The dressage warmup at the TTC Fall Horse Trials. There were a lot of cute horses there!
This past Saturday, October 27th, I set off to Thoroughbred Training Center (known around here as TTC) in Mocksville, NC for their Fall Schooling Horse Trials. I had two students with a total of three horses to coach. This lovely farm is about 50 minutes from my farm, so it makes a great destination for schooling young horses and taking students. It is a beautiful 121 acre farm complete with a large outdoor sand arena, a large dressage arena with sand footing, an indoor arena, and a XC course with 2′ through Training questions. They also board horses and have a tack shop on the premises! It’s pretty much the complete package.
TTC was originally named the Tanglewood Training Center and was located at Tanglewood Park in Forsyth County, NC. It was started by John McCashin in 1964, and was later moved to its current location in 1973 when the name was changed to Thoroughbred Training Center. They have boarded horses for over 45 years, and they have hosted over 600 shows through the years! They host everything from horse trials to dressage shows to jumper shows to hunter shows and even a combined driving event! It is really an all around place to go. The on site tack shop also comes in very handy when you have forgotten an essential piece of tack or show clothing.
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The SJ arena
The show this past Saturday was up to normal TTC standards. They had a packed day of Hopeful Rider (2′ division) through Training level. They had two dressage arenas running, so things went by very smoothly. The xc jump courses were appropriate for each level, with the BN thru Training having some true to the level questions. The show jump courses at TTC are known for being tough and forcing the riders’ training holes to show through. The fences were lovely and very nicely decorated. The attention to detail was quite evident.
Since I was only coaching, I had a lot of time to watch and absorb. I love having the time to just take it all in. What a great way to learn! I must also give a shout out to my students: Amelia Lowe finished 2nd in both the BN and the Hopeful Rider, and Bob Price finished 4th in the Hopeful Rider. I’m so proud of them!
TTC still has some shows left on their calendar for this fall/winter. If you live in the area, come check them out!
