Nationals, Here We Come!

Natalie and Memo had quite the day on Saturday. They won a Regional Championship and three Reserve Championships (2nd place)! It was amazing. The championship round brought me to tears (tears of joy!). It was an equitation round which means that Natalie was judged on her riding, not just Memo. She was a rock star and rode her little heart out. They were working as a team and really made it happen. After all of the struggles and hard work, everything really came together at the perfect time!!

After much discussion and fretting, we have decided to take her to the Arabian Sport Horse National Championships next month in Nampa, Idaho. We have always wanted her to have the experience of a national competition and now she has the chance. She qualified in three classes for this show. Her winning equitation round qualified her for next year's Arabian Youth Nationals, but that is something we will have to worry about later if at all.

Of course, Natalie is over the moon!! I think Memo is pretty darn happy about the whole thing too. The stifling heat seemed to suit her!! She was relaxed and happy, and LOVED getting the award ribbons and rosettes around her neck!! Very befitting of a princess. She also was quite content in her stall standing in front of the fan that we brought for her! She would take a bite of hay, then go stand in front of the fan... back and forth. Too cute!! Quite the show pony!!

Natalie braided Memo for both days of the show. She did a great job! Elise did a wonderful job as her trainer... someone in the audience told me that she loved the interaction that Elise had with Natalie. Mom and Dad were pit crew, as well as Natalie's friend Cassie. We were sweaty and dirty and HAPPY!!

Some of you might be receiving a letter from Natalie soon... she is looking to do fundraising and small jobs to earn money towards the trip :)

I am thoroughly exhausted, but it was all worth it :)

Happy Birthday going out to my mom!! We had a little shindig here tonight to celebrate her birthday, and also a belated birthday for my brother-in-law Jim. Sam and Parker were here too, so it was an extra special evening. Hope you had a wonderful day, mom! You deserve it!