Rebecca Farm Event

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.