August was a bit of a slower-paced start of the month for Saro and I. We took the first week off to regroup and get organized, using that time to reset and prepare for the busy weeks ahead. It was a chance to reflect, work on a few things that needed tweaking from the previous month, and make sure we were starting August on solid ground.
Our first event of the month was the Campbellford Fair Gaming Show, and it truly kicked things off on a high note. We had some incredible luck—Saro placed first in keyhole and third in poles, which was such an exciting way to start the day. To top it off, we were awarded the Top Standardbred Award, which was such an honor and a proud moment for both of us. We also had a strong barrel run that felt amazing, even though we didn’t place in that event. Honestly, I was just so proud of Saro’s effort, heart, and drive.
After the fair, Saro got a well-deserved break. She had a visit from our wonderful farrier to make sure her feet were in the best shape possible before getting back into training. Once she was feeling refreshed and ready, we started focusing on improving in the areas that mattered most: keyhole, barrels, flag, and poles. I could really see the progress during our training sessions—Saro was sharper, faster, and more focused. I knew she was ready for our next show.
And she proved it.
At our next event at the Madoc Horse Club, Saro delivered one clean, fast run after another. We placed in every event we entered, which felt like such a rewarding confirmation of all the work we’d been putting in. We took third in barrels, second in keyhole, second in dash, and fourth in poles. It was one of those days where everything just clicked, and it reminded me how far we’ve come as a team.
We closed out the month with one final show—a local jackpot—and Saro completely blew me away. She placed first in 1D poles, which was such a huge accomplishment for us. The run was intense, and she fought hard, even managing to save two poles that could’ve cost us our spot. That kind of grit is something I’ll never take for granted.
As August wrapped up, our focus shifted toward preparation for the months ahead. We’ve got several fairs coming up and some big high school rodeos on the horizon. I’m so proud of how much Saro has grown this month, and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings for us.
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