Wednesday, December 21, 2011

4 Days Until Christmas!

Luke 2: 8-14 (ESV) "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 1 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Only 4 more days until Christmas!
So Merry Christmas!
I believe it is the second day of Hanukkah today so Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends!
Happy Holidays!

Bye!
~Sarah

Monday, December 12, 2011

Interview: Emma Mandarino

Hey guys! It's our first interview! This one is with Emma Mandarino.
Emma and Royal T
Me (Sarah): What are your ponies/horses names?
Emma: The ones I'm positive I'm showing are Lonzarote, Jet Blue, and Cyrus.

Me: What is your favorite class/division to show in?
Emma: Large Ponies

Me: How many ponies/horses do you ride a day?
Emma: At least 10.

Me: How many times do you show a year?
Emma: At least 20.

Me: Do you homeschool or normal school?
Emma: Homeschool

Me: How old are you?
Emma: 15

Me: What do you like to do outside of riding?
Emma: Be with my friends

Me: What is your biggest accomplishment in riding?
Emma: Champion at Pony Finals

Me: How old were you when you first started riding?
Emma: 6

Me: What is your best tip for showing or just riding in general?
Emma: Stay calm and focused


Emma and Jet Blue
Thank you Emma for doing this! Her barn website is here. Good luck this year!

~Sarah

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Youtube Video of the Week- December 10

Guys, I've been crazy busy. Between being sick, riding, Pom Practices, school, exam review week, studying for exams, and the holidays coming up,  I've barely had time to do much of anything else. So sorry for that. But, get excited! Why? It's a new Youtube Video of the week!! This week the video is God Gave Me You \\Caly// by Charismatic314.
I think it is sooo cute!

~Sarah
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Christmas?! OH MY

There are only 31 days until Christmas, which means it's time to make your list!
These are my tips (most taken from my personal list):

1. My Bracelets



2.  Tailored Sportsman: The Professional Trophy Hunter Low Rise Breeches
                  These come in a ton of colors that are all listed in the catalog!

3. GPA Speed Air Evolution Helmet


4. Equifit T-Boots


5. GPA Backpack


6. Personalized Water Bottle

7. Ugg Women's Newberry Boots

8. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
        Okay, I know it sounds a little little-kidish, but you get to ride horses!


Merry almost Christmas!
~Sarah

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

New Video of the Week + Updates + Thanksgiving!

New video of the week<3
It's by and it's awesome! I love this song and the video!

Updates:
I did not show like I thought I was going to, Jeb got sick and wasn't able to. I don't know when I will show again, but I hope it's soon!
Ask RoadToPonyFinals questions on Formspring or Tumblr!
On Formspring, I think we will follow horse question accounts so you can learn more about what we do, but I haven't asked the other RTPF girls about that. Feel free to ask questions on either, but especially Tumblr.
'Like' us on Facebook!
50 [well now 65, I love you all!] subscriber video is in the making!

Thanksgiving is Thursday! Are y'all excited? I am! I love the holidays! Which one is your favorite? Mine is probably Christmas or Halloween!
I know I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!

Anyways, good luck with everything you're up to!

~Sarah
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Friday, November 11, 2011

11.11.11 and a Horse Show!

It is November 11, 2011. Otherwise known as 11.11.11. Sounds like a pretty good way to kick off an awesome horse show weekend!
That's right! HORSE SHOWWW!
Yes.. It's been way to long.
Super excited, hope I can qualify for Pony Finals this week!

Oh, btdubbs, 11.11.11 won't happen again for 1000 years. Pretty cool, right?

I'll keep you posted on the show!

~Sarah
Twitter: @sarahkhanks
Blog Twitter: @ponyshowring
Youtube: @eyesup31

I'm setting this to post at 11:11!
I have an epic wish to make<3

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Youtube Video of the Week- November 10

New video of the week! Yay!

I really like it! It's by SillyPillyWilly.

~Sarah!
Twitter: @sarahkhanks
Blog Twitter: @ponyshowring
Youtube: @eyesup31

RIP Hickstead, an Amazing Horse

Never forgotten.
Rest in Peace, Hickstead. You will be missed.

I feel like horses like Hickstead make our sport what it is. He was truly incredible.

I feel like this video by livurlife1534 really does a wonderful job of illustrating the heart that Hickstead and his rider put into every single ride, course, jump, everything. He did his job with such precision and joy.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

YouTube Video of the Week- November 3

Sorry for not posting. School has just been so busy :/
Anyways, who wants the next video of the week?

Here it is! (By RoadToPonyFinals)

It's Road to Pony Finals 2012: The Riders!

GUESS WHAT GUYS?!
I made it this year!
I'm so excited!

These are the riders and ponies:
Summerthepony and Stonewall Nimbus and Good Heavens
SPiRiTponyProduction and Divide's Freedom Spirit
eyesup31 and Eyes Up (MEEE!!)
ponyriderluv and Saltwood Samurai
amr12333 and Bryn Taran Bizzy Lizzy
ponygirl0592 and James Whitworth
and the host: (Maddie):
nagelikesbagels and Pep Talk

Go subscribe to them all!

If my iMovie will work with me, there will be a new video soon!
~Sarah
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Monday, October 24, 2011

YouTube Video of the Week

Hey everyone! I'm going to start this new thing called YouTube Video of the Week!

This week, this is the video, by tontoscout.

"most of all, i learned how to be a good sport. i learned that its not always going to work out in your favor, and you have to be okay with that. that no matter what happens in the ring, you should learn from it, and move on, and always walk around with a smile and thank your horses at every opportunity you get, because they try their hearts out to please us.
and honestly, i think all of that is far greater than a first place ribbon." -the caption

I really think you should read the entire caption, it's really meaningful!

Updates!

Hey everyone! Good news!
So... I went to the doctor for my knee.
And, It turns out I DON'T have tendinitis, I have Patellofemoral Stress Syndrome. 
So, it stinks and I have to wear a brace but I CAN RIDE!<3
In the mean time, I have two videos in the making that should be posted on YouTube soon!

SHOW UPDATE:
I'm not doing any shows this month because of my knee, and at the end of the month I have a concert, so yeah! I should show again in November:)

I hope yall like the Pony Show Ring bracelets!


"Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible. " - Cadet Maxim

~Sarah
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Monday, September 26, 2011

Catalog!

Hey guys! Guess what? I just came out with some bracelets. I love them, and I hope you will too!



Sunday, September 25, 2011

sad stuff:(

My surprise? Yeah, it was two weeks of Gallop in the Glen, the second being ZONE FINALS 2011!!! But, they got canceled & thank goodness, zone finals will be rescheduled. Very sad. BUT, we are looking for a show to go to that second week, there aren't any the first week that aren't like 2635615236456753654632 miles away. Not really, but all of them are pretty far away. It was canceled because EHV broke out in the area. To prevent EHV, make sure not to share buckets, saddle pads, etc. Learn more about EHV here, and read updates on what happened given by the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

SO, even though that's good for my social plans since there's a big football game that night, I'd much rather be at a horse show.

Another sad thing? I know, this post is depressing.
I CANNOT RIDE. Like really?! Can this get any worse? No, it can't. I supposedly have Tendinitis in my left knee, and I couldn't ride for a week. I rode Wednesday, and it swelled up pretty badly, so I think I have to go back to the doctor. :/

Anyways, I hope I can get some good news soon!


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<3Sarah

Brownland Fall!

AHHH Brownland was AWESOMEEEEE! So the greens didn't fill but I went into the Regulars and Jeb was amazing!
Thursday: Schooled with Kate and Champ (aka Mission Accomplished)! She's awesome! Her twitter is: kateduke55 Go follow her! Jeb was really really good schooling!

Friday: Schooling Pony, USEF medal, and WIHS medal.
            Schooling Pony: Blue Ribbon(:
           USEF medal: I don't remember the placing but it was good!
           WIHS medal: Not my best, missed a few spots but not too bad.

Saturday: Large Ponies! 3rd, 7th, and 7th! They weren't bad, but it was super tough competition.

Sunday: Large ponies! 4th, 7th, and 5th in the classic. Oohh the classic. So, my first round I was slow to the first fence, and then I didn't see a spot to the first part of the outside, so that was really bad and I lost my stirrup, but I got down the line! I couldn't get it back so I lost the OTHER stirrup. THEN, I finally got them back like two strides until my diagonal single, and I was short to that. BUT, then I finished the course, got down the lines, and got to my spots! That was like the funniest thing of my life. I ended up with a 66. So the next round was good, but a lot of spots were kinda long, so I got a 77.

So, overall, Brownland was so fun and I learned a lot:) EXCITING NEWS NEXT POST<3

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New videos up soon I promise!

-Sarah

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

kentuckysummerclassic2011

Sorry for the gap in posting, I've been really busy with school!
Kentucky Summer Results:
Large Green Ponies: 3rd, 3rd, and 3rd over fences. The other trip we didn't pin, my fault, I had a few bad spots. 10th in the hack! I think there were about 24 ponies. Jeb was amazing, as usual!
WIHS Medal: Ew. It was awful. Jeb was good, but I was off.
USEF Medal: Better, but still not amazing.
I'm not sure where we ended up in either one.

JEB IS THE BEST PONY EVER!<3
love himm.


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Monday, August 22, 2011

USEF PONY FINALS 2K11.

I have the best pony ever. Period. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Get this: .70th in the model. (Beat 4 people lolololol) 16th in the hack. 12th over fences. SO, we went from 70th, to 42nd, to s i x t e e n t h  o v e r a l l!! Yay!! DID YOU GET THAT? SIXTEENTH PEOPLE! I got a very very pretty ribbon that I LOVEEE!

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." -Walt Disney
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." -Walt Disney


So anyways-
Model: Jeb was really really good! He fell asleep in between judges though hahahah. 199 points.
Hack: Amazing! He was soo good! he even reversed and didn't even try to trot! 244 points.
Over Fences: Amazinggg<3 Was little deep to the first part of the 2 stride, little long the the long approach diagonal single, so his stride was super long and we were a little deep to the second part of the outside. He also spooked a little when we first came in, but I covered it up.  We had an over fences score of 221 points.
Overall Score: 885 points! 

In front of the USEF sign!

My awesome ribbon!!


I can't wait for Pony Finals 2012! This year was so awesome!

 DrEaMs Do CoMe TrUe!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

1day 1day 1day 1day

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I leave for Kentucky... Get this... TOMORROW. Less than 24 hours people! I'm so excited! But uh, we all know what this means... I have to pack. Again. Does anyone else find packing for two weeks overwhelming? Especially horse shows because I don't want to forget anything! Comment below! After you show, and are ready to go off when your friends, my mom likes me to carry my phone in case she needs to get a hold of me. So, I think this wristlet is great for horse shows and football games, you know- those kind of things. I also use it for everyday things! I have it in the Viva la Vera pattern and it's super cute! Do you have a Vera Bradley pattern? Mine are Very Berry Paisley and Viva la Vera!
7 days till PF 2011!!
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Monday, August 1, 2011

hiiiii:]

I'd just like to inform you that I leave for Kentucky in TWO DAYS. That's FOURTY-EIGHT HOURS, people. And a whole lotta minutes I don't feel like adding up right now. Guess what? That means there are EIGHT DAYS until Pony Finals 2011!! I've worked for 4 and a half years patiently (sort of, more like begging to be moved up to ponies until the very day I went into the greens!) waiting until the moment when I can zip up my boots, button my jacket, tie my number, hop onto my pony and boldly walk into the Walnut ring at the Kentucky Horse Park, look up to the screen and literally see my name in lights.
That was overly dramatic. But really, I have waited for that moment for a VERY long time. I'm just so... ready. I'm nervous, don't get me wrong, but hey!
"You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take." (Wayne Gretzky) 
And believe me, nothing is gonna slow me down. Yes, I've had my set backs, but you have to keep going. 
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that!" -Rocky Balboa
I can't wait for Pony Finals! It's gonna be so fun and I can't wait to meet some new friends! GOOD LUCK!!

It's REALLY hot outside right now, so make sure you drink lots of water especially at shows! These show shirts do a great job of keeping you cooler. I have one and I absolutely LOVE it! Plus the wrap collar is so much easier than those choke collars! And this polo is great to school in and super cute!

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I'll have new videos on YouTube most likely before KY, but I have to get new clips so I can't promise anything!

-Sarah :]

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

USEF PONY FINALS 2011!

"Again, congratulations on qualifying! Have a great time as you continue your winning ways at the 2011 USEF Pony Finals! Very truly yours, David O' Connor"

Countdown to USEF Pony Finals 2011: 14 DAYS!
You don't even understand how excited I am! I hope everyone has a GREAT time, and remember you're a winner regardless of how you do, you have to be to even qualify!

I got my two large (green and regular) qualification letters a few months back, and I got my medal qualification letter a few days back!
I can't wait to meet some new friends and see all of my pony friends!


The Road to Pony Finals 2011 by tontoscout

Riding on the beach was SOSO much fun!
Pony Finals 2011!

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-Sarah

Charleston: Week t w o

Hey everybody! I apologize for the gap in posting, I was so busy at the horse show and now I've been getting ready for Kentucky.
Soo.. week two. Jeb was AMAZING!  (As always!)
Thursday: In Schooling Pony Hunter we got a red ribbon! In 12-14 Eq we got 5th and 6th! I was the only pony and it was tough competition so I was happy! We got a 66 in the WIHS Medal, and it wasn't my best round, but, I learned from it. In the USEF we had an okay round, but I was happy to finish the course after our last show. We ended up 5th in the Washington, and 6th in the USEF.
Friday/ Saturday: We were 2nd in the model! Over fences Jeb and I ended up 1st, 2nd, 2nd, and 3rd. We were first in the hack, and Reserve Champion! We had an 83 and a 76 classic score and we got 2nd! Also, we were Reserve Grand Kahuna Pony Champion.
Really pretty ribbon!
Now for some more pictures!
Riding in the water!
We went pretty far out!

Lots of fun!!

It was super pretty so my mom took some pictures under the tree!

best ponyever<3

Jeb is adorable!

I really hope we can go back next year!

Jeb was so good!
So, the show was REALLY fun and I met some really awesome people!

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-Sarah

Charleston: Week Uno.

Ahhh Jeb was amazing!! Friday we had Schooling Pony and 12-14 eq. Schooling pony was GREAT! we got a blue ribbon! In equitation I was the only pony but Jeb and I had a pretty good round! Saturday we had a model  and 2 green over fences. We were fifth in the model, but it was the first model I had done before so I was happy with it. Over fences we were 2nd and 4th. Sunday we had 2 over fences, the classic, and the hack. We were fourth and fourth over fences, 4th in the classic and 2nd in the hack. I was so happy with this show because it was a great comeback from our last show.  I'll be making a video of this week so stay tuned to my youtube.

"Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat." - Malcom S. Forbes

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

CHARLESTON!!

Hey! Guess what?! I leave for CHARLESTON tomorrow!  YAYYY! But, packing has come up again.... gross. Jeb was good yesterday when I rode him! I have a lesson on him later. I already rode Dixie and Luca today. Dixie was AWESOME!! She's been having some trouble but she was perfect for me today! She is back to her normal self (yay!!) We  jumped 2'6'' (she's a medium, FYI!) Luca was great also, but we didn't jump. I'll be up in Charleston before Jeb gets there. (Not very happy about that.)
 Packing is the worst, but I love this RJ Classics Duffel Bag!
RJ Classics Sterling Aqua Bag




It's SO cute! You can even get garment, boot, bridle, saddle and helmet bags to go with it! That's great if you're like me who wants everything to match.

High Line Seersucker Full-Seat Riding Breeches
I also LOVE these breeches that I found. They're awesome! The ultra preppy seersucker breeches are perfect for me.

Baker Elite Full Seat Breeches

And another thing on my wish list,  if you like Baker stuff like me you'll love their Baker Breeches. And, both are available in full seat and knee patch.

I'll update you on Jeb [hopefully] later tonight.

New videos up on YouTube!
Follow me on twitter please!
-Sarah

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Back to Normal!

After Brownland, I took Sunday off to think about what had happened. I realize that it was my fault, and Jeb did exactly what I told him to, which was to not jump because I took my leg off.

Monday the 4th, I had a lesson that went great! We are back up to jumping 2'9'' and I've been supporting with my hands and my legs. I'll have a lesson everyday until Friday, when I leave for Charleston! I'll be there for two weeks, and I'm going up a few days early to have some vacation time. I can't wait!

Now, I'd like to say thank you to my trainer, my family, and my friends for being so supportive of me with everything I do, even when I mess up like I did this past weekend. Nobody was ever negative, it was always "tomorrow will be better" or "I know you can do it." Honestly, without this support I would not be where I am today. My pony is the best thing that's ever happened to me and I can't even begin to describe what he means to me. Whenever anything is wrong, he's always there, and he never judges. Jeb just listens, and always manages to make me laugh, even on my worst days. So thank you Jeb!

Youtube
I was lucky enough to be included in this video by jumpersofthesky.  Thanks for including me in it!

"If you never lose then you can never appreciate the victories."- Laura Twitchell

"Victory isn't defined by wins or losses. It is defined by effort. If you can truthfully say, 'I did the best I could, I gave everything I had,' then you're a winner." - Wolfgang Schadler

"Courage is not the absence of fear. It is being afraid but being able to control that fear so you are able to perform at your highest ability. That's what makes a champion." - Cory Lester


"Being the best that you can be is possible only if your desire to be a champion is greater than your fear of failure." -Sammy Lee

Nothing is ever impossible! Don't ever let anyone ever tell you that you can't.
-Sarah

Friday, July 1, 2011

Rough Day!

Well, today was slightly better, except for I fell off this time. My schooling round was great, but then in the EQ round I did the same thing as yesterday. Jeb avoided stepping on my shoulder, but he grazed it. I have some bruises but I am okay. The medics checked me out and made sure nothing was wrong. Jeb was also fine.

We scratched all my other classes, and afterwards I schooled again and we were great.
 Once again, you can't let things get to your head.

 “The only real failure in life is the failure to try.” - Sven Goran Eriksson
 
“Fear of failure must never be a reason not to try something.”- Frederick Smith

YouTube

-Sarah

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Things Don't Always Go as Planned!

Rough day today in Brownland. Our first Schooling Pony round was good, but the second I was short to the first part of the outside, then didn't get him back enough on the turn so we got a seven instead of eight in the diagonal. When we came back for the USEF medal, we schooled okay, but in the ring things fell apart, I choked, then psyched myself out.  Jump 1: perfect!! Jump 2: I took my leg off, threw my hands up on the neck, and Jeb didn't have enough pace to jump, so he stopped, and I almost fell off, but I pulled my self back on. Jump 2 Retry: Gorgeous! Jump 3: Great! Jump 4: Awesome! Jump 5: Same thing as Jump 2, but I didn't almost fall off. Then I freaked myself out even more, threw my hands up on the neck, and of course Jeb stopped again.

Once in the schooling ring, I did an oxer, and was fine, but then my trainer raised the jump and I freaked again. After that Jeb stopped a bunch of times. This pony never ever stops. It was all rider error. I got over a few verticals, but not an oxer again.

My trainer got on and rode him, and now I am confident that tomorrow will be better. I let it get to my head too much and I lost my confidence.

Even still, tomorrow is a new day, and I intend to fix all the problems we had today. Regardless of how good your pony is, or how good of a rider you are, if things get into your head, you can't let it get to you and mess you up. Shake it off, you can do anything you set your mind to.

"Supposing you have tried and failed again and again. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down."~Mary Pickford

“Try and fail, but don't fail to try.” ~ Stephen Kaggwa

-Sarah

YouTube

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Roadtrip!

I'm in the car on the way to Franklin! (Thank goodness for 3G, otherwise you wouldn't know that!) I'm really excited to see all my horse show friends! Good luck to everybody showing this weekend. I'll be posting a video on my YouTube (eyesup31) of brownland once I get back. I'll post some pictures on here, also! Have fun riding and showing this weekend!

"The only thing that will stop you from fulfilling your dreams is you." -Tom Bradley

-Sarah

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Off to Brownland!

If anybody asked me the least favorite part about horse shows, the only thing I will ever say is packing! I hate it! But, now that I'm done (finally), I thought I'd come and tell you my horse related adventures today and for the rest of the week! Today, I went to the barn and got everything set for Jeb to leave tomorrow. And I packed (gross!) Tomorrow I'll be off to Brownland Farm in Franklin, TN. I'll be with my (awesome) mom, and trainer, Beanie Cone. (He's pretty cool too!) Jeb and I will be showing in the 12-14 equitation, USEF  pony medal, Large Green Ponies, and the WIHS pony medal.  Let me just take the time to say thanks to everyone that helps me, especially my mom and dad for letting me ride! (And paying for ALL of my stuff!)

You should check out my youtube, I'll be putting up videos of Jeb frequently!
Countdown to Pony Finals 2011: 42 days! Congrats to everyone who has qualified, can't wait to see you there!
Fun fact about Jeb: He HATES cicadas and shots!

Have fun at all the horse shows this weekend and check back to see how Jeb and I have done!
I absolutely LOVE this video by ez7za- you may want to check it out too!

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”- Gail Devers
Dream on, anything is possible!

-Sarah!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Meet Eyes Up aka Jeb!

Meet Jeb, my awesome Large Green pony! He has come such a long way since I got him from Lisa Baker and Majestic Acres in Bristol, TN and he has helped me to accomplish things I never thought were possible. My dream has always been to go to USEF pony finals, but honestly the first few months I had Jeb, all I wanted was for him to slow down. Eventually he did, and I was able to focus on Pony Finals again!

This was from our first A show, WTHJA Memphis in May in May of 2010. We showed in the Large Children's ponies. Jeb measured at exactly 14.2 hands! Jeb's show name, Eyes Up took a lot of thinking and many conversations of blurting out names and saying "no, that's just not it." I wanted somehing unique, fun, and representative of us as a team. I wanted a name that no one else had. My trainer, Beanie Cone of Hunters Edge Stables, always had to tell me to keep my eyes up, and everybody joked about how Jeb had 'bug eyes." So, my mom, being the creative person she is, suggested Eyes Up. It was perfect!
As the 2011 show season rolled around, I was excited, but nervous. The first week of December we headed off for St. Louis and the Lake St. Louis Winter Festival Horse Show. We went, we showed, and WE QUALIFIED! I was so excited that we qualified our first time out. Later on in the season, February 2011 at Lake St. Louis again, we showed and were second in the USEF pony medal. The week afterward, we headed down farther south to Gulfport, MS for the Gulf Coast Winter Classics and learned a TON! We didn't win, but it was a great show and it taught me a lot. I did my first pony classic and I was 2nd! 
In March, we did another two weeks of shows in Tennessee - the WTHJA Springtime in Dixie and Springtime Encore. Jeb and I also showed in the Large Regulars, as well as the greens. We were champion in the regulars our first time! At this point, we had qualifiied for the Large Green Ponies and the Large Regulars. The greens were a big division and I figured a lot of things out. In the first week of May, we competed in Queenie Productions May Madness and Jeb was great. Every show we have done we have learned a lot about each other. Jeb and I have to practice a lot, but it definitely pays off in the long run. On May 26th, right after I got out of my last exam (YAY SUMMER!!!) we headed East to Franklin, TN for Brownland Farm's Nashville Country. At this show, Jeb was amazing! We were Reserve in the Large Greens! Also, we won the USEF Pony Medal, and we qualified for the medal at Pony Finals! Now we didn't have to worry about qualifying for anything else at Pony Finals! The second week of June, we hit the road again, but this time we headed South West to Tunica, MS for the Delta Blues Classic. At this show, Jeb and I won ALL of our green classes, and were champion!! He was perfect! Everybody was really proud of him because he had never been to this show before and he handled it like a champ. We also ended up second in the USEF Pony Medal (oops, we sorta cantered the trot fence, my bad!) I also got to school a small pony and I now realize why I have a LARGE pony!

All in all, 2011 has been a great year so far and I can't wait to continue it! From here we head back to Franklin, TN for the Brownland Summer, to Charleston, SC for the Charleston Summer Classics in July, and then in August to Lexington, KY for the Kentucky Summer Classic and then PONY FINALS!  At the moment, Jeb and I are eighth in the zone, and fourtheenth in the nation with eight shows! Jeb has taught me so many lessons and I can't imagine a life without him. Remember, keep your eyes up and never give up!
-Sarah