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Pat and Marlin Show and WIN
Pat rides 10-year-old Missouri Fox Trotter, Marlin. They've been riding together for 2 years and these are their first show entries, although Pat did some schooling shows in her youth. The two of them do it all, including pleasure riding, horse camping, trail trials, cow sorting, and now showing. Pat looks to Krista for help refining her skills and becomimg a better horsewoman.

Pat notes Krista's FootFalls Clinic really made sense to me. Teaching the horse balance by straddling the pole, and using half halts and walking slowly to help with collection have been most helpful. A task with crisscrossed poles at her Trail Clinic was helpful in causing the horse to pay attention to where he's putting his feet. While I learn something from every clinician I've met, Krista's teaching style and explanations work for me. I just wish I could make it to more (Corralitos) Play Days.

Pat and Krista met through their work with Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Krista has a particular talent for matching horses and riders, and is responsible for introducing this excellent pair.

April 10, 2010-Tennessee Walker California Celebration, Watsonville
Pat entered the Open-All Gaited Class (class of 10 riders, mostly Tennessee Walkers), placing 3rd.

April 17, 2010-SpringFest, Monterey
Pat and Marlin entered several fox trotter classes and won one, beating one of the top performing fox trotters in Northern California. They also placed 2nd in Model, 2nd in Amateur, and 3rd in Country Pleasure.
Says Pat about their success: To say I was shocked...and thrilled...is an understatement.

Their next show was to have been the Fox Trotter Association Show in Elk Grove, but knee surgery has briefly sidelined Pat.

So far, her classes have all been in two gaits (running walk and fox trot) and their intention is to move up to canter classes, too, as well as trail classes. They plan on showing a few times a year, primarily through the Pacific Coast Fox Trotter Association.

Pat says that she keeps her wins in perspective, as she's yet to show under a fox trotter judge, and the gait is different from the gaits of the walkers. I still need to learn the 'feel' of when Marlin is correctly gaiting as we're not consistent and he's not always collected. I credit Krista's teaching of footfalls, balance, and half-halts and need to get a refresher course from her. I also told myself to keep my head up and eyes focused on where I'm going, back straight, and a smile on my face. I think that helped keep me relaxed.

Congratulations to Pat on her adventurous spirit and excellent riding!