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!

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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