One of my daughter’s friends – and fellow Maine-iac – Lily O’Brien made the Area 1 North American Jr. Young Rider Team (CCI*). They made this video to introduce the team. I’m so excited for them! Emily is hoping to qualify and be considered next year.
Meet the 2010 NAJYR Area 1 CCI* Team! GOOD LUCK GIRLS!
My daughter has struggled with dressage. It’s one of those things that, when at a show, we all hold our breath to see what her face and reaction is after the test … then we judge how long we need to “stay clear” before we can talk to her.
Before I go any further – if you are a mother mucker too, I ask you … does your rider do the same thing?
This was our first trip to Fitch’s Corner in Millbrook, NY. I can assure you, it won’t be our last. I knew before we left that it was probably one of the most beautiful events in Area 1 because I designed their website and had all the beautiful photos from Connecticut Photo to choose from. It was exiting to meet the Fitch’s Team I’d been emailing for a year. I especially enjoyed the fantastic competitor’s party that Fernanda & Friends put on for everyone. WELL DONE!
Back to dressage … even at training level, dressage was always Emily & Billy’s sticky part of the 3 phases. They can perform outside the ring, but when the nerves kick in, things get a little fast and usually leave her at the bottom of the pack and pushing her way back up to a ribbon during the jumping phases.
It was her first time performing the 2010 Prelim Dressage Test C – which she liked alot. Thanks to Babette Lena, who was there coaching other riders, she gave her a little boost in confidence just before entering the ring. Except for a wiggly halt at the salute, the test was FANTASTIC.
Smiles were on her face. Billy got big pats. Placement – SECOND after dressage.
Fitch’s Corner HTs were held all in one day, so within a couple hours she was off to cross country. With her first fall in 2 years, she was quickly out of the game at jump 6. But knowing that she could have success in the dressage ring was accomplishment enough for both rider and Eventer Mom.
Next up – Young Rider Camp at GMHA and then the GMHA horse trials on August 13, 2010.
It’s THE day Emily’s been waiting for … her first Preliminary Cross Country day. For the past year, as she walked her training xc courses, I’ve watched her looking over at the preliminary jumps saying “cool!” and “I wish I were jumping that”.
Today was the day … for both of us.
I volunteered as a jump judge and requested to be in a spot where I could see the most jumps during the Preliminary run. Although the last jump was an easy jump to judge, I was able to see about 6 jumps in all so I was happy … except for the pouring rain. And I do mean POURING RAIN. I had an umbrella, but it rained so hard it dripped down my back and formed a puddle on my chair. I was soaked right through to the bone!
But the day wasn’t about me … it was about Emily and her friends making it through their first Preliminary cross country outing. Some did, some didn’t. I’m proud to say my daughter made it through with no jumping faults despite the slippery, rain drenched footing.
CONGRATULATIONS EMILY! YOU HAD A GREAT RIDE!
And another congratulations …. to barn-mate and friend Lauren Leavitt on her first (of what we hope is many) successful event with her new buckskin baby, Cougar (Cougar King). A match made in heaven, so it appears.
AND … Oh, and I forgot to mention that to mark this special event … we have a new addition to the family. He’s an adorable, 12-week old, long legged jack russell terrier that my daughter named “BOO”. Holly (my short-legged JRT) became fast friends with BOO! Ok, so someone just shoot me now … I admit, I had a moment of insanity doing this. But I’m a sucker for loving animals.
Holly - my JRT - and our new addition "BOO"
The day has been completed. Emily wasn’t that happy with her dressage score – she rarely is. The best part of the day was that I had a front row seat to watch show jumping. I was the judge’s scribe – one of my favorite jobs! So I got to see ever horse in Preliminary and Training go through the show jumping course. To my untrained eye, it didn’t seem like it would give anyone trouble … but several jumps that caught many riders by surprise.
The triple combination was right in front of me and if I smiled too much when the horses rode by, then I’d be eating their dirt. I love it!
Emily did well. A couple rails, but overall a good ride today. Tomorrow is Cross Country Day. I’m volunteering in the morning as a jump judge and hopefully I’ll be able to see enough jumps to watch Emily’s first Preliminary XC.
I can’t wait! I wonder if she’s more excited than I am?
Excitement and Nervousness … that’s what’s on my daughter’s mind this morning has she prepares for her dressage test. Although this is her first full Preliminary level event, she has completed two Preliminary/Training events. This time, however, it’s the real-deal … all three phases at the preliminary level. She’s ready …. but I’m not sure if I am.
Her coach Anna Welch is here compete and so is our barn-mate Lauren Leavitt with her new 4 year old Cougar (King Cougar). Many of Emily’s other horse buddies are also “moving up” this weekend … so I’m in good company with other mother muckers.
Dressage is always the phase that makes my stomach hurt. The idea of the “perfection” needed drains me. I hope I can make it through this day.
Emily and Ryan walk back to the stables after a successful cross country run.
Being in the Preliminary/Training group has one advantage – you are up and at it early. And today I was glad for the early start. It was downright HOT today. It felt like a July day in New England – not the first weekend in May!
UNH chose to hold it’s jumping phases back-to-back, so my daughter went straight from show jumping to the XC start box. As every show mom does, I greeted her at the show jumping exit to help change the horses boot and the position on the bit and then RAN to the water complex to watch the only part of the UNH cross country course that you can see more than 2 jumps.
She looked FABULOUS. Clean XC jumping with a few time faults because she didn’t push him (being his first show in 2010).
A successful finish with a 6th place ribbon to open the show season.
She was ready and confident, but nerves got the best of her as she began P/T at UNH. As the Eventer Mom that I am, I noticed one HUGE difference despite the score and the nerves … the way she handled it. In the past she would have come out of the dressage ring mad at herself. And as most mother muckers now, there is no talking with a teen that’s mad for at least 30 minutes.
But this time she came off, turned to her coach Anna Welch, and asked “what am I doing wrong” … and went off calmly discussing the test.
Maturity. That’s what I saw today. I was a proud mama for that.
Tomorrow – all jumping phases. My favorite part! But for now, I’ll let Emily’s boyfriend, Ryan, be the groom and mucker … I’m headed to my cousins for happy hour!
I’ve been very bad about posting during the start of this eventing season. I think it’s because my 16 year old eventing daughter now drives herself to the barn. It doesn’t bother me too much that she doesn’t need the ride to her everyday workouts. I know she still needs me to drive that trailer … and of course put on my “mother mucker” hat during the show.
Oh … and pay the board.
And … put the check in the mail for show entries.
Places to stay during shows? Oh yeah – that’s still my job too.
At least for the upcoming UNH show we’ll be staying with family. Gotta love that!
So I guess I really have NO EXCUSE to not be posting. I’ll try harder as the first two events of the season are upon us.
Unfortunately, due to an illness in the family, I was unable to take my daughter south to do a “warm up event” in preparation for the step up to Preliminary. So, to make sure horse and rider are ready, she made the decision to drop down to training for King Oak. However, this will put her in good shape to join many of her other eventing friends as they ALL make the step up at GMHA in June.
Stepping up with all her friends will make it just that much more exciting! BRING ON UNH in two weeks!!
Today marked a special day – my daughter’s first entry was sent to King Oak Farm in Southhampton, MA today for her first full preliminary event! It’s a big step that both trainers have said she’s ready for.
The toughest part for her, I think, is that UNH requires the new Preliminary Test A for the P/T division and King Oak requires Test B. As if Prelininary dressage wasn’t nerve racking enough!
USEF #s for horse and rider – check!
New dressage coat – check!
Working hard nearly every day – DOUBLE CHECK!
I hope I can keep the camera still for videos! I’ll be one NERVOUS mother mucker!!