On Sunday, we spent the day at my niece's first-ever horse show at Raonoke County's Green Hill Park Equestrian Center just outside Salem, Va.. Fun times but it was a long day. Good thing I brought along my trusty side arms -- my Moleskine sketchbook, Lamy ink pen and W&N watercolors. With pen in hand, the hours passed quickly and sketching eased the uncomfortable ache in my backside from the folding chairs we'd brought.

As you'll see, the fall leaves were primed and the hillsides made a perfect backdrop as we heard the phrase "go as you please" over and over again. Still, it was a great learning experience and a fine chance to record the movements of creatures I admire but rarely get to see up close. I learned a few phrases, too, like "Western Pleasure" and "Charge, Sir Knight" and can't wait to experience my next horse show.

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