One Year of Penn

What does one year of Penn look like?

We're starting off with ribbons and scores and things, because that's how I gauge my own training and progress!

Penn's "textile trophy" collection, according to my husband.
I'm going to need a bigger wall.

• 3 Levels
• 32 tests (2 Intro, 17 Training, 13 First)
• 6 Championships
• 11 Firsts
• 7 Seconds
• 3 Thirds
• 4 Fourths
• 5 Fifths
• 1 Eighth
• Out of the ribbons once (9th place)
• Out of the top 5 twice (second show)

I want to mention two things:

• One, he's been in the top three 65.6% of the time, and he's been in some large classes. He usually won all the small classes he was in, but he's won them on 68%+ scores, so I feel like he probably would have won or been close to the top in those anyway.
• Two, there were 11 Level or Test championships up for grabs at the shows we went to, and Penn won 6 of them. There were some 'unofficial' awards too: He was the high score of the day at two schooling shows. He was also First Level Champion and Reserve Overall High Score of the day at one of the recognized shows that didn't offer championship ribbons (I asked about it, they said they stopped doing it because people wouldn't hang around for the awards). I feel like those are incredible, yet unofficial since there were no actual awards, achievements that are worth noting.

This is what 32 tests look like.
Yes, I've kept them all! They live in the filing cabinet for proof for the insurance company.

Just like Centerline Scores! However, because I'm nerdy, I broke out Schooling and Recognized too in order to see if there really is a difference between scores in the long run.

• Scores below 60%: 5
• Scores 60-64.999%: 13
• Scores 65-69.999%: 12
• Scores above 70%: 2

He's been a pretty solid competition horse. His average is hovering right around 64.7%, which isn't bad at all! He started out a bit looky, became solid in public, and right now is in a looky phase again, which is too bad for our current comparison.

Of course it's not all about ribbons and scores. How has he changed physically?

8/23/2015 - First show.

8/28/2016 - Right at home at a show.
(btw, you all are going to see this picture a TON. I am in love with it!)

8/17/2015 - Nomming hay at home.

8/28/2016 - Seriously, where did my gangly baby horse go?!?!

8/11/2016 - The day I met him.

November 2015 - Pictures for his coggins.

8/28/2016 - So much bulk!!

8/23/2015 - First show.

8/28/2016 - Most recent show.

8/23/2015 - First show.

8/28/2016 - Most recent show.

Plus, he canters now!

Then of course there's the video, but I made gif's for easy viewing, then wrote links for the videos so you can parooze at your leisure if you want. It's incredible how far he's come in just a year!

I-B and 1-3 just happen to follow similar patterns, so this worked out well for compare gifs!

First up is the trot from X.

Next is the Medium walk.

I-B doesn't canter, so I pulled a clip from one of his first Training level tests.

Link to Full Video, First show, Intro B, 62.500%
Link to Full Video, Most recent show, First 3, 70.441%

I'm blown away by the changes in one year, and his accomplishments in one year. He's really a joy to work with, even on his bad days. He has far exceeded my expectations! I'm looking forward to what the next year bring!