Who doesn’t love a fair? This was my first time attending the Equine Extravaganza at the Sonoma County Fair and my husband and I were looking forward to watching the show. There was no actual competing at this event, just demonstrations and I love getting a chance to see other styles of riding and just seeing local clinicians and riders in action.
First up were a couple of riders demonstrating trail competition. I don’t know much about this but it looked like a lot of fun. Kind of like having to ride through an obstacle course.
Part of the test was dragging a log behind your horse. This young girl was really good.
Drag the Log
Then you had to open a cooler, on top of a barrel, while on your horse. Without losing your lunch, of course!
Get Your Lunch
A group of kids did some barrel racing and pole bending demos. Some of these girls were so tiny – but could they ride!
Barrel Racing
Pole Bending
There was a drill team as well. That looks like a lot of fun…and you get to wear pretty outfits 🙂
Drill Team
I was enjoying the show so far… but I could not stop staring at the gorgeous horse being warmed up off in the distance:
Who is THAT?!?
And out came this gorgeous piece of horse flesh named Verso, a 17 hand buckskin Lusitano stallion! <drool> <drool> Only my dreamhorse!
Verso
His coat was so bright, I was glad I was wearing shades!
Golden Boy
A little girl named Violet literally stole the show. I think she is 9 or 10 years old. Oh my goodness. Riding on just a bareback pad, she had her own 20 minute routine and was riding a 5 year old Mustang that had only been under saddle a year.
She went over several jumps balanced on her knees!
My knees hurt just looking at that picture!
Then stood up on him, all while trotting around the arena!
Expect to see this kid working for Cavalia very soon! And what a sweet and tolerant mustang. Next up were a group of kids from a ranch that trains mustangs and rescues. All these kids were Parelli Level 2 or higher. I was pretty amazed at how they started the demo. At first I thought all hell and broken loose and the horses had taken off. But I soon realized that they meant to do that 🙂
Stampede!
One by one, each of the kids was able to walk up to the herd, look at their horse and the horse would latch on to them and follow them at liberty. Some horses took longer than others but they all eventually joined up with their human. Pretty amazing.
This horse was just gorgeous, and totally in tune with his young owner
They spent the next half hour playing games in the arena, some at liberty, others on leads, some riding.
Playing games
Pedestal
Sideways on the Barrels
Lungeing Carousel
Stacey Westfall, eat your heart out!
My one complaint was I wish that all of the kids were wearing helmets, but all in all, it was a lot of fun to watch and I was inspired by the great relationship they each had with their horse.
Project Jasper 