I have tried to teach and engage Apache in as many activities as possible. Not only does exposure to new behaviors and environments lead to a more well rounded and confident horse, but the more you try, the more you find out what you and your horse enjoy and what you're good at.

We are both just as comfortable bareback or in saddle, whether doing arena work or on the trail. I love to show and compete in various venues, as well as participate in trail rides and other events. In June 2006, we participated in the Brenda Imus demonstration at the Horse Expo in Sacremento. You can read about it on my blog.

Saddle Seat

I have shown Apache at a number of open breed shows, as well as a few gaited horse shows. Now that we are in California, I hope to be able to get to more gaited horse shows. In Texas, the focus was really more on the performance horses and even in the lighter shod classes, on exaggerated action, so Apache and I were at a disadvantage. In California, the focus is more on flat shod horses and natural action, so I'm excited to see how it goes here. When I show Apache, I show him both English, in a flat or saddle seat saddle, and Western. I really like showing saddle seat. I dig the outfit and I think Apache looks so nice all dolled up with the braids.

Competitive Trail Rides

Apache and I did a season or two of NATRC rides when we were still in Texas. The North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) is one of a number of competitive trail ride organizations in the US. A competitive trail ride is not a race, but competitors cover a marked course in a given period of time. The horse is judged on condition, soundness, and trail ability on natural trail obstacles. The rider is judged on presentation, grooming, trail equitation, trail safety/courtesy, stabling, etc. With the smooth ride they offer, this kind of activity is just perfect for gaited breeds. Regardless of what kind of horse you ride, both you and your horse can learn a lot at these events.

Dressage

Apache and I have incorporated dressage into our training program and have competed in a few dressage shows. The judges have always had nice things to say, even though Apache was the only gaited horse in a sea of warmbloods. Dressage helps develop increased communication between you and your horse. In addition, your horse learns better use and control of his body and becomes more supple and responsive. These basic principles can help any horse in any discipline with any goal. The National Walking Horse Associaton publishes dressage tests for gaited horses. You will see these used sometimes at gaited horse shows if they offer dressage trials. In addition, I have successfully been able to use these tests at dressage schooling shows after talking to the judge before hand.

Jumping

My old trainer originally wanted to teach Apache to jump as a way of giving him something new to do. He is incredibly smart and starts to get bored with the same old routine. When he gets bored, he can become cranky. I wanted to learn how to jump, too, so I thought it was a fine idea. Apache took to it immediately. His eyes light up and he gets so excited when he heads down the line. He thinks jumping is the best thing ever and wonders why I didn't tell him about it from the very beginning. He is still learning, but he has made vast improvements, learning to stay straight down a line, listen to his rider when asked to move up or come back, and follow a course. While he has competed in jumping classes at one or two schooling shows, I hope to get him to more, especially since he enjoys it so much. Towards the end of 2003, we did a jumping/dressage demonstration for a clinic my former trainer held for the local LSGPHA members. These pictures are from that clinic.

Halter

I love showing Apache in halter, since I think he's beautiful, of course. He gets bored pretty quickly though and starts breaking his parked stance and gnawing on his bit while slobbering everywhere. I have to put in some time at home working on it with him so we can improve in the show ring.

Trail Obstacle

Apache generally does very well in Trail Obstacle classes whenever we have an opportunity to do one. I believe it's all the exposure to different things paying off. The pictures below show him acing a backwards L, a backwards weave pole course, and a bridge.

Western

Apache looks pretty smart in Western gear as well. These pictures are from the Third Annual Woodside Gaited Horse Show, held at the horse park in Woodside. My friend Libby was nice enough to lend me her Tennessean gear for the show.

Driving

Most recently, Apache has learned to drive. I haven’t actually gotten to drive him myself yet. I’m still trying to master the driving reins while long lining him. I will put up some driving pictures as soon as I get some.

Cow Penning

I have taken Apache to one of the cow penning clinics run by the owner of the barn where we board. Being from Texas, he had seen many a cow (and in fact, much bigger ones), but he had never interacted with them before. He showed vast improvement throughout the day and by the end was really starting to understand that we were chasing the cows and that we weren't just randomly galloping around, but that he still had to listen and follow direction. He definitely had a good time. I plan on attending more of these as they have several through out the year. Unfortunately, there were no pictures of the event.