My regular business blog, Facebook and twitter readers will know that between the practice of law, the reading list, the books I write, the speeches I give and the blogs I write for you guys I often do Boy Scouts, Travel, and Horse Shows with the kids.  I’m going to Iceland with Alex, to do salmon fishing. I’m figuring out where Josh and I are going, and I go to both English and Western shows for Jamie who rides for Washington College.

Several of you have remarked that it seems to take a long time at these shows.  well…they are complex.  The kids on the team get up very early and go to the barn.

They don’t ride their own horses, even if they have one, since the rules require them to draw a mount. They often have more than one show per weekend and they still have to do all of their school work.  Or at least that is what I am told.

There is a lot to it.  To show you, I recorded little clips of the process which often takes all day (from 4;30 or 5:00 am until dark.

Let’s look in.

This is Jamie. She’s getting ready to ride against Penn, The University of Delaware, Drexel University and others in Pennsylvania. She rides for Washington College.

Here’s the list of competitors listed by Bernie:

I’m silly and trying to trick Jamie. She doesn’t fall for it. she’s looking at the course before she gets ready to ride.

I forgot that Valley Forge Military Academy is there too. Everyone is starting to get dressed and ready. It’s 7:30 to 8:00 am
And this cadet has shiny boots

Jamie is staring to get dressed as her time to ride gets near.

A quick view of other school riders looking to see what horses they have draw to ride and a look at the diagrams of the course.
Jumping is first and then the flat competition.

Meanwhile, Jamie is still getting ready.

Now it’s time for the number, the hairnet and the helmet…still getting ready It’s almost 9:00 am

Time for the riding boots too.

A quick look at the equipment

Finally it’s almost time. Last min. check of the helmet. “I look funnier than other people…”

Here’s the first ride over fences. As a novice rider they fences are probably 2 1/2 feet.

And the results are… Jamie gets fourth? Wait it gets better.

so we still have the “flat classes” and then a western show the next day. They will be part two.
But you are starting to get the feel. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for the next equestrian installment.