Important Details About the Observation

Data:

Date: I mentioned that the event was this past weekend but I did't specify the exact day.

Time: I mentioned the exact time when the horses were loaded into the trailer, the time they got to the event and the time the event started. But I didn't mentioned the time when the show finished. I have it on my notes, but I forgot to write it on the blog.

Place: On my notes I described with details the trailers and the park where the event took place, but in the blog I just mentioned the name of the park but I didn't described it, because I considered that other things were more important.

Names of people: This is a very important topic that I need to add in my next observations. Names and descriptions of those people.

Reflection on Second Observation

What surprised me?
I was quite impressed watching little kids ride their horses without any fear, with confidence and elegance. They looked like little adults.
I was also impressed with the organization and protocol of the event. Timing was perfect and I didn't see any inconvenience or problem.

What intrugued me?
There were some directions that the trainers gave to the riders that I couldn't understand, they talked with key words that I din't know. I need to ask my friend about these words, so I will know the next time.

What disturbed me?
The only thing that really disturbed me about this competition, was the amount of time the horses were kept in the trailers. Instead of being kept in stalls, they were left for hours in the trailers.

What did I found boring?
Absolutely nothing. It was an incredible and exiting experience.

Second Observation

Location: Plantation Acres (Volunteer Park)

This past weekend I had the pleasure to be an spectator in a hunter/jumping competition. Before I begin to talk about this amazing experience, I would like to explain a little bit more about this sport. Equestrianism makes reference to horseback riding. In this blog, I'm specifically going to be talking about the branch of equestrianism called hunter/jumping. In the hunter, the horses and the riders are judge based on accuracy, grace, elegance and the ability to maneuver the course. In the jumping, the horses and the riders are judge based on the performance over jumps and the speed in which the course is completed. The horse with the fastest, cleanest, round is the winner.

The horse show started at 8:30am. The horses were loaded into the horse trailer at 7:30am and arrive at the site were the horse show was held at about 8:00am. Because it was a rather small show, the Hunter Creek Farm didn't get stalls to keep the horses before the show, the horses were brought out of the trailer in time to get them ready before the performance. While they waited, horses were given hay.

Around half and hour before each class, the horse was brought out of the trailer and was groomed. As for the riders, they all arrived dressed for the ocation, blouse, jacket, tall boots and showing breeches. Horses and riders looked impecable.

Before each class, the rider has time to warm up. Once the class starts, is all about the rider and the horse, trainers are standing on the fences giving instructions to their riders. Depending on the class, the winner is annaunced as soon as the class ends; otherwise, it might take minutes or hours depending on how many riders were in the class.

I might say I was quite impressed watching the little kids ride their horses. It was a wondelful experience from which I learned a lot about the sport. Hunter Creek Farm got one champion and three reserved champions.

I my next observation i will make referenceto the characteristics of each rider and his/her horse.

First Observation

Ever since I was little, I was interested in horses. Everytime I had the chance to ride one, I would enjoy myself. As I grew up my interest increased, but unfortunetly, the city where I lived in Venezuela didn't have the facilities necessary to participate in the sport.

I moved to the USA 9 months ago and recently, I met someone who rides horses as a discipline/sport. She took me to the place where she rides, which is located in Southwest Ranches, that is, when I realized that I was really interested in riding horses as a sport.

Yesterday I went there to make my first observation. As I was pulling in, I saw the riding arena with all the jumps set up. My friend showed me the barns where the horses are kept. There is a total of sixteen horses. Each horse has its own stall and there is a plaque located on each stall door with the name of the horse and its owner.

The room where all the saddles, bridles, and trunk among other items are kept, is called the tack room. In this room the riders get ready before each lesson.

It was extremely interesting to see all the cares and things that are needed in order to become a horserider. I am really looking forward to my next observation.