From Chelan:
Well I feel a little like a kid at Christmas who had way too many presents, opened them all in a hurry, and now don’t know which one to play with first!
I said before, words to express my (and many other’s) excitement and happiness with the coming of age moment of a CCI3* on the West Coast are hard to come by. This is the right venue at the right time with as we now know, the right course designer.
I spent the 3 star in the tower providing colour commentary, assisting Justin Llwellen. It was fun, although of course I would have rather been riding in that division. I managed to get through the entire hour without letting an F bomb slip out! Those who know me well understand what a challenge this was for me.
Let’s cut to the chase–James Alliston smoked around on Parker II double clear with what looked like a foot perfect round. Matthias Schwarz had a few issues mid way and retired, as did Bonner Carpenter. I don’t know Bonner’s horse that well but it looked really unhappy–kind of galloping with it’s front legs leaping up high when she went to take a feel of him. If I had to guess, I’d say too much hardware, but I don’t know the full story. Casey McKissock on her horse was frankly sketchy at the start–she had a stop early at the out of the coffin, then one more stop to finish. Damn ‘chest release’ never works! I try it myself still now and then just to be totally SURE it is not a good idea. After laying on her horses neck and almost falling off, she pulled up her socks and looked pretty darn good.
Frankie and Martha were both clear, and looked solid where I saw them. Kelly Prather popped off at the first element of the coffin, a Pro-log which had to be replaced. Kelly was seen jogging off the course, they both appeared sound! Tough break for Kelly. Kristy’s mare R-Star really would like to come live in MY barn, although I’m sure there is a long list ahead of me who would like to steal her away! Kristy and the mare just looked great. Debbie Rosen looked good early on, but her horse did not want to play stopping 7 or 8 strides away from the vertical in and out at the corral, and picking up a run out at the Orca. Let me clear the air right now by saying that I completely missed that the Orca would cause such a deal. Might I take a moment to quote a Ground Jury member who said, “what? that is a preliminary jump, I’D jump that jump!” Anyhow, several riders had trouble there, which I did not expect. The one stride bank was a little galloping, and the Orca just came up too soon if you did not make your way off the bank okay. We have seen that movie before–there is no such thing as a sure thing cross country!
Allison was looking like a million bucks everywhere that I saw her, but she is as we speak protesting (formally) her run by the Orca. I did not see it, but the two officials were right there, and they seem pretty determined that she presented. Imtiaz had some scrappy moments, picked up 20 with time, Frederico Daners retired at fence 5. Jordan Linstead was clear with time, but her horse looked a little tired. Andrea Baxter had two run outs, one of which was at the sneaky Orca jump. Our (we think) leader Jennie looked like a rock star out there. I spoke to Jennie and she is feeling very much like the rest of the West coast-ers: thrilled to be here! Tammie Smith is sitting second with a catch ride; Kristy’s Corner Street. She first sat on the horse about a week ago. Kristy has had some health issues and felt unsure about riding two horses. So, Tammie stepped into the irons. Ali Slusher and her Last Call aka ‘Fergie’ were fantastic and looked the part. She’s had some ups and downs with the mare, so I’m delighted for her to make it happen in her home state. Finishing the division was James again on Jumbo’s Jake, who was double clear on the second horse as well.
Enjoy the videos–I’m no Buzzerbrown! The vids were shot by my sister Shaye and student Kiyomi Foster (who now owns and rides my 4 star horse Tasman Sea). Thanks guys! I had a fun morning riding my new mount in the preliminary division. He was a superstar and I’m looking forward to the future with him. Thanks to the owners for the ride!
Go eventing!
