February 09, 2012
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July 30, 2009

In The Home Stretch

Last Minute Touch-up

It's been a very long week in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Some of the days have pushed thermometers into the upper 90s and the afternoons seem to have gone on and on with endless eliminations and sectionals. Nights have been late and it always seems as though you have a class the first thing in the morning … and the very last thing at night. As the major finals of the last weekend approach there are signs of fatigue everywhere. Youngsters stand in the warm up areas yawning, shifting from foot to foot waiting for their classes to be called. At every opportunity every lounge chair and hammock is filled with dosing children, dads, and moms, and the trainers too, when they can steal a minute. Even the horses are weary, standing and waiting for their classes with one foot cocked, heads down and their eyes closed, like little kids hiding under the covers, reluctant to get up for school.

Just under the surface however the excitement and the enthusiasm are still rapidly bubbling. These are the war horses of the Bedouin after all. The braids go in and the bridles go on, up come the ears and the horses are anxious, chomping the bit and ready to go. As the riders are called into the holding area, the blood starts pumping; cheeks flush with color and exhaustion is forgotten. This is where they separate the kids from the young adults; the colts from the campaigners. We're coming around the far turn now and headed into the homestretch. We just need a bit of luck and some true grit. Those roses and glory are only one perfect "go" away.

Braiding for Hunter class	Bridling in the Paddock

	Fixing Hair