Fresh off announcing The Big Guys at Fair Hill CCI2* and CCI3*, Brian O’Connor stayed in Maryland to lend his vocal talent to Waredaca. We’ve been keeping up with Waredaca from Yvette Seger and Grace Fulton, but here is Brian’s take on the event…
From Brian:
Waredaca’s Three Day Event .5 star and the new .25 star (!) has finished up in grand style. All the horses and riders looked great this morning at the horse inspection and all that were presented moved on to the show jumping. The cross country courses were really super, full of challenges, and were extremely fun to ride . I, of course, only say this because I actually do “ride” these courses as I announce. Some of the standouts (to this annnouncer) were:
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– Sprite (the little palomino Connemara pony) ridden by Quinn Anderson, who had a spectacular cross-country round….very handy, fun to watch, and lots of energy.
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– Mister President and Diane Zrimsek, who went double clear on xc and stadium on the draft/cross….maybe other “Mr. President”s should take note of how to perform solidly, with no flash, and with honesty…seems appropriate for the up coming week’s decisions for all of us!!
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– Autumn Rae, who from the get go won handily with no jumping faults on Friday or Saturday.
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– Lisa Hannan, who after getting a history-making 17.8 (yes 17.8!) in dressage, only added 4 in show jumping to win the Novice division. And it turns out both of these last two winners come from the same farm: Scattered Acres Sporthorses…how about that?
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–Grace Fulton (a blogger on EN too) on Sharon White’s Leo the Lionhearted, who was #1 on course and finished #1 in her division. This young lady (and her equally talented sister Woodge) are the upcoming stars of our sport. Grace and her Dad, Stephen, competed equally throughout the weekend, with lots of love and support for each other. Great to see such a wonderful family sharing such fun times. Grace (#1) went first , put in a great dressage test, was the first to go on XC with no faults, and then with her clear in stadium, moved up from 3rd to win on her dressage score. Watch out for these two Fulton girls…they are the real thing.
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-And of course I leave the best for last…Yvette Seger and Roger Rabbit (you have read her blog in previous postings here on EN). She completed this “young” 23-year-old’s career with a tremendous performance: double clear on xc and double clear in show jumping. The crowd cheered the loudest for her both on Friday when she left the box, and when she received her ribbon and award for best conditioned for the level on Saturday! Tears and cheers…then beers , that is what it is all about.
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Thanks to the staff at Waredaca – Gretchen, Robert, Rob and the whole gang…and especially to the two Cindys for making this all happen. Takes an army and a whole town to do this you know….and yes, of course the town’s comic (no…. I did not say idiot!… but the announcer/jester) played a small part too! I so enjoy doing these, and after the huge task at Fair Hill International, it is just great to see the same enthusiasm, commitment by riders, parents, coaches, grooms, teachers, and organizers that flows all over the show grounds. From clinicians to volunteers…it just does not get better than our whole eventing community doing what we really love…hats off to all of you, and please take care of your horses during the upcoming week of SANDY!
Go EN…see y’all soon….Brian
