and Rosie

journey with a gaited horse.

and the results we saw. When she announced an opening in her Orlando clinic, we immediately signed up.

Ivy cleared up some confusion we had about Rosie’s gaits—sometimes she was trotting, sometimes pacing, and sometimes she would give us a beautiful saddle rack. Once I could tell what she was doing while I was riding her, and knew how to ask for that rack, her gait became much more consistent.

I had ridden her in a couple of local gaited horse shows, but didn’t really enjoy the experience. I thought to myself, “Why can’t gaited horses do dressage?” So, I searched online for gaited dressage and found the FOSH IJA (Independent Judges Association) dressage tests. At the clinic, I asked Ivy about gaited dressage, since I was experience in “regular” dressage. She very enthusiastically encouraged me to try it as a way to further Rosie’s training.

Once we returned home, I emailed a longtime friend and trainer Judy

Fannin, who regularly holds hunter/ jumper/dressage shows at Fannin Hill Farm. She spoke to the dressage judge, who welcomed us, and the next month I rode the IJA 2 Gait Dressage Test A. We earned a score of 66% and got many positive comments from the judge.

Rosie and I continued to show throughout the year at Fannin Hill, adding IJA 2 Gait Test B to our classes, and finally trying IJA Training Level Test 1. We’ve had nothing but positive experiences and feedback. I have found that the hours of training

I put in to prepare for these shows has transformed Rosie. She is no longer the skinny, gangly horse we bought and is developing strength, suppleness and confidence.

Joe is back to riding again, and Jules is sound as well. I plan on continuing Rosie’s training—we have to work on her canter—and look forward to another year of showing her. I am also rejoining Pony Club as an adult and hoping to bring Rosie to a lesson or two this year.

June 7th-10th, 2023

MFTHBA Showgrounds in Ava, MO

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 – 9:00am – Versatility Arena

Open Showmanship

Youth Showmanship

Open Western Pleasure (No Canter)

Open Western Pleasure (Will Canter)

Youth Western Pleasure (Will Canter)t

Open Western Horsemanship (Will Canter)

Youth Western Horsemanship (Will Canter)

Open English Pleasure (Will Canter)

Youth English Pleasure (Will Canter)

Thursday, June 8th, 2023 – 9:00am – Versatility Arena

Open Trail

Youth Trail

Open Reining

Youth Reining

Open Barrel Race

Youth Barrel Race

Open Pole Bending

Youth Pole Bending

Open Stake Race

Youth Stake Race

Friday, June 9th, 2023 – 9:00am – Versatility Arena

Ranch Sorting Jackpot (cash entry only)

Saturday, June 10th, 2023 – 9:00am – Versatility Arena

Ranch Sorting Jackpot (cash entry only)

High Point Awards for Open Versatility Champion and Youth Versatility Champion Entry Forms and Class Patterns: mfthba.com/springshow/forms-and-downloads/

MFTHBA Registration Papers & Membership required to enter, this includes Ranch Sorting.

Questions: Cheyenne Dunham

(816) 284-3196

Cdunham0976@gmail.com