Thursday, December 24, 2009

Guatemala National show

Thanksgiving day I traveled to Guatemala city to visit with my boyfriend and his family, and also to attend the National Peruvian horse show of Guatemala. Renzo Crolle Claux came from Peru to judge.

They always start the show off on Friday night with a cocktail & dinner. Its really great because everyone has a chance to hangout before the competition starts the next day. One thing that stood out to me was that the majority of the members and BOD are the "younger" generation - its such a family activity there that are multiple generations working to put on a great event! This is something glaringly lacking in the US.

Andres had 9 horses exhibiting in the show. He had several of the younger horses ready for their first time. They won several halter classes - 1st place with JAP Tizana, 1st place JAP Mina, and 1st place with JAP Maximus. JAP Mina went on to be the National Champion Halter Filly! She is really exceptional and has won since her first shows, but this was her first championship.

Later that day I rode in the Mares 6-7 class on SBA Venus and placed 5th. Next up was MVH Melodia, the dam of JAP Mina. Melodia won her class, and went on to win Champion Mare! Mother and daughter in the same day! I also exhibited WER Gacela in the zootechnico class, where she won the top honors.

For something fun, the association decided to hold their first champagne class! A whole bunch of people got into the fun. Of course everyone said I was going to win (and I did ;-), but it was so much fun I don't think anyone cared. Franky Marcucci Sr. and Fernando Jarquin had more fun sipping the champagne than riding! Fernando lent me his great pisos mare Gema to ride.

Sunday I got a great surprise - I was named "mejor montador" or Best Rider by the judge. The head trainer for Criadero la Laguna, Julio Arias also won "mejor Jalador" or Best halter trainer. It was a great honor for both of us! We also had a great party at the ranch, making pizzas in the wood fire oven and looking at all the horses.

I had a great time getting to know several breeders from Panama and Ecuador who were there visiting. I hope to make it to the National show in Panama in January!

US Nationals

In October I traveled to Ft. Worth for the NAPHA national show to ride horses for Barbara Windom and La Estancia Alegre.

I rode LEA Dorado de Domecq in sidesaddle, Western and several other classes. He was the 2009 National High Point Versatility horse of show! We also wond the Western Pleasure class, and a beautiful custom made buckle donated by Sharon LaPierre of Red Raven Ranch - thanks Sharon!

LEA Poema was competing for her third champion of champions in the Amateur & Open Performance Mares division. Roberto Quijandria, her wonderful trainer, rode her to her Laureada in the Open division, and I rode her to her 2nd laureada in the Amateur Division! Its a huge honor and very difficult to win one national laureada, much less two!

Central Coast Classic show - so much fun!

So - I'm playing major catch up here!

September 12-13 we were at the Central Coast Classic show in Santa Maria, CA. This show is a lot of fun - its held on the grass, and has a great family atmosphere. They always sponsor a fun barn party Saturday night (this year we celebrated the laureado of DR El Patron), and its just general great fun! I always show out of the trailer - its only 30 minutes from home so that's easier for me. We set up "camp" on the grass next to the arena and just tie horses to the trailer.

This year my Dad and Yvonne came down. Dad was going to show again! I had him ride one of my mares RDD Flora y Fauna. Shes a great big powerful mare and she looks just great with my Dad. He hadn't shown since his stallion died, 11 years ago was the last time he showed. My good friends Dianna Whisenant, Nicole Pichel & Luke Schwartz also came to help.

Friday night we were bathing horses and packing the final things in the trailer. I decided at the complete last minute to bring my old man, RDS Fastigio, out of retirement. He's 17 and hasn't shown since he was 8 years old - hes a great trail horse that anyone can ride. He did very well in his younger years, winning several Champion of Champions and High Point Versatility awards. So - Saturday am off we go with a full trailer! Fauna, KLP Sedona and RDS Fastigio! Fastigio made a great return to the show arena - even beating Coronado in one of the Champion of Champions! MCD Coronado+ went directly to the Champion of Champions Classes for Sunday afternoon. It was pretty neat to be the owner of both horses in the Ch. of Ch. class!

We had such a good time and I am so thankful for my friends and family for their support and help in the show season! Come Sunday afternoon, with all 4 horses qualified for the championship classes, we were really busy tacking, grooming, cleaning, etc. It all paid off with great results and we had a great party after the show to celebrate back at my house.


All in all we had a fablous show!
RDD Flora y Fauna - ridden by Mike Powers
1st Mares 4-6 Breeding

KLP Sedona

2nd Mares Amateur Performance
2nd Open Performance Attire

RDS Fastigio

1st Open Performance Stallions
1st Amateur Performance Stallions
Champion Open Performance Stallion
Champion Amateur Performance Stallion
Champion of Champions Amateur Performance Stallion!!!

MCD Coronado+
Champion of Champions Performance Stallion