Tacking Up

[Stern]

In this competition, participants are judged on the speed, accuracy, and technique of their tacking up. They were required to bring their tack to the ring two hours prior to the competition. They will enter the ring as a class, to find their tack on one of the tarps around the arena (one set of tack per tarp). Participants are expected to bring their horse groomed and ready for tack.

After the horse is tacked up, students should mount and ride out of the arena, avoiding other competitors, to end their time.

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Standing still had never been a strong point for Tex, which is why Cara had picked two rather unusual classes for the gelding during the three day event. Before her show jumping class, she had taken the Welsh's gear to the arena, making sure she had everything she needed, including his close contact saddle.

Once jumping was over, she took Pyre back to the barn and took care of the mare, taking her out to the pasture, she hurried back to where she had left the flaxen gelding. "Settle down." She chided softly as she straightened a couple of his braids and ran a soft brush and then damp cloth over his already clean coat. With a nod, she removed the cross-ties and clipped the lead rope to his head collar and led him out to the arena.

Entering he arena with the others, she quickly spotted the gelding's tack and with a soft smile she got to work, methodically tacking the gelding up, something she had done for years and was more muscle memory than having to think through each task. And as soon as the bridle was in place, she pulled the stirrups down, tightened the girth and vaulted into the saddle, slipping her feet into the stirrups as she squeezed him forward, and making sure she didn't walk into anyone else she rode him from the arena, bowing her head toward the gate steward.

[Chase Valentine]

Babe's mane was always braided, but today was a bit different. Chase had switched the "casual" loose French braid to a lovely tight running braid. He'd left her in her stall to help his sister with her braiding. "That's a lovely girl." he said softly when he returned. Somehow she'd managed to keep most of the bedding on the floor instead of in her mane.

He brushed her out one more time before leading her to the arena. He'd left his dressage saddle (well-oiled and presentable as always), bridle (the browband had a bit of turquoise bling to catch the eye), and swallowtail saddle pad there for the class. He hadn't had a reason to use the pad before that class, so he was quite eager to show it off. He spotted it right away and avoided other competitors on the way toward it.

Pad, saddle, bridle. He knew the process well. Babe did, too, and she was ready to stand with her head down and her tail lazily caught in the breeze. It was all fine until it was time to get in the saddle. Chase wished there was a mounting block. Still, after a bit of effort, he made it onto her back. She hadn't been warmed up, but she was a good dressage horse and arched her neck for him as they left the arena.