Show Season

Today is the first day of spring. Looking outside here in New Hampshire you wouldn't know it. Instead of those first traditional signs of spring we have a fresh blanket of snow covering everything. 12" of it. Mother Nature may throw snow at us, delaying our spring time warmth, but she can't stop the beginning of horse show season! It is so here and I am amped to get out there and show my horse.

The list of shows for Mario and me is a bit unknown at this point but one is a definite: Devon (http://www.devonhorseshow.net/). I went to Devon for the first time last year and just had the best time. It's the one horse show that I can think of off the top of my head that has top-notch hunter/jumpers and saddle seat contenders. The show organizers want exhibitors to be there and it's apparent. There's "Devon Club" every evening (free drinks and food), they deliver a goody basket daily to each barn containing horse and people treats, the footing in the ring is excellent for the horses rain or shine, and the town itself has lots of fun shops. It's a good time!

Some likely shows that we'll attend are:

UPHA Chapter 14 Spring Premiere
Springfield, MA
(no website available)

Bonnie Blue
Lexington, VA
(http://www.horsecenter.org/Events/May-2012/Bonnie-Blue-National-Horse-Show-USEF-rated.aspx)

Greater Boston Charity Horse Show
Topsfield, MA
(http://www.greaterbostoncharityhorseshow.com/)

Syracuse International
Syracuse, NY
(http://www.ashany.org/)

ASHAV
Lexington, VA
(http://www.ashav.net/)

Mario started working differently in the off-season and we made the decision to switch his division this year. When you have a young horse, you have to let them tell you when they're ready and what they want to do. So the schedule for 2013 will really be decided by my trainer (I'll be going to Devon, however, even if my horse is not!). I'll  keep you posted on our progress as we get into the season.