The Game Plan: Completing His First CCI*

Time always goes so fast during an event, especially at a 3-day event.

Hershey (The Game Plan) was the perfect gentleman on cross country. He did everything EXACTLY as I told him too. Unfortunately, I didn't slow him down enough as I approached a combination and I caused a run-out. It was my fault ... sorry Hershey.

It was jump # 17 (A & B); we were having a great, clean round on the entirely flat course designed by Captain Mark Phillips. 16 of the previous 18 jump efforts on the course were BIG oxers. Not having any terrain or technical issues to negotiate earlier in the course, I got caught up in the moment and the moment got away from me.

It's hard to travel this far to be reminded of the important lesson ... ALWAYS RIDE EVERY JUMP. Preparation for each jump has got to be based upon the obstacles both preceding and following, as well as the terrain. I realized my mistake as soon as we left the ground over 17A, but it was too late to negotiate the turn safely. That is the personal responsibility that we are hearing so much about these days.

We didn't take home a ribbon, but we left happy eventers. Here's why:

1. Hershey (The Game Plan) was willing and fit enough to easily complete this one star event.
2. We got to visit with our old southern eventing friends.
3. We were reminded of the all-important lesson: ride every jump.

As black jack (the newest Great Bay Farm JRT in training) and I head back north for a winter break, Hershey will stay down south to continue working toward the goal of an Intermediate Horse Trial next Spring/Summer.

Until then ... HAVE A GREAT RIDE!

From The Florida Fall International 3-Day Event & H.T.

Hershey (The Game Plan) and I are down in Florida, where the weather is very warm. There are 40+ competitors in the division as we start Hershey's first CCI* event. After dressage, we are sitting in 6th place. He was definitely up for this challenge and we are excited about the cross country phase tomorrow. We'll keep you posted on this blog as the event continues.

5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... HAVE A GREAT RIDE!

Area 1 Season Comes to a Close

As our Area 1 Season came to an close here at the UNH Fall Horse Trials, we are happy to report that it ended with a ribbon for everyone! Despite the rain the the impending threats of a hurricane off the Atlantic Coast, the Great Bay Riders rose to the occassion - and beyond the muddy cross country course - and had a fantastic 2 days! Congratulations to Team Great Bay on a fantastic season! From here, Emily & Billy will enjoy some down time while Hershey makes a trip down south for the winter. Watch for the Gameplan in November in the Area 2 & 3 circuit ... one of which will be his first one star event in Florida.

Until then ... HAVE A GREAT RIDE!

TD - A Thankless Job

One thing we don't think about often enough is the difficult job the Technical Delegates have at the USEA Sanctioned Events. I was surprised to observe the TD today in action with multiple riders approaching her with disputes during the 30 minutes after initial posting of results. Not to say you shouldn't dispute something if you feel there is an error - you should. But some of these people were attacking the poor woman! We all take our sport very seriously and it is a very emotional, adrenalin filled weekend. We all should keep in mind that the TDs are there to help us. They are always more apt to listen if you are kind and appreciative rather than going in and immediately pointing a finger. As the old saying goes - you get more flies with honey than vinegar. So this team of eventers would like to THANK all the TDs that watch over our sport, to keep it safe for horse and rider, and for doing the best they can at keeping a fair playing field.

OK - so enough with the lecture ... on to the important stuff ... WE WON!!

The Game Plan (Hershey) and Susan took home a 1st place ribbon and award in the Open Preliminary Division. This is only Hershey's third preliminary event and he performed like a veteran. Right from the start of dressage warm-up, Susan felt it was going to be a good test. Sure enough, with a 32.1 they were at the top of the pack. A couple of rails in stadium didn't stop them from going clean and fast on cross country to bring home the blue ribbon.

See you at our season close event - UNH!

On The Road Again

Finally! The posse is back together and we are on our way to an event. It has been TOO LONG! We are on our way to the Fall King Oak Horse Trials with 2 riders and their horses, 1 show mom and 3 squatty dogs in tow. After Great Bay Farm's unscheduled break due to truck issues, weather issues, and family emergencies, we're looking for a great ride, even with tropical storm Hanna threatening to hit the coastline this weekend. With the price of gas going up, we are camping at the show. Emily and Debbie will try a tent while Sue will stay in the trailer. Watch for our blog on the way home to see how it all turns out.

Have a Great Ride at King Oak!

Busted Down & Still a Winner!

It was a rough journey getting to GMHA this weekend. The truck was "fixed" after a questionable trip home from Stuart Horse Trials 2 weeks ago, but 72 miles from home we were stranded on the side of the Maine Turnpike. Thank goodness for fellow rider Lauren Leavitt, who was behind us! Once a tow was arranged for Sue and Hershey (unfortunately they had to scratch), Lauren and Emily loaded Billy in the dark and continued on to Vermont.

Worried about not having a trainer on-site for Emily, we ran into Susan's friend Carol Kozlowski, told her of our situation, and she became the coach for the weekend. THANKS CAROL! Emily felt great after her dressage performance on Friday and was excited about XC, held on Saturday at GMHA. The course was challenging for every level. There were several falls and many jump penalties. But Emily and Billy were stars, being one of only 3 in the Jr. Training Group to finish the day with a double clear round ... good enough to push her from 10th to 3rd.

The show jumping round wasn't hard (so says Emily) and Billy was ready to go! They held strong to finish 3rd.

THIS WIN WAS FOR YOU, SUSAN! We missed you and hope we don't have to do too many shows without you.

Have a great ride until the next show!

The long trip to Stuart Horse Trials

Long and hot it has been after 7 hours in the car thus far, and 2 more hours to go due to a traffic jam on the Mass Turnpike. Our entourage consists of 2 sweaty horses, 2 restless kids, 2 great bay farm riders, the "show mom" and 3 jack russell terriers of various shapes, sizes, and ages. It was a full house this trip, for sure.

The horses and riders have been working very hard and have had a couple of awesome weeks of training. Emily just got her first BRAND NEW cross country saddle along with a used dressage saddle! (Lucky girl!)

A slight shoeing mishap put a question on whether The Game Plan (aka Hershey) would make the trip, but he is on the trailer, feeling good, and we are keeping our fingers crossed that he will compete in his second Preliminary event this weekend.

If we can beat the heat expected this weekend, we hope for a great time and a great ride!

Clinic Comments by Emily

The clinic we had this weekend with Debbie Place at Ben Loch Farm was AMAZING! I think the biggest piece I learned from this clinic was that keeping my hands down and at the withers while riding into them helped me balance my horse and prepare for a more powerful jump. I enjoyed watching the other riders and reconnecting with my young rider friend Paige Garson. Thank you Paige & Cindy!!

Mom and Dad also got something from this clinic ... the confirmation that I need a new jumping saddle. Looks like we'll be doing some horse shopping before the next horse show, which is the Stuart Horse Trials.

Time to go shopping!

First Preliminary for The Game Plan

Groton House Farm - always a wonderfully hosted event and a great meeting place for Area 1 Eventers. From the complimentary coffee and donuts in the morning, to the wine, cheese, and buffet competitors parties in the evening, it is one of Great Bay Farm's favorite events!

Groton House I is know to be a good early season move up course for a Preliminary horse and proved to be true for The Game Plan (aka Hershey) this year. Hershey preformed well with a dressage score of 36 - only 3 points out of the lead. A clean cross country round and a few time faults moved him into second place.

The pressure was on for show jumping ... it was a technical course with a couple of roll-back turns and big square oxers. Hershey was great, but we still have a few kinks to work out at this level. A couple rails cost us the 2nd place, but we still came home with a ribbon.

GREAT SHOW HERSHEY!

GMHA

Second event of the season and the horses and riders of Great Bay Farm seem like they've been together for years! This weekend's show at GMHA was more about seeing and supporting our fellow riders than the ribbons. We were stabled with many friends from Maine, as well as 5 dogs and 2 non-riding children. It was a full house! And it was a strange weekend, in that several riders experienced technical penalties. While these kept us from the ribbons, everyone learned something new about the sport, themselves, and their horses. The horses - they never knew anything was wrong and performed like stars with clean cross country rounds and within time. The riders were able to be support of their friends and share their own past stories. One said they had forgotten to salute the judge, several had missed stadium jumps at one time or another, and another recalled how they had started out with the wrong dressage test. Although none of these are devastating, they remind us that it's not about the ribbons - it's the love of the sport that keeps us coming back for more. HAVE A GREAT RIDE!

Fun & Success for All!

The last 12 hours have been a blur! Up at 5:30 AM this morning to feed, then non-stop dressage, stadium jumping, and cross country for the horses & riders of Great Bay Farm. We are only miles from home now, but still reeling from the excitement of the day!

Emily & Billy's first outing together went GREAT! After getting past the nerves in dressage, they had a great round in stadium and a clear cross country to earn their first ribbon as a team. GREAT JOB EMILY & BILLY!

Susan & Hershey (The Game Plan) were fabulous finishing on their dressage score and bringing home a ribbon as well. NICE WORK!!

The trail mix is gone for now ... but keep your fingers crossed as we are waiting to see the acceptance list for our next show - GMHA in June. GMHA is one of our favorite events, as this 2 day horse trial format gives us a little time to watch and learn from other riders as well as visit eventing friends we haven't seen since last season.

SEE YOU AT THE START BOX!

King Oak or Bust

Show season has officially begun! Horses are bathed, show clothes are packed, and we're on our way to King Oak Horse Trials in Western Massachusetts - approximately 4 hours from the farm in Pownal, Maine. Emily's Mom even made the special "show time trail mix"!

So far so good - last year on the way to the King Oak Fall Horse Trials, we broke down just a few miles from the Maine border and were stuck on the side of the road with the horses for 3 hours. Thanks to fellow eventer friend Jean Detert for coming to our rescue and getting us to the show! We've long passed that notorious breakdown spot and we're ready to get to King Oak, unpack, walk the cross country course, and get a good rest.

The horses and riders have worked hard the last couple months to prepare and everyone is VERY excited. Now it's time to see if the hard work pays off! We begin with Dressage at 7:30 AM on Saturday and go non-stop until cross country is finished at 10:30 AM. This event is held all in one day, so wish us luck and look for the update which will be posted on our ride home.

HAVE A GOOD RIDE!