Toast - Western Pleasure

A bright sun was beaming down on the numerous participants of the Summer Show, without a threat from a single cloud in the sky. Between their participation in numerous classes, Kass and William were eating a light lunch as they perused the stalls of various ponies up for sale.

This was one of the reasons the young woman had decided to make the trip from Canada all the way down to Colorado - whatsmore, with a couple of free spaces in her trailer. Breeders of Teddy Cobs were few in her area, the show was a good opportunity to network and build relationships with fellow breeders and enthusiasts, along with potentially bringing home some new bloodlines for her breeding project. She hoped that, in time, she would be able to offer the sweetness and gentleness of the Szívelova to more people past the States’ northern border. 

What had not been expected was for the most perfect little gelding to cross her path. She had watched his current owner’s daughter ride him around the warm-up arena, the roan pony not setting a hoof out of place despite the ambient brouhaha, his gaits floaty and mesmerizing to look at. He had the kindest eye and puppy-dog disposition - pushing his muzzle to her chest for scratches as soon as she came up to him once he had been brought back in his box. To her rather experienced eyes, his conformation seemed splendid as well.

‘’A downright gentleman, broke as can be. His name’s Toast.’’ the seller - Jed - had told Kass.

Although unable to breed, she reckoned that the buckskin gelding would make a superb addition to her small riding program. Upon further back and forth with Jed; discussing the pony’s history, training and price; she learned that Toast was set to participate in the Western Pleasure class in just about half an hour.

Sensing just how drawn yet still hesitant Kass was, Jed proposed something a little unusual.

‘’Tell you what. You present in the class with him, to try him out.’’

‘’ I know an official, I’m sure they won’t have any objections,’’ he added with a grin.

*

She barely had time to saddle up and warm-up quickly before it was time to head to the main arena for the Western Pleasure class.

‘’Entering the ring now is Kassandra Peregrine on Cinnamon Toast Crunch!’’ 

Kass smiled quietly to herself as she nudged the roan gelding into the sandy arena. What a perfect show name for such a sweet little guy! Guiding him towards the fence to start circling around the arena at a nice collected trot while contestants finished joining, the young trainer did a double-take when she saw the three judges at the center. Jed, Toast’s owner, was standing right there! Their eyes met briefly, just long enough for Kass to notice his amused smirk.

Well, I bet you’d know an official! 

Toast was jogging smoothly alongside the fenceline, his neck relaxed and head hung low. From the corner of her eye, Kass could see William and Biscotti cruising along nicely too. As they trotted along, Kass made a mental note of how smooth the roan gelding’s gait was. Perfect for beginners, she thought. After about two laps around the ring, a judge holding a microphone spoke up to instruct the riders.

‘’Ladies and gentlemen, please walk.’’

At the faintest cues on Kass’s part, Toast transitioned down to a leisurely walk. His laid-back demeanor seemed to translate well to this discipline, where all of the horse’s movements were expected to be slow and deliberate. It could have almost been mistaken as laziness if the gelding’s chubby ears weren’t angled back slightly, in tune to her every command and responding readily. Toast had been a very pleasant ride so far. He was a little taller than Jazz, though not as much as Daïquiri. However, just like them, he was sporting adorable teddy ears - a trait of the breed that had completely captured Kass’s heart a few years prior.

‘’Lope. Please, lope’’ called the judge.

The buckskin pony acquiesced, starting to lope on the right lead straight away. The slow canter of Western Pleasure had always seemed almost absurdly slow to Kass. There was just something a little comical or counterintuitive about horses cantering barely any faster -if at all - than at a normal walk. It also failed to create much wind now, she noted as she tipped her hat down further. Maybe some clouds would have been welcomed after all..!

‘’All walk, please.’’

Without surprise at this point, Kass’ mount executed the manoeuvre easily.

‘’Reverse and walk, please.’’

The woman guided the roan gelding into a half turn, who seemed quite content to continue walking unhurriedly. William and Biscotti were just a couple of horse-rider teams ahead, Kass noticed. The mare appeared quite relaxed, although focused on her young rider just as much as Toast was on his.

‘’Lope please, all lope.’’

All the participants executed themselves, cantering for about one turn until the judge instructed them to slow to a trot. With every passing minute and every command accomplished easily, Kass felt herself growing more fond of the sweet buckskin gelding. His gaits were fluid, easy to ride and clearly he was eager to please. The nerves of entering the class with an unfamiliar horse were all but forgotten. Toast would absolutely deserve a cookie - or three - once it was over. 

‘’Walk please.’’

‘’Thank you participants, you may now line up in the center,’’ the judge called finally once the riders had made a circuit around the ring.

The evaluation now complete, a large smile split Kass’ face as she stroked Toast’s neck profusely. What an absolute good boy! Enamoured, there was no doubt in her mind that she would not be leaving the next day without the precious gelding riding in her trailer.

When Kass stopped in line with the other contestants, facing the three judges to await the ranking, she knew she had won no matter what. Then she made eye contact with Jed once more. He winked at her with a warm smile, and just like that she realised that he had known exactly what he had been doing by pairing them up.