Almost wordless Wednesday

Here's a second helping of performance photos from the inaugural British Bridleless Competition. Thank you again to Tarr Steps Service for allowing to use their pictures here. I know I am not the only one who has been inspired by this competition, and I look forward to seeing more bridleless show horses - both real and model - in the future.

The British Bridleless Competition

Last weekend, the first ever British Bridleless Competition was held in Merrist Wood, Guildford.

Created in response to the growing movement of riders who wish to compete without a bridle, this groundbreaking event offered something the UK - and perhaps, the world - has never seen before: a full competition dedicated entirely to bridleless riding.

The competition opened with dressage.

Horses competed at multiple levels, from leadline without a lead all the way to Grand Prix.

Lynne Macleod and Hermes

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to jumping.

Jump heights varied from itty bitty to 1.3 meters.

Multiple safety protocols were in place, and bridles were used in the warm-up arena. In the showring, however, only neck ropes were permitted.

Obviously, I was not in attendance, but I've watched lots of videos from the event. It is striking how relaxed and happy these horses look and how few conflict behaviors are present.

In recent years, I have fallen out of love with most equine competitions, but not this. I absolutely love this.

Congratulations to Mia Rodley, the founder of the British Bridleless Competition, and all the competitors who made its inaugural event such a rousing success. 

This is the way forward for ethical horse sport.

Thank you, also, to Tarr Steps Services for allowing me to share their photos. These pictures are so inspiring. Thank you, everyone! Thank you!

More mayhem

Yesterday afternoon, the Denver metro area was pummeled by a massive thunderstorm that deposited up to seventeen inches of hail in some areas.

I was at work in Parker when the storm hit. We had a little rain, followed by a little hail. Then the sun came out, and it was like it never happened.

As I was standing by the door watching the hail melt, my phone lit up.

It was Karen sending pictures...

and video from the barn.

It was intense.

This is my favorite of the group.

Do you see the horse?

This morning, it was warm and dry, but signs of the storm were everywhere.

There was standing water in the ring...

and all the trees took a beating.

More needles on the ground than on the branches!

The upper barn's roof leaked.

All that wet insulation is going to be a big mess.

The white barn, where Sage lives fared better. Still, my tack room was more than a little damp.

The saddles were covered, so they were fine, but I had a lot of wet pads...

and brushes.

I put everything out in the sun to dry.

Everyone else was doing the same.

While everything was drying, Karen, Sage and I walked over to the retention pond. 

No surprise, it was really full.

There are more storms in the forecast today, but so far they haven't materialized.

I am hoping they will not. We have now completed the barn mayhem trifecta, and we need a break.

Shannon's diorama entry

Have you ever looked at one those clearware Stablemates from the Suncatcher Paint Kit and thought, "That could be an ice sculpture"?

Shannon Rodgers did.

Then she took that idea and built an entire diorama around it.

Here's another Stablemate, bringing more ice up the mountain.

Close-up of the harness.

And my favorite part, the tiny, frozen Dala horse!

Congratulations, Shannon. This is so clever and well-done. Good luck at BreyerFest!