From 'Fraidy Cat Eventing:
What is your favorite ribbon / prize / award that you've won in relation to horses? Is there a story behind it? Or was it a bucket list prize you'd been chasing for ages? It doesn't have to be from a traditional horse show, and ribbons that are the favorite bc they are the prettiest are just as awesome as awards with a great story.
Oh boy I've got a good story. At our very first registered horse trial, Hemie and I came away with a beautiful satin ribbon, a reserve champion team neck ribbon, and a prize of Daniel Stewart's "Pressure Proof Your Riding" disk.
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| USEA ribbons are lovely! |
"Wow! You must have had an amazing performance for your first registered HT to come home with such loot!" you may say.
Yes. It was amazing. Amazingly bad.
Stadium wasn't the only bad phase. Dressage was full of cross cantering and voluntary half-tempi-changes, and XC had several "exit stage left" moments and time penalties (yes, time penalties in INTRO!).
For obvious reasons, we came in last place at this show. It just so happened that there were only 8 competitors in my division, so even last place was good enough for a lovely ribbon. Plus the show happened to be the Area VI adult team challenge. The organizers had put me on a team (I didn't sign up for it - didn't want my score bringing anyone else down lol) so since there were only 2 teams, I got the reserve champion team neck ribbon and prize.
I look back on that show smiling and shaking my head. I learned a lot from the experience. And it serves as a reminder that sometimes ribbons are more about circumstances than they are about performance. Though I truly am proud that we finished with a placing versus getting eliminated.
If you want the full story on that show, here's the full recap post, and here are the full videos for each phase:
Stadium
Cross-Country
Dressage
that is some LOVELY satin... and also a pretty good example of why satin doesn't come close to telling the whole story lol. nice job getting a completion out of him tho - that definitely took some grit and determined riding!
ReplyDeleteAt least you learned AND got pretty satin!
ReplyDeleteNeck ribbons are always fun. Sometimes the lessons learned to get them are the best!
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA! I know that feeling well. We are frequently the only entry. I have millions of ribbons for that very same reason. I always tell myself that at least I showed up and beat all those who were too chicken to take on the day. Congratulations! :0)
ReplyDeleteBrown ribbons are the color of chocolate. Your GIFs are awesome and I want to make some of my own. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's horse showing! Almost all of my favorite and most memorable ribbons are not championship ribbons or even first places
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