Mia, Cedric, and Finley keeping an eye on things outside of camp Davidson
The CCI* and CCI** riders get to relax today and focus on walking their cross-country courses. As a rider, I always like to be able to focus on one phase at a time so I love having the day between dressage and cross-country. Friday is go-time for the training and CCI3* riders.
The CCI3* competition features some excellent pairs. Last week I picked Jessica Phoenix and Exponential to win Bromont and I will stand by that. Will and Nevada Bay, Buck on Cruise Lion, Rebecca Howard aboard Riddle Master, and Kim with Paddy are a few other names to look out for. Ashley Kehoe and the very experienced Mazetto are a younger pair that could surprise a few people with a strong XC ride.
As a random aside, I had a chance to meet Mar de Amor, one of Buck’s two CCI3* rides, for the first time yesterday. The horse is extremely chill to say the least, but has a very good natured personality. I’ll be rooting for him this weekend.
Nate Chambers says “rock on Eventing Nation”
One of the bit checkers is going the extra mile to save the environment this weekend by turning her latex glove inside out after one horse and reusing it for another. At first I was amazed, but it’s just slobber and I figure events do go through a ton of gloves switching out for every horse (so as not to spread germs).
I should give a shout-out to NMK for making a great comment in our dressage recap from Thursday that the top 20 CCI* horses are within 10 points of the lead. That competition will be exciting to watch. Great point NMK–10 points for you.
Now is a good chance to extend a special Eventing Nation thank you to all the Bromont volunteers for making this a wonderful weekend. Without you, we would all just be a bunch of crazy horse people standing around in a field.
Of course, we will have scores, video, and ridiculous commentary throughout the weekend. I won’t worry as much about still pictures because the amazing Kat from the Chronicle has arrived. I imagine she will be posting her photos from the event, to which we will link. On Sunday we will continue an EN tradition and live blog the CCI3* show jumping. Thanks for joining Eventing Nation for a fun-filled weekend at Bromont.
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Even though we are focused on Bromont this weekend, I don’t want to forget the seven events back in the States. Good luck to all the competitors and remember to have fun.
Seneca Valley Pony Club HT (MD): Homepage
A few weeks ago we had a discussion about the most embarrassing ways we had been eliminated. One of my worst eliminations was at Derbyshire when I was 9 or 10 at novice. After winning the dressage, I finished the XC within the time and was walking back to the barns when a friend informed me that I had cantered right by one of my jumps. Some people remember exactly where they were standing when they heard President Kennedy was assassinated; I remember exactly where I was standing when I heard that I had been eliminated. From that day forward, I have walked every single one of my courses at least twice–usually three times–and I focus hard on every walk. I was also eliminated once that year for taking a whip into the dressage arena which was heartbreaking as well.
Lastly, I’d feel bad if I didn’t mention that the World Cup starts today. So there, I mentioned it.
Good luck and go eventing.
