Surefire Eventing
  • HOME
  • SUREFIRE EVENTING
    • JAN BYYNY
    • SUREFIRE EVENT TEAM >
      • HORSES
      • SUPPORT
  • LESSONS AND CLINICS
  • SALES
  • BLOG
  • SUPPORT THE TEAM
    • SPONSORSHIP
  • CONTACT

Gearing Up In Aiken

1/30/2013

0 Comments

 
So far, Aiken has been awesome. We had a couple of colder than normal days at first, but then two weeks of complete bliss as far as the temperatures were concerned. We have a really great group of people and horses this year, and with everyone’s help we had the schooling course set and the dressage ring up by Monday the 7th. That was just in time to jump a couple of my horses and Danielle Quinn’s show jumper, Corland, on the 8th so that I could show Syd and Corland on the 10th at the horse show in town. I took Syd in the 1.15m to see where he was, and had probably the best show jump I’ve had on him; I didn’t go to my elbows once! Corland, on the other hand, was a bit dead to my leg so I think I was all elbows, body and legs to make him go. He had one rail and gave me an idea of what I need to do with him for the next horse show in February—get him a lot fitter and a lot sharper off my leg.

I’ve taken my horses to Silva twice, including my new horse Dyson, or Duke of Diamond. She’s really happy with Syd and JR and loved Dyson; she told me he can probably be a pure dressage horse. It’s always good to have an out, because as we know, young horses don’t always end up top event horses. I’ve also had one jump school with Phillip right before he went to Wellington, and he was really happy with what I had done with my horses since the last time he visited me in Virginia. Then, we’d discussed that I really needed to work on the details, that my horses stay with me through all my turns and that I can’t let the canter get away from me during the whole ride. He said my next project was to make sure that I stayed relaxed when I had a mistake rather than panic and change what I’m doing. Of course I’m trying to teach all my students that as well, the trickle down effect is always nice! This year, we have Erika and Cinthy Carson, Chase Shipka, Kaylin Dines, Caitlin Calder (who works for me), Kendyl Tracy, Hannah and Ann Kreuger and Susan Merle-Smith, who have all been hard at work show jumping and practicing their circles. It’s a really fun group.

We had our first competition at Full Gallop on the 26th. I did straight dressage with the big boys Syd and JR, which was great practice, and rode the 4-star test A to see where they were. Young Dyson did his first eventing dressage test and show ever. Syd got a 68.67%, JR a 67.66% and Dyson a 22.5. The judge had some really good comments that were helpful for me and my students. On the 27th we all did the horse trials at Full Gallop and were joined as well by McKenzie Regan and my homebred, Surefire Anwar. Most had a great day and we all gave ourselves a starting point for the year. The afternoon was topped off by Dyson doing his first horse trials ever and winning. I know it was not a perfect day for everyone, but as Ryan Wood said to me later that night when I saw him at dinner, it was good to be out and to knock off some of the cobwebs. I think the most important thing about horses and competing is to make sure you always keep it in perspective, concentrate on what went well, examine what didn’t and figure out how to make it better next time—without getting your knickers in a knot!

0 Comments

Happy New Year

1/13/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
With Tom in Colorado
I’m really ready for the new year and season to start. I think like a lot of eventers, the group at Surefire is pretty excited about having David as our coach. I thought he did a great job at the annual meeting reaching out to all riders about his plans and thoughts for the U.S. Eventing program. In particular, I thought his theory talk was one to hear; here’s a link to an overview on the Eventing Nation website. Basically, it’s about going back to basics when you ride. There is so much excitement in our sport from the annual meeting. I look forward to seeing how it all progresses.

I had a great Christmas skiing with my family. I love being away from the horses for a bit to get a new perspective and recharge my batteries. I’m in Aiken now, at the same farm at New Bridge Polo, and can tell you that I’m really chomping at the bit to get the season going. Hopefully, I’ll be heading Syd Kent for Kentucky this year. As far as JR goes, after my disappointing Fair Hill I think I’m going to make sure he's competitive and confident before I get any big plans going. I do have a new horse, just a baby turning five, and I’m anxious to see what he’s all about. As always, I’m looking forward to helping all my students as well. More soon!

0 Comments

    Archives

    April 2025
    February 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    June 2024
    April 2024
    February 2024
    September 2023
    July 2023
    April 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011

    RSS Feed

Website by Bright Horse Communications