Show Prep

Tomorrow is Sydney's first dressage show.  I am actually pretty darn excited about it.  

The summer series in Tehachapi is CDS-rated, but the show managers strive to keep the series fun and relaxed.  It's always a very low-key affair. The warm up is huge, and the parking is wide-open which makes it easy to give yourself lots of room, especially since most everyone ties at the trailer.

So far, all of our preparations have gone well.  Sydney is more confident off the property, and I know how to keep him relaxed and happy.  Ineke, the friend staying with the barn's owner, showed me how to pull his mane.  It's embarrassing to admit that I didn't know how to do it, but I've never needed to pull a mane.  I keep Speedy's mane long and just do a running braid for shows.  I've owned Sydney for more than a year, but pulling his mane seemed a low priority.  Until now.  It's not pulled all the way, but it's getting a little thinner.  Ineke has offered to help me braid him on Sunday morning. We'll see if it works out.

I have pretty decent times for the show.  I asked for the latest possible times as I didn't want to rush Sydney.  It takes an hour and fifteen minutes to get to Tehachapi which means I already have to leave pretty early.  The Intro tests are always first which mean they start at 8:00 a.m. or sooner.  

Do you remember Angela?  I shared her story a month or so ago.  She's showing again, but this time we're competing against one another.  I've already told her that she's a shoe-in to kick our butts!

Here are our times.  Click to enlarge.