Page 33 - SophiesPonyTalesJuly10C

CHAPTER 15 OUR FIRST RIBBON & MORE

After the ring pleasure class came, the ob- was my fault. .
stacle or cones classes. My whip had walked the I must add that only once did I received a
cones several times and calculated the best route. penalty for breaking to a canter. As you can prob-
I had high hopes for that event because of ably tell, I enjoy cones courses. I have heard many
my trotting speed and ability to make rapid say, “Look at that little horse go, she moves not
turns. I wouldn’t have to worry about other only with speed but also grace and enthusiasm.”
horses running into me. Sometimes it feels as though I have wings
We ran the course as planned. I was and I take flight, sailing through the cones as
smooth and fast. I had no breaks cantering or any though they were clouds in the sky. I recall one
dropped balls. I made all the right moves. We event in which we were in the clouds. We were
crossed the finish line and I heard the announcer waiting for our turn on the cones course at the
say, “That is the fastest time so far today of all President Van Buren’s Home, in Kinderhook New
horses, training level and open division. I suspect York, a national historic site. We were on the
you have just seen the winner as she finished ten front lawn and the course included moving be-
seconds faster than any other entry so far.” The tween and around stately trees.
time held. I heard for the first time, the words; A storm was threatening. The starter said,
“The blue ribbon goes to Saint Gertrude.” Finding “If you are ready to go, we are ready, but hurry
my gift made all the difference in my life. I was and get your run in before the rain begins“. We
fulfilling my destiny. I had fun. We gained confi- were through set twelve and were heading for
dence as partners that day relying on each oth- thirteen when the approaching rain arrived. A gust
er. of wind tore leaves off the trees and pelting rain
The next, and final obstacle class was a blinded human eye sight. My whip, I learned lat-
pick your own route class. In pick your own route, er, lost sight of cones set thirteen. I saw a set
after going over the starting line you need to go ahead slightly to the left and went for It, never
through each set of cones in either direction, not breaking stride. We passed through it and my
missing any and not going through any set whip saw as we exited that it was indeed set thir-
twice. The cones are not numbered. teen. The rain slowed, he regained his vision, and
Again we were fast, with no balls down, guided me through the next seven sets to the fin-
and I thought no other penalties. I heard the an- ish line. I heard the judge say, “That pony knows
nouncer say, “The entry was fast and accurate, her business. She puts her head down and goes to
but they are eliminated due to one of the set of work, not being distracted by anything.” Needless
cones being missed.” to say, we received the blue ribbon. Hours of prac-
This also the first of many failures we have tice made the awards possible. Persistence in
had in cones courses. My whip sometimes made learning the right moves made it happen for us.
mistakes and I do recall a couple of times when it

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