pony she has right now, and maybe showing in a couple of cross rail classes will be just great. In that light, Alex could well serve as an example to some of the other kids in her group - valuing her relationship with her horse more than ribbons and glory. That's what REALLY matters here, right? :) Please tell Alex that Emily and Thunder had a few unpleasant moments along the way too. If we were closer, Emily and I would come to her next show and cheer them own...ribbons or no ribbons, they deserve a lot of credit for all they are doing right. Another hint Emily's trainer gave us early on. Enter fewer classes than you think she can handle - even one or two can be plenty. Many times (here anyway - check and see what's customary in your area) you can enter a class up until a few minutes before the class begins. If they do well in the first class, MAYBE consider adding a class or two, but tell her not to let herself continue on if she and Gat are not in a positive and happy state of mind. Better to have one good class than a string of upsetting classes like she had. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
