By Jennifer Klitzke
It was a perfect autumn day, 75-degrees and sunny, and made for a wonderful schooling show at Rocking R Farm in Foley, MN. Forty-nine horses were entered in dressage, cross-country, and stadium jumping. Many horse/rider teams rode all three disciplines. Next year I hope we’ll be one of them!
Gift of Freedom, my seven-year-old Tennessee walking horse mare and I placed first and second in our Gaited First Level, Tests 1 & 2 (the only team showing in the gaited division). Our scores were 65.52% and 61.62%. Not bad considering I had a senior moment and forgot where I was in the first test. Had I continued off course, I would have completed my final halt and salute facing the wrong way! As soon as I realized my blunder, I asked if I could resume where I wandered off course. I took a deduction, but the grace offered was well received.
During our second test, Makana ran out of gas. I think I shed five pounds during my calisthenic workout in efforts to squeeze her forward. Even though the show ran two hours behind schedule, I was home before midnight (a little state fair humor).
The best news of all is that I spared my husband from watching another Viking’s loss.
Among Judge Jane Linville’s comments were “Great pair. Pleasant to watch. Continue to work for more uphill balance throughout. Horse has a sweet face and is trying very hard.” She concluded, “Lovely, harmonious test.”
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