BSBA 2007 NATIONAL & YOUTH WORLD SHOW: JUNE 28-29

[candj]

Ok I am going to start by posting some write-ups from the days just before the show starts. I will post thursday now and friday later today. Then before I leave tommorrow I will have show results for sat & sun and will post mon when I get back from the horse show. The results are taking some time, but I am scoring them following how the RL app nationals are scored. Here are some write-ups for you guys.


THURSDAY JUNE 28, 2007:

Last minute preparations were underway on the Las Vegas show grounds. The grounds were still dark with a faint light of the impending sunrise visible at the horizon. It had been a late night as all the BSBA staff and volunteers worked to get stalls set up and the grounds cleaned. Jen and Cory had arrived in Nevada five days prior to organize. For now Jen had to focus on getting the paperwork for the stall office organized as she expected the first of the rigs to be pulling in shortly before noon. Her watch reported the time to be 5:30am and her coffee had become cold since she poured it. She picked up her cell phone to wake Cory up who was still sleeping in the trailer. It was about time for him to get moving and help her in the barn and feed the horses that they brought with them. Tubs were strewn about the tiny office with registration and stall assignment forms. She had been hoping and stressing that everything would run smoothly once trailers began to arrive. She also hoped nothing was forgotten back in Kentucky. She was so thankful that all the offices as well as the barns and indoor arenas were air conditioned since Vegas in the summer time was prime baking season. Cory and Jen were expecting at least 60-70% of the exhibitors to be hauling in today and the rest traffic jamming outside the stall office early tomorrow. Hopefully this mess of paperwork could get straightened out before breakfast.

***

The first trailer was a familiar one as Jen stepped outside the office area. Carey and Bri Slage* arrived with a trailer full of DEF horses. Bri and Carey* helped take care the farm while Jen and Cory were away to set the show up. “I knew you’d be the first here!” she yelled at the slowing trailer. “Brianna couldn’t wait to get on the road and we figured once we get the horses settled we could help with the rush” Carey* called back, “I was speeding a little, but I passed a bunch of trailers that should be here in the next 20-30 minutes”. The three of them unloaded the horses and put them in their assigned stalls for the show. Bri* took her time getting HOPE BY INVITATION comfortable in her stall and grooming her a little before returning to help unload the tack that they brought. No sooner had they finished parking Carey’s* trailer next to Jen’s did four trailers pull in. “Showtime” Carey* said. “Yup, and I hope we can get these guys checked in quickly so no one has to sit too long. I am so glad you guys are here to help” Jen replied.

***

The rest of the day was a blur of trailers, questions, paperwork, and directing traffic. One horse got loose in the barn and there was one minor fender bender in the trailer parking area. The rush had slowed to a trickle of arrivals after about 5:00pm. The stall office was going to be open through the night to help those arriving through the night. Everyone except for the Stone* family was present from Diamond Elite Farms. The Stones* were on their way and would be arriving sometime around midnight. For now stalls needed to be cleaned and Jen set out with Cory after a short dinner in their trailer to do chores. The barn was alive with sounds of excited exhibitors and trainers helping out in the warm-up ring. She loved these moments before a big show.



More to follow....

[candj]

Friday, June 29

No rest for the weary Jen thought as her alarm rudely awakened her from a peaceful night sleep. Today would probably be a hot one, but she was thankful for her first decent night of sleep since they arrived in Vegas. She knew C0ry wouldn’t budge from bed until at least 5:00am and her watch said that it was now 4:30am. Well a nice shower and some breakfast would help get her going. The show office was set to open at 8:00am sharp this morning and she knew today would be busier than yesterday. Not only were people filling out paperwork at the show office for last minute entries, there were still some trailers to be expected today. Luckily she had a very helpful staff and all the DEF crew was here to help. A knock at the trailer interrupted her mental preparation to get through the day. Cody Dekker*, one of DEF’s stock horse trainers, stood beyond the door. “I’m just on my way to meet up with Russ* to feed. So you don’t have to worry about chores this morning.” Cody said. “Then once the chores are done we’ll start working some of them”. “That helps me out so much today, thanks Cody*” Jen replied. With that Cody* headed in the direction of the barns and Jen retreated into the trailer to find Cory making his way to the bathroom. He would be happy to know that the chores were taken care of for them this morning and that the two of them could sit and have breakfast together today.

***

Jen had also forgotten about the board and membership meetings yet this morning. Crap! She thought to herself since both her and Cory would need to be present for both meetings. That meant she would be out of the loop for a few hours this morning. As her and Cory stepped out of the trailer to head toward the show office, she looked around at the grounds for the first time since last night. She was shocked at the amount of trailers that had pulled in overnight and even more shocked that she had slept though it. The Stone* family had made it in last night as well she observed. There were bound to be a few more stragglers as the day wore on. The outdoor warm up ring was almost full with younger horses and trainers before it got too hot. The indoor arenas would also be crowded all day as well.

Jen unlocked the show office and began sorting through what had been organized yesterday. Yes it was going to be another fun day since the show began tomorrow. She was excited to be showing some of her own stock that she had trained herself. She loved this time of the show season, when all the bigger shows were going on. After this national show she had to get everyone and the horses prepped for the BSBR World Show. How exciting it was to be a part of two huge shows this year, and she knew Gwen knew how to organize an awesome show.
“Are you working hard or hardly working” came a familiar voice in the office doorway.
“Hey Carey*” Jen replied, “Yes I am working, but I do kinda space out every now and then, I have to in order to keep my sanity.”
“Well, I help you sort through the awards and make sure everything is there for the rest of the week” Carey said.
“Thank you so much, these meetings are going to eat up some of my time this morning” said Jen. “No problem, hey I volunteered to run the show office today so I can sort out the awards too” said Carey.

***

Shortly after 8:00am a line had formed outside the show office. Carey* was going to need a couple more people to help her today. Ryan Hudson* and Brianna*, two of DEF’s youth came to help. She was so thankful to have such a wonderful group of people at the farm. Ryan* and Bri* are usually pretty inseparable at the shows, she hadn’t quite figured out yet what the deal was there. After helping for an hour Jen had to get ready for her meetings. Probably the most boring part of her job, but very important when you run an association. She had an agenda and planned to discuss some issues such as finances, awards, points, new classes, the show calendar, and other minor stuff for the 2008 show season. She also had some stuff prepared for the membership meeting as well. She met up with Cory and the two of them headed to the banquet room.

***

Both meetings went well leaving many issues resolved, and some that required more thought. Anything to get the association running more smoothly next year. It was now 11:30am and she was hungry, Cory had already decided for the both of them that he was taking her out to lunch before they returned to the craziness.

After lunch there were trailers to be parked, horses to be checked in, classes to be added/scratched, directions to be given, and final ground and show preparations to be taken care before sunrise tomorrow. Not to mention Jen had some horses to get ready for their classes tomorrow as well as get all the youth together for the potluck dinner tonight.

***

Jen was so relieved to step out of the show office and lock the door. Both her and Carey* wanted to get away from the office before any last minute person caught them. 5:00pm was closing time today, she had staff to run the office during the show so she could focus on her horses and clients, as well as keep track of her associate trainers. Carey* had lost both her helpers Ryan* and Bri* a few hours ago when the left to help set up for the youth potluck.
“Well, I guess when you finish one project for the day you start another” Jen said
“I know, and its going to be a late night since Bri* still needs to ride after the potluck” Carey replied
“I have some horses to get ready for tomorrow yet so I guess I’ll seeing you guys in the barn too.” Jen said.

The banquet room was busy with kids and food. This was a very informal event and it seemed everyone was hungry. Everyone was busy finding seats. It was cool to see youth members from all over forming long lasting friendships. Once the food was in place and everyone found a seat Carey* and Heather Stone* both took the microphone in the front of the room and welcomed all the youth.
“Heather and I just wanted to thank you all for coming to the first annual BSBA National and Youth World Show. We want to take them time to congratulate all our youth members for your hard work and dedication at the shows so far this year. We wish all of you the best of luck this week as well.” Said Carey*
“Also, don’t forget about the Youth World Championship Awards Banquet following the conclusion of the youth classes on Monday night. This will be a formal event with a served meal here in the banquet room. We would like everyone to attend so we can have the chance to recognize your outstanding achievements this week. Now with that being said, lets eat!” said Heather.