Good evening Eventing Nation,
I come to you with the BEST show jumping day Otter Creek has ever had. And, it started back in May.
The open Intermediate went first with the course riding well, only two riders had rails. Jamie Price put in an almost foot perfect ride to claim the win.
Then the Area IV Preliminary Championship division rode with Ann Bower who rode a lovely double clear (one of two in all the preliminary divisions), putting pressure on Lisa Borgia who sat in first. It was a nail biting finish as Lisa only had a rail in hand, which she needed, but finished strong to keep the win.
The Open Preliminary followed after. Edee Lee’s second place horse, Prince Halory, caught a pole between his legs on the second to last and they took a tumble. With nerves of steel, she got back on her first placed horse, Ballycormac Petrocelli and posted a double clear to win the division.
Then the raffle for the competitors started. People won some stuff.. Then Jen McCarty won the last ‘prize’. She walked out in to the arena, and looked in to her new bucket. Now, Jen’s not shy or easily embarrassed, but she wasn’t reading what her prize was. We’re all sitting there in the crowd, waiting in hushed silence. Then this:
Photo via Ann Osterbauer
Yes indeed, that is Jen’s boyfriend, Chad, proposing to her!!!
In her bucket was a halter with a name plate reading “Will you marry me? 09-25-2011 Otter Creek Farm”.
There wasn’t a dry eye on the farm! Chad approached Lena and Betsy at the Spring Otter Creek HT, and they’ve been planning it since. It was the first proposal on the farm, Lena told me. 
The happy family. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Photo via Ann Osterbauer
So how can you get focused back on show jumping after this?!
The day ended well, the weather held.
The Area IV Training Championship honors went to Brad Hall on Eva.
The Area IV Novice Championship went to Cassie Boehm on Loud Growl. I believe it was Cassie’s birthday as well. Happy Birthday!
The Training, Novice and Beginner Novice Championship winners all finished on their dressage scores and all were second going in to the show jumping.
Jeanne Brose and Florenzo finished their first novice in first place.
Kristine Burgess and Freddy or Not won the Junior Novice on her dressage score.
Congratulations to all the winners! [Final Results]
I caught up with Jamie Price after her round. (The camera is working this time) Thanks for talking with us Jamie!
