Pam Bennett-Skinner has kindly brought us stories and photos from eventing in the Southwest. Many thanks again to Pam for sharing a report from St. Johns Horse Trials again this year! Send your photos and event write-ups to [email protected]. Remember, all reader submissions are eligible for the monthly Omega Alpha prize giveaway!
From Pam:
Area X has grit: grit in their teeth, ears, and other unmentionable places. It wouldn’t be St Johns, AZ without some wind. We were fortunately spared the snow this year.
In last year’s report (http://eventingnation.com/
Prelim competitor Christine Murphy and Red Hawk’s Remington are unconcerned about the air traffic as they warm up for dressage.
St Johns, like all events, has a fair number of canines attending with their people.
Wait, that’s not a dog. It’s Precious the lamb.
Here’s a dog: the awesome Gunner
After dressage was done we gathered together to enjoy the food at the Competitors’ party. It was excellent as always. I think they could just feed us the peach cobbler and we’d be happy.
Yes, I am licking the bowl.
The wind hadn’t been bad on Saturday (if you don’t consider 20mph wind bad and most of us don’t,) but Sunday morning everyone was in the barns preparing for Stadium and XC when the first gusts ripped through the aisles. It went from a gentle breeze to 35mph wind with 45+mph gusts in the blink of an eye. Fortunately, the organizers were prepared with sandbags for the feet of the stadium jumps and with a small delay the day went forward.
Brittany Kushinsky and Coded Secret make their way through the blowing sand to XC.
Manuela Propfe and Broctane clearing a Prelim stadium fence
Everyone got their stadium rounds done and the wind wasn’t as bad on the cross-country course. It did calm down as the day progressed, but it was still blowing 25mph with 40mph gusts.
Open Training winner Angela Carmitchel and Tristan
Training Rider winner Alex Pavone and Jameson
Thanks to the organizers and volunteers for a great weekend.
