Saturday—
This weekend is going really well so far. Elizabeth and Quinn put in a really nice dressage test which put them into 9th place after dressage. She and Quinn have been working really hard on getting a true connection in the bridle, and it is starting to pay off in a big way. Quinn got some very good marks and was much more consistent throughout the entire test. Elizabeth went on to do a very nice stadium round. She ended with a double clear ride which put the pair into 8th place. She will do xc tomorrow at 11:15.
Sunday—-
Today Elizabeth did xc. She and Quinn went double clear and ended up in 5th place. CONGRATULATIONS, ELIZABETH!!!
Saturday—
Kelli and Cavalier had the best dressage test they’ve ever had! The pair received a 28.2, which put them into 1st place after dressage. They have been working very hard on getting roundness without losing the impulsion, and they pulled it all together for this one. They went on to do the best stadium jumping they have ever done—-all except for one minor glitch. The pair was jumping fantastic when a huge garbage truck started dumping trash at the end of the arena where Kelli was riding. Cavalier got so distracted and frightened by it that Kelli thought she wasn’t going to be able to make it to the jump. She circled a couple of times in order to get him back together, and then jumped the rest of her course perfectly. It was a great ride, and she did everything related to the jumps very well. Due to the circling, she received 12 penalties and dropped to last place. After some extreme heart to hearts about doing whatever it takes to get him to the fence even if he’s distracted, Kelli agreed that it was her best course to date. A tough lesson learned, but it was a great time of year to learn it.
Saturday—-
Gus put in a great ride last night and a great warm up today before our dressage test. I was super excited about the prospect of going out and winning it, but as I came down the center line and his head shot straight up in the air, I knew my chances for a dream dressage test went down the tubes. I looked up to see a big black friesian horse in a neon green body costume with what looked like wings attached to it. Gus couldn’t think straight after that. He put in a crazy few minutes of dressage, but still ended up with a 38.2….one point out of first place. We should have been in first, but the constant staring at the costume wearing horse took away 99% of our relaxation. I got comments about having a “tactful ride” on a “very sensitive horse” etc. etc. All I could think about was kicking Gus’s butt for being so “sensitive”. I felt a bit better, however, when I rode my best stadium ride to date. Once again, however, Mr. Sensitivity knocked the first rail of the course. He was brilliant the rest of the time. I tried to beat myself up over it, but Elissa made me feel better when she said that sometimes horses just make mistakes. She said it was a fantastic way to end my last jump school before Virginia. I stayed in 2nd place, which made it feel even better. Gus got to do his victory gallop to the tune of “Monster Mash”……and he was just that , a monster. He thoroughly enjoyed himself, and he has a pretty red ribbon on his stall tonight.
Sunday—–
Today Gus and I did some xc schooling with Elissa. Gus was great! He felt strong, fast, and straight. Elissa was extremely pleased with how we did, and I couldn’t have been any happier with the schooing. Things are coming together, and I’m looking forward to the trip to Virginia on Thursday!
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MURPHY—-
Saturday—
Murphy is fantastic. I brought him here as a “non compete” horse this weekend since McKinley was sold last week. He has not made a peep. He has been enjoying himself and the chaos around him. I have taken him for long walks around the horse park, and he has not been afraid of a single thing. He has been a gentleman for Kate to lead, and I am going to try to ride him sometime tomorrow if I have time. He reminds me a little bit of Gus —without the neurotic tendencies. I couldn’t have asked for him to be any better this weekend.
Sunday—
I didn’t have time to ride him today, but Murphy was a big boy on his long walk down to the dressage arena. I have never had a horse be so calm at their first trip to the Kentucky Horse Park. He is bold and brave, and I cannot wait to get the time to start riding him again after my show.
Wetherbrooke Farm 