LB's first Awards Banquet...

If you are a frequent reader, then you have been able to follow the Little Brat's journey as in independent equestrian her first year 'off the lead'....If you haven't, you can catch up HERE and HERE ...her 4yr old year has been a memorable one! The VAHA show series is a nice mid-level competition series where we can go for a handful of shows per year and visit with good people and enjoy a nice facility too....it is close to home and the perfect venue for LB to be introduced into the horse world...when I get back in the saddle again (and eventually the punks too), it will give us the opportunity to ride, show, and generally spend a good amount of family time together...


Considering LB made it very clear she did not want to be lead around this year, her decision meant she would be competing against kids much older, larger, stronger, and better coordinated than her! She doesn't quite 'get that' though, so we just rolled with the punches, and she surprised me a few times by pulling out some very good rides...good enough to get her some fancy Top 5 year-end ribbons...the picture below is of her Top 5 finish in the Walk Division (consisting of Pleasure and Equitation classes)...

...she was ecstatic!

...even better, she won another Top 5 finish in the Walk Trail division where she had to steer her horse Bo through lots of different obstacles...this was a tough one, but the payoff obviously made it worth it to her...

...and finally, her horse Bo was honored with a Top 10 finish in the High-Point Horse division...way to go Bo-Bo! Note LB 'helping' hold up the trophy of the winner...I think she has her sights set on getting one of those herself...she starts group lessons next week, so we'll see how serious she really wants to be!

Thank you VAHA and to all your staff for giving us the opportunity to make such great memories!

Happy Trails,

Leah