First Horse Show!

Lila was asked to participate in her very first horse show!  To be totally honest, it took me a little by surprise as it wasn't our intention when we started lessons to do a show, but her instructor asked her if she wanted to and Lila said, "yes!"

We only had a few lessons before the show, so Carrie got Lila familiar with a horse named Honey and they spent some time working on what would be expected of them at the show.  In the class that Lila was showing, Carrie would lead the horse, so there wasn't nearly as much pressure on Lila to make sure Honey performed!

We were instructed to show up around 9:00 Saturday morning, so we went back to the stalls where all the horses were and where Hilltop Ranch was staged.  It took me back to the times that I used to go with my best friend Racquel to horse shows growing up!  I can't believe that almost 20 years later I am watching my daughter participate in one!

All ready to go!

Lila is so blessed to have so many people who love and support her!  She had a huge cheering section of people there to watch her.  They even stuck out the l-o-n-g wait that we had until her class. 

Grammy, Terry & the girls!

Meet Honey!

Lila & Honey #228

 

Because we had some time to kill the girls were able to come back to the stalls and take a look around.  It was fun to see all three of them get so excited to be back there and the big girls were so happy to be there sharing in the experience with Lila, which made Lila feel super special!

 



Supportive cousins!

Finally it was time to get Lila saddled up and into the practice ring to run through the motions quick before it was time for her to go out into the big arena!  You should see her live on a horse, she is so confident, it almost makes you forget she is only 4 years old!

Waiting patiently!

It is finally time to go!

 

As they entered the arena I couldn't believe how grown-up she looked.  Sitting up on the back of Honey so tall and proud!  What a big girl!!!  Lila's instructor was under the impression that they would be doing more than what the judge had them actually do, you could tell she was a bit confused, but either way they did what was asked of them and lined up amongst the others.

 



Here they come!

Riding so tall!

Round and round!

The judge stopped and talked to each of the riders, it was really cute!  Finally the moment that all the riders wait for...the placement!  While Lila didn't finish in the top 3, she won us all over with her confidence and poise!  She was amazing and we were SO proud!

The judge spent time talking to each of the riders!

The little kids, no matter what spot they placed in, all got a bag full of goodies and a medal for competing!  If you ask Lila, she doesn't know the difference between first place and dead last, all she knows is that she had a fun day with her instructor Carrie, with Honey, and with all the people that came out to cheer her on!

Showing off her medal!

As I stated above, we didn't get her involved in riding lessons to wind up having her compete in a show, but she did have so much fun!  We see the confidence it has given her in the privacy of Hilltop's arena, but to see how confident she was in the big Kirkwood arena with all the people watching was pretty awesome!  We aren't sure if this will be a hobby that continues on for many years, but for right now we are just enjoying the moment!