Classic Eventing Nation

Judy Lancaster and Sallie. Photo by Ron Lancaster.

I board my horse down the road at an amazing facility called Oakdale Equestrian Center. Since I work full-time in town and only get to ride in the evenings during the week, I am part of the group affectionately known as “the night shift”.

While I love being part of this group, thoroughly enjoying the company of all my fellow night owls, last night I had one of those rare opportunities to actually have the whole place to myself.

It has been an unusually warm December in my part of the country. The temperature at 7:00 p.m. was a balmy 63 degrees, unheard of at this time of year. After spending about an hour cleaning off layers of dirt from my mare Sallie, a result of our recent rain and muddy pasture conditions, we tacked up in her dressage regalia.

I decided that since no one was around, I could start playing around with my dressage fantasy — doing a freestyle ride someday. I am an eventer, so love to jump first and foremost. Riding freestyle has not been in our repertoire of activities recently.

I flipped on the lights and headed into the indoor. Once mounted, I hit the play button on my iPhone, turning on my favorite dressage tunes by Yanni. I know what you’re thinking: Yanni? But truly, his music offers elegant arrangements of differing rhythms which are so easy to ride to. My mare has even begun to learn the songs, starting to understand the beat of the strange noise that comes from my pocket.

I warmed her up in a nice marching walk, doing lateral work to a few of the slower, relaxing songs. The combination of the warm air and the soothing aura of the songs must have had an effect on her. Sallie started chewing on the bit and had one of the swingiest, marching walks I’ve ever experienced (of course this only happens while I’m at home, alone!).

Then, that song came on! The one in which I have pictured Sallie and I using as our background music, as we glide across the ring in our freestyle performance, doing the perfect collected trot, extensions, tempe changes and piaffe (reality check … the highest level test I’ve ever done is Beginner Novice Test B). But that’s ok. I would be happy with a nice collected trot and extensions.

In actuality, last evening was truly something special. As we rode, Sallie began to feel like melting butter, with a beautiful relaxed rhythm, right in beat to the music. I felt like we were speaking each other’s language, and she stayed right with me through a soft connection that I have not felt before.

She was not born for this “dressage thing”. She’s a Thoroughbred, built like a hunter, but last night I felt like she finally understood that dressage could be relaxing and yes, even fun. Goosebumps began running through my body as for the first time, I felt like we were dancing!

As I brought her back to a cool-down walk, I realized what a special gift I had just received. I had been blessed with a moment in time that I may or may not have again. Just a beautiful, warm December evening spent with my special girl, jamming to Yanni.

I wish my dressage instructor Christina Arrington had been there to see it and better yet, film it. But the amazing connection I felt with her and the quietness of that evening will stay with me always. What a Christmas gift!

Tiffany and her mare Diamond Daylilly getting into the Christmas spirit! Photo courtesy of Tiffany Morey.

The EN team received this lovely email from Tiffany Morey in Ringoes, New Jersey:

“Just wanted to wish all of you a happy holiday and thank you for all that you do to maintain the best website ever! I visit it multiple times a day, and don’t know what I would do to get my eventing fix without it … Happy holidays!”

Thanks, Tiffany. You sure brightened our day! We hope you have a very merry Christmas indeed!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Who cares about shows, it’s Christmas!

Don’t miss a chance to clinic with top Australian eventer Bill Levett. Woods Lane Farm in Mt. Airy, Maryland, is hosting Bill for two days of clinics on Jan. 30 and 31. Sessions from three to four riders will range from Beginner Novice to Advanced, and will concentrate on show jumping exercises on Saturday and cross country skills on Sunday. This is your chance to improve your skills over the winter with an internationally renowned 4* eventer. [Bill Levett Eventing Clinic] [Entry Form]

Are you hosting clinics, lessons or special events for eventers this winter? Send in your event listing for EN’s new weekly What’s Going On This Winter series. Be sure to include cost, location, contact information and any forms or flyers you’d like included (see below for a sample event listing). Send listings to [email protected].

Join Peter Gray every week this winter at Wentworth Farm for “Wednesday Gymnastics” working on rider position and improving your horse’s jumping technique. Groups of four, Novice to Advanced, for one-hour sessions of fun! Cost is $75. Please book by phone (253-425-6302) or email 24 hours prior to your lesson. Address is 12345 NW 110th Street, Reddick, FL 32686.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has a new member. Tampa Bay Downs has signed on with the TAA, which is the official charity of Rolex Kentucky. Tampa Bay Downs will be providing the opportunity for racehorse owners to donate $5 for each start to assist in the cause of re-homing retired racehorses. The Downs will match the donations provided by the owners.  [Tampa Bay Downs Signs On With TAA]

Bertram Allen has been eliminated from his win at Olympia. Bertram won the Olympia show jumping event in London, but was later eliminated for a small amount of blood on the side of Quiet Easy. Photos in the article reveal tiny spur marks on the side of the horse. Many riders have risen to Bertram’s defense, asking if we are to refrain from ever competing thin-skinned horses. Is a zero tolerance rule what equestrian sport needs, or should the blood continue to be evaluated on a case by case basis? [Bertram Allen Disqualified]

Consider wearing a helmet while handling horses, not just riding. British event rider Gina Ruck was injured after getting kicked in the head while turning out. As a result, she’s urging others to consider wearing a helmet during the occasionally dangerous periods of turn-out and bringing in. A study done by the University of Kentucky Trauma Center shows the idea has merit, as injuries seemed to be evenly split between handling and riding. [Event Rider ‘Lucky to Be Still Be Here’]

SmartPak Product of the Day: It’s probably too late to ship this in time for Christmas, but if you’re like me and tend to give out Christmas gifts in late January, this bracelet could be a good stocking stuffer. [SmartPak]

This is a little long, but the summary is that little girls get sent on a scavenger hunt to find their Christmas gifts….which are ponies.