Friday - Day 2 at the Virginia Horse Trials

Let the events begin!

It's been a busy day for us all here at the Virginia Horse Trials. Yesterday gave us all a chance to settle in and get used to layout and grounds. Today has been work for everyone.

It was Susan's first day of competition: Dressage and Show Jumping. After the usual 6 AM feed, groom, and walk the horse, Susan and I set out to walk the Intermediate cross country course - which includes an impressive downback called "Geronimo". When Suan stands next to this jump on the down side, it is ALMOST as tall asher. HOLY COW!

Upon our return, Susan began the routine of braiding and getting herself and her horse ready for Hershey's FIRST Intermediate Horse Trial ... that in itself set the excitement for the day!

In the mean time, Emily and I (Debbie the show mom) set off to volunteer: first as runners for dressage (bringing the tests from the judge to the scoring box) and then helping out with show jumping.

As runners for dressage, we were fortunate to see the all the upper level horses ride, including Susan. Her test was great and Susan was happy with Hershey's performance. We heard the judge say that all the horses in this group rode very well and their score reflected it. All the work Susan and Hershey put in prior to this event paid off!

At 2 PM the show jumping phase started in the VERY IMPRESSIVE Colliseum. This is a large indoor arena with stadium seating in the center of the Virginia Horse Center. It was awe-inspirinG and immediately had you sitting taller in your seat - whether you were in the stands or on a horse.

With Emily as ring steward and I in the timng/scoring booth overhead, Sue and Heshey entered the colliseum ready to go! The Intermediate course was tough and one fence in particular caused some trouble for many riders, including Hershey. Besides that one rai, the rest of the round was perfect and Susan was thrilled with his performance.

Tomorrow Hershey runs Cross Country. Susan has walked the course 2 times already, and as I type this, she is out walking it a third time with long-time friend Karen O'Connor for some last minute tips.

This is so exciting! Can't wait to wish Sue a GREAT RIDE tomorrow! At that time, Emily will also be riding dressage and show jumping. So it looks like another busy day here at VHT!

The Long Haul to Virgnia Hose Trials

As we pass the half way mark on our 12 hour journey to the Virginia Horse Trials, our show Mom, Debbie Hastings, has decided it's time to wake everyone up by opening up the blog. Since Sue is concentrating on the driving (because we are going the entire 12 hours in one day), and Emily is tuned out to the ipod, I - the show mom - am left to write this first portion solo.

With the squatty-squad of JRTs by my side, and being the spectator in the bunch, I for one am VERY excited about this trip for several reasons:

1. Hershey (The Game Plan) will run his first Intermediate Horse Trial. That is the primary reason we are traveling so far from home - because intermediate horse trials in Area 1 at this time.
2. It's a big show with loads of "big names" - which makes it exciting just to be able to see them ride in person.
   
3. Emily has been working hard on Billy (Bully for Billy) and is feeling well-prepared - a comforting thought for me as the show mom.
4. There are no young children with us this trip. Although we love them dearly, on a long haul like this it is nice to NOT have to hear "are we almost there".
   
5. The weather is suppose to be GORGEOUS!
6. We are meeting old friends and new friends at the event - one of which is a friend from the social network "Twitter" (where Debbie, our show mom, is an active participate as EventerMom).
7. Both Emily and Mom will be ring stewards on Friday - volunteering together for the first time.
8. I (Debbie) will be timing during the cross country long format ... and I love that job!
9. Friend Cindy Wood - whom Debbie & Susan stayed with in Maryland earlier this Spring - will be competing in her first CCI* with steeplechase. We'll be helping her throughout the weekend.
   
10. Blackjack, the black and tan JRT, will get to see some of his siblings and maybe even his mother!
    

Since this will be a busy weekend for the great bay riders, I will be the one updating this blog throughout our weekend. So for this show, you'll get to see the event from Mom's Perspective.

Videos, pictures, and stories to share ... so stay tuned and ...

Have a Great Ride!

Happy Mother's Day!

Yes! Billy & Emily were READY! They had a plan and stuck to it and all three phases were smooth and seamless. Emily felt the dressage was not rushed and the steadiest they've been as a team. In show jumping, Billy tends to think he's in charge and Emily asserted her leadership to a successful round. Each jump in show jumping was well-ridden. On cross country they focused on riding each jump and were successful with a clear round (no jumping penalties). A GREAT RIDE BY EMILY & BILLY!

Yes! Susan & Hershey were READY! Hershey was a "dream to ride". All three phases he was focused and obedient and did exactly as Sue instructed. He had his best show jumping course TO DATE as a double clear round. On cross country, he gallops so effortlessly and never touches the bit that Sue sometimes forgets how much ground he covers. This can (and did) lead to a miscalculation at a combination that cost her 20 jumping penalties. "It was my own fault" said Susan, "Hershey did exactly what I asked of him."

Videos will be coming as soon as we arrive home!

Happy Mother's Day Susan and "Show Mom" Debbie. Until Virginia in 2 weeks ...

Have a great ride!