Native Costume Malfunction

 

One of the highlights of the Arabian & Half Arabian Youth National Championship Horse Show is the Native Costume Class. When I signed up to volunteer, I made sure not to sign up to work when the Native Costume Class was scheduled.

 

 

I was excited to capture photos showing the authentic Arabian Saddles, too. They remind me of camel saddles.

 

 

The beautiful horses and riders are all decked out in their gorgeous costumes, and the public is encouraged to whoop and holler excitedly whenever the horses break into a thrilling gallop around the arena.

Such unusual saddles. I was excited to be able to capture a photo of them with my camera as the saddles are usually hidden beneath the robes. 

Keep an eye on this young man and his horse.

During one of those spirited gallops, the horse, in the photo above, had a costume malfunction.

The saddle slipped down the side of the horse, the rider jumped off onto the arena wall, and the rider-less horse ran around in a panic with it’s saddle and costume dragging along between it’s legs.

Thankfully, no one was hurt, and after the horse’s costume and saddle were replaced, the brave rider remounted and completed the Native Costume Class on his courageous horse.

Uh oh..…looks like another costume malfunction.

Cows with ‘Tude

 

In the Working Cow Horse Class, all eyes tend to be on the horse and rider. But the cows want everyone to know that they’ve got feelings, too. They’re not just raw meat, ya know!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Cow: “No! I’ll come out when I’m good and ready! A real star is fashionably late and makes a grand entrance! Besides I’m not done with my makeup!”

 

 

“My Daddy was a prize winning fighting bull, Mister!” “Hey you, where’s your cape! I’m ready to rumble!”

 

Horse: “Hey Buddy, can you slow down a little? Cow: “Forget about it! I’m not here to make you look good Pal!”

 

 

“Horse, I told ya I wasn’t gonna make this easy on you. Are ya feelin’ a lil’ tipsy yet?!”

 

“I don’t want to play your silly chasing game today. If I don’t see you, you don’t exist! Hmmph!”

 

 

“Stupid horses always trying to steal my best lookin’ moooves!” “And then blocking the paparazzi from getting all the great shots of me! Not fair!”

“There you go again, Horse, stealin’ my mooves! Now cut that out! I’m the star here!”

Cow: “And everyone thinks horses are so fast! Have you forgotten that cows can jump over the moon?!”

“Oh yeah, Baby! It’s better to be the cow. At least I don’t have no stinkin’ spurs pokin’ me in the ribs! So long sucka!”

 

 

“I wonder if I can make this Cowboy lose his boots again?!” “That always makes my day!”

Cow: “I just don’t get why everyone thinks horses are so smart. They have to carry those 2-legged monkeys on their backs all day while they’re made to chase us around. Seems pretty dumb to me!”

 

 

                                         Go Cows!

Cowboy, You Done Knocked Yer Boots Off!!

 

 

This Working Cow Horse performance started off pretty normal.

 

Until the cowboy started losing articles of clothing……………………..first, his hat.

But he and his horse never skipped a beat and gave it their all.

 

The next thing this cowboy lost was his stirrups.

 

And then……………………………………………………..

He lost a boot! And his other boot was in the queue to hit the dirt, too!

Hey Cowboy! You done lost yer boots!

I’ve heard of bareback riding, but have never heard of baresock riding.

Boot Retrievers are in high demand and much appreciated (even if they can’t stop laughing).  

One thing this unique performance has taught me?

Real cowboys can rock a sock!

Why I Dislike Dressage…….

 

On Friday, I learned something new about myself.

I really don’t enjoy watching Dressage. 

Ok, before anyone gets their fur ruffled up, I’d just like to say that I don’t dislike watching ALL dressage…and I don’t dislike the concept of dressage, and the positive benefits of dressage for riders and their horses.

And in fact, I do enjoy watching Freestyle Dressage and Higher Level Dressage. But I just can’t help it. I really dislike watching Level 1 Dressage!

I worked as a Level 1 Dressage Judge’s Assistant/Score Sheet Runner at the 20th Annual Arabian & Half-Arabian Youth National Championship Horse Show in Albuquerque, on Friday, for 4 hours………….

And I must admit that I felt like a Los Angeles commuter stuck in freeway traffic for most of those 4 hours. I was so relieved when lunchtime rolled around (and not just because I was hungry! lol!)

Watching Level 1 Dressage isn’t so bad while the first 3-4 riders and horses are performing.

But by the time rider and horse #5 take their turn performing the exact same pattern as the last 3-4 riders…..and the same pattern as the 30+ rider/horse teams after them, for 4 hours straight…….I just can’t help saying it! It’s just so tedious and boring!

At first I was enchanted with the formal dressage tradition of a sweet, little salute to the judge before and after each rider’s performance, but even that wore out it’s novelty after the first few times. 

Sometimes, an especially talented and unique rider or horse arrives in the arena and perks you up a little.

 

Or an adorable and very cute kid with great skills will make your eyes light up and pay close attention.

But for the most part, it’s just very mundane.

And the only people who do seem to stick around to watch (besides the judges, assistants and photographers) are the family members of those competing.

The riders and horses wear the exact same color and design of clothing and tack, and unlike the Western riders and horses, there aren’t any costume rhinestones or silvery saddle bling, no flashy colors, or unique saddle tooling to catch your eye.

The horses even look the same: Most of them solid colored. And they all have their manes braided and knotted up tightly to their neck….just like their riders.

While I respect and admire those who do dressage…and especially those who compete in dressage, I guess I really do get more excited about Western riding, like Reining, Cutting, Sorting, Western Pleasure, and Working Cow Horse.

 

I really do love me some Western bling!

I appreciate how rider’s and horse’s clothing and tack are so well coordinated.

And speaking of Working Cow Horse….I’ve got some fun photos to share, coming up next…including a performance that blew the socks….er…….boots off one of the competitors!

You just gotta come back and see!

Dude Looks Like a Lady!!

 

I was way too tired last night to create a complete post, but this morning, I came upon the theme song that the talented youth rider used for his Freestyle Reining Performance He could not have chosen a song any more appropriate! lol! I love it!

I feel sad for those of you who missed the 20th Annual Arabian & Half Arabian Youth Championship. The very talented youth from all over the country, gave it their all in their performances and it showed through!

But I have to admit that the Freestyle reining performance was the real highlight for me. And I would have never imagined or believed that extraordinarily entertaining Side-Saddle Reining with a Twist performance had I not had the extreme pleasure of being able to see it with my own two eyes. Like Story said in a comment she left on that post, we hope his performance makes it on to You Tube soon, so everyone who couldn’t be there on Friday night can enjoy it.

And guess what????  IT’S ON YOU TUBE!!!!!!!!!!! WAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Crank up the Volume!!)(

 

(ps My friend Kendra and I were sitting over on the right side of the arena, about 3/4 of the way down and only 4 rows up above the arena...where most of the sliding stops, roll backs, and spins were performed!)