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Unlike Factor, however, when we walked into the indoor arena, he surveyed the area, and I swear, you could hear him say, "Oh, horse show. Duh. I know how to do this." and my unruly 17hh thoroughbred was suddenly a big, quiet kitten. At home, he never holds still to be mounted. Here, he stood stock still, looking back at me like "is it time yet?" In the warm-up, he was a gentleman with the other horses, obviously familiar with this 20 horses doing 20 different things in one place scenario that was so upsetting to miss Factor. 

Time came for our first class. For some reason, the judge wasn't done pinning the class before us when we were asked to enter the arena, so 8 or so horses are standing in lineup in the center of the ring. I took Sherlock into the arena first, but the entire half lap we did, he kept insisting we were supposed to go join the others who were lined up! "This isn't right!" he seemed to scream. "I'm supposed to go stand over there and get a ribbon like they are!" Finally, I circled him around so he came in behind Sammie Joe. Then he seemed to decide that well, since his #2 woman is here on the rail walking like this is old hat, he should too. 

We lined up beautifully. I was careful to place him between 2 other horses - -at home we've been working on side passing, and my instruction to back sometimes results in a side pass instead. this way he knew back was the only way to go. and his back was magnificent! I was so proud!

But, the biggest high of the whole day by far -- the judge comes up after making her decisions and says, "He's come so far since I saw him last! I'm really impressed with his muscling and the work he's doing for you! He almost even looks BIGGER!" I smiled when I realized what she was saying, and responded... 

"Oh, no, you're thinking of Factor. This is this big guy's first show with us. In fact he's only been riding 2 or 3 weeks since coming to us."

She had mistaken this horse that had looked like a train wreck 3 months ago to be our well toned miss Factor!!!! HOW COOL IS THAT???? 

We placed 2nd in that class of 11, I think?

Later we rode the country pleasure class -- 13 horses. I chose to make his 'favorite gait' a slow trot, but in a 2 point to protect his back. It isn't yet strong enough for a long sitting trot, and my seat isn't light enough to pretend I'm sitting when I'm not. The arena was too full to have this big tb trotting out at his fullest, so this was my best compromise. It wasn't a class winning choice, but imho it was the right choice for Sherlock. I think we were 5th. 

After that, we rode the adult English walk/trot class. I joked with the judge as we entered that he can walk on a relaxed rein when he doesn't think it's time to canter, and we rode on into our class. Sherlock didn't take a single misstep this class. He counter bent a few times (didn't like where the barrel racing barrels were stored), but everything was right on. his transitions were balanced and pretty. His down transitions had forward movement into them, and we stopped with his hind end well under him. I watched him VERY carefully for his tell tale signs he was tiring, but the breaks had been enough for him and he was doing great. no sign of tiredness at all. 

When the class ended, I couldn't resist showing off his side pass to the lady riding the Tennessee walker next to me. he was fantastic! the whole day was great. 

We exited the arena, as they called the English canter class to the ring, with just one entrant. I'm really glad I didn't know earlier there was only one horse in that class. Sherlock and I have cantered together twice, and I would've been tempted to push it and enter him in that class. I'm glad I didn't take that chance, and risk overstressing his back. This big guy is something amazing. What a capable show horse we have on our hands here! He still has a lot of muscling to get back, and still more weight to gain, but he's doing terrific. We're so proud of him. He's done so well. What a great guy.