The first show of the spring season is always a bit touch and go, and when you add 5 inches of snow, it becomes comical. I have to say Pine Top Farm did the most fantastic job with everything. I never thought the show would run as well as it did! While a bit stressful for the organizers and volunteers, it was however, one of the most beautiful Saturday mornings I have seen. Check out hoofclix.com to see what I am talking about. Anyway, Last Monarch was great. He tends to be quite a handful, especially early on in the season! But despite a few spins, leaps, and rears, he finished 2nd in the OI on his dressage score of 33.6. Because Ashley was riding (and won the prelim rider division) Kaylie O’Neal and Erin Sheets came to help out. While I tried to prepare them for dealing with the little monster at a competition, we all had a good laugh at the end of the weekend about how ridiculous Stewie is! Cold Harbor won his prelim division and is the total opposite of Stewie. I tell his owner Dana Diemer all the time he is “dreamy” compared to the wild man.
With the first show successfully completed, we are nowhome and will head back to Pine Top in 2 weeks. Both horses will move up a level, and like everyone else, I am hoping for better weather. Thanks to Chuck (my driver, chef, and cheerleader), Ashley, Kaylie, Cali, Erin, Dana, and Laura who made the weekend what is was. Will catch up in 2 weeks!
Holly Hudspeth