Page 35 - SophiesPonyTalesJuly10C

CHAPTER 16 BEING DISTRACTED

We went to a couple more events that first of crowd. There were flags, banners and even an
year. I was awarded several blue ribbons. All of organist playing. We kept walking in the holding ar-
them were from cones classes. As soon as I had ac- ea. I knew something unusual was a hoof. My driver
cumulated five blue ribbons, we were promoted to had been given 15 minutes to walk the course.

being an open horse. When our number was called and the entry gate
opened, I saw the cones and knew what was ex-
We had started together as a training level
pected of me. As usual I was fast.
horse. Being an open horse meant I had to compete
against other accomplished horses and their whips. As we headed through the last set of cones
In the cones courses the only difference is that the toward the finish line ahead, the crowd of specta-
cones are set closer together for open horses than tors sensing a blue ribbon run started applauding
they are for training level horses or ponies. At my and cheering. I had never heard a sound like that

fifth event I was invited to participate in a special before and it startled me. My concentration was
lost and I broke into a canter. After cantering for
class called a scurry. The class was a cones course
the last four strides to the finish line the judge said,
with only ten sets of cones. It was much like a pick
“That was the fastest time of the evening, fifty-eight
your own route class. In any cones class any break
seconds, but I have to add five seconds for the can-
from a trot to a canter for four strides or more re-
ter, making the total time with penalties of one mi-
sults in a five second time penalty.
nute and three seconds. That turnout finishes in
This event was at a major Morgan horse
second place by being behind the first place finisher
show. Usually the carriage driving classes are held
by one second.”
out in a field far from the lime light of center ring.
I learned that evening not to let praise or
Few people observe our events. The scurry was in cheering interfere with doing the task that is at
front of the grandstand, with many spectators. We hoof. Don’t listen to the wrong voices.

were the last of the ten invited participants to go.
Word had spread that we were invited to be

in the scurry. I had never before performed in front

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