Shannon, the Equitation Queen!

Lucky, lucky Shannon! At the Scottsdale show, there was a whole day devoted to Equitation. And it wasn't Sunday! In Utah, Equitation is always on Sunday, so Shannon never gets a chance to ride in them. Equitation classes are when the rider is judged on the quality of her riding. (In regular classes, the judge looks at how the horse does it's job.) Rocko got to wear his special Equitation boots- very handsome!!

Shannon came in 3rd in the Equitation Flat Class- where the rider shows off her skills at the walk, trot and canter. Notice how she has Rocko all collected- his head is down and he's working hard. Believe me when I tell you that she is squeezing him will all the strength of her little legs! (No stirrup work pays off!) You can tell because he is moving out and pointing his toes.
She won a 2nd place ribbon in the Greenway Adult Equitation Challenge, ages 18-35, which was completely awesome!! All those months (years!) of practicing tight turns and trotting fences paid off! There were challenges in this course- a trot fence and a halt. They were awesome!! (Shannon has beautiful Equitation- see her signature "butt in the air" form- the envy of all!)Ya, they cleaned up at this show- it was great to have so many classes to practice, practice, practice!! I'm so proud of both of them.