Steel'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.

Mid America Spring

4th hunter on the flat

UPHA Chapter 10 Spring Show

6th Working Pleasure

Tri Star IDCTA Schooling Show

3rd, Training Level Test 2, 58.9%

IASPHA Spring Show

1st Working Pleasure

1st William Shatner Working Western Pleasure

3rd Saddle and Bridle Huntseat Classic

DeEquus All English Horse Show

1st Saddlebred Western Pleasure

Glen Valley Classic Horse Show

2nd William Shatner Working Western Pleasure

IASPHA Summer Show

1st William Shatner Working Western Pleasure

2nd Working Pleasure

5th Saddle and Bridle Huntseat Classic

Madison Invitational

3rd Open Western Novice Horse

3rd Open Huntseat Novice Horse

3rd William Shatner Western Pleasure

IASPHA Fall Show

1st Working Pleasure

2nd Saddle and Bridle Huntseat Classic

4th William Shatner Working Western Pleasure

United Classic Morab Nationals

3rd ASB Western Pleasure

St. Louis National Charity

6th ASB Open Trail

8th William Shatner Working Western Pleasure