From GMHA: Garth Goes Prelim, and Pics from Flatlandsfoto.com

Finally, the time had come. Garth was ready, willing and able to conquer a preliminary horse trials. What fun! Our adventure began at GMHA‘s fall horse trials, nestled in the lush mountains of Vermont.

Despite a lovely warm up, our dressage test was a disappointment. Much of the upset rested within the counter canter. Garth is naturally balanced, and performs flying lead changes and tempi changes with the ease of a nicker or twitch of the ear. Preliminary test B requires a counter canter around half the ring, including the short side (B to E, and E to B). We have been working diligently on learning the counter canter, while building the strength and balance to hold the movement. I was suspicious that the counter canter movements may become compromised during our test: due in part to my riding and the ring size (those white borders make a ring feel tiny!).

I was right. We started off our test lovely, fluid, forward and balanced, We scored an 8, then a 7 and an 8 on our trot lengthening. Fantastic! Our lateral work was lovely, but not quite as solid as it was in our warm-up. We were able to hold the left lead counter canter, however aesthetically unpleasant and then moved into the same movements to the other direction. He held the right lead counter canter until we reached the judges booth, then with grace and ease, he performed a flying change. Several attempts to regain the counter canter (and a few silent mutterings) did not prove successful. We were at E and needed to move on to the remaining trot and walk movements. I was very disappointed. As we walked from the Upway ring back to day parking, I reflected on the entirety of the test. Most of the issues lied within the movements associated with the counter canter. I was pleased with the rest. A sigh of awareness and appreciation brought to light a reminder of how far Garth has come within his career. Our collective marks were strong: an 8, 7, 6 and 7. The judge was wise, and I greatly appreciate her awareness and intuition. She noted “Lovely horse. Hard for such a big mover in small arena. Work on more effective re-balancing.” Smart judge.

As the sun lost the fight to shine through the clouds, and a chilly autumn breeze cooled the Vermont air, we eagerly prepared for stadium. The course was sharp, and would either prove to make the most of horse and rider pairs, or prove to be their downfall. Jump, turn, jump, deep turn, jump, land STRAIGHT, turn, jump, jump. Awesome. Garth entered the ring and immediately lit up like the North Star. He was dull, but obedient in warm-up. A spook set off a good step forward, and he maintained focus over the larger fences beautifully despite the many potential terrors that lied within the bright standards and along the ring’s perimeter. We sailed effortlessly around the course, proving that this is a stepping stone for Garth – these fences are just the beginning for him. He jumped double clean choosing to ignore the last stride to fence 5 and a good crack of his back as he stared into the liverpool over fence 8. Brilliant boy.

As the sun broke through the early morning clouds and dew began to dry on the Vermont fields, cross-country day began. Our course incorporated gallop stretches, an array of questions, and great fences. I was very excited and certain that this would be a progressive step forward for Garth and his budding career. My goals were to have less adjustment in front of the fences and seeing a forward distance from further away. Forward distance is key. Of course, this is not to overshadow the importance of adjustability when necessary, and continuing to build Garth’s confidence throughout this new challenge. I also wanted to build his gallop and get a feel for our conditioning program was working.

He was brilliant. Really, really brilliant. What a wonderful horse! As could be expected for a 5 year old, he was spooky at fences and other stimuli: spectators, fence judges, random large rocks, and retired obstacles stored along the tree line. He was bold, confident, and I think he genuinely enjoyed himself. He thought nothing of the weldon’s wall, two trakehners, large tables and technical elements. He carefully worked through the coffin (with sunken ditch), and was incredibly smart over the brush and corner combination, angling the second element. He tackled a line of fences down the hillside beautifully: jumping over a large brush, landing down hill and angling another brush, turning to a roll top at the base of the field. Garth chose to trot over the drop into the water and was very honest over the skinny chevron – I was unable to re-establish the canter before the drop and we lost our impulsion for the distance over the skinny. He could have easily run-out, but instead cleared it from a slightly angled approach. His gallop has improved, and I was thrilled to feel him eat up the distance between fences with each stride. We were one of only four pairs in our division to make time. Check ourFacebook Page for XC video, coming soon!

I am thrilled with Garth. He is an incredibly special horse and I adore him. Every day, he teaches me something new, and together we are growing as a team and partnership. Through his innate ability and athleticism, he has opened me to new experiences. It is because of Garth that my riding has improved and I have experienced a level of performance. I am very excited for his future.

Thank you for riding along with us!

Katie Murphy