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[Videos courtesy of the USEA]
Check out this great recap of Saturday from Colorado including an interview with Martha McDowell. Many thanks to the USEA team including Josh Walker and Frankie Thieriot for the videos and good luck to all of the competitors show jumping today. Go eventing.
From Colleen:
It’s raining here. I really am beginning to get a complex. The whole time I was in the states, no rain here. Beautiful, WARM weather here. Within 36 hours of me returning, I had gotten drenched while riding and the temperature has steadily fallen. And each subsequent day, it has rained. The people at the yard are starting to whisper and avert their eyes from me.
This week has been good, nonetheless. Great thanks go to Sarah for fretting over HRH whilst I was gone. He was happy and very well cared for. Thanks as well to Stella at Valley Farm for putting Luke through his paces on the lunge. We are in a two week count down from Luhmuhlen. This week’s schedule hopefully includes (weather permitting) a dressage lesson, a XC school, and a SJ school.
My fun this week consisted of catching a train to London to have dinner with friends. My stupidity consisted of walking from London Marylebone station to Chelsea (approximately 3 miles with the detours I took) in relatively high heels. It was actually quite fun, because that was part(s) of the city that I had not yet explored. I walked past a street party with a lot of good music and down some streets that had some very cute pubs on them. I have enjoyed seeing the preparations that are being done for the jubilee celebration, except, when I crossed Hyde Park, the most direct route was closed for festival setup. So I was forced to walk around a much longer route (I have trees at home, I didn’t need to see more, especially when it took me about a half mile out of my way). Finally, after about an hour of walking, I reached the restaurant. It was tucked around a corner and almost unrecognizable as a restaurant as it was in a row of residences. I’m not a connoisseur of Indian foods, but this was fantastic! It was definitely high end food (pricey), but so wonderfully cooked and the flavors were delightful, I would definitely go back for a special occasion! In fact, I recommended it to S&S, when they needed to entertain in London. Based on my earlier stupidity and the fact that when we finished dinner, it was almost 11, I did catch a taxi back to the station.
This week, it’s all about preparation for Luhmuhlen! Finding a ride there, and making sure my mom has a flight back. –C
I think it would be a fair statement that I have never given my horse a new type of treat without taking a small nibble from it for myself. I am afflicted with a combination of the delusion that somehow a horse’s tastes must align with mine and of course a healthy dose of curiosity. Horses hate it when I bring carrots and apples to the barn because it is a certainty that at least one or two nibbles will be gone by the time they get them. A few years ago I performed a review of SmartPak’s Peppermint Crush horse treats. I found them to be almost delectable so I can certainly see why the SmartPak team would enjoy sampling an assortment of their treats. The EN quote of the day comes from Brian: “yeah, the oats have a weird aftertaste.” Go SmartPak.
[Videos courtesy of the USEA]
It’s cross-country day at the Colorado Horse Park. As the competitors scamper around the beautiful course, check out these two great videos from the USEA. The first is a cross-country tour with David O’Connor and James Atkinson, and the second is a recap from Friday.
Answer the following question in the comment section of this post:
Which event contains the pictured head of the lake?
As always, if you submit your comment using the Facebook option, no moderation is required. If you answer without using the Facebook feature, approval is required the first time for each email/username combination. The EN chinchillas will randomly select a winner from all correct responses submitted by 12pm ET tomorrow. The winner will receive a free hat from the venue in question. Photo and contest via our good friend Frankie Thieriot. Good luck and go eventing.
If you play paintball with these guys they will shoot you and you will not get up
Welcome to the weekend Eventing Nation! While you are wasting the few hours left in your work week reading Eventing Nation, the Bromont (June 7-10) course builders are hard at work putting the finishing touches on the 2012 course. Leslie linked to the Bromont entries this morning but they are definitely worth a second look. As expected, the field is packed with 153 entries. The vast majority of the Olympic hopefuls, both Canadian and US, are entered in the CIC3*, which is shaping up to be one of the best CIC3* divisions evah. Fear not Sinead and Manoir de Carneville fans, “Tate” is skipping Bromont and plans to fly out for England this coming Wednesday.
Our friends and sponsors at Point Two received some love from the 2012 WorkSafe awards in Australia
Thumbs up or thumbs down? — The Olympic 2012 award ceremony podiums, costumes, and flowers have been unveiled
If you are going out tonight stay safe and have fun. Go eventing.
[Video courtesy of the USEA]
Enjoy the sights and sounds from the Colorado Horse Park as our friends at the USEA have produced yet another awesome video.
[via @UptownEventing]
Check out this great course walk video of the Tattersalls CCI3* course courtesy of our friends Mike and Trish Ryan of Donegan Ryan Eventing. In this video Mike and Trish are aided with guest appearances by New Zeland’s Mark Todd (perhaps you have heard of him) and Ireland’s Mark Kyle.
Held just north of Dublin, Tattersalls is one of Ireland’s premier events. The Tattersalls website is kind enough to point out that Tattersalls is located at Latitude 53 degrees, 29’05.2″ North and Longitude 6 degrees, 28’40.2″ West. Ruth Edge of Great Britain leads the CCI3* after the dressage with Rogersdale. William is second with Bay My Hero.
Go Tattersalls.
At any rate, the 2012 Encore Horse Trials (June 23rd and 24th) is approaching rapidly. The event offers a beginner novice through preliminary horse trials and pre-beginner through preliminary combined test.
As a special promotion, the folks at Encore have very kindly offered to take $5 off your entry fee if you write “Eventing Nation” at the top of your entry. I am told that if you have already entered you can email [email protected] and get $5 off as well.
Go Encore.
via Riders4Helmets
It is with great sadness that I report that we have lost another member of the eventing community this weekend. USEF Team Doctor Dr. Craig Ferrell passed away this morning from neck and spine injuries sustained on May 23rd when he fell while playing polo near his home in Franklin, Tennessee. Dr. Ferrell was an integral part of the USEF Team and the eventing community. He was the first place US eventers turned for help in managing their own injuries and he helped countless riders get back to doing what they loved as quickly and safely as possible. The eventing community owes Dr. Ferrell a debt of gratitude for his service over the years and he will be sorely missed.
A statement from Dr. Ferrell’s family captures his spirit:
“Doctor Craig Ferrell passed away at 9:15 this morning. Beloved husband, father and brother, cherished friend, honored colleague and mentor, caring humanitarian. The only thing we have of real value in this world is our time, and Craig spent each of his days like gold coins – loving his family and friends, using his considerable and varied talents to the fullest, continuing to learn and seek new experiences, and giving of himself to those around him with insight and compassion.
Craig is at rest now, but the wound left by his passing will not close easily or soon for so many of us who continue life’s journey without him. We all have as a keepsake the gold coins that Craig gave us – his time, his skill, his intellect, his humor, his friendship, his love. Keep them close to your heart.
May the Peace of the Lord be with us all, and may we cherish each other as we celebrate Craig’s life.” [via Riders4Helmets]
Please leave your message of condolences for Dr. Ferrell’s family at www.facebook.com/GetWellSoonDrFerrell or via the Caring Bridge website.
A USEF release explains the following details:
“Visitation is planned from 4 PM to 8 PM on Wednesday, May 30th at the Harlin Student Center on the campus of Battle Ground Academy, 336 Ernest Rice Lane, Franklin.
The funeral is planned for 2 PM. Thursday, May 31st at the Catherdral of the Incarnation, 2015 West End Avenue, Nashville.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Brightstone, 140 Southeast Pkwy Ct., Franklin, TN 37205“
Eventing Nation’s thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Ferrell’s family. Go Dr. Ferrell.
[Via Riderboy]
Enjoy the sights and sounds as eventing returned to the Kentucky Horse Park last weekend for the May-Daze Horse Trials.
Memorial Day is a perfect reason to take a few moments to step outside of the eventing world and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country. It’s a Memorial Day tradition on EN to honor those who have died serving our country by serving those who are putting themselves in harms way today. Please make a small act of kindness toward an active duty serviceman or woman or a veteran today. Take a soldier you know out to lunch, buy someone in uniform a drink, walk up to someone in uniform at the mall and say thanks, or just call a relative who served and tell them how much you appreciate them. Go Memorial Day.
Two weeks ago to this day Jude jumped around the Jersey Fresh CCI3* with ease to finish in second, via Abby
My sorrow and sympathies are well beyond words by now so I’m going to keep this short and to the point. Michael and Nathalie Pollard’s Jude’s Law was euthanized Sunday afternoon at Rood and Riddle Equine hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Jude was injured in the Friday morning trailer accident that resulted in the death of one horse at the scene and Icarus being euthanized on Saturday afternoon. Following the accident, Jude’s injuries appeared limited to external cuts and he was stitched up with every intention that he would return to work shortly, with a very long shot at competing at the Bromont three day event in two weekends. However, on Sunday morning Jude began to show signs of internal injury and he was rushed to Rood and Riddle from the Pollards’ facility in Georgia. Jude was showing significant distress upon arrival and he was immediately sent to surgery. Once in surgery he was diagnosed with a ruptured cecum and euthanized. The ruptured cecum appears caused by the trauma of the Friday accident.
I saw Jude on Friday and he was resting comfortably and in great spirits. Jude’s treatment was overseen throughout the weekend by one of the best vet teams in the entire world and his deterioration over the last 10 hours comes as a complete shock.
Jude, an 11 year old Irish Sport Horse gelding, was owned by the Pollards and John Bryant. His potential with Michael really had no ceiling and four days ago I would have told you that Jude had a great shot at making the US short list for the Olympics and heading to England for final Olympic preparations.
Pollard Eventing has released a statement that reads in part:
“The veterinary team led by Dr. Chris Newton admitted Jude immediately for surgery where he was diagnosed with a ruptured secum.
“This is a nightmare that I can’t seem to wake up from. This horse was so special to me and yet at the moment I just feel numb. He looked like he was going to be fine in a few weeks. I am absolutely crushed,” said Michael.
Jude joined the Pollard Eventing Team in July 2011. He competed Advanced with his previous rider, Beth Temkin, including Rebecca Farm CIC***, under the ownership of Hilary Bates who rode him at Training Level. With Michael he was runner up at the Richland Park CIC 2* in 2011. This season he won the Pine Top Spring Advanced Horse Trials and the Southern Pines Advanced Horse Trials before going to Jersey Fresh earlier this month to finish runner up in the CCI3*. He was one of twenty horses still in contention for the 2012 Olympic Games and was the third ranked USEA horse through the first half of the year.“
The lives of three horses have now been claimed by the Friday morning trailer accident. Two of the three remaining other horses injured in the accident–Raphael and Little Star–continue to recover at the Pollard facility in Chattsworth, GA. Schoensgreen Hanni was transported to Rood and Riddle on Saturday morning with Icarus for an appointment with her specialized farrier. She is resting comfortably with only very minor cuts and, although who can say at this point, she seems ready to be back in work in just a few days.
This weekend has been a nightmare for our sport that won’t stop. Our sympathies, thoughts, and prayers continue to reach out to Michael, Nathalie, Jude’s connections and their entire team. Go Jude.
Icarus and Michael, photo via Samantha
In heartbreaking news, Michael and Nathalie Pollard’s horse Icarus was euthanized Saturday afternoon at the Rood and Riddle vet clinic in Lexington, Kentucky. Michael drove Icarus to Rood and Riddle on Saturday morning for surgery to attempt to repair severe injuries to his right hind fetlock joint and surrounding ligaments. The injuries were sustained in the Friday morning trailer accident that resulted in one horse dead an the scene and 5 injured, including Icarus. Dr. Chris Newton and his Rood and Riddle team did everything possible to save Icarus but his injuries were ultimately deemed too severe to make recovery possible and Icarus was humanely euthanized.
Michael told me “he was a member of the family. We will go on, but it won’t be the same in the barn without him.” Icarus “Fly” was a 14 year old OTTB who most recently competed at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* event in April. Fly typified spirit and resilience in an event horse and he was the kind of horse who was deeply loved by everyone who came to know him. Fly’s career was marked by achievement and yet plagued by a streak of bad luck that should shame the proverbial eventing gods.
Fly got his competitive start at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa, where he raced four times and won a total of $540 before finding his better discipline. He competed through preliminary with Jessica Stegall before Nathalie spotted him warming up for cross-country in 2004. Though he was initially Nathalie’s ride—Will Coleman also got a stint in the stirrups in 2007, piloting him to fourth in the Jersey Fresh CCI*** while both Pollards were busy with business—Michael took over to win both his and Fly’s first CCI*** at Jersey in 2009, just months after the birth of the Pollard’s son, Phineas.
Michael and Fly had an unlucky fall in the water at Burghley last year, but their 2012 season seemed to be looking up: Their names appeared on the Olympic Applicant list, and they won an advanced division at Pine Top before placing seventh at The Fork CIC***. They were seventh after dressage and 19th after cross-country before withdrawing prior to show jumping at Rolex.
“Michael is another one of those riders who has everything going for him, however, Lady Luck has yet to smile on him at the upper levels. Michael’s rainbow is overdue,” Jim Wofford wrote in the Chronicle’s Rolex edition this year.
Our sport is much the better for having Fly a part of it and it’s going to take a long time to get over having Fly taken from us so suddenly and tragically. Eventing Nation’s thoughts and prayers reach out to Michael, Nathalie, the entire Pollard Eventing team, and all of their connections. Go Fly.
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Update 10:54am: The Pollards sent out a press release this morning with some touching comments about Fly, reading in part:
“…Despite every effort by Dr. Chris Newton and his team, the extent of injuries presented no other option but to save the horse from further pain. Michael Pollard was with Icarus having driven the horse to Lexington.
Michael commented: “He was the best horse in the world who just never quite made it – mostly my fault, and certainly not his. He brought me out of relative obscurity. He was just a special soul and everyone that worked with him felt the same. He was a family member and it will not be the same without him in the barn.”
Nathalie added, “My heart is really broken. I have loved this horse since the day I laid eyes on him 8 years ago at the Kentucky Horse Park. He was stunning, and radiated beauty from the inside out. He was an exceptional athlete who never once quit or let us down. He was a good man with a heart of gold. He was my friend, and his absence will be felt painfully for some time...” [Full Release]
Michael has posted the following on the Pollard Eventing Facebook page: “Thank you for all of the support. It helps all of us to move on. I am trying to regain my bearings and it is certainly nice to know people care. Hopefully we can turn this into something positive, but these guys will be sorely missed. Thank you again: Michael“
Jude’s Law should recover fully but the only question is how soon, shown above stabilized before getting stitched up by Dr. Newton
Michael and Nathalie Pollard have posted an update this morning on their Facebook Page regarding the Friday morning trailer accident that killed one and injured five horses in their program:
“Icarus (Fly), 14 year old grey Thoroughbred gelding owned by Michael & Nathalie Pollard, has suffered the most serious lacerations and will be transported today to Rood & Riddle Veterinary Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky for surgery.
Schoensgreen Hanni (Hanni), 9 year old German Warmblood mare owned by Nathalie Pollard, suffered some superficial cuts but is not expected to miss any work in her preparation for Bromont CCI3* June 8-10th in Canada.
Jude’s Law (Jude), 11 year old Irish Sport Horse Gelding owned by Michael Pollard & John Bryant, has minor cuts that required stitching but should be able to return to work in a few weeks.
Carl Bouckaert’s Raphael, who won the Chatt Hills Open Preliminary division last week, survived with just some bruising and will be given time to recover from the shock before returning to work.
Little Star, a brood mare, suffered cuts to her hind legs and is expected to make a full recovery.
Our heartfelt condolences to Ruth Armstrong, her family and connections on the loss of the stallion VDL Ulando H who died at the scene as a result of head and neck trauma. “He was the love of my life, an athlete and a gentleman and deserves a good send off,” said Ruth.” [Full Statement]
In an incredible story of teamwork, the team at Pollard Eventing worked for 20 hours straight to stabilize their injured horses, starting when the accident occurred around 7am on Friday until the last stitch was put in place at 4am Saturday morning. Icarus by far needs the most attention moving forward with a severe injury to his right hind fetlock joint. It is a horrible twist of eventing fate that Icarus is returning to Lexington today for surgery just weeks after competing at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4*.
As with any eventing tragedy, we are faced with a combination of sorrow at the loss and thankfulness for the supportive efforts towards recovery. Eventing is left with a memory of Ulando’s great performances and wonderment of what he might have become–that horse was the total package.
Michael told me that the outpouring of support from the world wide eventing community has been tremendous over the past 24 hours. Pollard Eventing made special request that I give a shout-out to their local Chattsworth farrier and long time friend Matt Winkler for securing and stabilizing the situation at the scene of the accident–Matt jumped into an overturned trailer full of horses to sedate, calm, and ultimately rescue them. Rood and Riddle veterinarian Dr. Chris Newton (Michael and Nathalie’s sports medicine vet) gets a shout-out for rushing to Georgia and shepherding the injured horses on the speediest possible path to recovery. Chris’ son and vet tech Dylan Newton gets a shout-out for manning the needed supplies and equipment to Chris throughout the long Friday afternoon, evening, and Saturday morning.
Go Pollard Eventing.
Back in February, we introduced Shannon Lilley as EN’s newest guest blogger. With Ballingowan Pizzaz, Shannon represented the USA at the 2011 Pan Ams, helping win the team gold medal. Unfortunately, just after her EN debut, Shannon had emergency back surgery to repair her L5 disk in her spinal column. Doctors expect her to make a full recovery but she could potentially be out of riding until September. Despite the injury and resulting change of plans to her competition season, Shannon remains in good spirits with a healthy perspective on life…something we should all keep in mind. Click here to read her last blog from April 17. Thank you for writing, Shannon, and thank you for reading.
From Shannon:
I think there comes a point in time where you just resign to the fact that you need to accept and even embrace your own fate. That being said I have started to really enjoy watching and teaching our students at Flying Tail Farms. Each person brings his or her own challenge to the table, which results in us, as instructors, to dig deeper to find a solution but then articulate it in a way where that particular student will respond. Teaching different students is much like riding different horses. Some you can really kick on and some need a more finessing approach. I had one adult amateur who is very intense on her horse and I found that lightening the mood in the arena and taking her mind off the job at hand and even in the gutter really helped; nothing X-rated, although that might help too.
This weekend we have one of the most beloved horse shows on the West Coast at The Horse Park at Woodside. This event is run by Robert Kellerhouse who has done a phenomenal job at bringing high caliber events to the West Coast and making us relevant. He has an innovative way of keeping spectators and sponsors interested in the sport, especially those who might not otherwise come to watch. A good example of that is portrayed this weekend with the Preliminary Challenge. There are two different divisions for this Challenge: Horse and Rider. The Rider division is for those who have not competed above the Preliminary level and the Horse division for the horses who have not competed above the preliminary level. The horses and riders have to qualify for the division and usually the two divisions make for a very competitive weekend. The Preliminary challenge runs dressage on Friday and cross-country on Saturday morning. The show jumping is held as a Saturday night feature in front of an audience who gets to enjoy a dinner presented by Cahoots Catering and an amazing silent auction put together by the huge supporters of the Horse Park. The prize money for the Challenge divisions is $5,000 each and other generous vendors, like CWD, donate additional prizes.
This is a particularly special event because it is held at the Preliminary level. So often our sport and organizers of the sport highlight the highest levels because that is what yields the greatest spectator interest; but Robert figured out a way to showcase a lower, more-tangible level for all participants in the sport and make it a unique and sometimes lucrative experience. To some of these riders, this is the culmination of their career.
Flying Tail Farms has two students in this event, Brynn Littlehale on her own Coup d’Etat in the Rider challenge division, and Kelly Pugh riding Stephen Dukker’s Spot On in the Horse division. The dinner party is always tons of fun but even better when one of your very own competes. A few years ago, my Pan American partner, Ballingowan Pizazz won the division with his then-owner and very accomplished rider, Lindsay Connors. That night was so special for Lindsay, her family and us trainers.
We thank Robert and all of our fantastic organizers on the West Coast for working so hard for us and putting on such incredible events. If you know an organizer, be sure to thank them for all that they sacrifice.
But back to my original point, I will go to Woodside this weekend to help Dayna coach the 16 horses and riders we have competing. I am sure I will use all the different tactics I have been experimenting with to try to get my point across, absorbed, and applied. As trainers, there is nothing more gratifying then seeing a big grin on a student’s face after his or her round! Wish me luck!
Ulando H, ridden earlier this spring by Karl Slezak, photo by Samantha
Michael and Nathalie Pollard’s eventing team has been hit with tragedy this morning when a trailer carrying 6 of their horses turned over in a traffic accident. According to a statement posted on the Pollard Eventing Facebook page, five horses were cut free and survived with cuts but Michael’s new stallion VDL Ulando H died on the scene. The statement continues:
“No-one was injured in the accident which was caused by the driver of another vehicle pulling out in front of them without seeing the trailer. Icarus, Schoensgreen Hanni, Jude’s Law, Raphael and Little Star sustained minor lacerations. They are all at home and in a comfortable condition. Michael was not at home at the time. The horses were being driven by his grooms and according to police at the scene there was nothing that could have been done to avoid the oncoming vehicle.“
Michael recently received the ride on Ulando H from eventer Karl Slezak and there was no doubt in my mind that Ulando had a very bright future ahead of him with Michael. Ulando was owned by Ruth Armstrong and Armstrong Farm. Michael and Nathalie were out of the country taking a quick break before Michael was headed to Bromont to continue his campaign to make the US Olympic team.
Our thoughts and prayers reach out to Michael, Nathalie, the affected horses, and all of Pollard Eventing. Michael and Nathalie have built a fantastic eventing program together with their Pollard Eventing team and there’s no doubt in my mind that their program will overcome this tragedy and continue to grow and thrive. We’ll keep you posted as more information develops.
Update: Michael has posted the following on the Pollard Eventing Facebook:
“About to board a plane home, but a quick note.
Katie, by all accounts you were amazing and risked yourself to help save the horses trapped. Thank you so much…
Ruth, I am so sorry again. I felt like Ulando was the most exciting horse in the barn and I was already getting teased by the girls that he was my pet. I am devastated by the loss as I know you are. Wish there was something more to be done.
We will continue to send updates. Thank you for all the well wishes.“
Consider Brian O’Connor our technology ombudsman. Although I’m sure I am a shining example of how technology takes over our lives–I don’t leave my truck for event coverage without a computer, two internet connections, a video camera, a still camera, and my iPhone all on my person–I have to agree with Brian that we are perhaps becoming a bit too dependent on technology in our sport. Thanks for writing this Brian and thank you for reading.
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1994 WEG Silver Medalist, 1998 Rolex USET Champion Dorothy Crowell and the great Molokai
We almost never do full ‘happy birthday’ posts on EN anymore, but Dorothy’s working students took the time to write Dorothy a paragraph for EN and bake her a cake so it’s the least we can do! As my logic goes, if someone works for Dorothy and still has time at the end of the day to type an email then they must be an exceptionally efficient worker. I spent four of my most formative years as a rider working with Dorothy and I think she found solace in the phrase “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” each and every morning during those years. Visionaire was a working student and barn manager for Dorothy for even longer and various EN writers have worked in Dorothy’s program as well. Happy Birthday Dorothy!
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“We want to wish a very Happy Birthday to our wonderful coach Dorothy! The summer has just started and we already feel like we have made so much progress is all aspects of our riding. She is an amazing horsewoman and is very passionate about the sport as well as her horses and her students. We are grateful to be learning from the best!”-The Working People of Dorothy Crowell (Lauren, Margaux, Erin, Kristen)
Jessica Bortner-Harris has been kind enough to give us insights into her journey moving up to advanced this season. As any journey in this sport, Jessica has encountered some highs and lows along the way. Today she writes about a harrowing turn of events at the Chattahoochee Hills horse trials last weekend and how she has reshaped her season as a result. For more info on Jessica check out her website here. If you have a story to share, send it to [email protected]
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Jessica and Bug
From Jessica:
I must start out by saying that I have never been to Chattahoochee Hills before. I have had it on my list every year, but something always gets in the way. This year, it was supposed to be my last outing before the big CCI*** at Bromont. The facility is GORGEOUS, the staff is amazing and very helpful, and the show is so well run.
The weekend was not one that I wish to remember, but it is one that I will never forget. Lately, Bug has really been feeling his fitness. I can always tell when he’s fit enough for a 3 day, because he starts spooking at random things, and he is quite strong in the dressage. He actually started to warm up quite well on Friday afternoon for the dressage. However, after a loose horse galloped hell bent for election past the warm up ring and another horse kept rearing every time we went by, Bug decided that being quiet was much too boring! He didn’t do anything “bad” in his test. He was just very, very tense and strong. I have a hard time keeping things together when there is so much horse. However, we got it done, and we ended up on a score of 43.7. Total bummer, as our dressage was getting much better. We had a bunch of 7’s, but we also had a bunch of 4’s. Oh well, can’t change it now, right? On to XC!
I walked the XC with Michael Pollard (kudos to him for winning the Advanced and to his lovely wife for the 15.2 she scored in the dressage!!). He gave me a lot of good things to think about on the course, and I felt like I was ready to tackle it. It was really quite different from what I had done so far, as it was much more open and gallop and flat for most of the course. The biggest changes were two different combinations that included large mounds in between the obstacles. However, after Michael’s guidance, I was sure I could get them done.
Saturday morning arrived like any other XC day. I was nervous, but I was always nervous. The Advanced was the first division out, and I was number 6. I headed down to start warming up. Everything felt great. Bug was galloping nicely and we had jumped a few jumps smoothly. I was still getting into the groove of seeing my distances, so I decided to pop over a small hanging log that they had in warmup. We jumped it well the first time, and I came around to pop over it once more before moving on. Usually, when I warm up for XC, I spend the first part really trying to get Bug in front of my leg, as he is so super careful, that he likes to add the chip stride in sometimes. I felt like I had him in front of my leg, and we were coming at the fence nicely. It was a good distance, then……*smack*……I was flying through the air….my air vest was going off….I hit the dirt on my right side. I panicked and turned around to see where my horse was. He was lying on his left side behind me with his head and feet facing me. I started to yell for him. He popped up with the reins tied around his legs and stood there staring at me. As soon as I saw he was ok, I realized that I had a horrible pain in my stomach and there were people everywhere. Faces. Everywhere. I think that is when my adrenaline shot through the roof and panic truly set in.
I remember telling them that I was pretty sure I was going to puke and that I was so super pissed. I kept asking about Bug, and everyone kept saying he was ok. The vets had him. Even after my vest came off, my stomach felt like I’d been punched. My Bugger stood there staring at me while they ripped off his tack. He wasn’t interested in anything but me until they finally got me up. Then, he was like, “Okay, Mom’s up! Put her back on. Wait, wait, why are you taking my tack off?? She’s fine! We need to go XC!” Unfortunately for him, I was completely out of it. They wanted me to ride back to the barns on the golf cart. I wanted to lead my best friend and partner back to the barn. They wanted me to sit down and shut up. I wanted to make sure Bug knew I wasn’t mad at him. They wanted me to answer questions. I wanted to kiss my pony and tell him that I loved him.
Finally, after allowing me to pat Bug and make sure he was ok, they convinced me to get in the golf cart. I watched as poor Joe Carr led Bug back up the road. Bug was shaking his head and trotting, like, “Why are we going back to the barn?!?!?! I haven’t run and jumped yet!” The safety officer dropped me at my stall and as soon as Bug got back, I took him to give him a bath and a Sore No More sponge down and some anti-inflammatories. As soon as I got him taken care of, it was like the shock waves started. I started shaking from head to toe. I couldn’t put together a full sentence. I called Bonnie to tell her that I was sure that I had flipped my horse, and I didn’t deserve to go to Bromont. A horse like Bug just doesn’t flip! She assured me that accidents happen. She said I needed to find someone who had actually seen the accident so I would know. I needed to know for my peace of mind. This was not something that meant we should start doubting our plans. First things first, make sure we were both ok.
The EMT and the ER doctor checked me out. After making me perform all of the tests they make the intoxicated perform, they determined that I did not have any head injuries or internal bleeding. I was just going to feel like I got hit by a train. They weren’t kidding! I proceeded to feel worse and worse as the day went on. The wonderful people at Chatt kept checking in on me and offering me any service they could offer. They really were amazing, and I am very thankful for them, as I was at the show by myself.
Later that day, I set out on my mission to find someone who had seen the accident. I remembered that Leslie Law and Jon Holling were in the warmup at the same time as I was. I had seen Leslie at his stalls earlier that day, so I knew where to look. Unfortunately, he had not seen anything, and he directed me to where Jon was stabled. Again, a fail, as Jon was out riding one of his multitude of horses. All of that walking left me feeling pretty worn out and sore, so I decided to hike to the concession stand for some grub. I had not really eaten much that morning, and it was catching up with me.
After ordering my food, I recognized a familiar face at a table. I had seen him at many shows, and he always seemed super friendly. I kindly asked him if I could share his table, as there wasn’t much room to sit. He smiled and invited me to join him. I then realized, I remembered this man was at the warmup this morning! I asked him if he had seen my accident, as I was having a hard time figuring out what exactly had happened, and no one else had seen it. This wonderfully kind man was Rick Wallace. (Sorry, Rick, if I get any of your quotes wrong. I didn’t have my reporter recorder on me.) This is basically what Rick told me, “You were at a great pace, and you were on a great stride. It was like his feet stuck in the ground when he went to take off. The footing was a bit deeper there, and it was like his studs stuck in the ground. He had already pushed off, and his right front leg didn’t get out of the way. He tried to almost bunny hop, but his right shoulder hit the jump. You guys were in full rotational fall. Your horse saw where you had fallen, and you could see on his face that he knew exactly where you were and exactly where he was. He somehow torqued himself in midair so he wouldn’t hit you. He should have landed on you. I have never seen anything like it. That horse is an amazing athlete. Your horse sure does love you, Girl.” At that moment, I felt a million emotions. Relief, that I hadn’t “made” my horse flip. Awe, at my most brilliant and amazing horse. Complete joy, that God has blessed me with this amazing partner of mine. Of course, I started tearing up. Every time I replay the story in my head, the tears form. Not only is this horse my best friend, my ultimate partner, my amazing athlete….he is my life saver. I know that I would have been very badly hurt if he had fallen on me. Because of him, we both walked away just a bit sore and ready to fight another day.
This sport is ever so humbling, but in ways that really open your eyes. No matter how athletic your horse is, accidents happen. It doesn’t have to be anyone’s fault. Yes, sometimes it is, but sometimes, things just happen. This accident that was so devastating to me at first, has really opened my eyes to how much this horse means to me. He owes me nothing. I owe him everything.
We are going to reroute to run the Advanced/Intermediate at the VAHT this weekend. Though this was no fault of ours, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and I don’t want it to be the last thing we remember before Bromont. Today, I feel like a Mack truck ran over me, and then backed over me again just for good measure. I took Bug out for a trot, and he felt great! I, on the other hand, felt like all of my internal organs held up by rubber bands tied to my ribcage. Every muscle in my upper body was bouncing and screaming. Ibuprofen and Sore No More will be my best friends this week!
We will check back in after the VAHT before we head off to Bromont! Also, in a shameless plug, we are still selling the MOST AMAZING t-shirts designed by Jordan Lambert. We are selling them to raise money for our big trip to Bromont. The cost is $30, which includes shipping. You can pay for them by PayPal on my website, or you can send me a check or money order to my address, which is also on my website. Bug and I greatly appreciate all of our supporters and fans! We love you!
This is the back of the shirt. The front will have my Rocky Start Stables Logo on the chest.
I want to take a quick moment to welcome Ocala Horse Properties to our family of EN sponsors. I’m sure you have heard of Ocala Horse Properties from their title sponsorship and support of the Ocala Horse Properties Three-Day Event at the Florida Horse Park. Ocala Horse Properties is owned by Chris and Rob Desino, who have a lovely horse farm located in the heart of the Ocala eventing community. If you have ever been to Ocala you have surely seen some of the many Ocala Horse Properties “For Sale” and “Sold” signs all over the city. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a farm in Ocala be sure to contact Chris and Rob and help support a company that supports our sport. Visit their website for the finest Ocala horse farms for sale. Go eventing.
Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master look like they will dominate our SmartPak power rankings for Canada this month, and for good reason–they have had a spectacular spring lead up to Canadian Olympic selection. Rebecca, like many riders in eventing, depends heavily on the support of wonderful owners. Today Rebecca tells the story of finding Riddle Mater’s owners. I’m hoping that Rebecca’s story will inspire more riders and owners to come together on this awesome journey known as eventing. Thanks for writing this Rebecca and thank you for reading.
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Rebecca and Riddle Master, photo via Abby Gibbon
From Rebecca:
As I sit in the Toronto Air port having missed my original plane home, waiting on a rebooked flight now held up in Chicago’s thunderstorms, I take solace in the familiarity of Tim Horton’s and being surrounded by other stranded “bloggers”. I have been in the Toronto area this weekend teaching a clinic. I had a great time working with those I already know, as well as working with some new faces and horses.
Being a BC Kid, I have not spent much time in Ontario; however I have one very strong & crucial tie to the Orangeville area- it is home to Riddle Master’s Breeders/owners and my dear friends Caroline Bazley and Jean Watson of Blithe Hill Farm. I was first acquainted with this mother daughter combo when I was 15 years old and a working student for Canadian (then eventer now Dressage rider) Joni Lynn Peters. During her 10 years in Ontario, Joni regularly campaigned horses for Caroline and Jean, including Rupert’s impressive uncle “Lord Ramsey”. After her return to BC – Blithe Hill sent one of their homebreds out for Joni training, and I was the lucky working student to ride her. Talaris III or “Trio” was the horse that marked the start of a relationship that has now impacted my career well beyond anything I could possibly have imagined at the time.
My time with Trio lasted just a year, but I maintained contact with Caroline and Jean. More than a decade later – Caroline called to say that she wanted me to come and see her 5 year old “Riddle Master”. In Toronto riding at the Royal at the time, off I went to Blithe Hill to meet Rupert. For the most part my Blithe Hill visits seemed to be of the winter variety and I clearly remember the C.O.L.D, but after riding the full selection of horses in the Caroline’s barn that day, the verdict was that the little Bay horse was to come south.
Caroline and Jean are dedicated to horses and the sport, with production of Canadian bred elite event horses being a clear & persistent goal for them both. The enthusiasm and conviction of this determined duo (Jean being in her mid 80’s!) is contagious. Each horse has a great story, namesake, poem written for them or tree planted in their honor. Their Farm is very much a family operation and every time I visit I am struck by the genuine enjoyment shared by the entire family, even by those members not particularly “horsey”.
I once again had the good fortune of crashing the latest family pot luck at Blithe Hill, where storytelling was in full swing, followed by a visit to the small herd that Rupert once ran with! Among the herd is of course Trio, who is now fulfilling her brood mare duties.
It is interesting how things turn out, what leads to what, and what relationships can affect your life down the road. Of course Rupert is the coolest, and I am so lucky to have that horse I can’t even begin to explain. Behind this great horse is the most wonderful people and that makes this whole journey that much more special. And I also want to thank my remarkable sponsors: Arenus, Ecogold, EquineLite Mats, FITS, Five Star Tack, Haygain, Hit Air, Omega Alpha, RevitaVet, and Stackhouse Saddles.
Photo credit Paws and Rewind
From Meg:
Hello from Southern Maryland!
I have come home for a few days to see the family, attend the nuptials of the first person I ever considered marrying (age 16 is a great time to make those decisions), and drink Mai Tais at the infamous Tiki Bar on Solomon’s Island. My hometown is a special place. During wedding season it is not unusual to find brides at dive bars on a Saturday night, or see groomsmen in line at the drive through liquor store, or go to Sheetz and find your entire graduating class getting late night MTO (made to order). I really enjoy my time at home, and it’s fun to see how life progresses for my old friends. To think I could be on my second husband and third child by now… Anyway enough about “life in the County” and more about life in Eventing.
Down time this weekend was warranted by a successful Pig Roast fundraiser on Friday evening at Bow Brickhill Stables in Milford, NJ. John and Maxine Alexis graciously hosted a phenomenal event, and the community support was overwhelming. We had a bluegrass band during dinner, followed by a rockin’ DJ – and bomb diggity silent auction. We laughed, we cried, we ate, we drank, and boy did we dance. Once the DJ realized my love for 90’s pop, it was all over. And I am still limping today. My favorite part about this fundraiser is that 80 percent of the attendees I met for the first time on Friday. Through my fundraising efforts over the years, I have done and seen a lot. I think finally – people, in general, are getting excited about this sport we all love. And this makes me smile.
So one big giant thank you to the hundreds of people that came together to support us on Friday – most of whom have never seen a XC jump – and to those that have been supporting us through our online efforts. And a special thank you to all of the new supporters of the sport as they learn to share our dreams and goals.
And thank god I didn’t marry my first love.
Here are some pictures of people not having fun at our fundraiser:
Photo credit Paws and Rewind
Photo credit Paws and Rewind
Photo credit Paws and Rewind
