The Competition

Leaving for the competition

Friday morning before we left for the long drive to eastern Oregon, Gabrielle gave Faith her last bath.  She spent a great deal of time scrubbing and loving on her.  I suspect that she was talking to her and telling her to be a good girl and that she promised to give her to a good home.

As Gabrielle walked Faith to the trailer Beau came to say goodbye to his favorite lady.  Beau joined our herd one week before Faith and they were stalled next to each other.  Needless to say, they bonded. 

Faith loaded as faithful as ever, not having a clue about the changes ahead of her and all that we would ask her to do.  The first request is to ride for 7 hours on a hot day.

At one of the rest stops, Gabrielle decided that it would be nice to let Faith stretch her legs. 

Here she took her for a jog only feet from a highway and Faith stayed completely focused on Gabrielle and as rock solid as ever. 

Once we got to the Yamhill County Fairgrounds we were told by some other participants that there were swimming pools to practice with as there would be a water obstacle during the challenge.  Gabrielle decided to have Faith completely check out the pool. 

Faith was still hot even though she had already drank quite a bit.  She thought the pool was a wonderful water trough. 

With a little bit of work, she stepped into the pool . . .  and continued to drink.  (BTW there was no water obstacle, but this was a fun exercise any way.  Just shows that she is a calm and even tempered horse to be able to do this after traveling so long.)

Competition Day

Here is Faith's stall complete with decorations.

Gabrielle's KVEW interview played all during the competition and was commented on quite a bit by many.

Pictures of Faith, the newspaper articles and all the promotional materials used during the previous 98 days were on display.

I did get a chance to help Gabrielle with her hair before the competition began.

All the teens lined up before showmanship to have their horses' body condition judged by two vets.

Faith was viewed by one vet as being nicely conditioned if a little underweight.  The second vet felt she was more underweight than the other.  I say she has a high metabolism.  She was fed well and out in the field all day to eat. 

After body condition judging the teens competed in showmanship.  I have no pictures because I video taped her performance.  I surprised at the number of horses that bucked, reared and struck during this time.  (One of these horses actually placed higher over all than Gabrielle.  Not sure how that works but then I am not a judge.)

Prior to the in hand trail portion, the teens walked the course and were told what they were to do at each obstacle.

For the Y they were to trot into one side and back around to the other and walk out.  Gabrielle really enjoyed this one and Faith never touched a single log unlike most of the other competitors.

At the end of the trail course each contestant had 2 minutes to perform a freestyle routine.  Gabrielle led Faith by a rope around a front leg, swung the rope around Faith and threw it over her, laid her down and shot a cap gun off.  Several contestants attempted to lay their horses down, but Gabrielle was the only to succeed.  Most showcased how they had desensitized their horses to tarps, large balls and could lunge and jump.

Following in hand trail, the results of each portion were announced.  Gabrielle and Faith placed 10 out of 20 in body condition (worth 20% of the over all score), 12 out of 20 in showmanship (worth 30% of the over all score) and 10 our of 20 for in hand trail (worth 50% of the over all score).  In the end Gabrielle and Faith were placed 15th out of 20 with a body score of 80, showmanship of 60 and in hand trail 81 and an overall score of 59.  There's some new math for you.  I am not aware of a way to weight and average three scores and come up with a score lower than any of the other three scores.

Here Gabrielle prepares to go in and have Faith auctioned.  We have all said our goodbyes.  The horses are auctioned in the order of their placings.  The auctioneer took a few moments to try to explain to the bidders that this horse had some how been placed this low but that she was a far better horse than 15th.  Gabrielle demonstrated just how light she is by leading her with one finger changing directions and placing her nose on the ground with the same finger. 

But it was too little too late and unfortunately by the time Faith came up for auction several horses had been sold for the minimum fee of $25.  This is what she was destined to sell for as no one was bidding on her.  We as a family had already agreed that we would not let her go for less than $100 because we wanted her to go to a home where she was wanted.  So the grandma's who wanted Faith to stay with Gabrielle anyway, bid and bought Faith for $100. 

While last year's experience was such a positive one this one has been very different.  I am saddened and extremely frustrated by what I witnessed in the show ring (horses that bucked and reared, blowing pattern and forgetting parts of the pattern placing higher than Gabrielle) as well as outside the ring.  I believe the placing would be vastly different if judged on actually training and not just the show ring; but then again that was not the competition.  I did however have a lady catch me in the bathroom and comment on how well Gabrielle was doing and on her great attitude.  She was disappointed that a girl she was helping was not exhibiting such attitudes.  She said she wished that she could sponsor Gabrielle but felt it would be a conflict but wanted me to know how she felt. 

Even still, Gabrielle has learned so much and gained so much experience and confidence that I can't say that I regret participating in the past two years.  God is working this for good.  I just hope that she gets enough people asking her to start their horses here that she will be too busy to travel so far. 

Then the pot got thickened even more last night.  A family that was interested in Faith had to leave for work before the auction and they called to see how much she sold for.  When she found out that it was only $100 she was sad because she was willing to bid up to $500 for her.  That would have been the highest bid of the auction.  $475 was the highest.  When she found out that we had bought her and brought her home, she offered to buy her from us.  I told her that it would be Gabrielle's choice since she had had such a hard weekend and the emotions of being prepared to give her up, then to bring her home, and then to have an offer come through would be hard for a teen to sort out.  She has given Gabrielle all the time she needs to decide and as of right now Gabrielle is leaning toward giving Faith the family she always hoped for her; but no final decision has been made.  (Grandmas are still offering to support Faith so Gabrielle can keep her.)

So this story is not yet finished.  I will keep this blog going and updated as the life of Faith continues to unfold. 

Stay tuned . . . . . .

August 26, 2011

Arrival

We have finally arrived at the hotel.  This is 3 hours earlier than last year and Faith's stall is decorated.  Well at least as decorated as we are going to get.

The highlight of the day's travel would have to be when Gabrielle got Faith out at a rest stop and walked her around.  Two dogs had more trouble with her than Faith did with anything including the fact that Gabrielle trotted her beside the highway with only a few yards of grass and a fence seperating them from the cars. 

We are all excited, tired and nervous about tomorrow.  I know both girls will do well, it is just so many of the other teens are from here and have been training together.  Well, tomorrow will come ready or not and they have put in many hours and hopefully it will show. 

until tomorrow . . . . goodnight.

August 25, 2011

Teen Mustang Challenge Bound

The competition is close at hand and soon we will find out if all the hard work Gabrielle has put into Faith will bring fruit. 

If I can read Gabrielle correctly her top goal and priority was to start Faith with solid basics and fantastic horsmanship and to find the best home for Faith that she could possibly find.  (I know she has accomplished the first part)

The second goal would be to place in the top 5 and then of course she would really like to win the whole competition. 

I would say wish us luck but honestly I hope we have had wisdom in what has been taught, and that both girls are able to show what they have learned and can do together.  I will post highlights and results just as soon as possible. 

Until then . . . . happy trails.

August 14, 2011

CRUNCH TIME

Now is the time that Gabrielle has been working on fine tuning all the things she has taught and worked on with Faith.  Things such as side passing.  Now instead of the rope halter, Gabrielle is using the leather halter that she will use during the competition. 

In typical Faith fashion, she does all that Gabrielle asks her as if they have only been practicing with the leather halter.  Last year Gabrielle never was able to get to side passing over obstacles and had to skip that part of the in hand trail competition. 

So many 4-Hers would like to have their large domestic horses side passing this nicely over a pole.  Gabrielle never has to touch Faith with her free hand. 

 

Here they are walking over the pole but just moments later they were jogging over it. 

The team is working on putting final touches on the freestyle part of the competition as well.  It would be so much easier if Gabrielle also wasn't preparing to start high school, attending marching band practice, registering for high school soccer and getting ready for our local fair with her large horses.  She will be gaming, jumping, showing English and Western in 4-H classes and in open classes.  She is one very busy teenager!!!  (of course this means that I am one busy mom.)

August 6, 2011

FIRST TRAIL RIDE

Today Faith practiced trailer loading and unloading in a different trailer. She hopped right in and was a little concerned backing out since the new trailer was bigger. She kept thinking she should be ready to step down and she had more backing to do first.  Gabrielle lead her in 2 or 3 times and backed her out.  She became comfortable and then Gabrielle sent Faith into the trailer while she stayed standing outside.  Faith followed the feel and loaded right up.  What an AWESOME horse!!!!!

During the trail ride Faith was exposed to birds flying up from her feet, a deer jumping up and running by us as well as a large pelican flying over head.  She noticed each one but never once jumped or spooked.  She was a cool as a cucumber. 

This was the first time for Gabrielle to pony a horse behind her horse AJ.  They both did a great job and Faith stayed very respectful of spacing.  She did not crowd or push on AJ.  It was also clear from the ride that she is very aware of her feet and where they are at all times.  She was very sure footed.  I can only hope that in 20 days we are able to see her leave and join a family that will appreciate all that she has to offer. 

August 4, 2011

Buck Brannaman Clinic

Last weekend Gabrielle spent four days riding in a Buck Brannaman clinic with her horse AJ that she and her dad started and exclusively trained.  This was the second time she has ridden in Buck's clinic and she continues to grow as a trainer and rider.

Hot August Nights

Faith joined our family on a night out at a local schooling show.

She was exposed to lots of large signs and loud speakers as well as lots of commotion.  In typical Faith style she handled it all with poise and grace.  Here Gabrielle practiced sending exercises past the large signs. 

While many riders warmed up for their classes, Gabrielle and Faith worked on exercises of their own.  Faith stayed tuned in to Gabrielle and calm through it all. 

Faith is trotting with Gabrielle now beautifully and tucks and stops whenever Gabrielle stops.

Even with all the activity going on, Faith is calm and secure enough to lower her head to the ground when asked.