Baby's first show was in Germantown, Tennessee. Her trainer " James Nichols" showed her to her best and she was awesome. She had stiff competition and came in second to the 97 World Champion Three-Gaited Horse ridden by Don Harris. Her next show was Baton Rouge. James brought her down the Victory Pass with a first in her class. The picture below does not do her justice as she has much more motion than the picture shows. We will wait for that picture perfect that will be put in Saddle and Bridle. Meanwhile this picture will be the beginning of the many firsts that are to come.
James showed Baby at the Lexington Junior League Horse show. I was unable to attend but many positive reports came back to me. She had 12 horses in her class, most of which were exceptional examples of the breed. The competition was tough and Baby left the ring with sixth place. The horses she competed against will most likely be the horses she will meet in competition at the World Championship Show in Louisville in August. I heard from several individuals that her performance in Lexington was better than Baton Rouge. Hopefully she will continue to mature and continue to develop her elegant style and bring home a ribbon from Louisville.
The World Championship show in Louisville and was very exciting. Participating in this show is the goal of all farms and stables showing American Saddlebred horses. The best horses in the country came. Baby was shown by her trainer "James" in the stake class for junior three-gaited horses under 15 1/2 hands. The stake class is the highest level of competition with mostly only professionals showing their mounts. There were 13 horses in baby's class. She performed beautifully with a fifth place and beating the Lexington Junior League grand champion. We were very pleased with her and know she will only get better.
James took Baby to the Indi show. She was shown in the novice class which had her competing with horses with much more experience. Her inexperience as a four year old showed when she hit the rail wall with her foot and which scared her. It took effort to get her into the canter which cost her in her placement. She was 6th out of 6th.
Decater, Alabama was Frances' debut on Baby. Frances had not shown in two years and was terrified. There were 13 horses in her class, most of which were of top quality. The first time in the ring, Frances has difficulty controlling her horse. She froze when Baby was needing direction. She still managed to get fifth place. The team came back for the championship and had a much better ride. Baby was still a little too fast at the canter but they had a better showing and we know what we need to work on over the winter. Baby and Frances got a fifth in the championship too. The quality was there to be the best, but it will take time for Frances to learn how to bring out the best in Baby. That ride will bring her down victory pass.
It was a good show season for Baby. Without effort she ranked in the top fifteen for Junior Three-Gaited Saddlebreds. Her sire " Supreme Heir" was the number #1 performance stallion this year. Hopefully in the near future we will have a colt out of Baby. We are very pround of our baby!