Weekend Wrap-Up

Octoberfest was a total success!! We finished on our dressage score of 37.5, in 8th place, and had an absolutely fantastic XC round. Tim was nicely forward and willing the whole way around, with none of the stupid looky stuff from last time. I did circle twice (which you'll see in the videos) because I'm constantly worried about getting time penalties for going too fast. He's such a good horse... I am so fortunate to have him!

Posting this again because I love it SOOOO much! 

Some awkward fences at first (didn't get to warm-up properly) but 2nd half of the course was lovely

Octoberfest!

37.5 dressage (improving slowly but surely), double clear stadium despite only having 5ish minutes to warm up (don't get me started), XC tomorrow. We're currently in 8th place -- hoping to maybe move up a few places tomorrow! Shoutout to Hillary for coming to help/watch/super-groom :) 

He loves me, I swear 

Jumping ahead, but he's so cute that I had to post it 

Bookin it 

Handsome pones 

Our Beginner Novice debut

Over the weekend, Tim and I competed at the KHP in our first beginner novice/first recognized show! Dressage was a tad tense, per usual, but it was still an improvement over our last test. Until we get our dressage together, we're going to continue to get our butts kicked in that phase. After dressage, we were tied for 10th. A double clear stadium round pulled us up to 8th.

XC was so so so great and we had a really good rhythm most of the way around. However, we had never jumped an A/B combo before... Tim jumped in really well to A, but started drifting right so slightly at first that I didn't notice until a second too late. We almost took out the right flag, but I just couldn't get him over. I whipped him right back around and we jumped through it flawlessly the second time. Without this stupid run-out, we would've placed FOURTH. Alas, we found ourselves back in 10th, which I'm okay with. Things to work on for our next show :)

He was dumb about this one 

AWK

So, what's next? Well, as many dressage lessons as I can possibly manage, some hock injections and time off for the Timmers, and either Team Challenge (wait listed) or Octoberfest! I seriously cannot wait to get back out and compete again! I'm also going to keep up with the blog more, now that Tim and I are doing fun/exciting things. Stay tuned!

Rolex XC, Part I

Update: If you haven't yet, you should enter Hillary's contest! She's giving away three Rolex volunteer shirts, which is pretty awesome :) 

Today was a fabulous day. The weather held out for us and only did some light sprinkling, I got Hawley Bennet Awad's and Buck Davidson's autographs, went shopping, and got to spend some time with Hillary and my parents :) I also took 500+ pictures, which I narrowed down to 150 to share with you, though this is only the first half! Like Hill said in her post, the 20 rides after the lunch break didn't go so hot, with only 10 of 20 finishing the course. In contrast, 18 of the 21 morning starters finished and had some extremely successful and easy runs. The biggest disappointments of the day for me were William Fox Pitt and Chilli Morning retiring on course and Allie Knowles, reppin' the KY, getting eliminated after 2 refusals :( I was dying to see WFP's gorgeous stallion, who was in 1st place after dressage, go around XC, but they retired before he got to where I was stationed with my camera... BOO. However, I did get to see a horse go from the same stud farm as Limerick, Ringwood Mississippi (rider: Austin O'Connor), which was beyond cool! I got some pictures of them, but they'll be in the next post.

Of course, now I'll have to tell you about the goods I snagged and the trailers I perused ;) My dad was seriously interested in walking through the various trailers on display and kept exclaiming how beautiful they were, all of which I took as a definite sign that we're getting one after school is over for the year!!!! Now, onto the loot: 

1) Stretch and Flex training wraps

2) My very own Barbour Jacket!!!

3) Rolex sweatshirt and t-shirt

WFP and Seacookie TSF

WFP

WFP

WFP

WFP

James Alliston and Parker

Jan Byyny 

Jan

Jan and Syd Kent

Jan

Andrew Nicholson and Calico Joe

Andrew Nicholson and Calico Joe

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Eagle 

P.D.

Notice him cracking the whip

jumping with one hand on the reins

yep...

Madeline Blackman

Caitlin Silliman, who somehow managed to have one refusal but still finish within the time. CRAY

Will Faudree and Pawlow

Beth Perkins and Sal Dali

Becky Holder and Can't Fire Me

Will Faudree

Peter Barry and Kilrodan Abbott

Becky Holder and Can't Fire Me

HENNYYYYYYY! For those of you who don't know this famous duo, meet Peter Atkins and Henry Jota Hampton. Watch this video to get some idea of their adorableness 

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