Dog and Pony prep, part one

A lot of things have changed in the last two years, but not this: I still think planning and prepwork is (almost) as much for as the show itself.

That particular show was Heather Malone's light-hearted Candyland Live, which featured a non-traditional, themed performance division. I was showing my Stone Horses Olive portrait, and I had so much fun brainstorming ideas for each of those prompts. 

Some of my entries were things that real Olive would clearly never do, 

but others were loosely based on reality.

I loved them all, and I'm really glad I was able to do that while Olive was still alive.

I have a new horse now, and she also has her own Stone Horses portrait model.

The temptation to have a similar Sage inspired performance day is real, but there are two main issues standing in my way. The first of which is actually a mane issue. 

The problem isn't obvious at first glance. Her forelock is big but not obtrusive, and she's reasonably clear in the bridlepath area.

Unfortunately, things literally go downhill from there.

The mane at her withers extends so far down her back, there's just no way to fit a saddle around it.

She does work okay as a bareback horse, and I would not be opposed to seeing how many classes I could find bareback references for.

But that takes us to main issue number two: The class list.

It's ridiculous and I love it, but also, it's not designed for showing one model in all the things. Well, perhaps if that model is a real equine - preferably a donkey - but also a fantasy equine, and maybe a dog.

Sage is a lot of things, but not quite all that. 

I'm sure she'll find her way into a class or two, but this is definitely going to be a team effort. 

Team Braymere is back in business. Let's do this.

Decloaked

Olive was a rich, dark chestnut with a medium sized blaze, a half coronet in front and two big stockings behind.

She was a little bit flashy, but not overly so.

And yet, no matter how far away she was, I could always find her in the field. 

My eyes always went right to her.

Sage is a bright chestnut rabicano roan.

Up close, she is a much flashier color than Olive.

But from a distance, Sage is nearly invisible.

I can not tell you how many times Karen or I have gone out to field and looked and looked and not seen her, sometimes even when she's standing right in front of us. 

We call this her Cloak of Invisibility.

Pictures don't do it justice, but trust me, it's a real thing.

Sage is one of those horses who needs a fly mask in the summer.

Unfortunately, she's hard on them.

Sigh.

Last week, Karen decided to give her an upgrade. 

I went out to the field to catch her, and there she was.

Girl! What happened!?!

I can see you!

I can see you wherever you go!

I can see you even when I don't want to see you!

Little Colorado Sage Marie Buxton!

This is not an approved activity!

Sigh.

Princess issues aside, I've grown quite fond of the green mask. Alas, it's already on its last legs.

I am hoping for an early first frost, which will bring an end to mask season. However, since that seems unlikely, I am debating the color of her next mask. Perhaps hot pink or blaze orange? 

Two years later

Two years ago today, I wrote a post about coming out of "retirement" to show performance at Heather Malone's Candyland Live.

At the time, I was kind of on the fence about things. That post - and the nine Candy Plan posts that followed - were an attempt to shore up my enthusiasm for what was undoubtedly going to be a whole lot of effort and a more than a little bit of crazy.

It worked. 

I showed my Olive model in every single one of those themed performance classes, and together, we captured the Overall Performance Championship and Best in Show titles.

That was such a fun weekend, definitely worth all the effort and the crazy.

I have not been to a live show in any capacity since, but perhaps that's about to change?

Next month, my friend, Karin, will be hosting a small and silly model horse show with lots of fun classes and a "ridiculous performance" division.

Karin's winning entry in the Arabian Nights at Candyland Live 2024

For the first time in a long time, I'm feeling an itch.

Ridiculous performance is kind of my jam.

And you know, I have a little extra time on my hands right now.

This post is largely an attempt to shore up my enthusiasm for what I know is undoubtedly going to be a whole lot of effort and a more than a little bit of crazy, but still... I should definitely do this, right?