I am still trying to work out who is who in the dressage world. At this weekend's schooling show, there were some faces I didn't recognize; perhaps new people, perhaps people who don't normally show in dressage. In an effort to get to know the crowd, I try to watch the various trainers, and see which ones I respect and can learn from, and perhaps work with and which ones to avoid.

There was one trainer who I was curious about as I did not recognize . She was across from Edgar, and had a nice logo jacket. Her student was body clipping her horse on the Friday. Seemed odd, but kind considering the temperature change that hit for the show. She seemed to have a fair number of "people", so seemed like she may be a somebody. On the Saturday one of her clients brought by new show curtains she had ordered made. Apparently they were made incorrectly, so she was understandably frustrated and swearing. I am not keen on swearing in public, but that wasn't the worst of it. What made it worse was the racist comment she made regarding the store name of the curtain maker, and how that explained the poor work. (gee...its not that maybe you didn't explain it correctly). Ug. If you are going to be that obnoxious at least be quiet about it!

So today I watched her coach the clipped horse and a student. She seemed decent until she yelled across the ring to the parents/other clients "well, you have noticed that ALL the top placings have been to Amberlea students haven't you? That is just the way it is." And not said in a way that implied, "gee, the horses at this barn are nice and we should learn from them", but rather in a "our poor placing has nothing to do with how green this horse is, and everything to do with the favouring the barn owner".

Which came across as pathetic, poor sportsmanlike, and also a complete fabrication! There were plenty of top 3 placings and championships on the show stalls! It made me consider how kids like Alexis likely face that sort of comment often enough to be hurtful.

Then later she furthered annoyed us by allowing a clients little dog and little child to bark in the indoor arena while very green horses were competing for likely the first time of the year....(no typo, the child was also barking".

Fortunately the good riders/trainers/horse people far outnumbered the bad and the show was quite pleasant in general.

Edgar was MUCH mellower in the barn today, so apparently being ridden three times a day is the key to improving barn manners. Or perhaps it was the steady dripping of water at the back of his stall....equine water torture. He was also good in the ring, and Amanda once again got some respectable scores and placings. Her best score was Sunday morning and was in the high 60s%! It was good enough for second....she was beat out by a Ri look alike who scored in the 70s.

Apparently Edgar just needs to be empowered to do well....this mornings empowerment came in the form of an annoying rider who ignored her trainer's many warnings to stop riding up behind other horses....I think she learned why when Edgar finally had enough and did his best "killer dragon" impression complete with arched neck and crazed snorting/blowing!

So now we have to find a way to recreate that without putting anyone at risk...

After a successful weekend we brought Edgar home and put him in his pen. Poor fellow just wanted to roll....but Brax would NOT leave him alone! "Hey buddy, what's up, hey there, hey, how you doing?" Annoying young warmbloods!

On another note, assuming this weather holds, plan to start riding outside in lessons May 1!

Karen