Summer in the Rockies Week 1 Recap

The first week of the Colorado show series, Summer in the Rockies, has ended. And I was able to be there for classes on Saturday. Well, it was last Saturday that I went. And I wanted to provide a recap of some of the classes for that day. Or I should say I wanted to share a lot of pictures that I took at the horse show last Saturday.

Let’s Get This Summer Started

I didn’t go alone. It’s always fun to have a friend come along and share in the excitement of this series of shows. And just like every year, my friend Lynda was with me, and just as excited as I was that summer is finally here, and so are the horse shows!

I have been trying all week to get this post out, but we are getting ready to have our house painted. Have you ever been so busy that you don’t know whether you’re coming or going? I have been running around like a headless chicken at a disco, trying to get everything ready and done before that happens next week.

I still have two YouTube channels that I make videos for, too. The Budget Equestrian, of course. I have also been trying to finish a tack room organization video. I also have my DIY Diva channel. And I recently reviewed a Lawn Mowing Robot

This little robot, Anthbot, is so much fun! Oh my goodness! Talk about a time saver. I am waiting for the final approval of my video so I can share this with the world. But I thought I would give you a sneak peek!

Summertime = Busy Time

And that video also has a bunch of DIY projects for making your home look great. I think I was inspired by my next-door neighbor. When she was getting her house ready to list for sale, I wanted to make our property look great, too.

But now I have to take everything down from the house to get ready for the painters.

That’s okay, though, because my house will be painted—and I am not the one doing it this time! I am really excited to have someone else do the painting work. I did repaint my horse barn a month or two ago. And I am really happy with how that turned out.

It is so much brighter than it was, inside and out. I didn’t know you could paint metal siding with regular house paint. That is until I did a little research! Again, I need to dedicate a whole post to that because I am supposed to be talking about the horse show. So, let’s get to it!

Summer in the Rockies Week 1 Recap

The show grounds were bustling with activity for this first show of the series. There were a LOT of people there for the Grand Prix. And there were a lot of riders too.

When I checked the counts from Horse Shows Online, there were going to be 29 riders. That is the most I have seen in a Grand Prix at the Horse Park.

Lynda and I had gotten there early, so we were able to watch some other classes too. But we were able to watch the riders do the course walk for the Grand Prix. This is so interesting to me.

Riders spent a lot of time analyzing the course. I was excited to see Bjorn Ikast walking it. He had three of his horses in this class, but he didn’t end up riding a single one. At first, I wasn’t sure why, but I think I may have a theory or two as to why he didn’t ride.

The jumps were ALL new for this show. Every single one of the jumps I have never seen before.

From the hunter ring to the lower jumper classes, all of the rings were filled with bright and colorful jumps.

Someone I sat by during the Grand Prix even mentioned the jumps. She said the last time they had been to the horse park, the jumps looked like they came from a farmer’s field down the road. Not at this show, though.

The jumps were big, bright, and colorful. Especially in the International arena.

Many of them were some sort of resin or plastic material. Many of them were beautiful.

Especially in the Hunter ring.

And some of them were a little strange.

Maybe it’s just me, but the multi-colored jumps would look better with color-coordinating rails.

Summer in the Rockies Week 1 Recap

But there was one jump that seemed to be giving many of the horse and rider teams a very difficult time.

Maybe it was the angle, or maybe the colors? Whatever the challenge, more horses refused at this jump. Maybe they are afraid of giant trout jumping? I don’t know. But this jump proved to be the most difficult one for the riders and the horses.

This course proved to be very difficult. I have never seen so many riders retire their horses midway through the course. They were like, “Nope. I’m done.”

It looked like a very difficult course to ride. It was also very windy during the class. Some of the followers actually blew off the jumps while riders were on course. That had to be terrifying to the horses.

At the end of this class, only three riders went clear. Out of the original 29 entries, only 23 competed. Of those 23, only three had clear rounds within the time limit for the jump-off.

And of those three, two of them were local riders. Caroline Van Der Merwe was one.

Susan Griffis was the other. Two local riders and two female riders were the best of the best for the Grand Prix!

And Susan Griffis ended up the champion of the Grand Prix. Talk about an exciting and thrilling win. She worked very hard for this, and she did it!

Summer in the Rockies Week 1 Recap

There was a huge turnout for both exhibitors and spectators at the first show of the series. There sure seems to be a lot of buzz about this series. I am very curious to see how it is tomorrow when Lynda and I make our way back to the horse park.

If you’re in the area, you should check it out. I know I will probably never be able to be an exhibitor at a show of this level, but it sure is fun to be a part of such an incredible production. Even if I am only a spectator who likes to share what I see.

Even if it is just through the lens of my camera. I love everything about these shows. And I cannot wait until we can go back and watch some more classes! I still have to get to the vendors, too. Maybe tomorrow. Who knows. But one thing I do know, I will be at the Colorado Horse Park tomorrow for another day of horse show excitement!