Crossing Our Fingers In Area 1

Is This Real Life? Is This Real Life?

Welcome to Area 1: the snow kingdom! In like a lion out like a lamb? Nope. Try again. In like a lion out like a dragon. This winter will not stop at anything. It’s been relentless and non-stop agony. We are well into April and there’s still a substantial amount of white stuff blanketing the ground. In fact, the jumps out on the xc course at Tamarack Hill Farm are still buried.

Of course there are finally glimpses of spring. There are birds chirping and the snow is starting to melt. The temperatures are finally starting to warm up, well into the mid 40’s! Bye bye long underwear, hello single layer of clothing! On account of spring being fashionably late, event organizers are biting their nails and praying for normal April temperatures.

The first recognized event in Area 1 is UNH, which is meant to take place on April 26-27. I recently had the chance to catch up with the event organizer, Chris Keim, and here’s what she had to about the conditions…

Here in Durham, we are definitely behind schedule when it comes to melting snow and ice. However, I have seen this happen in the past, and it somehow always works out. The footing on most of our course is solid and well drained, and our course designer does a great job of modifying the sections that are on grass and therefore are more touch and go. I just have to have faith that the course will be ready.

That said, our entries are very low right now– nearly down by half– and if the experience of organizing and preparing for the horse trials weren’t part of our curriculum, it is questionable that I would be as motivated as I am to make the event happen still. Many of our entrants have expressed concern about footing, not having access to XC schooling before the competition and overall not being fit/ready for their level. I think we New Englanders are just being super stubborn and really want our short show season to get started anyway!”

Valonia at Pirouette

Valonia at Pirouette

Pirouette Farm in Norwich VT is also hoping to kick off the season with their fabulous spring schooling show on April 19th, which may or may not turn into a combined test. I usually compete there in April, but at this point, nobody knows whether or not the grounds will be ready or not for action. Also GMHA, one of my favorite venues has a spring Mix and Match show on April 26th, and their annual 15 mile Mud Ride and Drive on April 26-27. We are all desperately hoping and wishing that these events will actually happen, and of course the organizers and farm owners are also hoping this winter packs up and heads out asap!

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