Thursday - Day 1 at the Virginia Horse Trials

(This morning's view from the trailer window - where Emily and Debbie Slept)

It’s was a beautiful day here in Lexington, VA with the riders of Great Bay Farm. Although nobody rode today, it was a day of putting everything together for the weekend events, which start tomorrow morning at feeding time – 6 AM.

While the riders rode their horses and walked the CCI* and Intermediate cross country courses, I worked on finishing up a website … but I had a little help from Hershey.

As the show mom to the group, I woke to a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains to our east. This is my first time here in Virginia and I must say, it is a beautiful part of the country.

I rented a golf cart to get myself and my squatty JRT around this large horse park. It has two cross country courses, 5 dressage rings, and many other arenas. Plus, it’s just really fun to drive!

After unloading the saddles and riding gear from the trailer, mucking stalls, and stocking up on some necessities, Emily took a few moments to get some love from the horses.

Sue was a bit apprehensive about the very large bounce on her cross country course, but was reassured by Hershey that he is ready.

And when the day was done, we headed out to dinner with friend Cindy Wood and several of her family memebers who have come to watch her ride this weekend.

Tomorrow – Friday – Susan and Hershey begin their first Intermediate Horse Trial as a team. Dressage first, then Show Jumping. And I hope to have some video from each.

So until tomorrow … Have a great ride!

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!

Are you ready?

Are the horses ready? Are they riders ready? Have we forgotten anything? Yes to all three ... but we hope if we have forgotten anything that it is minor. We have packed the saddles and bridles, our dressage and jumping attire, the beverages and bug spray. The jack russell terriers are loaded into the car. This can only mean one thing ...

We are on the road to King Oak Farm for our 2009 Season Opener!

During our one and only stop enroute to Western Massachusetts, we saw one of our eventing friends who was just as excited as we are. This was just one of many eventing friends we hope to reunite with during this busy weekend of eventing.

Sue will be pushing Hershey (The Game Plan) this weekend at Preliminary in preparation for his first Intermediate Level Horse Trial in 2 weeks.

Emily will pick up where she left off on Billy (Bully for Billy) at Training Level as she gets ready for the training level 1/2 star, 3 day event at GMHA in July.

Once we arrive at King Oak we'll still need to prepare the stalls, walk the cross country courses, and set up camp before dark. Sure hope the riders can settle down enough to get a good nights rest before the 7:30 AM dressage test begins.

Great Bay Riders - HAVE A GREAT RIDE at King Oak Farm!

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!

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!