targetsmom
Well-Known Member
So this story has taken a very weird turn but I thought I would share what I learned because I think some of you will find the info helpful.
Since the original post when I asked about what cart to use at the Eastern Championship show, - and just after we entered Princess in a whole bunch of classes including the Classic Pleasure Driving Class - we some some bad luck and changed our plans. Well, to be honest, I chickened out... So we decided we would forfeit our entries and go back to Plan A, which was a New England Pinto Show this past Saturday (Aug 14, and hubby's 60th BD). We decided to take Gary's favorite mini, Ruby, for him to show. Both he and Ruby have shown some but are real novices. For the driving classes, we decided that I would drive Ruby in a couple, we would have Princess all harnessed, swap the cart over on a 2 minute tack change, and drive Princess in the last 2 classes (they all run back to back). Things went more or less as planned, with Ruby behaving pretty well and chalking up more ring experience and Princess doing well, but nowhere near as great as she did at the previous show.
So, as we are all packed up and leaving the show, we happened to encounter the FOUR judges, all eating supper. The ring steward was nearby so we asked if it would be OK to ask the judges why Gary got DQd in the trail classes, since neither of us had a clue. The judges were great and explained why - he put his hand on the halter without realizing he did it! As we were thanking them, one of them said in a very excited voice "Do you know what you have there in Number 28 (Princess)?" He asked if we knew about the Classic Pleasure Driving Class in AMHA!!! These were also AMHA judges and apparently they had been talking about her as a prime example of a Classic Pleasure Driving horse!!!! All four were practically gushing over her - her long, flat-kneed stride, the way she can move out when asked... they just loved her!! They also suggested that I not hold her back (remember she had NO WARM UP so I was using half halts like crazy after that quick tack change), which probably explains why we didn't place higher.
So, WITHOUT EVEN GOING TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW, I probably learned more from that chance encounter with the AMHA judges than I would have if I had traveled to Ohio. Also, a huge lesson in not being afraid to approach a judge for a "teaching moment". And all those who commented that you thought Princess was a good example of the new Classic Class, I guess you were right!! She apparently looked like these recent photos at the show Saturday (according to Gary).
Oh, yes, and the helmet strap was fixed and not dangling- thanks again for that helpful comment. I doubt I was concentrating enough on my posture though!!
Since the original post when I asked about what cart to use at the Eastern Championship show, - and just after we entered Princess in a whole bunch of classes including the Classic Pleasure Driving Class - we some some bad luck and changed our plans. Well, to be honest, I chickened out... So we decided we would forfeit our entries and go back to Plan A, which was a New England Pinto Show this past Saturday (Aug 14, and hubby's 60th BD). We decided to take Gary's favorite mini, Ruby, for him to show. Both he and Ruby have shown some but are real novices. For the driving classes, we decided that I would drive Ruby in a couple, we would have Princess all harnessed, swap the cart over on a 2 minute tack change, and drive Princess in the last 2 classes (they all run back to back). Things went more or less as planned, with Ruby behaving pretty well and chalking up more ring experience and Princess doing well, but nowhere near as great as she did at the previous show.
So, as we are all packed up and leaving the show, we happened to encounter the FOUR judges, all eating supper. The ring steward was nearby so we asked if it would be OK to ask the judges why Gary got DQd in the trail classes, since neither of us had a clue. The judges were great and explained why - he put his hand on the halter without realizing he did it! As we were thanking them, one of them said in a very excited voice "Do you know what you have there in Number 28 (Princess)?" He asked if we knew about the Classic Pleasure Driving Class in AMHA!!! These were also AMHA judges and apparently they had been talking about her as a prime example of a Classic Pleasure Driving horse!!!! All four were practically gushing over her - her long, flat-kneed stride, the way she can move out when asked... they just loved her!! They also suggested that I not hold her back (remember she had NO WARM UP so I was using half halts like crazy after that quick tack change), which probably explains why we didn't place higher.
So, WITHOUT EVEN GOING TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW, I probably learned more from that chance encounter with the AMHA judges than I would have if I had traveled to Ohio. Also, a huge lesson in not being afraid to approach a judge for a "teaching moment". And all those who commented that you thought Princess was a good example of the new Classic Class, I guess you were right!! She apparently looked like these recent photos at the show Saturday (according to Gary).
Oh, yes, and the helmet strap was fixed and not dangling- thanks again for that helpful comment. I doubt I was concentrating enough on my posture though!!
