FRVPC Horse Trials–even better than last year

The Fox River Valley Pony Club in Barrington Hills, Illinois really has their act together. I thought last year’s three-day show was great, but this year’s was even bigger and better–in spite of the uncooperative weather. Three hundred entries made for lots of eyeballs passing my booth. Whose location I have to say was greatly improved upon this year. There was a lot more foot traffic since the vendor row was conveniently located right in the warm-up field and between the huge tents serving as temporary stabling and the permanent barns on the property. Pretty much everybody had to pass by sooner or later.

 

Here’s what the dressage warm-up area looked like before the downpour.

Friday was a lovely day, not too hot, and dry. Saturday was another story. Thunderstorm warning sirens went off in the morning and we took shelter in the main barn while the rain came down in sheets. I was hesitant to look out the door, from which I could have seen how my booth was faring had I so desired. But I really didn’t want to know, in spite of the fact that I had conscientiously battened it down when I was assembling it. To my relief, all was in order, except for a soggy floor from water rolling in from the parking area…

My booth, which survived the storm. Notice the nice little mud path back to the table!

Main barn with indoor ring, and polo barn area on the showgrounds, complete with mud.

The cross-country phase was supposed to take place on Saturday, but only the advanced classes were able to run before the deluge hit. The show jumping ring was able to be salvaged, so the rest of the cross-country was postponed till Sunday and the show jumping phase ran instead on what was left of Saturday. Gotta hand out a lot of praise to the event organizers who were able to rejigger everything and get all the classes done with a minimum of confusion.

After the downpour–same warmup area set up for jumpers. No extra charge for the mud…

A jumper with a very determined look doesn’t let a little rain get in the way.

Pegasus?

 

There were so many really lovely horses at this event. I took so long to sort out all the great photos I was able to shoot that I didn’t get around to posting about this show till today, four days after it was over. Oh yeah, and I sold enough “stuff” at the show to earn back my booth fees…always a happy circumstance!