Waredaca Novice and Training 3-Day Event Diary: Day 3
Throwin’ the deuces while walking steeplechase….
From Yvette:
Hey EN! Endurance day has come and is almost gone, and I just have one thing to say…
Classic format is still as exhilarating as I remember it…maybe even more so.
The weather was perfect for endurance day – overcast, low 60s – and Tremaine Cooper’s cross country courses were divine. The Training riders started the day, with my new BFF (blog friend forever) Grace Fulton paving the way. I had the opportunity to watch her 2 second-under steeplechase run, which made me all antsy and want to get on with my OWN rides…
Back in the stable area, there were hot debates about the best way to mark your time points on your arm, and how much information you actually needed. While I keep it simple (Phase, number of gates, and time points), I think some people copied Anna Karenina on their forearms! Vet box newbies (including my parents) were briefed on what would happen in the box and plans were made regarding who would be in charge of what for cool down.
I was the first Novice rider on course with my 14 HH little fireball, Finders Keepers. He was very excited to be out on Roads & Tracks and was very handy in terms of making the 4 minute K markers. Steeplechase was great – took him 2 hurdles to get the hang of it (including an ungraceful, but effective stuff to get over fence 1). By the third fence, he was flying them like a little pro. I even sort of had brakes and steering at the end…SWEET! My vet box team was very capably led by Ann Adams, an Area II Adult Rider/Graduate HA Pony Clubber/Generally smart and competent individual. Super Pony came down and was cleared within 2.5 minutes. As I expected, the whole vet box thing didn’t phase him…in fact, I think I saw him nuzzle the vet’s pocket to check for peppermints (he’s spoiled.) After the longest 10 minutes EVER, we were off on Phase D, where the little boy gave me a great ride (helmet cam!).
Soon after crossing into the final vet box with Twix, I had to go back to the barns and get ready to do it all again on Roger Rabbit. Within 20 minutes of crossing the cross country finish line with the porse, I was back out there on Roads and Tracks. It was kind of…awesome! Anyway, Phase B with Roger was pretty special – there is NOTHING like galloping a Thoroughbred over steeplechase hurdles! Roger was thrilled to open his stride and really show off for the spectators on the rail.
When Roger left the 10min box to head to the start box, I had a feeling that he would give me a great ride. Knowing it would be the last time I would see my jumps framed by the most perfect grey ears (helmet cam!) got me a little choked up. My fellow competitors cheered us out to the start box, and I could just feel Roger puff up with pride. Roger did not disappoint, giving me one of the strongest and bold (okay, and a little on the quick side) rounds we’ve had. Like the pony, he recovered quickly, so I was doubly pleased.
In fact, I’m still on an XC buzz 12 hours later, BUT…I should crash a little bit so that Roger, Twix and I look fresh as daisies for tomorrow’s jog at 8 am (ugh). ‘Til tomorrow!
