Here at EN, we love reader-submitted stories. And this one is surely a favorite. Thank you, Jessica, for sending it in. Congrats to Jessica and “Bug” on finishing their first Advanced, (clear!) and a tough one at Southern Pines! If you have a story to share, send it to [email protected].
Southern Pines II: My
First Advanced
by Jessica Bortner-Harris
It’s funny, when I think
back, I bought my horse, Win the War (aka Bug), while I was in college
in 2005. I had these grand dreams of being an upper level
eventer, but, at the time, I was going Novice/Training (and not very
well, I might add). I bought Bug from Charles Town Racetrack as
a 4 year old. I walked in the barn, saw that face, and I was instantly
head over heels. I just knew in my gut that he was the horse for
me. He was a cheeky little guy who could rear in his stall and
stand for minutes on end trying to look over the wall at the horse next
to him. My friends were a bit dismayed, but I knew that amazing
hind end strength would come in handy!
I definitely hit the dirt
a few times in the months of teaching him to jump. He was so bold
yet so careful. I spent many a time flying up in the air over
the jumps, looking down, only to realize that my horse was no longer
directly under me. It took me a long time, but we finally started
to get it together.
Fast forward. I
have had Bug for 6.5 years now, and it has been an amazing ride.
Through the tutelage of Kim Severson and now, Bonnie Mosser, Bug and
I have blossomed. I was determined to make the most of my incredible,
once in a lifetime horse. The road hasn’t been easy, Bug has
had 2 colic surgeries almost exactly a year apart, and, of course, the
always hovering financial strain of being an up and coming professional.
However, with a lot of prayer and support, we kept on rolling.
Last fall, we completed the CCI** at Fair Hill in 16th place
out of a huge group of starters. Bonnie said, “Start learning
the Advanced and 3 star dressage tests. We’re going BIG in 2012!”
Wow, I had to pinch myself. Could it be that *gulp* the big blue
numbers could be in our immediate future? I couldn’t stop smiling
for weeks.
As the weeks started leading
up to Southern Pines II, many people would gasp and say, “You’re
moving up at Southern Pines?!?!?! Are you crazy??” Well,
maybe, however, Advanced is Advanced, right? Go big or go home.
Isn’t that the saying? I knew that Bonnie wouldn’t have put
us on this road if it wasn’t the right one. She has been amazing
at letting me know that she believes in us, and for me, that has made
a huge difference. I have absolute faith in my amazing horse.
He is a freak of nature and adores his job. I just wanted to be
sure that I was going to give him the best ride that I could.
I didn’t want to embarrass myself or Bonnie!
It is definitely very
intimidating to be warming up with the greats. Bug and I have
a lot of work to do in the dressage department, and I believe that we
can be competitive. However, we went in there and did a
test that I was proud of. We didn’t get to have an entire winter
of dressage work, due to a nasty abscess in December. Therefore,
I was quite pleased that he stayed relaxed and obedient.
We were sitting in last place after dressage, but I was still
super happy with my boy. We broke 50, so it wasn’t that bad,
right? J On to the fun stuff!
The XC track was quite
long and very demanding, however, I had so much faith that Bug would
just take it all in stride. I absorbed all of Bonnie’s
insights and memorized exactly how I wanted to ride each element on
course. I was going to have to be on my game. As Saturday
commenced, and the course started eating people up, I tried to keep
my cool. Was I nervous? Heck yes! However, as soon
as I put my feet in the stirrups and felt Bug’s excitement, I knew
we were ready. With a squeal and a head toss, we started to warm
up. He felt amazing.
As soon as we left the
start box, the butterflies turned into steel, and we were all business.
Bug rocked around that course like it was nothing! He took each
challenge head on and never batted an eye. I made a few mistakes
here and there, and he was always there to save me. He is TRULY
an incredible horse. To feel that kind of power and athleticism
under you is an amazing feeling. I knew exactly how big those
tables were and exactly how hard the lines were, and Bug made it all
feel like cake. I am truly blessed to have him. Knowing
how many people had issues, the fact that I rocked around my first Advanced
clean and only a minute over time was quite a feat!
Sunday brought on a new
day and a new challenge. I have struggled with my show jumping
in the past, as Bug can jump from pretty much anywhere from pretty much
any power. I have been working very hard to find the right pace,
the right placement, and the right position with my body. I had
a fabulous round at Fair Hill last fall, and I really wanted to have
that same feeling again. Bug is careful and doesn’t like to
touch the jumps, but I wanted to make it as easy on him as I could.
I went in the ring and just focused on each jump and every step that
he took. There was a huge crowd, and I just blocked it all out.
It was just me and my superstar. We had one unlucky rail at the
first oxer of the treble, but the round was, otherwise, perfect!
Bug was jumping way up over those huge show jumps and didn’t seem
to mind how much bigger and wider they were!
The entire weekend was
such a victory for me. My horse was his normal cocky self and
feeling very proud. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face.
We moved up 14 places to finish 15th out of 29. I think
that’s pretty darn good for my first Advanced! The bond that
Bug and I share is a deep one. I cherish every minute I get to
have with him and thank God that I am blessed enough to have him carry
me around these huge courses.
Next stop is The Fork!
We will be working very hard between now and then, and I am excited
to do this all over again!
Thanks to David in the comments for the heads-up on the video!
