Saturday - Day 3 at the Virginia Horse Trials

While Susan and Emily fed the horses and prepared for their events of the day, I (Debbie the show mom), went to volunteer once again. Today, for 2 hours, I was a timer and judge during the long format (roads and tracks / endurance) for the CCI*. As I sat there in my golf cart up on the ridge in the middle of the cross country course, I couldn't help but notice how BEAUTIFUL this place is. The Virginia Horse Center is surrounded by mountains and is just spectacular!


After finishing up at 8:30 I headed off to reconnect with the riders of Great Bay Farm and help them prepare for their events ... which happened one right after the other:

10:56 - Emily rode dressage
12:00 - Susan rode cross country
1:06 - Emily rode show jumping

A little bit of everything today!

Dressage for Emily didn't go quite as good as she had hoped ... partially because they inserted a rider from another division in front of her that was doing a different test and mentally made Emily worry she had studied the wrong test. Then, while in the ring, the judge blew the whistle to indicate that Enily had gone "off test", but then realized she was in error and had Emily pick up the test in the middle and contiue. Despite the frustration, Emily kept her composure throughout the test, making her a champion despite the numbers.

From the dressage ring, Susan went directly to warm up for cross country. HOW EXCITING to share this first Intermediate Event with friends like Cindy Wood (who was also riding HER first CCI*).

Susan and Hershey were ABSOLUTELY STELLAR out there and it showed with a clear round (no jump penalties). Susan said Hershey listened to everything she asked and easily completed the course. She is proud to now say that she owns an INTERMEDIATE EVENT HORSE.

Tomorrow Emily rides cross country and is VERY EXCITED about the course that lays ahead. So tonight we'll enjoy a toast to Susan and Hershey on the successful completion of their first Intermediate Horse Trial during a steak dinner with all our friends from around Area II, and tomorrow we'll wish Emily a great ride before we head for home.

Season Opening: Training at Ledyard

As the riders of Great Bay Farm take the 2 hour ride to Ledyard Farm in Massachusetts to school cross country for the first time this season, the excitement of the upcoming show at King Oak Farm grows! It's a beautiful day and the footing should be great for practicing the basics: banks, ditches, water, galloping on terrain, and doing what event horses & riders LOVE!


With the squatty squad (which includes 2 children under the age of 10 and 3 Jack Russell Terriers) in tow, we left Great Bay Farm on schedule at 9:45 AM so we would be back before the "riders up" of the Kentucky Derby. The dedication of the riders and their "supporting crew" is undying and we are all looking forward to the day - the first show at King Oak - and the excitement of the 2009 Eventing Season.

UPDATE:
At 3:30, we are all headed back toward Maine after a very thorough day of schooling. We started out trotting smaller jumps, advancing to larger jumps and working with related distances. All the horses were brave and the riders feel they are ready for the season opener next weekend at King Oak Farm.

(photos and video to be loaded upon our arrival home!)

Now we're racing home to see the start of the Kentucky Derby! Until next weekend ...

HAVE A GREAT RIDE!