Melonhead's Blogs

Yes we actually made it! After a year of talking about it we actually made it to the second annual three phase event! The three phase event is a gaited versatility challenge in which horses compete in three different events: dressage, stadium trail, and a cross country trail phase--at the end of which all scores are combined for the winning places much like a three day event (except with trail obsticles replacing the jumps). Let me start out by saying Ive loved the concept of this show since I first heard of it, however it was truely the people who put on the show that made it so much better then I could have ever dreamed. The show was run by the united mountain horse organizatin at their beautiful new facility. (I recommend if you ever get a chance to show there, take it!). When I decided to go to the show I didnt think there was anything to gain from it (coming from saddlebred circuit I was expecting a ribbon...maybe?). It turned out they offered prize money AND a week or so befor the show we found out that we won a free hotel room for the duration of the show for being the competator who hauled horses the furthest (lol, my moms favorite award I like to win ^_^)  ok, now on to the show itself. I found out about the show via an article in horse illustrated last year, and have been wanting to try it ever since. so after the end of last season I started emailing Margo, the show manager, about the show, with questions about what to expect, what to bring...(youd think she would have been sick of me by the time i got to the show lol.) however I was nowhere neared prepared for what I walked into. As we drove into the show grounds I laid eyes on what could quite possibly be the most amazing trail course I had ever seen! there were L backs, straight backs made of large wooden boxes, a multi tere platform, mail boxes, a real metal gate,a semi circle side pass pole, a real bridge over water...I could go on and on listing off what was in this ring . It was amazing. After we unloaded the horses on friday my mom and I got to exhibit both horses in the parade of breeds (we were the only saddlebreds) for the governer of kentucky's wife. It was really cool to see all the different gaited horses that come out to the show, tenesse walkers, mountain horses, mccurdy horses. The governer's wife is collecting water from all of the cities in kentucky to be poured into the fountain in the kentucky horse park for the WEG in 2010 and the city of Winchester chose this show to present theres.Now, if I havent mentioned it already, this show was my first time going to kentucky...ever. lol, so it was a really cool "welcome to kentucky". On Saterday we showed the horses in two of the the three phases, the dressage and stadium, as well as a few other dressage tests. I over booked myself as usual and stumbled through all the patterns buuut we made it through and it was blast! Steel scored a 61.78% on her dressage phase, and for her extra tests she scored a 60% on intro test b and a 62% on training level test 4, (she actually won the preliminary trot division of the three phase event!). Melonhead scored a 54.78% on his dressage phase as a gaited horse (mel showed the three phase event as a gaited horse with the amble replacing his trot). and he scored a 64.8% on training test 4 as a trot horse. After the show I went and walked the cross country course...apparently I never took the saying "the hills of kentucky"  to heart. when i got to the drop down into the creek I almost died! I was scared to death, it had been several years since I had been on trail, and never had i gone off roading with either horse! lol. But my goodness was it beautiful! I opted not to take melonhead on the cross country course, seeing as hes ever so uncoordinated and has an innate fear of water...However I couldnt resist taking my mare out. The course was 3.78 miles with markers we had to collect on the course as well as trail obsticle course we had to get to through at the end. I was sooo much fun. once we crossed the creek for the first time (and my mare made it across much better then i had the day befor on foot, lol) I got to relax and enjoy the ride. Theres no better way to see kentucky then on the back of a horse. It was so green!. By the end of the show I was convinced that competitive trail riding was my mares new calling! lol.  I honestly cant say enough about this show. Whether you come to watch or come to show, I deffinitely think everyone should come and see it atleast once. If you want more information about the show you can check out www.threephaseevent.com or contact margo or kristie for more info on sponsorships or questions about competing.

Illinois American Saddlebred Pleasure Horse Association

2007 Season High Point Horse and Rider Combination 18 and Over

2007 Season Champion Hunter Hack

2007 Season Champion Owner-Trainer Rider

Hey everybody, Here are my show results so far for this year, Ill update it every so often so you can see how Ive been doing this season!

UPHA Chapter 10 Liberty B Horse Show

2nd Show/Country Pleasure Owner-Trainer Rider

2nd Saddlebred Hunter on the Flat

3rd Saddle and Bridle Huntseat Classic

7th Working Pleasure

 

Mid Illinois Charity Horse Show

1st Saddle and Bridle Huntseat Classic

2nd Saddlebred Hunter on the Flat

 

Tri Star IDCTA Schooling Show

1st Training Level Test 1, 58.12%

 

IASPHA Spring Show

1st Pleasure OTR

1st Hunter on the Flat

3rd Pleasure OTR (day 2)

 

MGM Spring Horse Show

2nd Hunter on the Flat

2nd Saddle and Bridle Huntseat Classic

 

Illinois Pinto Show (4 Judges)

Unanimous Pleasure/Saddle Type Halter, All Ages/Sexes Champion

Unanimous Pleasure/Saddle Type Halter Gand Champion

Tobiano Color Halter, 6th, 7th

YA Ideal Pinto English, Unanimous 3rd

 

DeEquus All English Horse Show

1st Hunter on The Flat

2nd Hunter WT one jump 18"

2nd Saddle and Bridle Five Gaited Horsemanship

 

Mid America Signature Horse Show

1st Country Pleasure Hunter

3rd Country Western Pleasure Junior/Novice Horse

5th William Shatner Western Pleasure

 

Glen Valley Classic Horse Show

1st $150 Huntseat Stake

1st Country Pleasure AOTR

3rd Hunter on The Flat

3rd William Shatner Working Western Pleasure (with Amanda Pranger)

4th Junior/Novice Western Pleasure

 

IASPHA Summer Show

1st Show/Country Pleasure OTR (As a Saddleseat Horse)--Day 1

1st Show/Country Pleasure OTR (As a Huntseat Horse)--Day 2

3rd Hunter on The Flat

5th William Shatner Western Pleasure

ASAW Summerfun Horse Show

4th-Hunter on the Flat

Madison Invitational

2nd-Open Huntseat Pleasure Horse

6th-ASB Western Pleasure

IASPHA Fall Horse Show

1st Pleasure OTR (Day 1)

1st Pleasure OTR (Day 2)

2nd Hunter on the Flat

United Classic Morab Nationals

1st Country Pleasure OTR

1st ASB Hunter on the Flat

1st ASB Hunter Championship

St. Louis National Charity

8th ASB Country Pleasure Hunter Section 1