Eventing groom extraordinaire Emily Dunn has written for EN multiple times, and we just can’t get enough of her Brit-Wit and up-to-date news from across the pond. Emily grooms for Esib Power over at Maizey Manor, so she’s got all the best insight into both American and British eventing at the moment. She brings us up to speed on the end of the Olympics, and the recent conclusion of Hartpury. Big thanks to Emily for writing, and thanks for reading.
Esib & Hugo in the CCI*
From Emily:
That’s it folks, the Olympics are officially over. During the opening ceremony I was skeptical, still digesting a large bunch of sour grapes made me fairly certain that I would find watching friends at Greenwich too sad. Jackie Green played host to the official Maizey Manor Olympic viewing party and every day Esib, I and the chip on my shoulder would get the yard done first thing so we could watch the Eventing. After four days the only thing I was sad about was that it was over, and drinking before 5pm during working hours was no longer acceptable. After toasting the incredible Michael Jung on his victory I think that all of the non-Olympic selected riders based at Maizey are now happy to put the 2012 Olympics behind them and look forward to the next one.
I have loved watching London 2012 and would also class myself as an expert in a lot of sports that 16 days ago I didn’t even know existed in the Olympic schedule. I do admit I don’t understand judo and had no idea who was winning in the sailing and who was just bobbing around in last place, however the male swimmers kept my attention and the conclusion of the pool action was more miserable than the end of eventing. Plus seeing all the champions has given me a new goal in life, which is to win an Olympic medal, still deciding on the sport in which that will be but whether it is as a groom or competitor watch out Rio 2016.
I’m sure for the majority of athletes, there is a massive comedown after seven years of build up to London 2012, but I would hazard a guess that for almost all of the Eventers it was straight back to work, with young horses needing to be persuaded around pre novice [training level] competitions and more 3-Day events to prepare for. With that said we also have a 3-Day nearing us quickly, so now with no more Olympic distractions (other than the memories of Ryan Lochte!) Power Eventing really are all systems go for Burghley. We have just returned from Hartpury Horse Trials, where we had September Bliss ‘Seb’ for his last run in the CIC 3* and our young horse Xavier Faer ‘Hugo’ in the CCI 1*.
Both of our horses gave us a great week, it definitely became apparent what a difference taking pressure off can make. With this event obviously having no bearing on Olympic selection the whole week was relaxed and actually enjoyable, it absolutely reminded me why I love this job, as I will confess pre London 2012 I did have my doubts. Seb was the best I’ve ever seen him perform in the dressage, posting a score of 46.4, then going on to have a foot perfect round in the show jumping and clear cross country. They did pick up a few time penalties as Seb pulled a shoe early on and Esib decided to take it steady as to not risk any problems this close to Burghley. This was Hugo’s first 3 Day Event and confusion was spread all over his expression for most of the week. Starting off with the first hand grazing experience where, for a horse that lives out for the majority of the time, not having his head collar taken off when we reached the paddock caused 15 minutes of standing in the same spot looking around bewildered. He was absolutely perfect for the whole event, taking a 55.4 in the dressage and a double clear, we couldn’t have asked any more from him!
We also had the pleasure of Power Eventing student/Esib’s close friend Rhona Healy with us for the week at Hartpury. Making the trip over from Ireland, Rhona and her horse Night Busker, or Busker the Wonder Horse as he was quickly dubbed for his performance in the CCI 1*, came home with a 55.4 dressage and double clear. A slight typo in the results sheets made us unsure if Rhona was competing for Ireland or Iran but either way Rhona and Busker the Wonder Horse made their nation and Power Eventing proud.
With a little over two weeks until we should be heading up to the biggest four star in the world, I’m hoping that Burghley can give us reason to celebrate 2012 and ensure that it is not just the year we didn’t made it to the Olympics. First we have to get there safe and sound so with that in mind I’m off to stock up on cotton wool for Seb and some anti-anxiety medication for me.
