id love some comments on what were doing wrong. We didnt place this time and i have another show sunday so id love some feedback. This was our first show and Two Socks did amazing, considering how he acts sometimes. He only spooked at one jump, becuase it was right next to the stands. The link for the album in underneath.

http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii176/TwoSoxLover/shows/

 Your photobucket account is marked "private" - I can't see the other pictures!

Were you competing in hunters?  Your horse looks tense and stiff, not what the judges want to see in a hunter.  In the last photo here, you have your horse in a standing martigale.  Does he normally need one?

You said that your horse did well, considering how he acts sometimes.  That's great!  Don't worry about placing right now.  Concentrate on giving him a good ride and getting him around the course.  The ribbons will come with practice and more experience at shows.  Your position is very nice - you look very tight and secure.  You may want to tidy up your hair in a bun or tuck it up in your helmet for a more polished look.  I wish I could see all of the first picture to see your horse:(

Was this show at Las Colinas? 

Good luck next Sunday! 

Can't access the pics in Photbucket either. Have to have a password. The ones I see on this site are for the most part cut-off. Your turn-out is pretty nice, except maybe contain the back of your hair in a snood, or net.Might want to shine your boots up.  You have a much nicer turn out than the gal next to you on the sorrell, he needs his mane braided.  ( in the second to last picture). Your horses forelock looks nicely braided, but in some of the pictures the rest of the braiding job looks a little clumpy(could just be bad pics). He's clean and groomed. You have a lovely smile and look like you're having a good time.  Second picture from the top, your leg looks a little behind. Your horse does look a little tense, but he also looks alert with his ears gong forward. He looks happy in his work. Last picture, is that your lilac shirt tail out of the bottom of your coat? How about tucking it in? Wish you had a video to share, it's hard to critique riding from stills.  

i

hey remmer!  Have you been to Las Colinas before?  Yep... that's what I was thinking too!  I've only been there 2-3 times..... but I only live about 30 miles away. 

TwoSoxLover.... you two look nice!  It is hard to tell in the pictures though..... especially since they were jumping classes, as to what needs to improve.  He does look a bit tense.  I bet you it will just take some more practice!

(A side note..... with the new equisearch format, I have yet to figure out how to post pictures that aren't chopped off!)

Can you get a video?  What classes were you showing in? 

arabmagic:

hey remmer!  Have you been to Las Colinas before?

Yes, many times, when I use to live in west (way, way, west Texas).  My friend and I made a business out of buying, training and selling horses that weren't cut out for ranch work and seeing if they could make it as "English" horses.  We would travel to Las Colinas to show and and hopefully, sell.  My friend was in to showjumping and I would event.  I loved their cross country course!  As a matter of fact, my friend eventually managed Las Colinas for a few years.

As far as the cut-off pictures go, they need to be resized before putting them in a post.  I like to have my pics on photobucket, just for that reason.  They give you a couple of size options, which is very convenient.   

 If you were happy with his performance, than that is great!! 

 You both look well-turned out and your position looks very nice.

A couple things I see -- does your horse show any back pain?  His back looks odd between your cantle and his pelvis, like it is dipped.  How old is he?  Has a vet or chiropractor looked at that at all?

2 -- Your horse does look very stiff and resistant, with his back end way out behind him, which again points to his back.

3 -- In the second picture, it looks like your saddle is too far forward and sitting on his shoulder blades.  Make sure the saddle is slid back to where it naturally settles into a level position on his back. 

These are hunter classes and it is at Las Colinas. I will try and put a video on soon and try the pictures now, they should work.

It was Two Sox's first show too, so he was probably really nervous, which is why he was stiff(we dont travel often).

 No one has commented on his back before. He used to be really skinny, and we have been putting weight on him, so his butt is really flat. He is only 8 years old and the vet hasnt said anything about it before.

I like your screen name and your pictures.  If you don't mind me asking,why is your horse's name Two Socks?

I own a horse named Socks...and shes a chestnut with 4 white socks. :o)

From,

Laura

Well he has two socks on his back legs. He got it at the camp I bought him from, his actual name is Sudan Native Rebel.

Did you show Sunday? How'd it go?

I was suppose to, but it got cancelled. There were not enough entries. The next show is on the 30th i believe.

Keeping fingers crossed for you and great weather!

Awesome Pics! And although you didn't place this time, you'll do great next time! I remember my first show, totally scary for me because I had no clue what to expect. I was only in a w/t class so I managed to pull off 3rd, 3rd, and a 4th. :P But showing is sooo fun! AND, you two LOOK like you had fun! That's what counts! If you go to show to actually compete, and you don't get anything, it's a total disappointment. I'm more happy if I just go to show for fun and actually end up placing! lol Keep up the good work! Can't wait to see more pictures! 

Solaris:

A couple things I see -- does your horse show any back pain?  His back looks odd between your cantle and his pelvis, like it is dipped.  How old is he?  Has a vet or chiropractor looked at that at all?

Solaris, I see the same thing you do. I'm guessing this horse has an old sacrcoiliac subluxation, and the look of it is exacerbated by the fact he has very little topline muscling.

To the OP, does he always go with his head carried so high? Or was he just excited/interested to be at a show? Chances are, that high head carriage will knock you right out of any sort of hunter or pleasure class. Your horse doesn't need to be all framed up, nor at peanut-rolling height, but if he could stretch his head and neck down it would certainly do you a favor.