Horse Shows

I’m going to take you on an adventure about horse shows. First, I’m going to talk about what people do at the shows. So let’s saddle up and begin!


Well, when most people get their horses out to the fairgrounds, they groom them so they can get used to the surroundings. This isn't always true; some horses don't require any familiarization with the fairgrounds.


Then people sign up for their classes before the actual show starts. Each show has multiple classes for different things, like Western, English, halter, trail, dressage, and showmanship, to name a few. Each class is judged differently, and a horse that can do well in everything is considered a good all-around horse. These are hard to come by, considering it that it takes a good horse/rider pairing to make it to the top.


In the morning there is halter and showmanship, two non-riding classes. In halter, you are not judged; the horse is. Good conformation and behavior is a must in this class. Each breed has different standards for how the horse must look and stand. There are even certain horses that have been bred especially so that they can win in this class. But beware--a horse older than seven isn't likely to place high.


Showmanship, unlike halter, is judged on how you can handle your horse. You enter the ring and perform an already set-out pattern that will lead you to the judge standing in the center. When you get to the judge, you must set your horse up, meaning that they are standing correctly according to their breed standards. The judge will walk around you and your horse, inspecting every tiny move you make. When the judge nods, you exit the arena.


Then later in the day come the riding classes. I personally do western, so I will tell you what I do in these classes. You enter the ring on your horse and the announcer will tell you what to do--trot, walk, canter, halt, back--while the judge watches you. There are a lot of people in these classes, so they can take a while.


The English riding classes are the same, yet different. You wear different clothes and the horse behaves differently, but overall you're judged the same way: on how you and your horse can work together.


Don't think that horse shows are all just riding your horse around an arena in circles--it's a lot more complicated than that. There's all the different tack and clothes to take care of, not to mention your horse in general. Each class is different and you have to act in certain ways for them. Not to mention the fact that something could always go wrong--your horse could be spooked by something and not want to cooperate, or a sudden rainstorm could come out of nowhere, drenching you and your expensive show saddle.


It's fun though, despite all of the hard work it takes. All the hours spent riding and training pay off when you enter that arena.


That’s mostly what goes on at shows, so thank you for reading.



Reporter: Amber S

Editor: Laura A

Virtual Tour for New Students

Some of the Editors have created a movie showing how to get around TMS, primarily for students entering Grade 5. The movie is shown in it's entirety on YouTube. You cannot find it by searching as there no key words associated with it, but you can find it if you click on the link below.

YouTube Video

Otherwise, you may watch the movie here. It is split into three areas, shown below.

The first movie shows the South Entrance by the Fifth Grade Center and the areas nearby.

Hint: Ignore the Subtitles and it is really not very hard to find your way in the middle school - Jessica C

The second movie shows the Cafeteria, Gyms, Orchestra, and how to open a combination lock.



The last movie shows Band, Art, the Office and Library, and the Computer Labs.

E2 (squared)

On May 5th, you got to do something fun for the last hour of the day. The time is called E2, or E-Squared, which is short for Extra Encore. It allows students to experience things they don't normally get to do in school.

This reporter was personally with Mrs. Andre for karaoke, but most of the other teachers were making crafts and such. There was a cemetery walk, a nature walk, making hats, and making computer games to name a few.

Some had fun making movies. An example of the fun is shown below. Some interesting movies are still in the process of being edited using Movie Maker.

Eighth Grade can SING!

Eighth grade singers are having a great month. Many have already tried out for festival singers at THS. According to the director, Ms. Andre, "These singers also tried out for Concert Women and Company. They are strong singers!"

They are going to State Festival at the end of the week. There is a concert you won't want to miss on May 26th. The concert on the 26th will be a concert of popular music.

Eighth grade singers were filmed in preparation for E-Squared day, showing the extent of their skill and versatility. They are singing a song in German, called "I Will Rejoice" or "Ich Will den Herrn Loben." It is based on a canon by Georg Philipp Telemann. It is about singing, praising, and being joyful.

Linsey's Trip to Mexico

Linsey Cory, Jessica's sister, is traveling to Merida, Mexico for school studies. She will be in Mexico for two and a half months. Linsey is one year from graduating from an anthropology degree. She says "I am very excited to go to Mexico!" Linsey has been to Mexico many times and has loved every one of her trips. "We all love her and hope that she gets home very safely," says Linsey's aunt, Dawn Harsh. We hope you have fun watching this video and we are sorry for the constant shaking (we were all a little nervous at the airport). God bless Linsey Cory!

Reporter: Jessica C

Editor: Carley L