Young Riders is officially underway with dressage today at the Kentucky Horse Park. Area X Young Rider coordinator and now EN guest blogger, Michelle Parker, was kind enough to send us this report following the Wednesday first horse inspection. Thanks for writing this Michelle and thank you for reading.
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From Michelle Parker:
Well Eventing Fans, we are thru the first JOG at NAJYRC!!! I would have liked to report that every horse passed but, sadly one horse was spun from the Area II CCI* entries. My heart breaks for the rider who had every hope of beginning the competition but, now will not. I am sure that is a tough place to be as a rider, a groom, a coach and a parent. But, we must all remember that the welfare of the horse should and must remain all of our priorities as we begin each competition. So, good job ground jury! I am sure it was tough for you to make that decision too.
When I first began to learn about NAJYRC several years ago I was surprised back then to learn that every equine discipline participates in the “games” at NAJYRC. It is quite exciting to see the Reiners walking around in their cowboy hats and big belt buckles amongst the dressage, jumper, endurance, and vaulting riders. And then of course, there are those crazy Eventers who just do it all!!! But, I have one question….why don’t Eventing competitions give out those huge silver belt buckles??? I think this is something that should be rectified immediately as Eventers certainly deserve the biggest buckles!
The opening ceremonies were not to be missed. All the disciplines get to march in with their banners and competitors. This year the USA and Canada are of course represented in every NAJYRC equine discipline. There are entrants from Mexico in Endurance and Jumping, Venezuela is represented in Dressage and Guatemala is represented in Endurance. How incredibly cool is that?!
I can tell you that the Eventers had a blast at the first party. There was even a “unicorn” kidnapping at the party. I kid you not! There was a unicorn in attendance and some Eventers kidnapped her (well, there was at least a young girl dressed as a unicorn at the party and some Eventers, who shall remain nameless, kidnapped her to the horror of her parents!). It was all in good fun and the unicorn was released unharmed but, perhaps scared for life by the experience. Oops!
A tradition at the NAJYRC is the decorated golf cart parade (the creativity put into this event within the event is amazing!) immediately following the opening ceremonies over to the party at Spy Coast farm. Wow! What a lovely place to throw a party and invite everyone….I mean everyone (riders, grooms, coaches, parents, guests, officials…everyone!). They had a photo booth, a bouncy tent, and a mechanical bull!! The food and beverages were fabulous (there were even snow cones and cotton candy!). The only downside was the incredible heat of the evening. But, I am from New Mexico where there is 0% humidity and cool, cool, evenings so; I just may be a pansy in this regard. But, it is hot here in Kentucky and the drought and high temperatures have taken there toll on all of us! I am praying for buckets of rain for the XC course and we did get a nice shower late this afternoon. Yay!
That’s all for now and I am happy to report that the combined Area IX and X CCI* team all passed the jog! They looked very spiffy! Whew! On to Dressage!!!
