Youth Natl's Day Two: Updates and Vlog

Howdy! I hope you're enjoying the photos and video show coverage of the 2013 Youth Nationals! The show is off to an amazing start! It's the second blog post of the show and I've got another "AHT On the Road" episode with myself and Kristin. Enjoy!

2013 Youth Natl's: Day 1 Video

Hey y'all! Kristin and I are trying to really bring the 2013 Youth Nationals to a computer near you, and in this quest, we have come up with "AHT On the Road." This is our version of live show coverage with fun interviews, documenting main events of the show, and really bringing to life the special moments of Youth beyond the great pictures we already take for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! So, if you see us walking around the show with a camera and video camera, stop us to get an interview with your friends (horse or fellow exhibitor)! Thanks and best of luck at the show!

2013 Youth Natl's: Pattern Songs

When it comes to choosing a pattern song for Youth Nationals, few riders consider the weight that such a song carries for their success. However, I'm here to tell you that it can alter the image you project, increase your "cool" factor (obviously you want to be the kid with the awesome pattern song), and most importantly, it will calm you and give you confidence as you complete the challenging patterns Youth Nationals tends to throw at you. And now that I've built this task up, I'm going to make this process a little less daunting. Your suit may fit well, your horse may be a pattern whiz, but girl (or boy), your perfect pattern song is just waiting to be found! I will begin by listing the main considerations of your search:

1. Appropriateness. This is a given. Swearing, suggestive language--just keep it clean, kids. 

2. Time and length. A pattern usually lasts no more than a minute and a half, so the beginning is all you will really hear. Sometimes the first 10 seconds really sets you up for strong impression. If your song doesn't really open up until much after that, you might want to choose another. 

3. Play it at home. Ride with your song at home. Even if it's just in the walking cool-down after your lesson. And then go home and play it. Still like it? Assess from here. 

4. Pay attention to how it makes you FEEL. Does the song make you happy? Music is intensely linked to memory and offers one of the quickest ways to access to emotion, so make sure the song is surrounded by positivity. 

5. Does it match the pace of your horse? A quick-trotting horse needs a song with a similar tempo. The same goes for a quiet horse--just find a song that matches. 

6. Don't be afraid to look into the past. Just a quick question--do you think a judge would prefer a song from their own youth or a bubbly pop song that they have never heard before? This is something to keep in mind considering their opinion is a pretty vital one! 

Start with these and branch out to find your perfect match! As you can probably tell, my personal opinion falls somewhere in between a "I'm so cool and retro" choice and a "look how fresh and modern I am" option. Spotify is a great place to find these songs, similar artists, and make a playlist of potential pattern songs! I wish you luck in your quest and, of course, at Youth Nationals!

Confessions of a First Time Show Go-er: Day 4

For the Love of Arabians

Here’s the thing, I come from a world that considers paying a couple of hundred bucks for a puppy excessive. So it makes sense that this Arabian Horse Showing world seems a little bit overwhelming for the likes of me. Understand, though, that these overwhelmed feelings come from a place of admiration and respect (maybe a touch of longing jealousy, I mean… obviously). What I’ve come to realize and understand is that there is a purpose and reason behind this horse showing business. It’s not just for status (for the most part, it seems. Though, those kids probably circle around just like they do in every other business) but all of this is for the breed, those intelligent little Arabians. Listening to people talk about these most beloved animals, I get the feeling of pure, unadulterated love and passion. It reverberates through the arenas with each and every whoop and whistle, and with every loving clap, smile, and embrace around a horse’s neck when someone you love wins a championship or places top 10 or has a really good ride. That, my darling horse lovin’ friends, is what separates this from every other world I’ve visited. Sure, nice horses can be bought, but what can’t be purchased is everything else; the loving welcomes to this horse show newbie, the real soul-deep laughter shared among new friends, and the echoing happiness. The horses are what bring people into this planet within our planet; the people are what keep everyone around long term. I was allowed an all-access pass into your world, a place I’ve never seen before and might not get to see again (although, let’s be honest, I’m hooked and hope I get to come to many, many more horse shows). I’ve gotten to see the parts of the show world that not a lot of outside kids get to see and the honesty of it all is what I love the most. It’s an honest love, an honest passion, and a group of truth-telling horse lovers who are here for one thing and one thing only: the love of Arabians.

Thanks to everyone who has been so kind and gracious to me and shared their love, passion, and knowledge. I understand a lot more than I did and still have a lot more to learn, but I’m not bored yet, and I think that’s a testament to my teachers and friends. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll get to see you all around at an upcoming horse show or two!

-Lindsay

Lindsay and her new friend Kiss! 

Scottsdale 2013 IV

How is there only two days of horse show left?! Towards the end of a lengthy and incredible show like Scottsdale, I always find myself questioning where in the world the week went. The days are long, sure, but the show always seems to be over before you can process its end. The weather is back to beautiful and sunny, and Wendell is finally dry enough to show in again! At least I've been out of the blizzard-stricken Midwest for the entire week--and for that I am incredibly grateful! Here are a few superb photos of the past few days of the show... Enjoy!

Confessions of a First Time Show Go-er: Day 3

So Far, So Great

For most of you cool horse kids, walking a horse probably seems like a “no duh” situation. Like, y’all probably did that as wee children. I, however, never quite got to that point in my life. So now, my 22-year-old self walking a horse for the first time was super exciting and pretty much the highlight of my life thus far. Considering when I first arrived in Scottsdale I wasn’t even comfortable with touching a horse, walking one around (under the close supervision of her super cool trainer friend) is pretty neat, I’d say. First step... Walking. With this accomplishment under my belt, my becoming an Arabian horse expert is basically just around the corner! All kidding aside, it was a lovely experience with a lovely horse who has earned a place in my heart as the first horse I’ve ever actually liked. That’s not to say that I don’t like any other horse, they’re animals, so they’re pretty cool in my book, but this one in particular just happens to be the first one I actually felt comfortable being close to. That’s pretty special to me. 

-Lindsay

Scottsdale 2013 III

Well, it just wouldn't be the Scottsdale horse show without a little rain and a lot of mud, now would it? With a flooded dressing room, plastic covering everything, and a rampant search for umbrellas, the Scottsdale show must go on. Of course, my first class was this morning on the first (and hopefully only) rotten day of the show, but once I was in under the bright lights of the Equidome and out of the dreary day, I was instantly reminded why I love showing horses. No matter what show it is, what horse I'm on, or what the weather is like, showing Arabians will always offer me the same amount of comfort and happiness.

Whether you're down here at the show or in the comfort of your home watching the live feed, enjoy your day and your horses! And to keep your spirits up, here are some photos taken at the show of our beloved horse show dogs... Because what's a horse show without the second best animal in the world?!

Photos by Lindsay Strong

Confessions of a First Time Show Go-er: Day Two

Lingo Starr: Weird Words That Are Only Weird For a Newbie

Getting the gate sounds really violent to a kid who doesn’t know what exactly that means. I think when I first heard the phrase being used my internal reaction sounded something like “Oh no. Wait, what happens at the gate?!”

Lope. What it is: it’s basically canter for western horses. What it sounds like: Painful.

Posting. What it is: rising out of the saddle for the trot in English and Hunt classes. What it sounds like: Hanging advertisements. I first noticed it was a thing that was happening when I realized its absence from our Western riding friends.

I couldn’t possibly write about the fun (and pretty weird) lingo without mentioning all of the things different colored horses are called. I’ve pretty much mastered them at this point thanks to my incessant question asking (apologies to everyone I was around at the beginning. It was really touch and go for a while). Let’s see. We have Bey, Chestnut, Grey (even though it seems that most of them are pretty white, let’s be real), Palomino, Pinto, and Black (Fun name, creative kids).

Martingale. What it is: a piece of equipment used only for working horses in order to get better leverage and control while training. What it sounds like: A bird masquerading as a Vegas showgirl.

Surcingle. What it is: A piece of training equipment used for long lining. What it sounds like: Sir Single, the most eligible of all of the bachelors!

Green. What it is:  A word meant to describe a young and inexperienced horse. What it sounds like: A color. It might be exciting to see a horse that is literally green.

Show Hack. What it is: A class with tight white pants and far too many gaits. What it sounds like: Dangerous. Don’t do that. Just aggressive, horror movie stuff. 

-Lindsay