What Dreams are Made Of

Still doesn't feel real actually!

For the Pinnacle Circuit this year I decided to just focus on the classes I was going to show in at the L1 show the following week.  So I only showed in Horsemanship and Ranch Trail.  Ended up L1 Amateur Ranch Trail Circuit Champ!  In HMS had my best pattern to date the 1st day and ended up slowing things down a bit the 2nd day to prepare for L1 Championships.  But what made it better is the whole team won circuit awards! Much more fun to all get to celebrate together!

The 1st day of AQHA Level 1 Championships West was Amateur Performance Halter Geldings and we were 4th!!!  Off to an exciting start!

Then the next morning was Rookie Ranch Trail.  The pattern started off well, then mid course I lost my mind.  It was like my brain literally escaped the arena.  Zero idea where it went, but without it I made several inexplicably poor choices.  Fortunately, I had a mulligan that afternoon in the Amateur Ranch Trail.  I changed my shirt and decided the negative was just gonna be left with the old shirt.  Fresh shirt = fresh start.  

I knew my go was good in the Amateur Ranch Trail, but with 80+ horses making the finals was not to be taken for granted.  Being draw 15 I had the opportunity to cheer for several friends and honestly didn't feel like mine was the best of them.  But, saddled up and made the trek to the arena for the awards just in case.  I literally squealed with excitement when they called my number as a finalist.  I enjoyed the awards ceremony with my friends, but one by one their numbers were called with their placings.  Next thing I knew I was top 5!  When my number wasn't called for 5th I looked back at barn buds, Kim & Jenny, sitting in the stands directly behind me; obviously I was going to be 4th again.  But when my number wasn't called that meant I was getting a trophy!  Jenny & Kim yelled with excitement and I even did a fist pump (don’t think I’ve ever done that before)!  I even have on video the happy dance Kim did behind me (and I've watched at least 50 times).  I was the Amateur Ranch Trail Bronze Champion!

And then we had to wait 4 days til the HMS.  I felt a little guilty for Beth having to be at the show still just for me and along with that a lot of pressure.  And I didn't have a mulligan opportunity this time.  I woke up nervous!  Luckily the class was in the morning so there wasn't much waiting around.  I felt my palms get sweaty as I stood in the tunnel (I knew this was a good sign from my reining derby & futurity finals days) and Beth gave me some last encouraging words before I went in.  It just all flowed!  I stayed in the moment and executed the pattern.  I pushed and left it all in the pen.  Just lost a little connection for a few strides in the middle of the pattern, but I hoped it was enough.  I didn't have to wait long for call backs to rail work.  My number was called!  Plum was an angel and we did our thing on the rail.  Again I got to enjoy the awards with friends and again one by one their numbers were called.  Next thing I knew it was just me and one other rider on the wall.  I looked over to Beth in excitement.  She was clearly excited too.  Then my number was NOT called again!  I was the last one standing!  I had won the Amateur Horsemanship!  We took our picture and made our victory lap.  Judging by the photos of the lap I really enjoy victory laps quite a bit more than Plum does (sorry, buddy).

They had asked all the finalists from the class to stay in the arena.  And after my victory lap I went straight to Beth at the gate, but was asked not to leave.  I assumed it was for the amateur all around awards.  I knew there was a remote possibility my name could be called though it didn't seem likely since I did the minimum to qualify (just 3 classes, but there were in 3 different categories).  They called my name as Reserve Amateur All Around!!!!  The trophy was huge and the buckle was beautiful!  

I headed home from the Pinnacle Circuit and AQHA Level 1 Championships West with a circuit championship and a trophy of each color, but most importantly, a heart filled with gratitude!  Still feels like a dream!

Amateur Horsemanship Champion 

Reserve Amateur All Around

Amateur Ranch Trail Bronze Champion 

"The horse is made ready for battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord" Proverbs 21:31