London Grove Horse Show

I still haven't put up my Halloween Post, but just had to do my post from today because I am so proud of Ali.  Ali has been horseback riding since last fall and with time off last winter when we moved, probably almost a year now in total.  She has started competing in shows at the lowest level (lead line walk and walk/trot).  At this age, it is more about the experience of getting out in front of the judges and learning showmanship than hard core competition.

Today was the last show of the season - London Grove, which is put on by the Chester County Horse Show Association, which is the big circuit in this area (several other smaller less formal circuits do exist but this one is the most formal and most popular).  We were blessed with a beautiful morning (60 degrees and sunny, which is not typical in November), and Ali was lucky enough to ride Flash, which is a more advanced pony, which she has never ridden before.  She rode in two classes in the division and got second place (red ribbon) in both!  She loves her teacher, Miss Michelle, and has learned so much from her.  Ali's trotting and posting looked gorgeous today.  The first place winner was also an AIS girl (K) so it was AIS - first and second - go AIS!

Here is Ali before the show showing off her attire:

And Ali on Flash before and during the competition:

And Ali afterwards with her red ribbon!: