Marjolein Geven, wife of Werner, the Poplar Place resident trainer, was the guinea pig for the CIC*** dressage and rode the test ride at 7:40 on Saturday morning – yes, it was pretty damn early, but I still think she might have plaited for it, I couldn’t get past seeing her doing a test in a long arena with a tail-coat on, and yet her horse’s mane flowing free. Incidentally, Marjolein was the only rider in the CIC division to wear a safety helmet; because it’s an FEI class the USEF rules do not apply, and all the other competitors chose to wear top hats.
Nina Ligon was first in on Jazz King, and they did a really nice test for a somewhat disappointing 60.7. I spoke to her after the cross country, and that video is uploading so slowly it might not be done by the time I get home to Kentucky, but Nina told me she thought it was the best test Jazz King has done with her so far. She also talked about Paddy getting stronger in the dressage, and then the cross country, and how she thinks she consequently had too strong a bit in which led to a miscommunication at the second corner near the end of the cross country and their subsequent stops there, for which she blames herself entirely.
She rode Paddy really strongly today on the flat – with some amazing extensions and medium work as a result but also a few bobbles, and she told me he did get quite strong, especially in canter. He looks very fit right now already too, as fit as ever, and there’s just so much of him, and so much power there!
Ronald Zabala-Goetschel also had three rides, here on his first one Wise Equestrian Master Rose. Thank you to Louise and Maggie who both knew that his third horse, Wise Equestrian Brer Fox was the former Jay Halim ride; Ronald brought him over from England In July and Jay confirmed it,
and here’s Brer Fox doing dressage with Ronald,
Elena Ceballos and Nounours du Moulin put in a test they’ll want to forget as soon as possible, I’m sure Kyle has blocked it out of his memory already, and they were delighted to get the heck out of that arena! They made up for it with one of the best cross country rides all day, and I spoke to a very happy Elena later in the afternoon who told me that depending on what happens in the show-jumping, she may be packing her bags and heading out to Argentina in the quest for more Olympic points ( more grimaces from Coach Kyle!)
Thank God that’s over!
Carl Bouckaert gave Mensa as much time as possible outside the arena before entering, as the horse was a bit uptight, but his cunning plan very nearly backfired when he and Cross Country Course Designer and Open Training competitor Tremaine Cooper came upon each other side by side of their collective arena’s and only narrowly avoided a collision. Regardless Carl rode Mensa for every movement, and they produced a nice test.
Stephen, who works for Carl – fantastic groom, wonderful company, a font of all knowledge, and as immaculately turned out as his horses – how does he do it?
XC Course Designer Tremaine Cooper on his own 17hh Jackson
Federico Daners rides show-jumpers in Texas and runs his own barn near Austin, but SVR Ron is based in California with Tamra Smith so he only gets to ride him at competitions. He was disappointed with his score today, and kicking himself for an error at the second corner cross country which they jumped perfectly on the next attempt.
I’ve got lots of videos in a queue waiting, waiting, waiting to upload, and I can’t wait to show you the pictures of the show-jumping course, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such beautiful wings and decorations. Just to tease you, here’s a wing from the treble that was built as a tribute to the last Olympics in Hong Kong!
Lots more to come from Poplar, but many thanks to all the volunteers, organisers, officials, grooms, helpers, parents, riders and the horses that made Saturday possible. Thank you for reading and making all of this possible, and go eventing!
