Success at the Festival Under The Stars!

The big day or should I say BIG NIGHT finally was upon us. I had not been feeling nervous which I found surprising. I went to the barn to see how dirty the little filly had become over night. Her socks will still white and her tail was glistening from the previous day's scouring. Barn Manager had kept them on the dry lot due to all the rain the pastures were hazardous.

After checking on Josie, I took my gear up to load into Becky M.'s trailer. A very nice Featherlite straight loading step up. Very similar to my old trailer. Next, came the mare to wash off her hooves and a couple spots that were not her leopard spots in her socks. I had B load Garth first and Josie practically pushed me into the trailer so she could get in. She knows there are nummies in there.

It took us an hour. B and I passed the time swapping horse stories. About a half hour into the drive I felt the first little butterfly in the pit of my gut. I mentioned this to B and she said STOP and we laughed.

Josie unloaded and began gazing around. This is the most action she has ever seen. She was showing the whites on the tops of her eyes as she took in all the sights. I picked out her day stall. She wanted to follow me back out. No, girlie gotta get your water and some more snacks and of course our gear. A few trips later we were settled in.

We did a ground run through of our routine. Nice way to warm up trotting through the drill. Felt another butterfly but brushed it away.

Diane W was the organizer of the demonstrations rides and she called the meeting for 6:30 and we are second up. Good! Enough time to saddle and warm up a bit. As I am chilling I look up to see a hot air balloon. Hmmmm . . . Josie will be fine about that. Then I notice five more!!! Please let them leave before I mount up.

Hunted up Sarah. She had Sterling there. What a beautiful Stallion - Gypsy Vanner. No other BW folks were there. Oh, well. I am Josie's biggest fan and that is enough for both of us.

Pam showed up. She was very helpful, holding the Uber Mare while I saddled. We need to work on this some more. There was no place to tie her and I was worried about her dumping the white pad in the muck. But no worries. We got her ready to rock. Morgan was very kind and waited while I mounted and walked with Josie and I to the warm up arena. Josie was a little big but not huge. She was enamored with the Friesian Sport Horses. I don't know if it was them with their long manes and high crests or the contrast of very white and very black. She did not want to take her eyes off them. I walked for what seemed like ever and then asked for trot. When Josie didn't explode I managed to give her a few inches of rein. Ahhhhh Thank you! she seemed to settle a bit more but was still looking at those darn Friesians.

To get her attention I started circled and bending her, putting her to work. She settled in pretty well. I asked for a canter and after a half circle later I brought her down to the trot and was feeling such an amazing sense of accomplishment. I CAN do this! This had me relax a bit more. I did ask for the other lead but apparently Mare decided I was demanding and gave me nothing. I didn't want to start something so I pretended that was okay and we trotted some more and then took a break to watch the vaulters.

The Friesians came back over and Josie was turning her self inside out to watch them so I let her. Enjoy girlie girl.

Exhaling deeply we enter the arena to line up outside the ring inside the arena. White boards and letters - didn't give it a second thought. We were on the side with the seating which looked pretty filled. We are beginning. Josie was behaving like an angel. God bless her horsey soul. I sat and posted when needed. We had our best performance of our drill. Thank goodness. I was worried about elephant pile ups but it went very well. Josie who stood still in all the practices was a bit antsy at the halts. At the final halt I see my right leg is back holding her butt in place. I hugged her as we excited the arena, high-fiving my partner Alice. WE DID IT!!!

Josie didn't want her portion of the celebration beer but greatly appreciated all the treats. Oh, my girl! You so deserved it.

Life really is really good!