Coatesville, PA
May 18, 2009
Well the young horses have been initiated into the world of east coast, one-day horse trials and I have to say, they did California proud.
Kelso went Training level on Saturday and had a really nice dressage test, jumped very well in show jumping, and was very good cross country. The best thing was that he got to really relax about the whole situation and put some of his racetrack past behind him. It’s a very low key, casual environment, more akin to a pony club rally than a big horse show, other than the fact that you’re going in the ring right after Phillip Dutton and just before Buck Davidson, but you get over that pretty fast too.
Regan went Preliminary on Sunday, and likewise, was just about perfect all three phases. He received all sorts of accolades from the dressage judge about “what a bright future he has.” He jumped a CLEAR ROUND in showjumping, a HUGE accomplishment for “Mr. Don’t Mind if I Knock It Down”. He had his best trip ever cross country, just eating it up, but giving everything it’s due respect. It was so fun to gallop him a little faster and have him jumping everything right out of stride. He was really showing some maturity for the first time!
That’s about all for now. It’s lots of fitness work for Finn mixed with a little training where it fits in. The young horses go to Waredaca Horse Trials in two weeks and then we’re off to Bromont. The days are flying by and I’m trying to absorb it all because I know I’ll be back home in the blink of an eye. I just hope to have bucket loads of good stories and great experineces when I open my eyes back up!