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We Are Flying Solo

May 31, 2010

And It Only Got Hotter

I confess there may have been skipping. I honestly wasn't sure how our test would score. So when I checked the leaderboard, I was shocked and ecstatic all at once. And there may have been helpless giggling all the way back to the trailer.

We booted up to get ready for jumping. This HT runs stadium first, then XC immediately after you finish your course, which I have grown to like as it makes a perfect XC warmup. But one thing I have learned is that the stadium courses here are always very tough. The course is set on the lumpy side of a slope. Ok, that's fine, we practice on a hill at home. But it's also set on grass in a very small area. And this time, that meant practically every turn was a rollback on a hill to a jump you maybe had two or three strides in front of to get straight.

We really struggled with it; Solo is many things, but catty on a turn is not one of them. He is careful and really tries to keep his toes off the rails, but there wasn't a single jump that gave you a nice, inviting entry line and as a result, we pulled two rails. Eight penalty points, owie. They were all in the same line -- a double combination coming out of a rolling downhill corner with about three strides to an uphill vertical right on the ropes. Add to that it was getting even more humid as the heat cranked up, which really takes it out of poor Solo.

On the plus side, all our work on single fences really paid off -- I kept my eyes firmly on top rails (no more staring at decorations going "oooo, look at the little flowers!") and he handily worked his way through width, colours, Blue Tarps of Doom, and walls without a glance. Next project -- going back to riding more courses at home!








Cross country ran completely uneventfully. There were a few funky jumps and moments. As soon as we finished, I collapsed off my horse in a pile of sweaty wooziness and laid in the shade next to the trailer while our lifesaver friend got Solo some TLC till I could stand up without the field doing crazy heat-spins. But double clear, a bold canter into the water, and a really fun ride at a ditch/ narrow brush combo in the woods! We also finally got to jump the picture frame that I've been wanting to do forever -- wow, it looks so much smaller than it did a year ago!




















All in all, we regained some placing with our XC run and finished in a solid 4th place. Not bad considering and I am still thrilled to pieces about the dressage test, especially given the challenging circumstances. We are definitely done horse trialing for the (hot hot HOT) summer. Well, at least until August. But that's a special event. And it's in Maryland. So that doesn't count.

14 comments:

  1. Congrates! Well done. I love how you re-tell your stories and adventures. What a good boy Solo!

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  2. LOL! YAY! I am silly giggling for you guys, which is really sad since I am at work...
    CONGRATS! that picture frames looks sooo skeery!

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  3. GO YOU! Awesome pictures from what sounds like an amazing weekend. I'm so happy for you guys!

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  4. Congrats! I absolutely love your attitude about it all and I hope I can have the same when I finally start competing.

    It's hard to believe it's that hot there already and I used to live in Georgia, how quickly we forget. It still feels like freakin' November here and I haven't seen the sun in almost a month.

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  5. Congrats once again, and also kuddos for your new personal photographer.

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  6. Thanks so much, everyone! Giggling and clapping is always deeply appreciated! Solo had a well-earned day off yesterday and we'll take it easy for a while until it's time to gear up and prep for the ATC's!

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  7. Love the photos! (and I'd be all about the Ooooo preeeety flowers...I'd never get over a jump!)

    I'm learning a little (2nd hand) about jumping, and grass on a hill with tight turns?? For Stadium? You GO girl.

    Looking at all that, knowing it's THREE events, and you got fourth?? Blue ribbon, all the way.
    Jane

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  8. WOW! Congrats! You both look like complete superstars. Love the last pic of Solo. He looks tired & well pleased with himself :-)

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  9. Oh, and I am still loving the roached mane on Mr. Shiny Pony! We are the lone wolves at our barn with Mosco's roached mane, but I love it! Super low maintenance and totally upholds the warhorse mentality!

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  10. Congrats- great recount of your showing adventure. Lovely pictures. I have a QH that is going from broodmare to hopeful eventer. I love the picture of Solo jumping through the frame!

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  11. Thanks again, y'all! And Mosco -- rock the mohawk!!!

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  12. Yippy skippy!! :-D Sorry I'm so late on the congrats -- but better late than never, right? Major kudos to you and the RedMan on your awesome trial.
    Oh, and the George Morris side of me has to also congratulate you on using what appears to be an automatic release in one of those pics. Way to rock it!!
    Oh, and I'm applying for a position at Equus magazine (which is in Gaitherburg, Maryland), so please keep your fingers crossed for me! I promise that I will come out & be your helper at Waredaca if I get the job & am up there in August. :-D

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  13. I didn't realize you were at FR or I would have said hi! What a fun, but oh so awfully hot day. Maybe we'll bump into each other somewhere once it cools off - Jen Stout and Gustopher (2nd in Maiden 2 - 2nd HT ever for both of us!)

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  14. Hi Jen -- gosh, how funny we were both there! Definitely run up and say hi, we are hard to miss with our sparkly blue trailer, LOL. CONGRATS on your great finish!! Patricia's starter divisions are usually very full, so y'all must have had a great ride!

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