Bustin' Our Buttons

Lisa & Rich Jones, CO, write (31 Jul 2000), "We had a very successful Championship Day! Fari and Kyla went to the Championships in every class they entered except halter. (Fari is not a halter horse. She's not typey enough or big enough.) Out of a total of 7 classes plus the flag ceremony, they placed in 5. earning Grand Champion in Reining, a Reserve Grand Champion in English Control, a third in Western Horsemanship, sixth in Western Riding and seventh in English Horsemanship. All of these classes were Level II, all ages, so she competed against kids from 8 to 18. The English Horsemanship could have gone better, but the flag ceremony was just before it and Fari wigged out at all the hooting, clapping and stamping. Kyla had her hands full, one hand on the reins and one on the flag!! Anyway, with no time to warm-up and calm nerves, they both were a little rattled in the Eng. Horsemanship class, thus their unusually low placing. The competion was excellent, though, so we don't care! A busy day!

Here's the Champ with her 3 trophies from the Boulder County Fair preliminary rounds on Friday and Saturday, and the 2 plates and ribbons from Champion of Champions day on Sunday. The small plate is for Reserve Grand Champion in English Control, Level II. The large plate is for Grand Champion in Western Reining, Level II. Of course, this means that Kyla will be moving up to Level III next year. Champion Fari is now Kathryn's horse. Rich

Kyla started crying today, as she realized that this is the last show she will have on Fari. I am glad she finally appreciates her. For so long she has felt the glances and comments of others about her small horse. Fari has out-performed most of those belonging to the people looking down their noses at her, and Kyla now knows that. I am glad for that. I also feel for Kyla as she is losing a great partner. She has a lot of work to do to get there with this new horse.

I am so proud of my little backyard horse that I bought for $325!

Lisa