Elliot's New England summer schedule was comprised of two events: Stuart and then Millbrook. Both are Area I CN's, which means they hold the same weight as an FEI qualifier. It would be excellent to have both since we need one more CIC2 to qualify for Fair Hill, and you never know what is going to happen so extra chances for qualifying scores is a good thing.
On the first day of our drive up to Massachusetts we discovered that Stuart HT in New York was canceled. First thought was 'Seriously?'. Second thought was 'Well crap! There goes $500'. Then finally we get to 'Should we try to get into another event?'.
Millbrook is a big course with a lot of atmosphere and a lot of terrain. The last time we had been out was the CIC2 at Chatt, and I'd also like to have a few more solid runs before I feel confident about tackling the CCI2 at Fair Hill.
The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy was running the same weekend of Stuart. We could try to get in there, but as with any decision, there are pros and cons to both side.
Pros: It would be great to have another run before heading to Millbrook. It's also good for Elliot to go every three weeks or so to keep him fresh and tuned up, and let's be serious, keep me tuned up. Then of course, there's the fact that we're both green at this level and Stephie was willing to come with and coach me.
Cons: The Maryland Horse Trials is not a qualified CN so the course wasn't going to be as big nor would it help me qualify for Fair Hill. It also meant another 10 hour trailer ride for poor Elliot who just came off a 24+ hour ride. Trailering is tough on them. Ulcers, respiratory stuff, weakened immune system, and just general fatigue are all things I worry about. PLUS it's another entry fee (especially since we're probably not getting much money back from Stuart) and more money in gas, etc. etc.
In the end, we decided to go. My parents generously offered to help me with the entry and Stephie offered to drive. I was ho-humming about it, but as everyone said, it is better to be making progress than sitting around wasting time.
The wonderful, amazing, brilliant secretary for the Maryland Horse Trials, Mary Coldren, made two new divisions of Intermediate for all of us who got unlucky at Stuart. Elliot wasn't particularly enthused about it, but I'm glad we went. There was certainly some rust to be shaken off.
We did dressage on Friday and jumped on Saturday. Dressage went amazingly well. Elliot was relaxed and happy, especially in his new Amerigo Alto on trail from World Equestrian Brands. He was very obedient and consistent. We scored a 36.80, which put us in 14th, but we were only 7 points behind the leader and only 3 points behind Phillip Dutton on 2012 Horse of the Year, Mr. Medicott. With the likes of Phillip, Buck, Kim, and Jan to name a few, I was over the moon! Elliot was certainly holding his own.
Saturday I was feeling pretty optimistic. I had a super jump school with Stephie the day we left. Elliot was jumping the snot out of everything, and Stephie kept saying how well he was jumping! Of course jumping at home is different than jumping at an event when the pressure is higher and eyes are on you. I ended up having a stop at the second fence because I was riding backwards. It was pilot error. Elliot could not have jumped from the tea cup canter I had. After that wake up call, however, I pulled myself together and got on with it. It is a good thing to remember that when jumping 4' you need to have enough step. Poor Stephie was a very aggravated videographer...
Cross country was a blast. Elliot ran around the course, ear pricked and looking for the next. We picked up only 6.80 time penalties, despite not running for time. The course certainly wasn't maxed out but that was good because it asked a number of questions we hadn't seen including skinny - one stride - drop into water - jump out of water - one stride - skinny, step up - one stride - step up - bounce - skinny, and long on a mound - four strides skinny.
We finished just about where we started in the division.
I feel more ready for Millbrook. The dressage and jumping are really coming along with Stephie's help. Now I just need to get my head in the game! I need to ride the show jump more like I ride the cross country!
On the first day of our drive up to Massachusetts we discovered that Stuart HT in New York was canceled. First thought was 'Seriously?'. Second thought was 'Well crap! There goes $500'. Then finally we get to 'Should we try to get into another event?'.
Millbrook is a big course with a lot of atmosphere and a lot of terrain. The last time we had been out was the CIC2 at Chatt, and I'd also like to have a few more solid runs before I feel confident about tackling the CCI2 at Fair Hill.
The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy was running the same weekend of Stuart. We could try to get in there, but as with any decision, there are pros and cons to both side.
Pros: It would be great to have another run before heading to Millbrook. It's also good for Elliot to go every three weeks or so to keep him fresh and tuned up, and let's be serious, keep me tuned up. Then of course, there's the fact that we're both green at this level and Stephie was willing to come with and coach me.
Cons: The Maryland Horse Trials is not a qualified CN so the course wasn't going to be as big nor would it help me qualify for Fair Hill. It also meant another 10 hour trailer ride for poor Elliot who just came off a 24+ hour ride. Trailering is tough on them. Ulcers, respiratory stuff, weakened immune system, and just general fatigue are all things I worry about. PLUS it's another entry fee (especially since we're probably not getting much money back from Stuart) and more money in gas, etc. etc.
In the end, we decided to go. My parents generously offered to help me with the entry and Stephie offered to drive. I was ho-humming about it, but as everyone said, it is better to be making progress than sitting around wasting time.
The wonderful, amazing, brilliant secretary for the Maryland Horse Trials, Mary Coldren, made two new divisions of Intermediate for all of us who got unlucky at Stuart. Elliot wasn't particularly enthused about it, but I'm glad we went. There was certainly some rust to be shaken off.
We did dressage on Friday and jumped on Saturday. Dressage went amazingly well. Elliot was relaxed and happy, especially in his new Amerigo Alto on trail from World Equestrian Brands. He was very obedient and consistent. We scored a 36.80, which put us in 14th, but we were only 7 points behind the leader and only 3 points behind Phillip Dutton on 2012 Horse of the Year, Mr. Medicott. With the likes of Phillip, Buck, Kim, and Jan to name a few, I was over the moon! Elliot was certainly holding his own.
Saturday I was feeling pretty optimistic. I had a super jump school with Stephie the day we left. Elliot was jumping the snot out of everything, and Stephie kept saying how well he was jumping! Of course jumping at home is different than jumping at an event when the pressure is higher and eyes are on you. I ended up having a stop at the second fence because I was riding backwards. It was pilot error. Elliot could not have jumped from the tea cup canter I had. After that wake up call, however, I pulled myself together and got on with it. It is a good thing to remember that when jumping 4' you need to have enough step. Poor Stephie was a very aggravated videographer...
Cross country was a blast. Elliot ran around the course, ear pricked and looking for the next. We picked up only 6.80 time penalties, despite not running for time. The course certainly wasn't maxed out but that was good because it asked a number of questions we hadn't seen including skinny - one stride - drop into water - jump out of water - one stride - skinny, step up - one stride - step up - bounce - skinny, and long on a mound - four strides skinny.
We finished just about where we started in the division.
I feel more ready for Millbrook. The dressage and jumping are really coming along with Stephie's help. Now I just need to get my head in the game! I need to ride the show jump more like I ride the cross country!
