Cob Jockey

And now for some news!  Connor and I have been asked to represent the Section D Welsh Cob at this year's Hoosier Horse Fair - which is NOT the same weekend as Equine Affaire for the first time I can remember, so all you Indiana people should be there!  I'll be riding him in the Breed Pageant once per day, similar to what I did with his sire last year for the Parade of Stallions.

Connor's sire and I at the Hoosier Horse Fair, 2012

I have always loved hanging out at the Welsh booth at the Horse Fair and introducing people to the breed for the first time, and I am ecstatic that I get to do it with my little buddy this year.  For those of you not from the area, the Midwestern US is very much home to a Western-oriented, backyard cowboy sort of equine culture, and English sports are not typically well-represented at the HHF.  I can't tell you how many times I have heard, "Is that a Mustang?" while working the Welsh booth.  Small + lots of hair + big feet = Mustang,  I guess.  Everyone leaves a little more educated, though, and last year his breeder ran out of business cards after handing so many out to people that became interested in the breed.

By doing it, I will also be promoting his breeder, and giving Connor an excellent opportunity to get used to a high-pressure show type environment, minus the judging.  I had so much fun with Dundee last year - it's such a thrill to ride in front of a huge crowd without the pressure of judging, which is something I'm willing to bet few horse people get to experience.  It should be a great learning experience for Connor, too, as we ramp up his show career this summer; I bet he'll be too tired to spook at people by the third day of living in one of the exhibition halls at the state fairgrounds. :-)  Hooray for desensitization!