The 2010 Show Season started in March at the wonderful Devonwood facility in Sherwood Oregon. Angie, Rick & Jennifer and Wieke & Ruurd travelled to Oregon on March 24th with Mec Kide, Warello (Connor) and Vince to start the first of 3 shows. We went with the goals of safe travels, healthy horses and placing in as many classed as possible.

Angie and the 3 horses…well, basically exceeded all expectations – placing in all but one class of the three shows!

Mec Kide did amazing at PSG and I1. Connor showed his stuff at third and fourth level and Vince, who was as cool as a cucumber the whole trip pulled off amazing scores in first level. When you hear about the 6 blue champagne glasses you’ll know where they came from.

A tough go from Oregon to Burbank through the slushy snow and the gale force winds – way too many diesel fuel stops for Rick! (thanks to who ever came up with GPS systems in trucks and the POI option for finding the nearest gas station!)

Burbank was another hugely successful show. Vince captured the interest of an O Level Judge for his cantor. Watching riders like Jan Ebeling and Steffen Peters at the CDI3* was a treat, along with cheering on all the other Canadian riders.

Ruurd couldn’t get over the number of different types of horses in Oregon and LA – ponies, heavy horses, TBs, mules, warmbloods; a whole mixture.

Sheldon arrived on the Friday in Burbank. We all took a break and went to Universal Studios on Easter Sunday. Shopping at Costco on the Saturday proved to be interesting – busier than any Costco here at Christmas time – but what amazing prices for Tequila!

We were invited to stay at DG Bar Ranches as a stopover between LA and Rancho Murieta. What marvelous hosts and a fantastic location. The horses got a chance to stretch their legs and have a break (see the gallery for some funny Connor/Vince candid’s) Thank you DG Bar!

The great results continued at the Rancho Murieta Show in Sacramento. It was the only place where the announcer talked up Tees, Alberta – Home of Long Ear Days – we had a good laugh at that. We also enjoyed the local restaurants just a short walk away. Although spoiled with Rick’s BBQing, it was a great break to just order dinner and not have to clean up.

A 2 day drive home was a major trip with a stopover in Idaho Falls (are you sure Freddy Krueger doesn’t live there?). We made it home safe and sound with planning starting already for next year.

Here’s to the rest of a really fun show season – see you there!