I can’t believe it’s December! I tried something new this year as far as my end-of-year competitions go, and finished Storm at Mid-South in Lexington, Kentucky in the 2-star long. It was a great competition, my only wish is that they had used the proper rings instead of the old in-field for the dressage. Everything else about the competition was great, though. Even with that being said, the dressage was still good footing, just not the Kentucky rings. I was so pleased with Storm in all three phases, and he gave me one of his best tests, and was clear and in time on cross-country, making it feel easy. Although I had rail down behind going into the triple in show jumping, it was one of the most ridable rounds I’ve had. I was disappointed because it dropped him in the placing, but I wasn’t disappointed in him, he’s so fun.
I had the pleasure of going to the new 5-star at Maryland as a Selector and was so impressed! If you didn’t see it, I recommend you go next year. I was shocked how different the property looked and what a good job they did in all aspects. In my mind, Maryland could rival Badminton or Burghley. The courses were amazing! The only thing I wish had been offered was more food choices on-grounds to accommodate the amount of people who attended, but that’s a great problem to have and easy to fix. Being near a college town, there were lots of options for dinner and hotels, so that was nice.
I also went to Tryon as a Selector, and I would say having gone to Morven for the 4-star long and short, and Tryon for the 4-star long and short, you couldn’t actually compare the courses because you would be comparing apples and oranges. I thought Morven was amazing and the education it gave the horses with the use of the terrain and the design, was like a 4.5-star compared to Tryon’s 3.5-star. Atmosphere is important at these big events, but if the only atmosphere you have is in dressage as it was at Tryon, it almost feels unfair.
It’s interesting in my mind that we’re getting ready to select for next year’s WEG and we’re selecting from two completely different competitions—how do you do that? I can see horses and riders going well at Morven and then going on to Kentucky. Mark Phillips is always so creative, but I felt Tryon was much less technical than it was the year before, making it harder to see that path to a 5-star. Derek did Morven and it was amazing, though I hope they can step up their atmosphere to match the courses. If you want to know if you have a 5-star horse, go to Morven, it’s an education in course design and fitness and will only make your horse better if that’s what you’re aiming for.
I had the pleasure of going to the new 5-star at Maryland as a Selector and was so impressed! If you didn’t see it, I recommend you go next year. I was shocked how different the property looked and what a good job they did in all aspects. In my mind, Maryland could rival Badminton or Burghley. The courses were amazing! The only thing I wish had been offered was more food choices on-grounds to accommodate the amount of people who attended, but that’s a great problem to have and easy to fix. Being near a college town, there were lots of options for dinner and hotels, so that was nice.
I also went to Tryon as a Selector, and I would say having gone to Morven for the 4-star long and short, and Tryon for the 4-star long and short, you couldn’t actually compare the courses because you would be comparing apples and oranges. I thought Morven was amazing and the education it gave the horses with the use of the terrain and the design, was like a 4.5-star compared to Tryon’s 3.5-star. Atmosphere is important at these big events, but if the only atmosphere you have is in dressage as it was at Tryon, it almost feels unfair.
It’s interesting in my mind that we’re getting ready to select for next year’s WEG and we’re selecting from two completely different competitions—how do you do that? I can see horses and riders going well at Morven and then going on to Kentucky. Mark Phillips is always so creative, but I felt Tryon was much less technical than it was the year before, making it harder to see that path to a 5-star. Derek did Morven and it was amazing, though I hope they can step up their atmosphere to match the courses. If you want to know if you have a 5-star horse, go to Morven, it’s an education in course design and fitness and will only make your horse better if that’s what you’re aiming for.
I’m all ready to spend Christmas with my family like I do every year, and I can’t wait. I got myself an early present and her name is Invito (above), who I own with my parents. I call her Vida in the barn. She is the sweetest, most lovable horse to be around and I enjoy riding her every day. She’s a good mover and jumper, and thank you Buck Davidson for selling her to me. I can’t wait to have fun with her and am so excited for myself and my parents. After the holidays I’ll go to Ocala for a couple months. Hopefully everyone has a happy holiday season, and I’ll see you in the new year!
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