Paints Plus Valentine's Horse Show

Arriving at the Paints Plus Valentine’s Horse Show brought back many memories for me of competing with my gelding in our early days, back when it was the Colchester Stables Valentine’s Horse Show. I had especially fond memories of winning the High Bar with him and bringing home many trophies, trophies which still stand proudly on my desk. Fun shows like these were such a great opportunity for me to test my skills and grow as a young rider, gaining confidence and memories that I will hold onto forever. I was thrilled to be returning after all these years to capture all the new memories that the young riders would be making today.

The riders entered the ring for 11:30, starting with the 18”/2’0 hunter division. The class was filled with new horses and new riders alike, testing their abilities in the show ring, many for the first time. It was a kind and welcoming atmosphere for everyone and there was plenty of laughter and smiles from everyone in the ring. One of the horses was a coming 5 year old who I had known when he was just born and hadn’t seen since, I barely recognized him as he was now greying out from his original bay coat but it was such a joy to see him and so many other familiar faces.

Next was the 2’3 hunter division, such a large class that it had to be split into two groups. There was again many familiar faces in this group, some lesson horses that I recognized from Colchester and some old friends. Some in this group reminded me of a younger self and of my gelding, their horses taking the definition of hunter rather liberally and racing against the clock. Not all horses are suited for the subdudness of a true hunter course, but at a fun show, none of that really matters! I always thought jumpers were more fun anyways. Still, everyone rode beautifully and I saw so many smiling riders, which is what counts the most!

The 2’6 class was last and was a wonderful group to watch! There were some experienced riders on new horses and some very competent young riders on older horses. A good friend of mine, Haileigh was competing on her new mare Juno and won the 2’6 Division Champion. It was wonderful to see her doing so well with her new mount! All the riders were impressive to watch in the 2’6 Division, and in the whole show and it really came across the diversity of horses and riders. No matter where you are in your riding journey or where your horses is at in their training, fun shows are such an amazing opportunity to get out there, try something new, test your skills and have fun, because at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about!

Finally, the High Bar, the excitement of the day that everyone was waiting for! A large group of riders was narrowed down to only 4 in the first two rounds and then it seemed these 4 were very evenly matched, for the next couple rounds anyways. At the final height, there was 1 run out, 2 knockdowns and 1 clear winner! Avia and Breeze cleared the 3’9 vertical and took away the winners trophy! Before their last round, Breeze wouldn’t stand still and was pawing at the dirt and reminded me very much of my own high-strung gelding. I like to think it takes a certain kind of horse to win a High Bar, one with a bit of fire in it’s heart, with a bit of attitude. No horse is going to jump that just because you tell them, they have to want to win it too and Breeze certainly had the heart of a winner.

I don’t think I’ve ever been to a show before this where no one fell off, so kudos to all the riders for their skill and their stick in the saddle! Congratulations to everyone who competed on excellent rides, you all did wonderful and I hope to see you at more shows this Summer!