First show of the year

Yep, my first show of the year starts tomorrow. I don't have high hopes for my first class Friday night, since competition will be stiff and Duke is pretty consistently a bit squirrely during the first class, but I'm hoping to do well in my class on Saturday.

I'm both nervous as hell, and oddly calm and centered all at once. The multitude of personal things I have to schlep to a show are all ready to go (or they will be, just as soon as I pack my new riding gloves into my makeup case... ok, done) - my riding suit has been cleaned and is in it's bag, I have a brand spanking new derby hat that I'm a little afraid to take out of the box given the hell I put my last one through, and My saddle and bridle are already at the barn ready to be packed.

All I have to do tomorrow is pack the rest of the essentials (hay, pony cart, extra buckets), and then load up the boys to make the 35 minute drive to Springfield. I'm going to give Duke his bath there, since they have heated barns and hot water, just in case it's colder than expected.

Yep, getting a bit nervous, but after 25 years of doing this I'll get over it pretty quickly!

I'll let you guys know how it goes!