The Piedmont All Arab was a simple and short show for us. I was the only one showing performance, while we had several horses going in halter. The day started off w/ Sarah Olajar taking in her gelding Tango. She and tango won their first class, he was the only yearling in the show, then went back in the Jr. Championship class and beat the 2yr old gelding who was being handled by a Nationally ranked handler, Ted Carson (ie. the self-styled, "5th best handler in the Nation"). Then Jennifer took Piedmont in the Sr. Gelding class and won w/ him. Both Sarah and Tango and Jenny and Piedmont went in for Grand Champion Gelding. Jenny won the Championship, though, sadly, Sarah and Tango did not get reserve. The reserve in Jenny's class got the reserve in the championship. However, we were all exceedingly proud of our Geldings as they showed so well. Joel took Piedmont in the AOTH class and won that class as well. If I remember, Sarah got second or third place in that class. Which for a yearling is a very impressive placing in such a large class. Joel also took Octiva of Rohan, one of Jenny's brood mares, into the AOTH Mares class and got third place w/ her, right behind her daughter, Orchid of Rohan. Jenny took her into the open Mare class, and Octiva got third place and Orchid got fourth. All considered, it was a good showing.
RH Israel, who is the full brother to RH Ishmael, the colt I've been working with, was also at the show and won Champion Stallion in both the open and the AOTH class. The next show planed for his was the Nationals. Then came my performance class. Jenny and the crew got him together whilst Gene and my boyfriend, Rondell took pictures. Melissa tried to keep me calm and protect everybody else from my show nerves. Jenny remarked later that she liked how Melissa handled me. :-) I guess knowing a person for 15+ years has an advantage.
Melissa had a blast and kept commenting on how she now had bragging rights as she helped groom a grand champion. :-) We went home and rested, and then went on a trail ride the next day. What an awesome way to wind down from a horse show.
