Finale

Posted on November 23, 2013November 23, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Intermission at The Fantasia was a chance to rake the ring and set up for the rest of the show.

The first act after the Intermission was called Take You Higher. It was clear from the set up that it would involve jumping but I wasn’t expecting the show that we got.

Did you know that a miniature horse can jump just about as high as a full sized horse?

That’s what this little demonstration was all about. First the miniatures , then the full size. Then the bar was raised and around they went again.

As I recall the bar was raised 3 times before they started knock the top rail off.

The Friesian Spectacular was a real crowd pleaser. Clay Maier rode one horse while driving a 2nd.

It’s pretty amazing to see the coordination between the two horses and one rider

But just in case that wasn’t exciting enough for you, The Canadian Cowgirls were back.

Their show was exciting enough to be the finale.

You know, the last song or dance in a show that brings everyone to their feet?

But there was one last segment.

Look familiar?

And then it was time to fight the crowds and the cold and the traffic and head for home.

I apologize for the poor quality of some of the photos. I need much more expensive equipment to avoid so much noise in low light situations, but even with the shortcomings, I had to share.

The Fantasia

Posted on November 21, 2013November 21, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Billed as “A Musical Celebration of the HORSE”, Fantasia is a separate show, separate admission, that wraps up the night.

Most of the people I spoke with go every year.

I had a great seat. I was near an entry/exit to the ring and only 1 tier up. The lighting by now was all artificial. It was full dark outside so no light from the windows to help. As good as my seat was, it was still too far for a flash to be any help. Photography would be a challenge, for sure.

The first act, Jeff Wilson riding Delview Catskill Valiant (Morgan) was done with the lights out. Just a spotlight followed the pair. I just didn’t have the equipment to capture that and some of the other acts with similar lighting.

The Opening Ceremony consisted of 3 parts. A solo ride on a Morgan, The Canadian Cowgirls Drill Team and The National Anthem/Our Heroes.

Melissa Serra performed the National Anthem and it was magnificent, a beautiful rendition but the segment titles “Our Heroes” had me fighting tears, it was so beautiful.

Next up…Extreme Roman Riding

The rider did all the stunts standing on the backs of his pair of Paints.

He did jump the Fire but I only caught the moment after he landed.

Patriotic Fusion was next. A Quarter Horse and rider. A serious piece and demonstration.

Followed by some fun. Chariots of Fire started out with quite the surprise! 2 Roman Chariots each drawn by a miniature donkey.

The crowd roared with approval. So cute, but that wasn’t all.

After a couple of swings around the ring the gates opened again and they were joined by a miniature horse ! That miniature horse was so fat it made me think of a pot bellied pig.

These were the warm up show for the big boys.

Remember those funny little horses? the Icelandic. They had their own segment called Icelandic Fairy Tails.

And the last act before Intermission was visiting from “Down Under” The “Aussie” Cowboy and his “brumbies” His Outback Gang.

During admission the horse show equivalent of the Zamboni prepared the ring for the 2nd half.

Wordless Wednesday

Posted on November 20, 2013November 20, 2013 by Dusty Roads

An Obstacle Course?

Posted on November 19, 2013November 19, 2013 by Dusty Roads

The crew was setting up the jumps for the Versatile Horse and Rider Competition. I’d never heard of that and watched curiously. I saw the jumps go in and then they were setting out cones and barrels. The barrels I understood but there was a strange contraption in the corner and in another place they left the poles from the jumps on the ground.

Finally the 6 finalists were called into the ring for a walkthrough. The strange contraption in the corner was a “mock” shower. The horse and ride stood under it while the rider dumped confetti from a bucket on them. They had to maneuver through the poles and back up in a Z pattern. They had to race barrels and jump fences, open gates and “shoot” a coyote. At one point the horse had to stand and wait while the rider dismounted to pick up a basket of eggs.

The horse was then led across a “bridge over a brook”. Oh My! I wouldn’t have remembered all of the things if I were the rider. All of the tasks had to be completed in under 6 1/2 minutes or the horse and rider were disqualified.

Even if they completed the course within the time the scores were then calculated on how flawlessly they finished. Points off for a top rail down or for missing an obstacle and so on.

I didn’t think I’d like this being more of a traditionalist but it was fun!

I concentrated on the jumps because a young college student told me to my face that photographing jumpers was too hard for me. ( Such arrogance from one so young) That was about a year ago and I’d been looking for a chance to prove her wrong ever since. I was pretty satisfied with the captures except for the lighting. In the summer those events are outdoors so lighting would not have been as much of an issue.

This was the last even before Fantasia at 7:30. The rest of my time here would be in the stands.

That’s Close Enough!

Posted on November 16, 2013November 16, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Leaving Tanqueray behind I started back through the Mallory Building toward the Coliseum. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do next. The schedule was broken down by building and time and there was something going on every minute.

As I passed through the building I passed another ring. This one had the dirt floor and the horses were being ridden in this ring. This was a breed demonstration. I wish I could tell you which breed but I missed the announcement. The show was well underway when I stepped up to the fence. I stayed on the short end so I wouldn’t block anyone’s view. The bleacher seats were along the long sides. Several others stood by me. As I was snapping away one of horses came trotting toward me. I expected it to make the turn like the rest of the riders were doing but it came straight at me, bumped the fence and stuck it’s head right up against me! I know my mouth hit the floor. I looked at the rider with my mouth hanging open. She just shrugged and said “I guess he likes you”. I admit I was shocked both by the horse’s reaction to me and by the rider’s lack of control. But that was nothing compared to what was about to happen next.

Horse and rider back on track I went back to trying to get the exposure right in the low lighting. People were using flash but I was reluctant to try that. I was concerned about startling the horses. Clearly the riders in this ring were not the most experienced. Just as that thought was crossing my mind a flash went off right by the fence. A woman with a ton of camera gear was set up about half way down the long side. As soon as her camera flashed the horse nearest to her shied badly slamming into another horse and rider about to pass them.

Those two bounced toward the center of the ring blocking two more horses. These animals weren’t traveling at a walk. I had visions of a horse pile up like cars on the expressway. For a few moments the ring was in turmoil but eventually the riders got their mounts under control and it was back to circling the ring. The woman with her flash had disappeared. She probably got better pictures than I did but at least I can’t be blamed for causing a possible serious accident.