U.S. Nationals IV

U.S. Nationals Checklist:

1. Get out of School

2. Arrive in Tulsa

3. Get settled and practice

4. Shower horses with treats

5. Make my cut

6. Witness a "ride off"

7. Ride to a Top Ten

 

This fine list of accomplishments above are the products of my first year at U.S. Nationals. All in all, I think it's safe to say that it was a major success. I am so pleased with my rides, proud of my horses, and honored that I was chosen top ten in both of my English classes. Pretty amazing!  

Wednesday, I rode Ames Celebration to a top ten in  the purebred English maturity class after riding him a total of less than 10 times, and only showing him twice at the Minnesota Fall Fest show. So, as you might guess, we had a couple bobbles in the class. Those canter departures are simply tortuous for a young horse and his new rider! But I won the favor of two judges, sending me back into the arena with a top ten. I feel so very proud of the little man and look forward to a promising future with him with the gracious help of Leah Boyd and Cedar Ridge team.

My second final, the half Arabian English 18-39, was today, and from what I'm told, was one of the most exciting classes of the show. I was well aware of the horse power that would fill up the class and really, I was just glad to be a part of it. The big trotting beauties powered around the arena, feeding off the energy of the crowd and tiring out their riders at the same time. I'm hoping that I wasn't the only one who felt all sorts of relieved when we were called to line up! But the class only got better from this point on. After we lined up, brief confusion and a quiet judge's conference led to two incredible horses, Papa Rhazi and Polkapalooza being selected to engage in a "ride off." Oh my, I couldn't have been more excited! I watched these two parade their best stuff around Ford arena, fighting for National Champion. I'm sure my mouth was wide open, but what can I say, I had the best seat in the house! As soon as this contest was over and scores tallied, out into the paddock we went for a few more moments of uncertainty. My trainer Deb and I both screamed in excitement as my number was announced, something I would have never dreamed about attaining when we bought him last March as a rough project who had yet to amount to much and would take a lot of "time, patience, and getting to know one another" to get anywhere. It's amazing how far he's come under Deb's training. I'm so proud of my 'Big Taco' and what a fun horse he has become for me!

With two full days of classes of Nationals yet to go, there is still a lot of excitement left. I better live up this heavenly horse show vacation, I know it will be over all too soon!

http://ahtimes.com

U.S. Nationals III

After being in Tulsa for a few days now, the toughest part of the show is behind me... My first class. It was the half Arabian English 18-39, and I must confess, I was a bit nervous. When it comes to showing, nerves are something I never like to admit to having. I consider myself a very laid-back person, and I really try to remain cool and collected when I ride. But in this particular situation, I am allowing myself to divulge the fact that I, Kara Larson, was nervous for my first class at U.S. Nationals. Can you blame me though? I've been out of the big time show circuit since Youth Nationals in 2008, so I'm a few years rusty. Getting back on subject, I was in section B of an incredibly solid group of English horses, and as soon as Taco and I trotted through the gate, my nerves floated away. We flew around the arena... seriously, we did our fair share of passing. What can I say, I like to go fast! As the class rolled on, I will say that the combination of an increasingly strong horse and the sizable amount of time per gait lead to one very exhausted girl (right arm especially) by the time the class was over. But it was all worth it when I was announced as a finalist... Whew! Thursday afternoon is the final; what an entertaining class that will be!

http://ahtimes.com

U.S. Nationals II

Monday of U.S. Nationals was another fun, yet ride free day for me. I spent the majority of the day browsing in the Shopping Expo, watching classes, and spending time with my horses.

One thing I can never resist checking out at the beginning of a national event is the most beautiful room at the show/my dream personal trophy room. This room that holds the most coveted and prestigious prizes of the show... If you don't know what I'm talking about yet, I'll just let the picture speak for itself.

Just as one would expect, there were some pretty amazing classes to watch today. The horses at the show are definitely not lacking in the talent or beauty department, and it certainly shows in the classes. Although there were simply too many awesome classes to mention, there are a few that stick out in my mind from the day. Some of these include Dick Ames's win in the Pleasure Driving, the purebred English Junior horse sections (partly because my horse made the cut!), the Half-Arabian English 40 and over, and needless to say, the amateur purebred park headlined by the amazing Mandalay Bay and reserve winner Starlight. 

This being my first U.S. Nationals, I've never before been to a show where there were absolutely no youth exhibitors. I must say it's pretty nice change to know that nearly everyone showing is older than me. And I mean that in the best possible way! I look forward to the halter classes starting tomorrow, and oh, finally getting to show as well! Wish me luck... I may need it!

http://ahtimes.com

U.S. Nationals I

After weeks, months, even years of eager anticipation, U.S. Nationals 2011 is finally upon us. I've been hoping to attend this show since aging out in 2008 and this year, I somehow wrangled my way out of a busy college schedule and down to Tulsa for some much needed horse show bliss. Even though Tulsa coldly welcomed me and my mom with a tornado warning, hail, and lightning that kept us circling above the airport for far longer than anticipated, we made it safely to ground level, and ventured straight to the Expo after.

 

After visiting my two boys, Ghazpacho 'Taco', and Ames Celebration 'Smelly,' I was immediately reminded just how excited I was to be able to show at U.S. I look forward to a week of riding, showing, watching classes of the most talented horses in America, and taking everything else U.S. Nationals has to offer me! More show updates are soon to come... I encourage all to watch the live feed at http://www.arabianhorseglobal.com/. Enjoy!

Taco

Smelly

http://ahtimes.com

The Beauty of the Industry

I was asked not too long ago what I love most about the Arabian industry... And it really got me thinking about what this industry has done for me in my 15 years of being a part of it. Wow, 15 years. Considering I'm only 21, it's obvious to say that I've spent my fair share on the back of a horse. In these years, showing horses has become a major part of who I am. It's something that I've loved since day one, at the spunky age of six, when I had no idea what role Arabians would end up playing in my life. The horses, the clothes, and the stakes have changed since the beginning, but ultimately, the happiness and the sense of being a part of something so great has never faded for me.

Every time I'm out at the barn, I think about how lucky I am to have had the opportunity to grow up with and show horses all my life. I cannot imagine my life without my beautiful, goodhearted, and hard working Arabian steeds that have helped me through so much. Without them, I would be a miserable sap with some other worthless hobby, fading away... Okay, I think you get the point.

To me, the industry is so much more than a circuit of shows to go to and talented horses and exhibitors from across the nation to meet, it has helped shaped me into the person I am today. Without the Arabian horse industry fighting to keep the breed alive and touching hearts all around the world, my and so many other lives wouldn't be the same. And that's what brings the people together. The common love of the Arabian horse. I've got it. You've got it. Ask the guy to your right--he's got it too. The Arabian brought us together, now it's our job to keep the breed going with prestige.

http://ahtimes.com

Dreamy Getaways I

When I see pictures of beautiful destinations around the world, my first thought is always how amazing it would be go on a trail ride there. There's no better way to take in and appreciate nature than from the back of a horse. It would make everything that much more incredible and authentic feeling, not to mention the view has to be unbelievable from a higher vantage point. I am currently on the search for these views in some of the prime trail ride spots around the world. First stop in the journey around the world is South Africa.

http://ahtimes.com/

Pasture Ponies

One cloudy fall day, I spent the afternoon with my family's "retired show horses" in our pasture at home. The first of these boys is a crisp white National Champion halter gelding named Laamaj. The second is Laamaj's best friend and my first horse, Justin Kitabask aka "Justi". As I stepped into the pasture, they happily walked up to me and soon welcomed all the attention I was giving them. They stretched out their 20+ year old necks as I scratched their withers and under their bellies, and were even happier when I gave them some grain to nibble on. They're such sweet old boys and my family loves having this pair of handsome Arabian geldings decorating our home pasture.