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We Are Flying Solo

May 18, 2014

The Final Finale Of The Heart Of The Carolinas 3DE -- Finally!

Life is so inconvenient when it comes to blogging, isn't it?  And it all moves so quickly, sometimes I just feel the urge to lie down until it passes.

But only a, er, couple weeks late, the rest of (well, ok, a fair chunk of) the photo-documentation of the once-more incredible (and even more so next year when I get my hands on some materials!) experience that can only be expressed through the focus on the horse's face and his rider's tearful grin of achievement.

The Novice Show Jumping Course Walk with designer (& fashion maven), Marc Donovan

"Just ignore that dorky chick over there who keeps following me around and taking pictures."
Someone's found his perfect distance.
Rider glancing back:  "Damn!  How DOES he find shoes in the EXACT same shade of navy blue as his polo shirt??!"
Another Boni chainsaw masterpiece:  a pack of coyotes sets of Marc's brilliant stadium course
Art is an understatement
These palmetto standards were a lovely SC touch...through which to view escape attempts from questioning mobs!
She practices her casual Donovan lean in hopes of mastering the uber-cool.
Gorgeous sculpture frames this wide oxer, the last jump on course, which, it seems all parties agree looks rather large.  However, it rode extremely well!
A new Boni masterpiece in its infancy, destined to be mustangs guarded by a flock of eagles
 The final jog, with Head Vet, Dr. Debbie, & Ground Jury Members Amanda Miller-Atkins & Pam Weidmann
A beautifully presented competitor at the Sunday morning jog.

I rooted for this charming little Appendix all weekend!!
Bonus points if you look great AND make Dr. Debbie laugh.  Even if you are riding Jaws.
"Geez, more horse butts, sigh..."
The irresistible Sterling Silver and his owner, Justin Hull, await their turn.  A truly fantastic pony!
This loud leopard appy caught lots of eyes...and I think his owners nearly mowed me down in my golf cart twice!  Unless there was another dually coated with App stickers...
Dr. Debbie struggles to see both sides of Haffie butt at once.
These two, Paddington Bear and his little girl , were a special pair indeed.
Stadium Jumping

Some still had plenty of leaping energy left!
Half-halts are good, but educational note:  please do not put your hackamores on your horse's soft tissue, where he cannot breathe very well.
Andrew McConnon & CMA Special Messenger were all elegance and style
This lovely bay makes it look easy!
An excellent use of eye upon landing.
Brant Gamma's partner, Pete, captures a fancy leap over the corner oxer
Appendix pony is tired but game!
This mare's face haunted me -- it was like looking straight at Solo!!!!
TD Gammon:  "You never let me use the fancy measuring stick!!"
CD Marc: "The stick must be earned, padi-wan."
The folks who keep it together (mostly; L-R):  announcer David Frump, dressage judge/ground jury member Amanda Miller-Atkins, president of the ground jury/dressage judge Pam Weidmann, course designer Marc Donovan, event secretary Rick Dunkerton; in front of trailer, facility owner Brad Turley trades recipes with organizer Cindy Deporter.
Obligatory Haffie perky jump in the BN3DE
Then if you are really lucky, you not only get to take home your blue completion ribbon, medal, and goody bag, BUT also the big blue first place ribbon, like our N3DE winner and her elegant and big-hearted bay (although she says the tradeoff lies in his enormous bucks!).

However, as the endurance folks say (and as eventers should say more often):  To finish is to win.  And the partnership built with your horse in the process is like none you will ever experience anywhere else!  And maybe, just maybe, I still have some time left to get my own dang horse there.  In a thank you note from a rider:  "As a 67 yr "old fart" who has never gotten to do more than BN Horse Trials and one unsanctioned N HT this was an opportunity I did not want to miss. All the planning and training over the winter and the long haul to SC was worth it. I know now that my little mare can do it and what we need to work on to make next year even more successful." 

Perhaps it was summed up best of all by another competitor:  "Being an eventer means that at times, you take your lumps, learn, grow, and come back stronger the next time."

Mission Accomplished:  Marc Donovan, organizer Cindy Deporter, and the infamous Russell the Love Muscle.  I even got Marc to wear my Carolina International volunteer hat complete with smurf pin.  "Why?!" he asked.  Silly Marc, because it entertains me, do we need another reason?

6 comments:

  1. What a cool event. I wish we had access to something like that around here.

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  2. It's a long drive from Idaho...but I have some extra pastures for layover! ;P

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  3. Hey! This has nothing to do with the above post fyi, but great pictures. I work with Absorbine, and we have a new product you may want to review! If so, email me at sblack@wfyoung.com. Thanks, Sean

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    1. Thanks, Sean, I will send you an email as soon as I get a chance! :-)

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  4. Omg. Russell the Love Muscle. Bahaha! I'm dying over here. :)

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  5. Austen, he is quite famous on the Eastern seaboard event scene, LOL, he belongs to my neighbour, Cindy, and is the most un-jack-russell-like Russell ever and we all adore him!

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