Arielle's team after stall inspections
Michelle- Arielle's multitasking riding instructor :)
Arielle back on the horse and smiling after her big fall
Arielle running to come see me, does she look like she's having fun or what?!
Arielle & Miss ScarletArielle was invited by her instructor to participate in the Pony Club Spring Dressage Rally in Charlotte. She was the youngest girl going from her barn and I wasn't sure she was really ready or not. The girl's each took their own horse and were responsible for packing all the tack, food and gear for the horse for the whole weekend. Once they got to the show they were responsible for keeping the horse in their own stall and taking 100% care of the horse themselves. Parents & instructors weren't even allowed in the stall area! They had frequent inspections and little tests along the way. I went up for the day on Saturday to watch Arielle ride and boy was it eventful! Arielle & her pony did great in the warm up, but when they got in the ring nerves got the best of them. Arielle's pony acted up (bucking & rearing) during her morning test, so for safety's sake she decided to get off and decline her morning test. Then in the afternoon test her horse acted fine at first, then decided to turn around and jump a rail out of the ring (about 4 feet). Arielle went flying off and scared me to death. She was very brave and got back on and rode out her test with her instructor leading the pony. Yikes. Not what I expected for her first show. Luckily, she still had a blast and said she would do it all over again! She has already been invited to the next show as "Asst. Stable Manager". She would be helping the other girls take care of horses, but not participating in the events herself. Once I recover from this weekend, I'll think about it...... ;-)
