5 Day Challenge - Day 5

Day 5 of Fly On Over's 5 Day Challenge. Thanks again Tracy for creating this!

21. Favorite classes to watch.

• At horse trials, the highest level of cross-country offered at that competition. Exciting and inspiring. 
• At hunter/jumper shows, the crazy high jumper classes. Those horses are just amazing athletes.
• At dressage shows, the freestyles. Horse and rider dancing to music - love it!
• At saddleseat shows, the 5-gaited Open. Rack on!

22. What's in your cooler at horse shows?

• Water.
• More water.
• V8.
• Coconut creamer for my morning coffee (finding dairy-free, soy-free creamer at shows is impossible).
• Fruit, typically apples, peaches, etc. Things without peels.
• Veggies, oftentimes lettuce with cut tomatoes, with balsalmic vinegar on the side.
• Gluten-free pasta salad.
• Dolmas from the Whole Foods deli.
• Lara bars (they don't need to be cold, but I just throw them in there anyway).

23. One thing about showing (or riding in general)  you wish you could change?

I wish that show programs and premiums listed the trainer and coach for each competitor. People have to put it on their entry forms, so why not put it in the programs or premiums? It would help people learn of and evaluate trainers and coaches better.

24. Your ringside crew.

My trainer, Laurie Canty. And that's it. Sometimes I'll have family or friends come to my shows, but generally speaking they are there to watch and give moral support - not very much in the way of actual "ring crew" service. But Laurie gets in there and really helps - she helps me get ready, ponies me up the arena when needed, holds my jacket or whip or whatever, and afterwards when I'm exhausted and thirsty she always kindly starts un-tacking and even washing Hemie while I quickly cover my show clothes and grab some water.

Fermie!

Although, I must recall that I had the privilege of a groom's service at a few shows earlier this year. Fermie the fantastic. I could get used to that!

25. Best prizes.

Saddle pads. I won a pad with Spirit back in August 2011, and that was my favorite prize. Every time I used it I remembered that happy triumphant day, not to mention it's much more practical and lasts longer than other things I've won (including chocolates, grooming supplies, and horse cookies). Although winning a gift certificate to the local tack store was a nice treat this year (and quite unexpected). Hunter shows have way better prizes than horse trails. Well, actually, that may not be true, since I haven't won any horse trials yet so how would I know? Maybe I really should consider switching disciplines! 

The saddle pad we won. We got Spirit's name put on it!