Today I was not a mother mucker. I was not the groom. I was not the trailer driver. Nor did I have to travel hours to get where I was going.

Today I was just a volunteer.

In other words,  unlike any other horse show this year – I was just a volunteer … it was my ONLY job today. Because today – at Snowfields Horse Trials in Pownal, Maine – my daughter didn’t ride. She, too, was just a volunteer.

It was so much fun to be able to just give of myself to a sport that I support. And it was a gorgeous New England Fall day, with the leaves in bloom, a very brisk breeze in the air, and the excitement of the day at hand.

But the best part was that I got to do my favorite job … cross country starter!

What’s so fun about watching a clock and telling people to “GO” at 2-3 minute intervals? As the starter, I get to talk to each and every rider and see the excitement in their eyes – and their horse’s eyes.

“2 minutes” I say.

Then, horse and rider walk or trot around the start box.

“Having a good day?” I ask – and in 60 seconds or less I hear about how their morning went on this event, held all in one day.

“1 minute” I say.

At that point, they usually make a larger circle around me and the start box until they hear me say “30 seconds”.

In the box they walk – and then right back out again. Behind me, beside me as if they are pacing.

“15 seconds” and they head toward the box. And then it happens. the very best part of my 2 minutes with the horse and rider.

“10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 GO! … HAVE A GREAT RIDE!”

My four favorite words in the sport of eventing.

So what did you do today?

Horses 3-day eventing, cross country, eventing, volunteering

Today my daughter, the eventer, began riding two horses a day. It won’t be for long. Our season here in Area 1 of the USEA (which is all of New England and New York) ends in less than a month. Our last event will be Snowfields Horse Trials because it is literally just around the corner from our barn. It is the only chance during the show season for my daughter that her friends actually can come and watch her “do her thing”.

But this blog was about two horses. Our friend is starting a new job and is unable to attend any more events this season. And without thinking, I mentioned possibly my daughter could take her horse for a run at Snowfields, too. Just to keep him going a little longer. Much to our surprise, she said SURE!

What does that mean for the Eventer Mom? An extra hour at the barn, an additional entry fee, but one very excited daughter. Especially since her trainer said she is ready to move up to Preliminary next season.

Horses eventing, riding multiple horses

I should have started this blog last Spring, but too much web design business, family activities, and the hectic schedule of my teen-aged daughter – the eventer – there just never seemed to be the time for my own fun horse-related blog.

I am Debbie Hastings. And about a year ago, at King Oak Farm Horse Trials, there was a car in front of us with a bumper sticker that said simply:

MOTHER MUCKER

It was perfect. And ever since then, that has sort of been my motto. It says it all, doesn’t it? After all, as the mother of an eventer, I do it all:

• clean tack
• gather and carry gear
• worry during dressage
• worry more during cross country
• drive a horse trailer that I never thought I’d own
• and of course, muck stalls

If you can relate to any of this, then please, follow along as I try to tell about what it’s like to be a Rambling Mom of a 3-day eventer. It will be fun!

Horses eventer mom, eventing, horse mom, Horses, mother mucker

It was the only cloudy day we’ve had here at the Virginia Horse Trials. But that’s was a good thing! Emily rode cross country today at 9:30 and the cloud cover kept it cooler for both horse and rider.

As Emily prepared herself and Bully for Billy for the final ride of horse trials, Susan and I (Debbie) packed up everything else in preparation for our long haul back to Maine. We had everything ready to go so when Emily finished up, we could get on the rode … and hopefully get home before midnight!

Emily’s ride was scheduled for 9:36 but she and Billy were ready early and they let them run … and run they did. Emily was pumped for this course and had walked it 2 times (and I’m sure many more in her head). And right from the start box, it was clear they were a team! The result: double clear on cross country! Way to go Emily!

Within an hour of cooling off Billy, we had the dogs in the car, the trunks packed, and the horses loaded for the long journey home. We said farewell to our friends and headed north …

Until the next show – HAVE A GREAT RIDE!

Shows / Events eventing, Shows / Events, VHT, Virginia horse trials

While Susan and Emily fed the horses and prepared for their events of the day, I (Debbie the show mom), went to volunteer once again. Today, for 2 hours, I was a timer and judge during the long format (roads and tracks / endurance) for the CCI*. As I sat there in my golf cart up on the ridge in the middle of the cross country course, I couldn’t help but notice how BEAUTIFUL this place is. The Virginia Horse Center is surrounded by mountains and is just spectacular!

After finishing up at 8:30 I headed off to reconnect with the riders of Great Bay Farm and help them prepare for their events … which happened one right after the other:

10:56 – Emily rode dressage
12:00 – Susan rode cross country
1:06 – Emily rode show jumping

A little bit of everything today!

Dressage for Emily didn’t go quite as good as she had hoped … partially because they inserted a rider from another division in front of her that was doing a different test and mentally made Emily worry she had studied the wrong test. Then, while in the ring, the judge blew the whistle to indicate that Enily had gone “off test”, but then realized she was in error and had Emily pick up the test in the middle and contiue. Despite the frustration, Emily kept her composure throughout the test, making her a champion despite the numbers.

From the dressage ring, Susan went directly to warm up for cross country. HOW EXCITING to share this first Intermediate Event with friends like Cindy Wood (who was also riding HER first CCI*).

Susan and Hershey were ABSOLUTELY STELLAR out there and it showed with a clear round (no jump penalties). Susan said Hershey listened to everything she asked and easily completed the course. She is proud to now say that she owns an INTERMEDIATE EVENT HORSE.

Tomorrow Emily rides cross country and is VERY EXCITED about the course that lays ahead. So tonight we’ll enjoy a toast to Susan and Hershey on the successful completion of their first Intermediate Horse Trial during a steak dinner with all our friends from around Area II, and tomorrow we’ll wish Emily a great ride before we head for home.

Shows / Events eventing, Shows / Events, VHT, Virginia horse trials

Let the events begin!

It’s been a busy day for us all here at the Virginia Horse Trials. Yesterday gave us all a chance to settle in and get used to layout and grounds. Today has been work for everyone.

It was Susan’s first day of competition: Dressage and Show Jumping. After the usual 6 AM feed, groom, and walk the horse, Susan and I set out to walk the Intermediate cross country course – which includes an impressive downback called “Geronimo”. When Suan stands next to this jump on the down side, it is ALMOST as tall asher. HOLY COW!

Upon our return, Susan began the routine of braiding and getting herself and her horse ready for Hershey’s FIRST Intermediate Horse Trial … that in itself set the excitement for the day!

In the mean time, Emily and I (Debbie the show mom) set off to volunteer: first as runners for dressage (bringing the tests from the judge to the scoring box) and then helping out with show jumping.

As runners for dressage, we were fortunate to see the all the upper level horses ride, including Susan. Her test was great and Susan was happy with Hershey’s performance. We heard the judge say that all the horses in this group rode very well and their score reflected it. All the work Susan and Hershey put in prior to this event paid off!

At 2 PM the show jumping phase started in the VERY IMPRESSIVE Colliseum. This is a large indoor arena with stadium seating in the center of the Virginia Horse Center. It was awe-inspirinG and immediately had you sitting taller in your seat – whether you were in the stands or on a horse.

With Emily as ring steward and I in the timng/scoring booth overhead, Sue and Heshey entered the colliseum ready to go! The Intermediate course was tough and one fence in particular caused some trouble for many riders, including Hershey. Besides that one rai, the rest of the round was perfect and Susan was thrilled with his performance.

Tomorrow Hershey runs Cross Country. Susan has walked the course 2 times already, and as I type this, she is out walking it a third time with long-time friend Karen O’Connor for some last minute tips.

This is so exciting! Can’t wait to wish Sue a GREAT RIDE tomorrow! At that time, Emily will also be riding dressage and show jumping. So it looks like another busy day here at VHT!

Shows / Events eventing, Shows / Events, VHT, Virginia horse trials

(This morning’s view from the trailer window – where Emily and Debbie Slept)

It’s was a beautiful day here in Lexington, VA with the riders of Great Bay Farm. Although nobody rode today, it was a day of putting everything together for the weekend events, which start tomorrow morning at feeding time – 6 AM.

While the riders rode their horses and walked the CCI* and Intermediate cross country courses, I worked on finishing up a website … but I had a little help from Hershey.

As the show mom to the group, I woke to a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains to our east. This is my first time here in Virginia and I must say, it is a beautiful part of the country.

I rented a golf cart to get myself and my squatty JRT around this large horse park. It has two cross country courses, 5 dressage rings, and many other arenas. Plus, it’s just really fun to drive!

After unloading the saddles and riding gear from the trailer, mucking stalls, and stocking up on some necessities, Emily took a few moments to get some love from the horses.

Sue was a bit apprehensive about the very large bounce on her cross country course, but was reassured by Hershey that he is ready.

And when the day was done, we headed out to dinner with friend Cindy Wood and several of her family memebers who have come to watch her ride this weekend.

Tomorrow – Friday – Susan and Hershey begin their first Intermediate Horse Trial as a team. Dressage first, then Show Jumping. And I hope to have some video from each.

So until tomorrow … Have a great ride!

Shows / Events eventing, Shows / Events, VHT, Virginia horse trials

As we pass the half way mark on our 12 hour journey to the Virginia Horse Trials, our show Mom, Debbie Hastings, has decided it’s time to wake everyone up by opening up the blog. Since Sue is concentrating on the driving (because we are going the entire 12 hours in one day), and Emily is tuned out to the ipod, I – the show mom – am left to write this first portion solo.

With the squatty-squad of JRTs by my side, and being the spectator in the bunch, I for one am VERY excited about this trip for several reasons:

1. Hershey (The Game Plan) will run his first Intermediate Horse Trial. That is the primary reason we are traveling so far from home – because intermediate horse trials in Area 1 at this time.
2. It’s a big show with loads of “big names” – which makes it exciting just to be able to see them ride in person.
3. Emily has been working hard on Billy (Bully for Billy) and is feeling well-prepared – a comforting thought for me as the show mom.
4. There are no young children with us this trip. Although we love them dearly, on a long haul like this it is nice to NOT have to hear “are we almost there”.
5. The weather is suppose to be GORGEOUS!
6. We are meeting old friends and new friends at the event – one of which is a friend from the social network “Twitter” (where Debbie, our show mom, is an active participate as EventerMom).
7. Both Emily and Mom will be ring stewards on Friday – volunteering together for the first time.
8. I (Debbie) will be timing during the cross country long format … and I love that job!
9. Friend Cindy Wood – whom Debbie & Susan stayed with in Maryland earlier this Spring – will be competing in her first CCI* with steeplechase. We’ll be helping her throughout the weekend.
10. Blackjack, the black and tan JRT, will get to see some of his siblings and maybe even his mother!

Since this will be a busy weekend for the great bay riders, I will be the one updating this blog throughout our weekend. So for this show, you’ll get to see the event from Mom’s Perspective.

Videos, pictures, and stories to share … so stay tuned and …

Have a Great Ride!

Shows / Events eventing, Shows / Events, traveling, VHT, Virginia horse trials