Started off the day with a nice bath for Smartie, which she greatly appreciated. Her ankle looked really good this morning with only minor swelling, but just for a precaution, we wrapped her back up in ice until we were called for the jog.

My team went first, and of the three of us, Smartie was second. We entered the ring for the jog and began walking as directed. Looking back, it was very obvious that I was extremely nervous. The entire time I was talking to my dad about how worried I was about Smartie trotting off easily for the jog. I had never even attempted it before, and she is extremely lazy on a lead rope.

When it was my turn, I walked up to the vet, who I have come to know pretty well, and he said to me, “Laura, you know the drill. Walk to the first plant, and jog all the way down. Make the turn and jog past us. Then we will give you our answer. Good luck.”

He could see how nervous I was for my horse. Her leg was so much better, but knowing that it had been a problem definitely unsettled me.

So we get to the first plant, one cluck to my girl and off we go flawlessly to the end of the pen; not a limp in sight. I can just feel Smartie putting on her showy character. She loves to be flashy, and she worked it good. We walked around the plant, and I talked her all the way through it. “Come on Smartie, one more time.” And again, she trotted off with a wave of confidence. That’s my girl.

All of my friends and the people who have been helping me were holding their breaths, and so was I.

And the announcer came over everything, “Einsteins Fancy Pine and Laura Sumrall have been approved!”

I could not have heard better words at that moment. It was all I could do to not go and give the vet a hug right then. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Now the major stress is off, and I am back to normal. Smartie is my main priority here, and we kept her on and off of ice again today. I got to ride her in our schooling session too, and she was great. She did not favor her leg at all, and I put a fair amount of pressure on her to see how she would do. She held up great and was her normal floppy-tongued self.

First competition is tomorrow. We are supposed to start around 7, and I believe I am draw 16. So Smartiepants should have most of the day off, besides all of the pampering that she will get from me and my mom.

My plan for tomorrow is to just keep her happy, which isn’t too hard since she is so happy anyway, but it gives me a great excuse to just love on my girl who I am so proud of.