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Description

(using TheJockeyClub monthly show's generic hunter/jumper class but for storyline, this is ...)

Spruce Meadows January ClassicSpruce Meadows Equi-plex / Alberta, Canada || class 013 / 0.9m clear round class

1st place

All That Glitters6 yr Thoroughbred stallion
trained/ridden by Sara Bennett
for North Star Stables (CAN)
It was a chilly winter day, grey and blustery with snow muting the landscape. Sara pulled the North Star rig onto the Spruce Meadow property, following the directions to the stabling location. This was a big complex, and home of some very prestigious events! This weekend's show was more of a season warm-up though, with a handful of beginner to intermediate classes. Perfect for a young horse just starting out.

Gilder had a good foundation,but hadn't had a lot of ring experience yet. His globe trotting from the US to Italy and then back across the "pond" to Canada had disrupted a continuity of training. But the affable cremello had settled in and was schooling nicely - time to kick it up a notch and see where he could take their partnership.

They spent some time settling in. Gilders class was near the end of the show, but Sara wanted to do plenty of exposure to the unique sights and sounds of a bustling show, so they walked, hung out, treated curious watchers, practiced in the warm up ring, and ate "show food" together. (Well, Gilders food was mostly unchanged, but Sara did relent and sneak a cucumber out of her sub sandwich for the stallion.)

Later, they were saddled up and ready to go. The horse before them had a melt down and ditched their rider on fence 6. It took a bit of wrangling for the rider (who was ok) and ring staff to capture the horse. "Ok, boy," Sara whispered, patting his creamy coat. "Let's not do that, alright?" He tossed his head, and Sara gathered up the reins and they trotted in.

They didn't turn in a very fast round. But no major mishaps as they loped around the arena, navigating the dozen fences set up for the class. Gilder was tending to overjump, but experience would likely temper his efforts, Sara mused as she navigated a corner and aimed the ivory stallion at the last combination. They pulled down their second rail of the course on the second of the three fences - not a perfect day, but a great first effort. Sara gave him a big pat as they headed for the exit.

369 words
Sara created by me / Gilder design/character by JValdis
Ref.: fav.me/d54dfxv by HorseStockPhotos

Description

(using TheJockeyClub monthly show's generic hunter/jumper class but for storyline, this is ...)

Spruce Meadows January ClassicSpruce Meadows Equi-plex / Alberta, Canada || class 013 / 0.9m clear round class

1st place

All That Glitters6 yr Thoroughbred stallion
trained/ridden by Sara Bennett
for North Star Stables (CAN)
It was a chilly winter day, grey and blustery with snow muting the landscape. Sara pulled the North Star rig onto the Spruce Meadow property, following the directions to the stabling location. This was a big complex, and home of some very prestigious events! This weekend's show was more of a season warm-up though, with a handful of beginner to intermediate classes. Perfect for a young horse just starting out.

Gilder had a good foundation,but hadn't had a lot of ring experience yet. His globe trotting from the US to Italy and then back across the "pond" to Canada had disrupted a continuity of training. But the affable cremello had settled in and was schooling nicely - time to kick it up a notch and see where he could take their partnership.

They spent some time settling in. Gilders class was near the end of the show, but Sara wanted to do plenty of exposure to the unique sights and sounds of a bustling show, so they walked, hung out, treated curious watchers, practiced in the warm up ring, and ate "show food" together. (Well, Gilders food was mostly unchanged, but Sara did relent and sneak a cucumber out of her sub sandwich for the stallion.)

Later, they were saddled up and ready to go. The horse before them had a melt down and ditched their rider on fence 6. It took a bit of wrangling for the rider (who was ok) and ring staff to capture the horse. "Ok, boy," Sara whispered, patting his creamy coat. "Let's not do that, alright?" He tossed his head, and Sara gathered up the reins and they trotted in.

They didn't turn in a very fast round. But no major mishaps as they loped around the arena, navigating the dozen fences set up for the class. Gilder was tending to overjump, but experience would likely temper his efforts, Sara mused as she navigated a corner and aimed the ivory stallion at the last combination. They pulled down their second rail of the course on the second of the three fences - not a perfect day, but a great first effort. Sara gave him a big pat as they headed for the exit.

369 words
Sara created by me / Gilder design/character by JValdis
Ref.: fav.me/d54dfxv by HorseStockPhotos