Just like the Congress, all I have to say is WOW!!! We have been so blessed this year, and the world show had its share. As stated in the last blog we are going to start awarding a horse and rider of each show. I am already going to break my own rules because we do have a tie in one of the two categories.

Horse of the show went to… Shaggaroo!! I know you think, “Aw he always gets it”, but you had to be there to believe it. This son of a gun was absolutely on fire!! There will be more to come in the upcoming paragraphs.

Rider of the show went to… a three way tie for many different reasons. First off Darby could not even get her horse to change leads when we arrived, only to knock out it out of the park come show time. Rachel rode so wonderfully, clean run in the trail, finals of the showmanship, you name it. Many of you may not know that Harley had some health issues arise right as Rach was going into the show pen. You would never have known it by her composure though. This Kansas Wildcat sold it to those judges like she was the only winner they could have found. Lauren Love; do we have to say anything more? Just like at the Congress she rocked the house. Congrats to all the girls. We are so proud of you!!!

Ok so on to the personal accomplishments. As stated earlier Darby rode like the star we have always known her to be. Bob gave us a little trouble at the start of the week, but his jockey powered things through and laid out a very nice horsemanship pattern. Her lead change my have been a hair bit too powerful, but by gum there was no way she wasn’t going to get it. Unfortunately she did not make the rail work; however jenny has some plans up her sleeve to take care of that.

Wildcat Rachel has in the past year proven herself to be little miss steady eddy, always showing wonderful composer and laying out wonderful patterns in every class. Yes you have finally reached the point that I never worry when you walk in, I just get excited for how well you do. The horsemanship had one small glitch; however Rach all but made up for it with a flawless run in the trail. (Not our fault they didn’t score her enough) ha-ha. Showmanship turned into our shining moment, making the finals in stellar fashion. Unfortunately Harley started to feel bad right before she went in making things very tough. I am so so proud of Rachel though because her only thoughts after coming out were for the well being of her partner. Now that is a true champion if I have ever seen one! At the moment Harley is recovering and will hopefully be back at it again soon.

Lauren Love. Two words that will go down in history as the talk of the 2011 fall horseshows. She and Shaggy teamed up again in flawless fashion to a Reserve World title in the horsemanship. Can I saw flawless. There is nothing more this team could have done to impress me. Shag did not make our job totally simple, however he did come through when the lights were on, and the cameras were flashing. (I think Lauren and I would like to forever forget the morning before the finals)

Shaggy’s brilliance did not stop there. He and I made the Trail and Western Riding finals ending up in the top 4 of both classes after the prelims were over. The only time we faltered the entire show was in the trail finals when Shaggy decided to enter as Lauren and I like to call “Baxter land” and forgot to let me drive in the Trail finals. We still ended up fair, but it could have been so much more. That’s ok though because the Western Riding made up for it. Shag and I all always at our best when both our girls show up to cheer us on. Lauren was already there watching, but Jenny drove up, with co pilot Tom Clopp, to watch the finals. Know if that doesn’t spell success I don’t know what would. We ended up third in a very very tough Jr Western Riding. Two trophies in three classes, not too bad if you ask me.

After being in OKC for 2 weeks I was glad to get home to my own bed let me tell you. But wait, Italy was just around the corner. Stay tuned for the Italy blog. It may take me a while to write that one.