Sunday at the Stock Show

Yesterday I was spent a most wonderful afternoon at the National Western Stock Show with my friend and fellow model horse hobbyist, Teresa Buzzell.

We arrived at the National Western Complex still undecided as to whether we were going to watch the Mexican Rodeo or the Freestyle Reining. As it turned out, the decision was made for us. The reining was sold out, so Mexican Rodeo it was. Because we were feeling just a little bit cheated about not getting to see the Freestyle, we headed over to the Events Center first and spent some time in the barn area where the Freestyle horses were being prepared for their class.
This pretty palomino had bows in his mane...

and tail!

We left the barn area and headed over to the warmup ring. Some of the horses looked completely normal.

Others were all dressed up in their Freestyle attire.

Sparkle butt!

This horse's rider talked on his cell phone throughout their entire warmup!

Eventually we left the Event Center and spent some time walking through the trade show at the Hall of Education. You can buy nearly everything at the trade show--trucks and trailers, hot tubs and sleep number beds, candy and ShamWows... Not surprisingly, Teresa and I were most interested in the booths that had tack.

Happily for us, there was lots of tack to look at. This is a $10,000 Bob's Western Pleasure saddle.

A handmade bit.

Millions of reins!

There were also lots of Breyers. This is Teresa checking out the selection at the Running Creek booth.

Plush, poseable pony!

Of course I had to stop by the Brighton Feed booth and say hello to my old boss.

As the beginning of the Mexican Rodeo drew near, we headed over to the Coliseum. We passed a Llama and Alpaca show on the way.

And then, at last, we reached our destination.

Mexican Rodeo pictures coming tomorrow!