Woodside/Mudslide Horse Trials??

Rain came early this year and made the Woodside Horse Trials a show we won't soon forget. I had thought my Burghley wellies wouldn't come out quite so soon, boy was I wrong. The whole team was so incredible, not only as riders, but as good horsemen and even better, friends to one another. I am proud of you for all for “riding better”!

Photos: http://rickncheryl.smugmug.com/gallery/6155586_jPmQG#387676982_ai3bQ

The results:

Training Team, "Ride Better", 1st place! Danielle, Karina, Sydnee, and Alexa
Danielle and Ash 1st Place Jr. Training
Sophie and Cooper 1st Place Jr. Beg. Novice
Alexa and Kalypso 3rd Jr. Training
Alexandra and Noah 5th OPEN PRELIM! =)
Holly and Rigs 7th Jr. Novice
Gill and Cash 7th Sr. Beg. Novice
Karina and Memo 9th Jr. Training
Emily and Bodie 11th Jr. Novice
Sydnee and Allison B both had incredible moments, but wasn’t to be their weekend. Toby and Zara were good ponies, let’s get those memories workin’!

Twin!
The September Twin Event is already over. It was more than a 100 degrees but I'm happy to report we all made it through. Claire and Fable, and Karina and Zara both made the move up to Training Level and put in clean x-c rounds. Karina rode incredibly well and earned a well deserved 4th place while Claire was out of the ribbons this time around. Nikki and her horse Patton joined the THF team for the first time and I'm really looking forward to helping this team move forward. Patton is still a bit unsure about ditches but I'm confident we'll work through that this winter. Danielle and Ash earned the 6th place ribbon with solid jumping rounds. This was to be Cooper's first Training level and while we had some great moments, it wasn't our weekend. We took off long to a big table and Cooper didn't have quite enough in him to clear it cleanly, knocking me out of the tack. I couldn't be happier with his stadium performance, as he put in a double clear round in the ring and he tried so hard in everything I asked of him. Falling off is part of the game. We'll get there next time.

Burghley!

Lora, Allison and I got to spend an INCREDIBLE week in England August 31-Sept 8th to watch the Burghley Horse Trials and spend a few days sight seeing in good 'ole jolly England. It was to be the wettest Burghley in history, but that didn't change how just how great the trip was. It was an experience I'll never forget.

Woodside- August 2008
The August event at Woodside happened waaayyy too quickly after we got back from Montana. Congratulations to everyone on another successful THF weekend. I am proud of you all for doing such a wonderful job this weekend, and for having such a supportive group of showing and non-showing riders.

Now, the big round of applause goes to Gill and Cash, who not only completed their first real horse trials together but did it in style, taking home the blue! 1st place is a pretty good start to your eventing career Gill! =)

Kalypso was out of the ribbons in the Training division, but gave me super rides in his first training level competition to finish 12th out of 25.

Karina and Memo made it through their Training level debut. Hard to believe this pair had trouble over a BN log less than a year ago!

Danielle and her mare, Ash, finished 6th in the Jr. Novice. This was Danielle’s first show with us and she fits right in. I’m happy to have them on the team and look forward to seeing how far they can come.

Rachel Harnish and Bodie put in their best dressage test together, earning a well deserved 5th in the Sr. BN division. All the hard work on the flat is paying off.

Kyana and Seeker had the biggest cheering section by far and did a superb job of making it through her first ever event.

Allison and Kelsey were awesome to watch, finishing on their dressage score, good enough to earn them 2nd! Now if only Allison actually had time to practice!

Lastly, Mamma Mia and Julie had a clean x-c! Julie rode Mia around the course beautifully and gave Mia a confidence building first event. Mia has only been in training for 5 weeks and jumped her first course just 2 weeks ago. Go Mia! =)

Montana...

The updates are long over due. I'm not sure where to begin except to say that Montana seems so long ago and I can't wait for next year. It was a brilliant trip with Alexandra and Noah taking home the blue in the Jr. Training division. Cooper was consistent as he always is, and him and I took home 6th in the Open Novice. Karina and Coco Puff were 6th in the Jr. Novice. This was their last time competing as a team, as Puffy will now be hitting the trail and enjoying a well deserved semi-retirement. Claire and Fable were 8th in the Jr. Novice, making it just one second off the optimum time without a watch! Holly and Sydnee finished 14th and 15th respectively in their divisions. All together, there were 6 double clean x-c rides, I couldn't be happier with the team.

Links to photos on Rick's website http://rickncheryl.smugmug.com/gallery/5590555_8oCap#343079488_o8oGU