My entire body and brain is tired, but I promise many media are coming. There are photos to be cropped and videos to be uploaded and it all takes time.
I do want to say one thing immediately: THANK YOU.
Thank you to the volunteers -- I try to be one whenever I can and I think it's a fantastic job, but it's also a long day(s). I was happy to see some of the jump judges chowing down on a really good lunch, so good job, CHP, for taking care of your peeps.
Thank you to mum -- none if it would be possible without you. Having an extra pair of hands for the weekend was an extra bonus!
Thank you to everyone who stopped and said hi, sent a text, or wrote a note of encouragement. Each one is so special and unexpected to me, it makes it all that much more fun to know that Encore is sharing his journey. A shout-out to Alana and Ryan, I wish I could have had more time to talk!
Thank you to the atmosphere, which gave us two perfect, Carolina blue days in the sandhills.
As for the event itself, well, you will just have to be a little patient with me. I'll give you some hints:
Our dressage test was much better than two weeks ago, but would have been even better if I had listened to a friend...
Our stadium round was nearly flawless, until...
Our cross country run was, as it always is for me, an exercise in pure awesomeness, but there's a funny story about a ditch....
I will say that I was THRILLED with the way Encore handled himself, it's amazing to watch a horse who spent three years racing take in a whole new scene so professionally. Any and all mistakes were rider error, we crossed the finish flags on XC clean and clear within 18 seconds of optimum time, and a month from now...you'll see us back at the Horse Park...at Novice.
For now, it's all between Encore and the giraffe...
I do want to say one thing immediately: THANK YOU.
Thank you to the volunteers -- I try to be one whenever I can and I think it's a fantastic job, but it's also a long day(s). I was happy to see some of the jump judges chowing down on a really good lunch, so good job, CHP, for taking care of your peeps.
Thank you to mum -- none if it would be possible without you. Having an extra pair of hands for the weekend was an extra bonus!
Thank you to everyone who stopped and said hi, sent a text, or wrote a note of encouragement. Each one is so special and unexpected to me, it makes it all that much more fun to know that Encore is sharing his journey. A shout-out to Alana and Ryan, I wish I could have had more time to talk!
Thank you to the atmosphere, which gave us two perfect, Carolina blue days in the sandhills.
As for the event itself, well, you will just have to be a little patient with me. I'll give you some hints:
Our dressage test was much better than two weeks ago, but would have been even better if I had listened to a friend...
Our stadium round was nearly flawless, until...
Our cross country run was, as it always is for me, an exercise in pure awesomeness, but there's a funny story about a ditch....
I will say that I was THRILLED with the way Encore handled himself, it's amazing to watch a horse who spent three years racing take in a whole new scene so professionally. Any and all mistakes were rider error, we crossed the finish flags on XC clean and clear within 18 seconds of optimum time, and a month from now...you'll see us back at the Horse Park...at Novice.
For now, it's all between Encore and the giraffe...