Another summer week and beastly hot temps ahead. The thought of 100 degrees over the next few days makes me cringe even more knowing I'll be sitting in a horse show announcing booth polishing up my "Walk, trot, canter, reverse" skills. I've got those down after having announced a few horse shows over the years, but when there are 38 classes on one day, I try to find ways to make horse show announcing more appealing to me and to the people listening.
Actually, I enjoy the job, but when the heat comes on in the afternoon, it seems like those horses can't get around and around that ring fast enough. I've often thought of how much more fun it could be if everything were on fast forward, but the fast forward riders usually get excused because riding that horse is supposed to be a pleasure.
This week's Spots of Fun show, sponsored by the North Idaho Appaloosa Club, has added interest this year because I'll actually have a horse entered in the show. Saturday will be Miss Lily's Sandpoint debut in the horse show arena. She's had plenty of experience in her young life already. Her previous owner Royce took her to shows throughout Texas and Oklahoma, and she's even been to the Oklahoma State Fair.
I could tell yesterday that I have a filly with primping experience. I gave her a bath. She seemed to enjoy the experience, behaving like a veteran as I swabbed her with that big fat sponge loaded with Marriott shampoo and cool water. It had to be several moments of pleasure, not only providing a break from the hot afternoon sun but also a nice full-body massage.
For me, knowing that she doesn't mind a bath and the moments of watching dirt erode away to expose her pretty pink skin brought pure satisfaction. Plus, I allowed myself to get a little wet in the process, and that wasn't bad in 90-degree heat. When we were done, her entire hide had a shiny sheen, and all those different colored spots dotting against that pure white blanket were a sight to behold.
Lily will probably get two or three baths this week, along with a shave and a haircut. She doesn't like clippers, so my sisters will use a humane twitch to keep her thoughts on her nose while her ears, whiskers, fetlocks and bridle path get a nice trim. She'll also get a special do on her mane. It will get trimmed and then banded with dozens of tiny rubber bands. She'll wear a neck hood overnight before the show to flatten the mane.
Her hooves will probably get some sanding and polishing the day of the show. And, she'll be wearing that beautiful silver-mounted halter my sisters gave me for my birthday. Primping will take place right up until she walks into the arena for the judge to inspect. Lily will be shown by my sister Laurie in two classes this Saturday---halter and most colorful.
I've heard she has some hot competition in both classes (my sister Barbara's horse April, for example), so there could be a nervous horse show announcer at the mike. I've learned long ago, however, to separate my personal preferences from what comes out of my mouth for all to hear----except maybe those occasional moments when I've forgotten to turn the mike switch off. That has happened a time or two, but I've escaped tarring and feathering so far.
Anyway, it's definitely a Lily week, and we're all excited for her coming-out party at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. Maybe, just maybe, when it's over, I'll have some good news to report. For now, I'll just enjoy the days of participating in the makeover needed to have her look her very best at the show.
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