Happy Monday everyone! To say I am facing a horrible case of the Monday's is a major understatement. I feel like this past weekend was about 10 days long, and a horse show weekend on top of it, but it's all been wonderful! I am so proud of my silly bay booger and how he was all weekend, I'm walking on cloud nine. Of course that could is accompanied by the death of my cell phone, working a 10 hour shift yesterday of deep cleaning the bar at work, and recovering from said horse show: but that is completely ok with me.
We had an awesome jump school on Wednesday before leaving for the show followed by a long day of packing. Thursday I went and picked up Amanda and Super Van for our trip to the horse park. I have not been to Lexington since this event last year, and it felt like coming home. We are very fortunate to have the KY horse park in our back yard, and it is always a little hard to believe when we pull into the gates for an event. Goose was a bit naughty on the flat Thursday afternoon, but we had some good work and I got a peek at the cross country course for the weekend, so I was ready. Chelsea was a rockstar and let us stay at her house, and went to dinner with us where I proceeded to get a parking ticket- oops! But it was great to see her and get to catch up some!
Friday brought about a long day of waiting. We had no electricity for the 3 outlets in front of the batch of our stalls, so unfortunately no fans for our horses.... Grrrrrr. But there was a nice breeze and we were facing away from the sun for the afternoon heat, which wasn't too bad. I pre-rode my horse in my jump saddle and just worked on moving his back. While he was nice and relaxed for my ride, I then stayed down to help watch one of our younger riders who was in the P/T and he got a little wound waiting around.... must love a TB who is wound like a spring! When I headed back down for my test I was just happy that he seemed ready to show off and stay loose in his back. Maybe not the fanciest test since I didn't have anyone helping watch me to tell me what to fix, but it was consistent and accurate, so hopefully it wouldn't score too poorly. I was happy with the 35.9, but a little disappointed that it put us in a tie for 7th instead of a little further up. There was a lot of weekend left however, and I was ready for it.
We went into the show jumping with a lot of new tools in our belt after Indiana, and a lot of confidence after the disastrous hunter show a few weeks ago. He warmed up beautifully and when he got tight walking through the gate to the ring I just took a deep breath and moved his body- well HELLO! Look what actually worked! We had a perfect round through fence 5, and then 6 was a liver pool- and I honestly don't think Goose has ever jumped one before! I cantered down the line with confidence and Goose was going quite well, then he saw the liver pool in the last step (of course when I took my leg off for a half second) and he launched over it! I stayed with him, but then we counter cantered down to the big oxer that was next, which he jumped very well, but managed to throw my right foot out of my stirrup. So here we are in a related distance to a skinny (a first for him in the show ring) and I am praying that he does not jump this fence the way he is capable because I will not stay on. So we chipped in just a bit there, and now we have the final turn to the triple (once again another first for him in the show ring!). We land off of the skinny and I am desperately trying to get myself resituated and organized. Somehow we manage that and he was spot on through the sea of rails! Woo hoo! A double clear!!!! And not one that made me want to cringe- I was thrilled.
We went out Saturday morning on the cross country to get it done. There were some good questions for him to answer, and nice that he got to see them at the Training level height. I let him gallop the galloping fences with minimum balancing, I'm fortunate that he is a pretty light horse and has an uphill gallop. Goose surpassed any and all expectations I could of had for him, being very adjustable and bold throughout the entire course. I schooled the water before asking him to jump in just because he has not been in the water since Indiana, and I took that a bit for granted. But I think he would have jumped right in. Thankfully I took that time though as I was still sitting in a tie and it brought me in right on optimum! Unfortunately, the girl I was tied with came in on optimum as well! Then our collective marks were the exact same, so for once I finished in a rare tie. How funny is that?! But I could not be more thrilled with my weekend, and now things are full steam ahead for River Glen in the Preliminary!
The rest of our group had what I would say is a successful weekend. While some things were not perfect, everyone learned a lot and I have to say I am proud of them all. Kelty took her young horses and while only one competed, they were both professionals and are something to look for in the future! Birdie is turning into a winning machine and I am so excited for them to continue their partnership- another event finishing on their dressage score and bringing home a beautiful red ribbon. Emily conquered the P/T in style and had a good weekend on her young horse. Molly had a very successful weekend on her young horse. Amanda and Super Van were the stars of the weekend, and definitely have the fan club. It is so fun to see them develop into the pair they are today. Faith is going to be one to watch out for, as she is turning into a heck of a rider with a great natural feel and Kip is so stinking cute! My huge shout out for the weekend goes to Miss Amelia though, who went all beast-mode on the Champagne Run novice, and while it was not a perfect weekend she came home with a number, lots of experience, and hopefully lots of confidence. She is always positive and helping others, and I hope that she knows how behind her we all are with this next step. She will be out and kicking ass at her next event and I for one am hoping to not be in that novice division with her! Get it girl... and it was her birthday so that's even better! I have an amazing barn family, and I am a lucky girl!
I also got some wonderful news that Geri and my wonderful Sunny had a great first show together, and while I do not have the full account from her I could not be more happy or have a bigger smile for them as well! I cannot wait to see them out kicking butt this fall, and hopefully for a long time!!! Go red pony!
Until next time, hopefully I get a few updates in this week!
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