In spite of those challenges, Kid 3 and Valentine managed to pull off a 2nd place finish in her demonstration speech on "How to Groom a Horse." They didn't place in the trail event, but I still think it was a great experience for the two of them. It was their first time at State and gave them a starting point to build on next year.
One of my long-time riding students was also at State with her pony. She made the nicest Facebook post afterwards:
Had fun at state! Didn't place but we gave it our all! I'd say we did pretty great !(: we may not have placed good but he's sure a champion in my eyes! He's such a trooper! Being able to make it to state has always been my dream! And being able to make it with Brownie is just amazing... A few years ago I never thought we would be where we are today !! ... And a HUUUGEE thanks to Julie Kimpel for helping us reach our goals and dreams and for helping us get to who we are today !! Thank you !!(:
It is super rewarding to help others achieve their goals!
Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures from state--someone who shall remain nameless fell asleep with my phone on Friday night so it never got plugged in, but here are a few from my adventures with my sister and niece and nephew.
We played in Salt Lake City, went to Jackson, WY (I recommend the trout at Cafe Genevieve), went to the Rexburg town picnic, hiked to Wind Caves, spent the day in Yellowstone-btw, the Boiling River is my new favorite hot pot, rode horses, and went floating on the Snake River.