Many thanks to Joan Davis of Flatlands Foto for sharing a few images with EN from Groton House Horse Trials this past weekend. View the full gallery at FlatlandsFoto.com. Look for Flatlands Foto at Huntington Farm this weekend then UNH the following weekend.
Erin Renfroe and Porter Creek were winners of the Open Preliminary A Division. Copyright Flatlandsfoto.com.
Katherine Gieseke and My Combination were winners of the Jr Open Novice Division. Copyright Flatlandsfoto.com.
Rebekah Calder and Jazz King were winners of the Intermediate Preliminary Division. Copyright Flatlandsfoto.com.
Diane Thompson and Back In Boston Again were winners of the Sr Open Training C Division. Copyright Flatlandsfoto.com.
Katie Murphy competed at Groton House Horse Trials with her own Esccord RGS (“Garth”), the 2012 YEH East Coast Champion Four-Year-Old. Katie was kind enough to share her blog from the weekend… thanks Katie!
Garth Shines at Groton House!
Garth on XC – Photo compliments of Meaghan Wood
From Katie:
I have ridden at Groton House for many years, beginning as a junior at the Novice level and continuing through my Young Rider years at Preliminary. It was at Groton House that I met Biko and saw many of our country’s finest riders – in 1996, it was a mandatory outing for Olympic contenders. It was also the place where, after jogging Sharri down an oak-lined dirt road, I was asked to join Area 1′s NAYRC team. Groton House is a magical place. For anyone with a history of competing in Area 1, Groton House resonates as the epicenter of old world charm, grace, and formal competition among eventers. This property, only opened to the riding community during the competition and one annual clinic, epitomizes the passion, pursuit, and elegance of equestrianism.
Our adventure began with dressage on Friday, upon which Roger informed me that my competitor number 187 was code for murder. This was news to me – who knew? Warm-up was in a massive open field, and the five dressage rings were placed next to one another in an adjacent grass field. Groton House presents not only fabulous competition, but the opportunity to test the partnership with your horse in a big environment. Garth, though initially distracted, settled beautifully as we navigated the undulating terrain and wet footing. My goal was to touch upon the larger, move powerful gates we achieve at home. As we approached our dressage ring, Garth had a substantial spook at the photographer’s umbrella. Carrying on, we circled the ring and built towards that fabulous trot. I chose not to push for his next gear due to the footing – a slip could have a long last effect on our test, and the weekend. Our test was lovely. He had a slip at the first canter lengthen on the circle, so I asked for less change in the other direction. I was most pleased with him – he maintained his balance, rhythm and engagement beautifully in the wet grass, and never once lost focus during our test. He scored a 23.2, earning several 9s in the movements and collective scores. I later learned that we led our division by 10 points. That was humbling.
Our ride cross-country was in the afternoon, and knowing how quickly my excitement can turn into fatigue, Roger and I enjoyed a mid-morning nap before heading to the grounds. The sun was emerging and the humidity was on the rise – it was hot. The training level course offered many excellent questions, incorporating terrain, lighting, stimuli and long gallops. Garth was a champion. Though the heat was taking its toll on him, he cantered along with pricked ears and an eager attitude. I chose to tap him before several fences to encourage a jump directly out of stride, and he obliged beautifully. I remember galloping towards a table and thinking to myself “That fence doesn’t look nearly as big when I’m riding you, Garth.” Garth is continuing to grow in confidence, and during that course, learned to think quickly out of stride. Our gallop is a gait in progress, and from watching his casual form across the field, I suspect there is quite a bit more in his tank. We had 3 seconds of time, and led the division by 8.8 points. He is a fun horse to ride!
Groton House’s stadium is misleading. The terrain sneaks up on you, and causes problems for horses and riders that rarely incur points in the show jumping. I know this well. I have entered that stadium field three times in first place, each time losing it to a rail or a tie broken by optimum time. Yet, entering the ring in first place this year had particular meaning – it was Roger’s birthday, and I wanted to win for him. Despite having two rails in hand, I did not take my lead for granted. Rails can drop easily, and confidence can shatter quickly – I could lose this lead just as easily as I had years before. The environment was electric: Spectators lined the shaded fence line, brilliantly painted fences shined in the grass field, and a large patron’s tent loomed within the field. Garth’s fatigued from the heat did not effect his alert awareness, and he spooked throughout the course. Despite rubbing a fence, we jumped clean, and earned a blue ribbon for Roger!
To top it off, we earned The Jim Stamets Award for the lowest Senior Open Training score of the four OT divisions.
Thank you for the many volunteers, contributors, supporters and sponsors of the horse trials. Due to their generosity, Garth and I left with a lovely silver cup, poultice kit, dog biscuits,Charles Owen certificate, and Bit of Britain open front boots.
A big thank you goes to Linda Donavan, who graciously hosted us at her beautiful farm. Linda and her team were very flexible given Garth’s enthusiasm for the large paddocks and the prospectus of making new friends. After jumping into another paddock, Megan Howe kindly allowed her pony to befriend Garth and help keep him calm for the remainder of the weekend. Surrounded by elegant granite walls, acres of grass paddocks and lush trees, Roger and I felt like we were on holiday in Old Europe and the stress of competition quickly melted away. Thank you all!
Thank you for riding alongside us!
