More Horse Show Pics

Christi was old enough, due to her grade level, to take a 4H project her last year of life. She entered Buckeye, her Siamese cat and was happy to win a blue ribbon. I don't know if she would have wanted to complete in the Horse events like Shayla does or not. She was really into grooming her horse and I wonder if she would have preferred to do that for Shayla's horse instead of entering with her own. With as much work as it is for all of us FOR ONE HORSE, we said many times last night, "Could we have really done all of that with TWO daughters?" We'll never know, but it would have been a challenge. (Christi gave us MANY challenges in life though, didn't she?! Cough, love you Christi!)

Christi on Kelsey's horse (August 05) About a year later, sweet Kelsey walked "The Riderless Horse" from the funeral home to the church, escorting Christi's body. We understand she cried the entire way.

I walked by one of the older girls yesterday who was competing with her parents out of town. She was sitting up on her horse talking with her trainer debating if she should wear a helmet or her cowboy hat. I knew I was probably overstepping my boundries; however, I thought if something happened how could I live with myself for not saying anything so I stepped up, put a pretty firm grip on her thigh with my hand and said, "I've buried a daughter. Trust me, you don't want to make your parents go through that. Put on your helmet." and I walked away. I don't really even know this girl, but I did notice she wore a helmet the whole day and her trainer came up to me later and said, "Thank you for telling her that."
Christi trail riding at Heartland B & B in Central Ohio, Labor Day Weekend 05
I love this picture. Shayla is so blessed to have BOTH of her grandmas standing there and supporting her. From research I've read to have a well adjusted child, a child needs FOUR adults actively involved in their lives. No wonder Shayla seems to be so well adjusted, she has many more than that. God is good!
Some shade and some last minute tips from her trainer
Mom, Dad and Claire - how we watched all of her events
Claire makes final adjustments
Shayla and her favorite guy - Dad!
Friday night, Shayne drove to Perrysburg after work as we learned Shayla needed a Western belt to finish off her outfit we got at the "horse garage sale" in the spring. I took her to the barn to start getting Skeeter ready. She was amazing. She bathed Skeeter entirely on her own, took the razer to trim his eyes, nose, ears and hoofs and started all of that banding of his mane too. I couldn't believe how amazing she was doing all of that.
Shayla's really made some great friends doing this "horse stuff".
This is the only event she didn't win a ribbon in. "The Egg in Spoon Contest". You have to do what the judge says (ride, trot, turn, stand in the stirrups, close your eyes, etc.) and the last person with the egg in their spoon wins. The girls all changed into jeans for this final contest of the day so that they wouldn't ruin their show clothes. After the contest, Katie and Shayla proceeded to walk arouond the arena picking up the eggs that didn't break when they fell. (Just FYI: There were six.)
Shayla with her Stable Boy. Shayla really enjoys being at the barn with the older girls. It cracked me up the other night at the barn. The older girls all had their boyfriends helping them and Shayla had her dad helping her. It was great! No man could ever love her more!
A great day!