April 19, 2010

Sometimes Finishing Is Winning

Sorry, SillyPony, we did not perform show jumping with such brilliant finesse that the judge decided that all the other riders sucked and gave us a giant blue ribbon.   

I also have to say: THANK YOU, MUM, FOR BEING A GREAT CREW! She brought us water, snapped pictures and carried bell boots around for us this weekend and the company and assistance were invaluable. It is SO MUCH WORK doing an HT by yourself, just having an extra pair of hands is truly priceless!

Saturday night, still rolling from our XC high, we packed up and chugged up the road to A's house, a friend of a friend who graciously offered Solo a stall for the night. But not JUST a stall. A beautiful abode in a picturesque barn over which the house was built. The back of the stall opened directly into a private pasture all for Solo.

Funny story: I poured Solo his grain and as he began to munch, I worked on tying the back door of the stall open so he could choose to go in or out at his whim. As soon as I had it wedged open, Solo turns his head and looks and immediately stops eating and walks out the door. He stops, surveys his pasture, turns and looks over his shoulder at the door, then looks at pasture again, then turns around and marches back through the door. He then looks back at the door again and snorts as if to say, Now that is freakin' SWEET!!! All three of us watching died laughing.

Sunday morning dawned a gorgeous 70 degrees and Solo walked boldly out of his stall moving great. His back muscle was still tight, but it had lost its angry heat, so it got its morning massage and we loaded up to go.

The stadium course rode really well, despite what I thought were two terrifying bending lines. They turned out to flow quite smoothly and we even conquered the tough oxer-two-stride-vertical combination at the end. Tired Solo toes caught one rail on a skinny vertical we weren't quite forward enough to and thus ended up too deep at, but that's ok.

All in all, for a horse with a pulled muscle, I'd say my big red boy did pretty damn well and he jumped beautifully for me. He just couldn't carry himself for the dressage arena, but whaddya do? We finished in 18th place out of 30 horses, which gives me great hope for when Mr. Shiny Pants is back to 100%.  I consider our first recognized horse trial a success!

And I also want to send a shout out to the Carolina Horse Park and their new lower level course designer, Jeff Kibbie. He did a FANTASTIC job putting together a XC course that was not maxed out (thank you!!!!) at every jump, flowed perfectly, presented a variety of jump types and questions in a way that the horse could think about and tackle each with confidence. I don't who did the stadium course, but they also did an excellent job.

I'm going to make a separate post for photos because I confess that there may have been some photogasmic purchasing activity, plus mum's great shots.  So here is a teaser, shot by Pics Of You, of Solo looking classy coming out of the second bending line in stadium jumping.  Again with that stupid stock tie...

17 comments:

  1. Yay! Congrats to you and Solo! That picture is great and can't wait to see more.

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  2. Very nice photo! Good going!

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  3. Who is that professional rider on the impressive horse?? WOW!!! You guys look awesome!!!

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  4. Congratulations! You both did great and sounds like you enjoyed yourself too. Looking forward to the pictures.

    Whew...you sure have to take a lot of stuff with you when you goes to these trials. I have trouble packing for myself when I go on a trip, let alone several changes of clothing for a horse.

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  5. Great job you guys, GREAT job!!!

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  6. Wowza! The Big Red Man looks amazing and so do you!! I am super excited for the picture post!!

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  7. PICS PICS PICS!!!!! Where are they!?!? I can't wait! LOL, you guys look so awesome, and I am so glad to hear it went so well! I wish I could've gone...stupid work, I should just quit so I can go to all the HTs I want...yeah, that would work wonderfully...

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  8. You guys look great and that may the best photo ever of Solo going over a jump.

    If I am going to continue to comment on this site I may have to put a riding helmet on my little avatar.

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  9. Darn! But that's okay because the legal battle you'd get into over the made-for-tv-movie rights would be annoying and take time away from your riding time. :)

    Awesome picture! Can't wait to see more!

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  10. Go you!!

    That is an awesome photo, too. You two look stunning.

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  11. Wow, nice picture!

    Way to go. Sounds like an excellent event.

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  12. Thank y'all so much! Your ever so kind words mean a LOT. I am working on getting pictures up, work is very busy these days!

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  13. You guys look great and Solo looks happy to be soaring over that jump! I can't wait to see the next horse trials that are in your future with the great foundation you're giving him.

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  14. Congrats on what looks like a wonderful time!!! Solo looks fantastic!

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