Equine Affaire is a Wrap.

     Whoooohoooo! Be prepared for a novel, hope everyone enjoys.

     On Friday mom and I packed up and headed to feed Pippi and off to Columbus Ohio we went. I was given a TomTom for Christmas from the family I babysit for bc I had stolen theirs a few times when I went out of town. Never used mine yet so why not since we didnt know where the Hospital was really. Well, TomTom had other plans, like spending the whole 2 hours trying to find signal. Needless to say finding the hospital turned out to be harder then it should have been. But we ended up getting there after some yelling and getting lost. To bad grandma (Donna's mom) had been taken to get a ECO test done right when we got there and we never got to see her, Really! So Donna grabbed her bag and off to Equine we went, only to not be able to find Handicap parking (more on that in a few). Lucky for us we found a decent spot and off we went to shop for a few before the Peter Leone clinic.
     During the Peter Leone clinic I got a little bummed bc I think Pippi would have done really well. Only three people ended up being in the clinic, the girl from our area ended up having to pull out bc the morning of her mare had a swollen stifle. Always next year for us. One horse was an OTTB who did jumpers with his professional rider/trainer. Second horse was a hunter TB with his little girl (maybe 16 or so but I could be way off). I really liked that horse but he needed some help. Both of the TBs were pretty tall like 17hh give or take a little. The third horse was a 15.3hh hunter/equ Paint gelding that really didnt look like a paint. He was not a fan of the arena at first but chilled out by the time things started. His trainer sat behind us. So if Pip had been in the clinic she would have been the smallest and the only real paint looking one. Peter set up a gymnastic line ground pole bounce to 18"ish cross rail, 3 big stride to 2'6 maybe oxar with a wide spread, 3 normal stride to a maybe 2'6 again oxar also wide spread. He had some jumps on the side too but I dont know how to explain that so we will ignore it. Peter talked for awhile about stuff, mom took loads of notes and then we got started. He had them act like they were in a Equ flat class at the trot, gave some opinions then had them canter big saying he wanted a 14' length stride. He also had them sit trot down the long side and reverse in the corner and instead of going straight to the rail, side pace/leg yield thinger to the rail. Two of the girls did really well for the most part, one girl did bad. She was on the TB that I liked and she steered to the wall not using her legs at all. He did some jumping thing with the side jumps, asking them to give a 6 strides from jump to jump then 5 strides. Two of the girls did well, the same girl who cant have her horse cross his legs at the trot was way way off. I felt bad for her up to this point. It was obvious that she was not as advanced and ready for this clinic as she thought she was. Then she got really bitchie and pouty about not doing well. HELLO! You are in a Peter Leone Clinic, He Went and PLACED Silver at the OLYMPICS. Goodness. Finally they did the gym line. All the girls went thru it and all did well. Then he set up a V rail. This is when on the oxars he puts two rails leading up from the ground in front of the jump to the first rail on the oxar. This is to get the horse higher over the jumps and folding more. First the rails are spaced out then moved closer together.
     After the clinic we were walking/wheeling to get some food and we saw Peter. Mom and Donna suggested I go over to see him and introduce myself. He Remembered Me and Pippi *insert Huge Smile*  He was super nice and told me that I should find a clinic to be in once I am healed. He had a book and a booth where he was signing them and a DVD. After eating we went to the building that was said to have his book and him in it. Well Peter was no where to be found but we found his book and bought it. Was told to come back on Saturday at 10:55am and he would be signing books again. Shopped the rest of the day and saw Fantasia which was good but not as WOW as it was the year before. After Fantasia we had another issue of finding our Hotel bc street signs and detours were all sorts of messed up. Like saying 71East when it is either North or South on 71 not East and West.
     On Saturday we got breakfast at Bob Evans by the hotel and went to Equine where once again there was no Handicap parking and no where near close to park and it was raining. Mom had had enough and went to find someone to complain to. The handicap area that we were told to park in was not marked so every car with a brain parked there bc it was close. We found a police officer who gave mom attitude and informed us that there would have been more parking if they hadnt decided that food venders were more important. Mom ended up just letting Donna and I out and going to complain to someone. Mom ended up finding a girl with a handicap sticker driving around who was in tears bc she cant leave her mom and cant find a good enough spot to park and no one would help her. Mom ended up going to customer service and complained. Donna and I went to wait in line to meet Peter. When Peter walked up he spotted me (how could you miss my green cast) and said "There you are, wish you could have been in the clinic, would have been fun." He signed my book, along with the co-writer and got pictures with both of them. Now I need to read my book. On Saturday it had rained most of the day and I had to keep covering my cast up.
     Now on to shopping. Pippi got a new sheet for $20, wire braiding things so I can use to braid her hair (if all goes well I will post something about it), saddle cart for shows, the book, and I feel like something else but I dont remember. It was pretty awesome weekend. I also got to meet Liz and Ali who both spotted me and my cast.  

Peter and help setting up the jumps

Beginning of the gym course.

The end of the gym course

Girls and Peter. Chestnut is OTTB. Middle is TB with pouty girl. Then Little Paint.

Peter Leone! 

His co-writer.

I look forward to healing and making an amazing video for next years Equine and try to get in another clinic.