I just finished my last event of the season and though it’s always nice to be done, this time I was a little disappointed. Having had a great competitive season with my mare, Urrem, I was all set to do my best at the Virginia CCI*. Unfortunately, though she finished great, my dressage was disappointing because she was quite fresh, much more so than she’s ever been, so I didn’t have the best canter work or the ability to get her through her body in her test. I’ll be better about her preparation next time—I completely misjudged it!
After having that disappointing start, I knew cross-country was quite straightforward and looked like it was going to be fun, and fun it was. I did get held twice on course, and I think Rem was a bit confused the second time but otherwise she was foot perfect and quite fast. She came out of it great, jogged up well on Sunday morning, and I had probably the smoothest show jumping round I’ve had on her yet, so a really nice way to end the event.
One of the things I liked the most was that I found a great rhythm after the first couple of fences and Rem settled more and more as we went on. I could relax in the ring, which is not always easy, and keep my head clear and just enjoy the moment.
Even though it’s the end of our competitive season, I’m not giving my horses a break quite yet. It’s so nice out right now, and I have some great young horses, so I’ll do some cross-country schooling on nice footing, some show jumping with Katie and Henri Prudent, and a little dressage work. We’ll have a little vacation at the beginning of December. Here’s to no stirrup November, maybe—I’ll keep you posted.
Many thanks to Thehorsepesterer for the videos!
After having that disappointing start, I knew cross-country was quite straightforward and looked like it was going to be fun, and fun it was. I did get held twice on course, and I think Rem was a bit confused the second time but otherwise she was foot perfect and quite fast. She came out of it great, jogged up well on Sunday morning, and I had probably the smoothest show jumping round I’ve had on her yet, so a really nice way to end the event.
One of the things I liked the most was that I found a great rhythm after the first couple of fences and Rem settled more and more as we went on. I could relax in the ring, which is not always easy, and keep my head clear and just enjoy the moment.
Even though it’s the end of our competitive season, I’m not giving my horses a break quite yet. It’s so nice out right now, and I have some great young horses, so I’ll do some cross-country schooling on nice footing, some show jumping with Katie and Henri Prudent, and a little dressage work. We’ll have a little vacation at the beginning of December. Here’s to no stirrup November, maybe—I’ll keep you posted.
Many thanks to Thehorsepesterer for the videos!
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