Hauling a Pony to California - March 2010

Well, this was our first road trip to a POA show. We headed off to CA for the Southwest Regional. California's POA club is pretty small so it really seemed like a regular AZ show. Here's Sierra and Marley getting ready to start the first day.

The boys came along with us. They played a lot of games on their ds'. Grandpa Niles and Grandma Cake came up from San Clemente to watch the show. Zane and Wes were lucky enough to go home one night with them. They got to see the beach and had a great time. Todd's Aunt Georgia, Uncle Skip, and cousin Kim came one day. Todd's stepbrother and his wife came one day too. It was so nice to see everyone and so nice of them to come watch Sierra.
Sierra started off the day with halter and showmanship. The judge let her know that her pony had a poor shaving job. OOPS. And, really he did. Sierra decided last minute to try and do it. But, that really hurt in these classes. So, she earned a 2nd out of 2 in Halter. oh well. learning experience. But, she got a 2nd out of 6 in showmanship so that was better. Unfortunately, I think the judge's comment really bothered her and she wasn't in the best of moods the rest of the day. Plus, now that she is 13 I think she thinks she is supposed to be moody. hee hee. What's up with that? (Her teacher is currently working on teaching her how not to get so frustrated when things aren't going right. She has to know how to PATIENTLY and QUIETLY correct her pony. Not that I know how to do that...but it's necessary in the showing world...so that teenage moodiness has no place here:).
Sierra got a 4th out of 4 in Bareback. OUCH. (I think she corrected her pony in a not-so-g00d way) In Western Horsemanship she earned 2nd out of 7 and the same for Western Pleasure. Overall it wasn't horrible. But after her last show of almost all first places in Western, she was getting more and more frustrated. ugh. I know she needs to take it seriously and be competitive in order to prepare for the big shows but I also remind her that we are doing this for the LOVE of RIDING. Enjoy it. Learn to shake it off and say "oh well" if things don't go so well. It's a good life lesson overall, right? ...not just for showing.
Here, Lindsay has her running through the trail course to make sure she understands it.

YAY! She came out with a 1st out of 7 in her age group. Buster knows how to do it, Sierra just has to take it nice and slow and patiently!

Nice to see some smiles. It was kind of a tough day:) Marley and Sierra after a long day of showing.

The next day was english and gaming.

She ended up with 2nds out of 3 for all jumping courses. We are working on that form!

In the above picture, she should have been a lot farther up over his withers ...as far as I understand it:).
As usual, gaming is always fun for her. She relaxes. She doesn't have to worry about "quiet" hands...just watching where she is going and keeping control of that pony! She earned seven first places in gaming! Way to race, Sierra!
Overall, another win for "High Point". Buster is truly a great all around pony! (meaning some ponies excell in just one area, but Buster can do many. We are so grateful to have him. Diana (the trainer) says to give it a year... meaning the partnership of the rider and pony to sync. We are excited for all Sierra can learn!)

It was my first real road trip hauling a pony over state lines. My first of many.... It went pretty well. Buster does great and so did the kids (thanks to a dvd player in the car:). And thanks to Grandpa and Grandma for taking the boys for a night. They had a great time and it was a nice break for the boys from the pony show.