Posts Tagged ‘devon horse show
Paisley Pony Columnist
Ammo the Dachshund is the newest columnist for the Paisley Pony equine magazine. His first article is now out in the Spring 2010 issue. You can download the article here (it’s on page 10).
Yesterday Ammo accompanied me to the Devon Horse Show to watch the Grand Prix Jumping. Along our travels we stopped at the Paisley Pony Booth, unfortunately no one was there, but that didn’t stop Ammo from sitting atop the stack and handing out magazines to his fans.
Ammo was wonderful and sat in the packed grand stands with me. Most of the time he slept curled up on my lap as the crowds cheered and screamed. He never made a sound. Slowly people around us started to notice the little wiener dog in the bleachers. Ammo was met with pats and kisses and people oohing and ahhing over how well behaved he was, especially when they found out he was only 1.
Then as the Jumpers came to an end the sky started to open up with flashes of lightning and thunder as well as threats of impending downpours. Ammo expertly navigated the crowds of people dashing to their cars and we heeled right by my side.
He spotted our car in a sea of sedans and dashed to wait by the back door. Once inside he curled up on his blanket and slept like a baby the whole way home.
I love that little Dachshund, he’s the best sidekick.
Stacy Westfall – Devon Demo
Last Saturday I was able to sneak away from my barn duties and head over to the Devon Horse Show. Usually I get to Devon at least once or more during their big Hunter Show of the year. In fact, I’m headed there tonight for the Grand Prix Jumpers. I’m not really “into” hunters, although as most children have, I did compete in my fair share of leadline and hunter classes as a kid. It’s an easy way to transition into horse showing, no dressage tests to memorize, usually pretty simple jump courses and fences – pretty much just stay on and steer and you’re good. Although don’t tell anyone…I was usually the kid that fell off at all the super low (non-scary) fences. I blame it on a pony who HATED to jump, I wish someone had handed me a clicker back then, I might have avoided myself many spills. But that’s ok, it made me a better rider, and probably helped push me into DRESSAGE! 🙂
Anyway, back to Devon. My big push to go to the Devon Horse Show on Saturday was to watch STACY WESTFALL! Yes, I saw Bruce Springsteen’s daughter ride, and yes I ate funnel cake and desperately held back from purchasing a lemon stick (I don’t need anymore cavaties), but what I really went to see was the Stacey Westfall Demo.
If you have no idea who Stacy Westfall is, then you have to watch this video. If you have already seen it, then watch it again, because it’s just awesome.
This video basically made Stacy recognizable and sort of made her a household name. My mom has recently been watching a lot of Stacey’s training videos while she recovers from her knee surgery. They have her itching to get out there and keep working with her pony. I admit I haven’t had time to watch any of her videos yet, but I plan to.
So I was super excited when I saw Stacy Westfall was on the list of demos at Devon. (The demos are always the best part of Devon, and I’m not just saying the because I’ve ridden in several demos there over the years). The best part is she actually brought her mare from the previous video, Roxy. She explained that Roxy is coming out of retirement so that she can be in the opening ceremonies at the World Equestrian Games this year. Pretty cool. Anyway, check out the videos I took below – unfortunately my camera died near the end of the second one, but I don’t think much was missed.
I was bummed we couldn’t watch Roxy do a sliding stop, maybe next time! And you totally know you were that kid that wanted to ride the Black Stallion…I know I was!
