July 29, 2011
I attended to Rebecca Farm event July 21-24 with Banner. The drive up was uneventful and the new clutch worked well. I had a grand time singing and chanting alone in my truck for 10 hours. I got to haul Misty Payne's horses Simon Says so I had 2 good travelers.
I had entered Banner in the Training 3 Day. (Note, if you plan to ride at Rebecca in 2012, I suggest entering on opening day. Quite a few riders did not get in.)
On the Wed before the event, my students Misty Payne and Janine Jaro got to school at Heron Park. This was a good confidence builder for them.
I had entered a lower level to recover from our mishaps of June. My rib injury from Ogden has almost entirely healed. The Training level 3 Day is a a big deal with lots of prizes and prestige which is fun. My dressage was disappointing with 35. He was "sluggish."
For the endurance day we did phase A Roads and Tracks, Phase B, Steeplechase,Phase C, a second R's and T's and finally the xc course after a 10 minute cool out, inspection in vet box. Phase A went well, it was a brisk morning and we were both feeling very energetic. Steeplechase was exciting and we came in 20 secs early which is good since the speed was only 500 mpm. Banner is hard to rebalnce at speed. My coach JM Durr advises to bring his shoulders were up by squeezing hind end under himself during prep before fence with my hands down. It worked well. It is physically demanding on me, the rider though but worth it to get the balance we need to jump well. On to phase C! They had changed the exit, I became confused and I almost missed a flag which would have been elimination. David O Conner directed me and saved my day. I had to back track which is using up my horse and I don't like doing that because I cannot find a flag! It's not his doing!
When I came to first Kilometer marker on C, I was 1m 18 secs late. So Banner never got to walk very long after the chase. We cantered through most of C to catch up. Suggestion, do not lolly gag on Roads and Tracks unless you know you are very early. I came in the box about 30 secs early, JM met me there.
We cooled him off. JM suggested bigger sponges.
Banner got released from box and off we went. I consciously kept my hands down and rode how I was instructed. The jumps went well. I had more spur contact than in June. JM said my hands were up a few places so I'm not fixed yet.
21 out of 22 jumps were met well and he was very straight. About 2/3rds on, I decided I could take my foot off accelerator and let him breath more. Then I saw I could be late and I had to speed up at end and incurred 1.2 time faults. One can take foot off, but do it at the end of the course.. Another lesson was learned. No lolly gagging.....
Next day we had horse inspection, trot up at 8AM It requires braiding, dressing up.Some had every hair in place. Most of our hairs were in place. It takes me 1.5 hours to accomplish this grooming, dressing. Banner does not trot so regularly on pavement so we were held for re inspection. The attending vet could not find anything wrong with him so she advised me to trot faster next time. We went fast and the judge passed him. Whew!
Show jumping was the most exciting part for us. We were in Arena 1 with giant horses statues, about 500 spectators, lovely, magnificently decorated, fancy jumps and all the fanfare of Rebecca Farms event.
I was sitting 4th at this point having moved up from 7th with clean rounds on A,B,C,D phases.
Upon entering the stadium, my tired horse saw the giant statue and it terrified him. He is a trooper and wonderful partner. He knew he had a job to do and he did not focus on the statue when I asked. I love him for that. Other horses in the higher divisions came undone by that statue.
Banner jumped clean and we remained in 4th. I rode well.
My students both went clean on xc and Janine had a lovely jump round on Legacy.
I drove home Sunday night uneventfully.
I rested Banner for 4 days. I was a bit worried about him. Thankfully, he is sound and feels powerful and motivated. I am grateful. The Training 3 Day was a rich experience for us.
Next event? I do not know. I need money so am selling my lovely mare... (www.miaedsall.com), saddles, banjos etc. August is busy with music gigs and lessons are increasing. I hope the work keeps up. It's tempting to enter the Caber Event at Prelim level because Banner is ready to go again.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Back to back Horse Trials and a New Clutch!
I've had better trips, better rounds. I like the principle that I'm right where I'm supposed to be.
Banner, Cash and I left for Ogden (Golden Spike) on Friday morning July 17 and arrived fresh enough to partake in a practice Show Jumping round. Banner jumped very well and willingly.
Saturday featured the dressage and show jumping events. We got a 30.9 in dressage at Prelim. That's a personal best for us. The weather was good, footing good due to rain at night and we were confident going into jumping. Fence 4A was a one stride oxer to vertical combo off a turn. I don't know what happened but he stopped at the very last minute, piled into rails and his neck or head hit me in my ribs hard, knocking out my wind and injuring my rib cage.
I stayed on and continued only to stop again at 9A because I was not in the game. No one was willing to comment on my riding but I'd bet that I jumped ahead slightly and was not waiting enough which caused him to stop when he looked at 4A.
That evening I begged the President of the Ground Jury and organizer to let me go xc. Off we went and had a wonderful round until a double up bank at 13 which I wimped out at. When one is an eliminated rider they must leave the course after one stop. I was thrilled with our ride up til then however. The bank caused problems. An Intermediate horse struggled up it and one young rider doing her first Prelim fell there. I don't think it's a good jump.
So back home we went and stayed for 2 days to depart for Inavale Event in Philomath, ORE. on Wed.
I had a student with me, Janine Jaro. We loaded up and had a smooth trip until Hood River where I heard a noise from clutch. I suspected my clutch needed to be replaced so was acutely interested in the sound. We made it to the event and Janine took the truck to town to stay in a motel. I camp in my modest living quarter's trailer on grounds. I love doing that. Janine found a good shop in Corvallis called "Phil's Clutch and Transmission Repair" close to her hotel. It was the perfect shop and they had it done by Friday no sweat. It felt great and I was excited and relieved to have gotten it done without breaking down.
Inavale Event had 385 entries. The weather and grounds were stunning. The courses were huge. It's a destination event.
Our dressage was tense. My rib was injured and I didn't ride well. I decided to demo a Hit Air Vest for xc.
I rode in a Devoceux saddle too so I was all geared up. Matt Brown warmed me up and it's funny to say that Banner won the warm up! He always does by showing off, fast, clean, forward and brilliant.
The first 3 fences on xc were great and then we got to 4A (same number as Ogden). A 3 stride bending line of narrow roll tops. He stopped and piled again. Air Vest deployed and it's mandatory retirement. My first thought was ...Gee I didn't get far. Anyway, we are ok none the worse for wear and the vest came in handy. I bought one.
Janine got around her first event in 30 years and is on the path with a very willing TB mare named Legacy. She plans to go Novice at Rebecca.
Monday we stayed over so Matt could school Banner around the course. He is an excellent rider and horseman and they both enjoyed Inavale's big prelim jumps. Having Matt ride him was fun to watch and gave Banner confidence. They made a good pair.
After my demise on xc, some of my old friends told me "Stop going prelim. you are so good at bringing up green horses Novice, Training, you could be doing that". So, I have switched Banner's entry down a level toTraining 3 Day at Rebbeca Farms. It will be a blast.
We packed up and left next morning. The new clutch failed in a construction zone outside Hood River. A one lane consruction zone is a scary place to be stuck. AAA came and towed the truck and trailer. The horses were transported to Marie and Don Hansen's place in Lyle, WA. I enjoyed visiting my buddy Marie, riding with her and spending time with my brother Jay who was very helpful. Hood River is a good place for me to hang. I hung quite a while because the first mechanic it went to was clue less and it had to be re towed to the Dalles to another transmission specialist. Phil, remember Phil from Corvallis shop? He backed up his work and paid for it all. Wow, what a trip. I'm still recovering. I'm wondering why I event and whether I should sell my lovely, scopey horse, Banner. I have a lovely 15.3 hh mare now too and she is coming along well. I take it one day at a time and today am concentrating on "First Things First." One first thing was to write this blog. Happy Summer everyone.
Banner, Cash and I left for Ogden (Golden Spike) on Friday morning July 17 and arrived fresh enough to partake in a practice Show Jumping round. Banner jumped very well and willingly.
Saturday featured the dressage and show jumping events. We got a 30.9 in dressage at Prelim. That's a personal best for us. The weather was good, footing good due to rain at night and we were confident going into jumping. Fence 4A was a one stride oxer to vertical combo off a turn. I don't know what happened but he stopped at the very last minute, piled into rails and his neck or head hit me in my ribs hard, knocking out my wind and injuring my rib cage.
I stayed on and continued only to stop again at 9A because I was not in the game. No one was willing to comment on my riding but I'd bet that I jumped ahead slightly and was not waiting enough which caused him to stop when he looked at 4A.
That evening I begged the President of the Ground Jury and organizer to let me go xc. Off we went and had a wonderful round until a double up bank at 13 which I wimped out at. When one is an eliminated rider they must leave the course after one stop. I was thrilled with our ride up til then however. The bank caused problems. An Intermediate horse struggled up it and one young rider doing her first Prelim fell there. I don't think it's a good jump.
So back home we went and stayed for 2 days to depart for Inavale Event in Philomath, ORE. on Wed.
I had a student with me, Janine Jaro. We loaded up and had a smooth trip until Hood River where I heard a noise from clutch. I suspected my clutch needed to be replaced so was acutely interested in the sound. We made it to the event and Janine took the truck to town to stay in a motel. I camp in my modest living quarter's trailer on grounds. I love doing that. Janine found a good shop in Corvallis called "Phil's Clutch and Transmission Repair" close to her hotel. It was the perfect shop and they had it done by Friday no sweat. It felt great and I was excited and relieved to have gotten it done without breaking down.
Inavale Event had 385 entries. The weather and grounds were stunning. The courses were huge. It's a destination event.
Our dressage was tense. My rib was injured and I didn't ride well. I decided to demo a Hit Air Vest for xc.
I rode in a Devoceux saddle too so I was all geared up. Matt Brown warmed me up and it's funny to say that Banner won the warm up! He always does by showing off, fast, clean, forward and brilliant.
The first 3 fences on xc were great and then we got to 4A (same number as Ogden). A 3 stride bending line of narrow roll tops. He stopped and piled again. Air Vest deployed and it's mandatory retirement. My first thought was ...Gee I didn't get far. Anyway, we are ok none the worse for wear and the vest came in handy. I bought one.
Janine got around her first event in 30 years and is on the path with a very willing TB mare named Legacy. She plans to go Novice at Rebecca.
Monday we stayed over so Matt could school Banner around the course. He is an excellent rider and horseman and they both enjoyed Inavale's big prelim jumps. Having Matt ride him was fun to watch and gave Banner confidence. They made a good pair.
After my demise on xc, some of my old friends told me "Stop going prelim. you are so good at bringing up green horses Novice, Training, you could be doing that". So, I have switched Banner's entry down a level toTraining 3 Day at Rebbeca Farms. It will be a blast.
We packed up and left next morning. The new clutch failed in a construction zone outside Hood River. A one lane consruction zone is a scary place to be stuck. AAA came and towed the truck and trailer. The horses were transported to Marie and Don Hansen's place in Lyle, WA. I enjoyed visiting my buddy Marie, riding with her and spending time with my brother Jay who was very helpful. Hood River is a good place for me to hang. I hung quite a while because the first mechanic it went to was clue less and it had to be re towed to the Dalles to another transmission specialist. Phil, remember Phil from Corvallis shop? He backed up his work and paid for it all. Wow, what a trip. I'm still recovering. I'm wondering why I event and whether I should sell my lovely, scopey horse, Banner. I have a lovely 15.3 hh mare now too and she is coming along well. I take it one day at a time and today am concentrating on "First Things First." One first thing was to write this blog. Happy Summer everyone.
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