So often in eventing we find ourselves looking back at a weekend that did not go as planned. Kelly Pugh is kind enough to write to us today about her reaction and plan of attack following a weekend of mixed results aboard her CIC3* mare Copycat Chloe and her training horse Tito. Thanks for keeping us updated from Rebecca Farm all weekend Kelly and thank you for reading.
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The ditch and wall Chloe tried to bounce.
From Kelly:
I am currently writing to you all from the passenger seat of my truck as our barn embarks on the long journey home from Rebecca Farms. This weekend was full of ups and downs for many of us, myself included. My young horse Tito was absolutely fantastic this weekend. He handled the atmosphere, the trip and most of all the competition with such confidence. He put on his big boy pants and I can’t tell you how excited I am to be sitting on him. That being said, Chloe and I did not have quite the same outcome to the weekend. she was her normal machine self over the first part of the cross country course, tackling all the questions boldly and honestly and jumping in her normal exuberant style. The course was a perfect fit for her and I was really excited to tackle it. We came up to the huge ditch and wall (I had mentioned it in my previous post) and I gave it a good positive ride, got her to the base of the ground line and next thing I knew she was jumping in the ditch and trying to bounce out of it. Whether it was the way I rode it or just the way she read it, she thought she was supposed to bounce it. She tried so hard too . I came around to it once more and again she tried to bounce it. I felt terrible for her. She felt like she was doing her job and she really tried hard. I decided to call it a day. I did not want to risk something dangerous happening and I after two tries, I knew it was not going to happen on that day. It was a long walk back to the barn and my fit horse had barely broken a sweat. She was angry as other horses galloped by and I can’t lie, I was too. I later learned that she was not the only one who had tried to do that at this particular fence and although it might just be coincidental, it made me feel a bit better. I still feel bad when I think about it. She did what she thought was being asked of her and at the end of the day I just don’t want her to walk away feeling the least bit defeated. She is such a phenomenal cross country horse and I wish I could tell her that.
It was rough coming this far and walking away with this result but the support is unreal. The amount of people that have reassured me of her ability in the last day or so and have been by our side supporting us is pretty spectacular and I thank you all for that. I truly believe that is what makes this sport so special. I want so badly to be the best at what I do and be at the top of my game and I just have to remind myself, you don’t get to the top without struggle and sometimes the most important lessons are learned through the struggle. Chloe is still young and I am still young. We will be back and we will have learned from this struggle and hopefully be better off from it. There is not much else to do except kick on.
I find myself face to face with the same problem many upper level riders or up and coming riders are facing. Only having one horse at the level. I know I am incredibly lucky to have this horse and to be riding at this level but to have your hopes and dreams riding on one horse is a lot of pressure for not only myself but the horse as well. It makes the victories a little too sweet and the heartbreaks a little too depressing. Denny Emerson once described it to me as needing to find someone who wants to go on the magic carpet ride with you. I’m working hard to make that happen and hopefully soon I can add to Chloe. Until then, Tito will get ready for the Training Three Day at Galway and Chloe will do the CCI three star there. Lots of dressage shows and ditch and walls are in our future but not until after they get a well deserved mini vacation!
Flying Tail Farms as a whole came away with more lessons being learned then ribbons but sometimes that is the way it goes. All the horses are walking away healthy and that means there will be another day and really whats more important then that?
I want to thank all my wonderful supporters and sponsors. My parents are really fantastic and even though my mom wears many different hats during the show (trainer, mom, friend etc) She does them all fabulously. My father is groom extrodinaire and also helping me drive home! All the parents this weekend helped cook wonderful meals for all of us and It’s no easy task cooking for a huge group of hungry people! My supporters at home, and even Allison Springer all the way in England, hearing form you guys makes all the difference! My fantastic sponsors all deserve a shout out. Smartpak, knowing Chloe is on all the right supplements makes all the difference in the world! Also, Smartpaks are so easy to pack!! Buckeye grain, Chloe did not lose any weight on this trip and never stopped eating! Revitavet, not only did Chloe and everyone else in our barn use it, I did too! Voltaire Saddles, If you don’t have one, you should get one! And APF, I would never even think about competing let alone traveling without my horses being on it. Last but not least I would like to thank Rebecca Farms for putting on such a world class show. I truly believe any eventer, horse enthusiast or supporter should come here at least once. It is a truly special place and I am privileged to have been able to compete their let alone go there on a grant provided by them. I can’t say thank you enough!
Congratulations to everyone who had a fantastic show and to those who weren’t as fortunate there is always another day! Thanks Eventing Nation for reading!
