The importance of hauling to shows…and not showing.

It’s fun to look back and see how much Willow has matured. This is a video from 2019 which was the first year that I really showed her a lot. She matured so much!

Following my lead change theme…and because I’m hoping to show Willow in reining this year…here is a throwback video from August 2019. There is a lead change around 55 seconds…and Willow looks like a little reiner! Keep in mind, this is the same year I earned my Bronze Medal in classical dressage with her!

Aug 2019: There is so much valuable experience that horses can gain at horse shows.

Most shows have a haul in fee or a non-showing fee that people can pay to come and simply be at the horse show. I encourage people to do this and I often haul horses that are not ready to show simply for the exposure.

This weekend I went to a reining show that my husband was taking his customers to. It was especially nice to ride in the special footing and in the large arenas that I will some day show in. Willow even got to meet the giant ‘fan monster’ at the end of the arena. She initially had an issue with the noise above her head (even though she has a fan in her stall at home above her head;)

It was nice to be able to get around this stuff, learn to see from Willow’s point of view, and not have the pressure to show. Even outside of preparing to show, there is value in exposing horses to different environments. It is nice to haul somewhere that has safe footing and arenas if you think your horse may have issues when hauled. A facility like this one, the University of Findlay, there are many ‘new’ things to look at and lots of safe places to work.

3 Comments

  1. Tanya R on May 5, 2021 at 12:36 pm

    A great big thank you Stacy, your podcast is inspirational and knowledgeable. I am so grateful for the growth your sharing has lead to. I hope one day to get to meet and thank you in person.
    I am so excited to listen each time a new one drops.

  2. Karin Titer on March 4, 2021 at 3:36 pm

    Hey Stacy! Have recently found both your podcast and blog, and I must say I’m so glad for that. I love you answering to situations people experience with their horses, you always seem to have such a logic answer! I have a 4yo quarter mare which I have had quite some issues with since she was very spoiled when I got her as an unridden 2yo -a bad combination with intelligence and youth. She said “HELL NO!” to every task I asked her to do, so I had to stop ask her. With a lot of ground work and training she’s now a completely different horse and I’m so proud that my consistency and patience has brought us to where we are. She is still strongminded but now with a lot of work etics and thinking a lot for herself which I don’t see as bad as long as she likes her job 🙂 I’m still too green myself in the reining world (plus extreme competition nerves and high demands on myself) to get her to where she should and could be. I hope to gain more confidence from your experience and guidance. You are a true inspiration as a (former?) female reiner. Love from Karin in Sweden

  3. Jolie Holland on February 25, 2021 at 9:40 am

    I just love your video’s, your heart for those of us trying so hard to be better horse people and your wonderful style of teaching!! You’re amazing, Stacy!!

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