Brian O’Connor Live from Wits End

From Brian:

Here in Canada, where the eventing community is really strong, the hosts and staff have done a marvelous job in hosting the Ontario Horse Trials Association championships for 2011 at Wit’s End Farm.  Jo and Bill have done a terrific job with the courses, the management, and the running of these championships this weekend, and they and their wonderful staff members should be commended.  The weather held out, the footing was great, and the turn-out was very strong. The Intermediate division had about 15….the Prelim about 20., and the lower levels were very strong and full of entries.  Three days of very competitive sport and great performances and riding by numerous riders……special recognition to Penny Roland, who put in superb rounds on her Intermediate and Prelim horses…..and a special shout out to a wonderful mare, Good Golly Miss Molly for showing how a local rider has trained an off the beaten track palomino mare how to have fun and show the world how it is done…really super rounds by these standouts!

 

The cross country courses were very nicely prepared, decorated, and laid out…it was a safe and competitive day with refusals, run-outs, and a couple of fall-offs making the division standings change.  No major problems or safety issues all day…now, the competitor party, well..that is another story!!

 

Up in Canada, the atmosphere at Wit’s End is one of fun, work, and no pressure…everyone is here to do his or her job, try to do the best and come out wiser for the experience.  The workers were superb, the scoring team had the Event Entries on line scoring up and running and folks seemed really happy and excited to be here.  We will all come out better for being here….and once again, hats off to the hosts, Bill and Jo, their family, and all the wonderful and fun people who made it happen.

[Wits End Scores] 

Go eventing…..eh?   

–Brian

 

PS Please see attached video for the only problem we had…