Something Frank (MysticsFather) said in another thread about his horse refusing to go faster than a walk at his first show made me think that perhaps it's time to share those embarrassing horse show moments again.

Horses can embarrass their owners at any time, but I think when it happens at shows it really sticks in our minds -- whether it happens to us or to someone we know.

Case in point -- let's turn the clock back 40 years...

... my pony-mad friend and I were at a schooling show put on by the stable we rode at.  We were riding the school horses in the beginner's jumping class over fences all of about 12 inches high.

My parents were there, standing at ringside as my friend rode into the ring at a sedate walk. The horse she was riding was one of those steady Eddie types and he didn't really see the need to go any faster than absolutely necessary.

A few hefty digs in the ribs and he lumbered into a slow trot, in the general direction of the first jump.  My friend did everything she could to get him moving, but he just wasn't having it.

He stopped in front of the first jump and to my friend's embarrassment, he put his head down and grabbed a mouthful of grass.

 My mum started laughing, loud enough that my friend could hear.

Red with embarrassment and exertion, she turned in the saddle and yelled at the top of her voice "STOP LAUGHING!!!!" 

OK, that's my story. The names have been left out, to protect the highly embarrassed.

What's your most embarrassing horse show moment?

Jayne,

I should clarify your reference, Jayne,. I don't think it was Mystic's first show, but MY FIRST time riding HIM in a show!!! LOL!!! CAPS for emphasis. LOL!!! Glad I could spark something. For my embarassing moment, for everyone else, see the end of the halloween costume thread, unless Jayne wants to copy and  paste. LOL!!! I make enough typing errors as it is!!! LOL!!!

Frank

it wasn't really embarrassing then, but, now 35+ yrs later the photos my mom keeps showing are.

i was about 12 or 13 and my aunt was 2 yrs older.  we drove ponies for someone and he entered us in the fancy dress class with one of his hackneys.  that's the class where the female is put into the dress with the huge wire cage for a hoop skirt out the back of the cart like a southern belle and the male is in a tux.

well, although i was younger, i was taller, so, i got to be the boy and wear the tux.  my aunt (who was a total tomboy) got the dress.  before getting loaded into the cart, you are basically wearing what looks like a ballerina tutu.

well, of course we rocked that class and won.  gorgeous costume and handsome hackney.  but, in the line up the judge came around and chatted with everyone.  when he got to us, he asked how long we had been dating, among other questions.  you know kids that age were beet red with embarassment.  we were trying to be a professional, but, couldn't quit giggling.  i'm not sure if he really thought i was a boy.

but, the true embarrassment:  every time my mom gets the photo copied of us before the class.  she is always popping it into cards and gifts for an unexpected laugh.

there's me, scrawny with a w.c. fields red nose in a tux and top hat and colleen in a blue tutu with a fancy blue parasol, her chubby athletic legs and of course standing like a jock.  not alot of feminity in that girl.

i wish i had that photo handy right now to add here.  i'll have to dig it up.

not really an embarrassing horse show moment, but, the photo, OMG--it is too funny.

I think the combination of the disappointment, and the embarrassement at your clothing malfunction will ensure that memory will live on forever.

At least the judge was a gentleman and offered you a cover up, instead of laughing out loud right in your face.

 All moms love to dig out those embarrassing photos and share them with everyone.

 Funny story, thanks for sharing.

 My first show on my current horse, a few years ago. When I bought him the owner assured me he was show-ready and experienced at same - she even showed me a picture. Well, we went into a class of @ 15 horses. I could tell he was looking around at all these horses going around at the walk. so thought we would take it easy at first. They asked for a trot, I let him look while the other horses went a round or 2 and thought, ok, he seems calm so let's trot. Not! 2 big bucks up in the rear. ok, so we'll walk some more. Then we changed direction with the rest of the gang. Walked and walked, Time to trot again. I waited, thought he was fine, asked for a trot. Not! Small rear up front and before coming down, big buck out back.  I came down in the middle of the saddle, prromptly walked to the middle of the ring and asked to be excused. The most embarassing part was when I went to the booth to asked to be removed from the other classes, the girls were chatting about feeling sorry for the poor girl whose horse bucked and reared!

I must applaud my horse as that was the only time he behaved like that. At all other shows we brought home ribbons, including blue ones and champion of a walk-trot adult division.

 How about when I jumped all 8 jumps on the stadium course and went "Yay, good horsey, we're done!"  I stood staring at the gate attendant wondering why she wouldn't let me out.  Only to find out there were 9 jumps.  We spun around and jumped the last jump to the tune of the judge's laughter.  There may have been a few time penalties.....

Many years ago, I was showing in AQHA Novice Trail Class; the bridge was the obstacle directly in front of the judge, about 6 feet away. My horse walked to the top of the bridge, raised his tail, and dropped a load; people were falling over themselves laughing. I heard someone say "that's what he thinks of your bridge, judge". We didn't place. Imagine that!

 It sounds like the horse redeemed himself in the end, but couldn't resist having a little fun on that occasion Morganrider.

 It would be so much easier if they put big numbers on the fences woudn't it?

 That's the worst part, Jayne -- in eventing, there ARE big numbers on the fences.  I was clearly just a moron.

 I don't remember there being numbers on the fences when I evented, but that's been 15 yrs ago, lol.

They should have put a sign on the last but one, saying "Only ONE more to go!!"

 Ooooo, that would be great!!!!  Hahahah!