Let's start this month off with something not horse related. Sophia's friend invited her to jello night at her church. This is a night where the kids play games throwing jello at one other. I don't get it but I know Sophia had a great time. They came home in a plastic bag so she wouldn't get her friends car sticky!
Sophia competed in the Pony Club Jumper Rally. She rode Logan who she only rode a couple of times. She did amazing. She was the highest scoring rider in her division. This girl is good! Pony Club is giving her lots of opportunities to try new things. She is learning so much on and off the horse.
The biggest deal of the month was Ride for Life. This is a weekend long event to benefit breast cancer research. This was the first time she took a horse to an event for the weekend. We needed to back shavings, feed, water buckets and all her supplies. Pony Club taught her how to do all this. She had a blast. This was likely Lucy's first time staying overnight at a show. She was nervous. Sophia was nervous. During her first dressage test Lucy halted for a moment and then side stepped across the ring. Sophia was determined and got that horse moving through the test.
She and her friend did a muscial pas de deux freestyle to the Pink Panther. The musical event was not judged by a dressage official but was audience choice. The audience voted with dollars. Sophia and Kate took first place in the youth division. They had fun while raising money for a good cause.
The entire weekend was a fundraiser. Sophia worked VERY hard getting donations. Everyone who donated got their name on a pink ribbon which she hung on Lucy's stall. Those who donated $25 or more were able to personalize their ribbon with a message. Sophia was the highest youth fundraiser bringing in more than $600 in donations. She rode in memory of Grandma Barb and Grandma Beadle who both had breast cancer. She rode for Grandma Bev, Grandpa Skip and for all those who donated in memory of or in honor of someone who was struck with breast cancer. Hopefully they will find a cure to this horrible disease soon.
So many of her friends came out to see her. Friends from her first barn came and watched her. Angel, who introduced her to dressage when she was coaching her and even Aunt Leslie made it for the musical freestyle. I am so glad we are able to spend time with Leslie. We don't know how much time we have with her. But isn't that true of everyone. Life is short. I am trying to remember that and enjoy each moment I have been blessed with.
It was an incredible weekend.
Sophia is happy with the barn, their horses and the friends she is meeting there.
And our animals just wish we were home some more to spoil them.
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