As a quick note before we get to Leah’s post, the Eventing Nation sidebar has been acting up today for unknown reasons. If Eventing Nation were a Broadway play, the sidebar would be our diva actress who sometimes goes into her dressing room, slams the door, and refuses to come out. I can only hope that those responsible for our country’s nuclear arsenal do not have as many problems with computers as I do. That aside, thanks for writing this Leah and thank you for reading.
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3
From Leah
Hi Eventing Nation! Now officially back in Virginia for a week, I must say things are off to a great start. As soon as I arrived, I was really able to hit the ground running as both BamBam and BJ had been doing trot sets and were in better shape than when I left them. I have also jumped right into Gerald and Clare’s routine. We get up around 6 am and feed the horses. Then, while Gerald, Clare, and the other whips are exercising the hounds, I am able to get a ride in or any other stuff that needs done (entries, research, etc). As soon as they get back, I have the next set of horses ready so Clare and I can take them exercising right away. ODH has a great set of staff horses but one in particular, Johnny, is really coming into his own this year. He is just now seven, and I had hunted him a bit for Gerald and Clare last year. They were both pretty set on him being able to hunt hounds, whip in, and go in the field. The picture is of me and him last year at opening day (sorry, I am a little short on eventing photos this week!). Actually, funny story, that day he actually got into some bees and bucked me off, and it was quite the performance in front of a field of well over 50 horses. Since then, Gerald, Clare, and myself have had awesome days hunting on him. He is now really turning out to be a serious horse.
After exercising the staff horses, which I must say is quite a treat hacking out on beautiful Virginia country-side, I have my afternoons free for lessons, schooling, etc. So far my lessons on BJ and Bam have both been hugely beneficial. I also got to take BJ out xcountry schooling for the first time, which was awesome. However, he has given me a bit of a scare this week. I always check my horses’ legs and backs before and after I ride, and on Sunday after a quick hack, the inside of his front left was swollen and hot. It really looked tendon-related, so we got a call into the vet, wrapped his legs, and kept him in for the night. Needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep that evening as I have a tendency to expect the worst. Well, this morning I went out, took off his wraps with a feeling of imminent doom, and much to my delight his leg was cool without the tiniest bit of swelling. He also trotted up sound as can be. What a relief!
Bam is also doing quite well. He is at that stage where his dressage and stadium work are progressing with each and every ride, which makes him particularly exciting right now. As much as I love riding BJ and being able to go out and school the more advanced dressage and more technical jumping questions, there is no satisfaction like that of bringing along a horse of your own making. This fall, I plan to just take my time with him. He is going to run four more Novices and then hopefully move up to Training at Morven Park. I honestly feel like he could run around the xcountry without a question, but I want the entire experience to be positive for him when he does move up. Also, I think this horse could have some serious upper level potential, and there is only plenty to lose and nothing to gain by rushing him.
I am excited for both my fall eventing season as well as hunting to get started. Bam, BJ, and I are off to Loudon Hunt Pony Club Horse Trials this weekend, and I am eager to see how things pan out. Then, the first day of cubbing is in less than two weeks. This fall, I am planning to hunt both horses, each on alternating Tuesdays as it is an absolutely fantastic way to keep them fit as well as happy. Hopefully by then this summer heat will break! As always, thanks for reading!
