Katie Murphy: GMHA HT, with photos from Flatlands Foto

YEH 5-yr-old winner Esccord RSG ridden by Katie Murphy. Photo copyright Flatlands Foto.

Katie Murphy competed at GMHA Horse Trials  with her own Esccord RGS (“Garth”), the 2012 YEH East Coast Champion Four-Year-Old.  Katie was kind enough to write about her experience from the weekend, where Garth dominated the Young Event Horse 5-year-old class.  Congrats and thanks to Katie! [GMHA Results]

From Katie:

New England summers are the stunning jewel hidden among the deep snows of winter. Though a fleeting season framed by mud-season (“spring”) and the crimson autumn season, the warmth is eagerly anticipated and we Northerners are certain to soak up every ray of sunshine. This past weekend was no exception at GMHA. Riders and horses emerged for two competitions in a heat wave that was both welcomed and unexpected with temperatures averaging over 90 degrees.

 

Over the course of three days, GMHA offered the YEH, FEH and NEH on Friday and their horse trials over the weekend for BN through Preliminary. Esccord RGS “Garth” and I entered both the YEH 5yo division and the horse trials, eager to qualify for the YEH Championships at Fair Hill this fall, and continue to progress at the training level. Since the floods a few years ago, GMHA has revamped all of their courses into glorious representations of the levels offered. The facility is now on par with many in Area 2, and continues to be a destination event for many competitors.

 

There were six entries in Garth’s five year old division. His dressage was a bit laborious due to the heat and humidity. Garth swished his tail in a very annoyed manner throughout the test, resisting the forward and balanced movement we normally achieve. He showed beautifully in the field over fences, working through his topline over the jumps and with a timely and soft reaction to the aids. Due to the heat and seeing other horses slip on the home stretch, we opted for a mild gallop.

 

Perhaps my favorite aspect of the young horse programs is the discipline required of both horse and rider. In order to place well, we as trainers must evolve our classic format for showing a horse into one that best suits the objectives of the program. The inherent ability of the horse reigns supreme, and although you may be competing your 4 or 5yo at the lower eventing levels, the movement and capacity shown in the YEH test must exceed those expected at the horse trials level(s).

 

As such, I have had to retrain myself as a competitor, shifting my objectives to show Garth to the best of his ability – not just in the present, but what he may be capable of years in the future. In the dressage, our gaits are bigger and bolder then those in the horse trials. We take chances in these tests, and it is great fun! Mistakes are easily discovered when you take chances, and as we push the envelope at every movement, the necessity of balance and rhythm is never overlooked. In the jumping test, it is imperative to come to every fence with the same quality foundation of balance and rhythm. Jumping straight, in approach and stature, from a slightly deep distance aids in supporting a genuine effort over the obstacle. Focusing on every stride throughout the course, not the course itself, has been an exceptional learning tool for me. Despite the heat, and a tired Baby G, we achieved our goal finishing on a score of 79.3 – besting the competition by 11.3 points.

 

Garth also competed in the Open Training division. The heat and humidity had taken its toll, and he was tired on Saturday for dressage and stadium. Our dressage test was reflective of his fatigue, yet his stadium represented his joy for the jump and he worked around the course beautifully. Saturday, Baby G was in better spirits, and cantered along the cross-country with pricked ears and an eager eye from fence to fence. Sadly, my attention was not up to par and we jumped the incorrect last fence. Shame on me and a TE!

 

With each step, Garth and I are growing together as a team and as individual entities within this partnership. Every day I am grateful for this lovely horse and the privilege of calling him my partner.

 

Katie Murphy

www.MurphyEventing.com

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Joan Davis kindly sent us a few beautiful photographs from the weekend at GMHA Horse Trials.  Flatlands Foto was the official photographer at the event, and we’re happy to show a few pics from the Future Event Horse and Young Event Horse competition as well.  Thanks to Joan, and congrats to all competitors!  Go to flatlandsfoto.com to view proofs from the entire gallery.