Dove - Dakota Showdown 2026

08/08/2026

So for the last few days, Dove and I worked on lunging. Today was different! Kendall, 11 and a beginner, helped and rode Dove today! They both did a great job. I would not have put Kendall on Dove if I felt an ounce of unsureness. Then I worked with Dove on her Dressage pattern and raised trot poles. Dove also got a fly blanket today! She did really well with putting it on.

So far Dove is good with:
✅️ W/T, our canter has been found and is being worked on
✅️ backing (can back an L nicely)
✅️ turn on the forehand
✅ steering
️✅ multiple ground obstacles
️✅ ️farrier
✅ all grooming
️✅ bathing
✅ trails️
✅️ ground work
✅ other people working with her
️✅️ being the most adorable mare

Dove needs a lot of help on Fan Favorite! She was in second and now has been pushed towards the bottom! Those who have been following her journey since April know the huge improvement Dove has made! ️️Dove will be available August 23rd for adoption. You must have an application to bid in the auction. Thank you!

Fan Favorite:
https://givebutter.com/2026fanfavorite/teamdove?fbclid=IwVERDUAS38DhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR76H6k2oK7WZulTmAgxJhWvAXmQ2T6WxjkZXWb0EqgolYplXjcGU21lkuAcWA_aem_-tlnVzdePqzYxL_C0mAuDQ

08/06/2026

08/05/2026

Dove's stall sign has been completed! I love how the stain and polyurethane made the red POP!

08/03/2026

This morning Dove had the farrier and she did really well!
This afternoon I am working on Dove's stall sign for the Showdown! I decided to use flaming box elder for my wood. I have not decided if I'll stain it or not. I will be engraving then burning the details into it.

08/03/2026

Tonight we worked on the ball and getting Dove comfortable pushing it around. She was never scared of it, actually was very curious. I didnt put it in the video cause it was hard to see but she started biting and licking it! I lost the plug so ducktape made quite an early appearance on the ball. Overall Dove was very quick to getting used to the ball. Dove was so quick to letting me ride her while she pushed it that afterwards we worked on turns on the forehand and hindquarters. Then we worked on sidepassing. She is such a fast learner!

Dove will be available August 23rd in Lennox! Also, Fan Favorite is super tough! Every dollar is one vote and one ticket into our white elephant! Let's get Dove into first before the showdown!
Thank you!

08/01/2026

Im not able to do photos and videos on the same post so here is a little dump from today!

08/01/2026

The show was a blast today!
Dove did an amazing job! She took the new experience like a champ!she was definitely fresh at first but as tge day progressed she relaxed significantly. After the show we took a little journey with a few others to a local coffee shop. She is definitely is getting much more confident!

Dont forget about Fan Favorite! We have less than a month before the Showdown! Dove will be available August 23rd at Lennox, SD

07/31/2026

Come say hi to Dove!
We will be at the Tyndall 4h grounds for a small Fun Show from 9am to roughly 12. Its a great one for Dove as it is a very relaxed setting and always amazing people!