Nationals

After passing on our first qualifying rally for PC Nationals we took our next opportunity and traveled to The Virginia Horse Park to compete in Show-Jumping.  Packing for rally is hard enough, but packing for 4 days of National competition is frightful.  Imagine packaging for a week at the beach- and add 2 more people because that's how much stuff Houston has.

The first morning of competition we had jog outs at 7:30 am.  Houston was in rare form, frisky, and I thought my heart would jump out of my chest as 4 judges and a vet watched Houston trot by to be "approved" sound for competition. We passed and were clear for the day.

Our team was in the Horse II level (3'3"-3'6").   In all my years of having horses I was never concerned with dandruff in my horse's tail, until Pony Club.  Did you know that putting Listerine in your horse's tail will rid it of dandruff?  I used baby oil to cover it up until I learned this nifty little trick from a fellow team member.

We passed formal inspections with flying colors and had to saddle up for warm-ups immediately after.  Of course it was 90+ degrees, no breeze and we were required to wear our velvet helmets and coats the first day.  I unfortunately have a history of over heating and was nervous about having zero ventilation while riding.  We warmed up well and made it through our first course effortlessly.

The ring schedules were back-to-back so there was only one horse in between us and our next course.  EMT's were patrolling the rings to make sure riders were safe and not getting dehydrated.  As I entered the arena for my second round I felt light headed and weak, but what choice did I have but to keep going? 

Houston is the most amazing horse ever. Period.  He completed his course with grace and even kept me from falling off around the corners as I began to over heat and have trouble staying in the center of the saddle.  After we exited the arena the EMT came over right as I was starting to see spots.  They took me to the medical center where my blood pressure was WAY too low and they tried to hydrate me before I passed out.  I remember seeing Houston walking around the medical center looking panicked because I had left him with my trainer.

Second day of competition went much better since they decided to wave coats and velvet helmats- due to the many people suffering from heat exhaustion.

When award time rolled around Houston and I were named 10th out of 40+ competitiors with the best equtiation (judging is based on how well the riders position looks on course).  Our team finished 8th in our division, which was a big accomplishment for a first time team.

Houston's Highlights

I've always been entranced with the beauty of horses and their majestic nature.   I tried to capture a few of "Houston's Highlights".

Mixing it Up

Since Houston and I come from different backgrounds and the fact that his Thoroughbred mind often needs variety, I did my best to mix up our routine.  Our daily routine often consisted of some sort of dressage work, often lounging with side riens, and working on suppleness and bending.  Sometimes I would throw in a jump just to give him some added energy and make life more interesting- jumping in a Dressage saddle is an art with an ex-racer.

I also tried to chose events that were fun and different for both of us.  As a member of the Yadkin Valley Hounds Pony Club we often received a list of events that they were sponsoring.  One came up in the Summer that was a fun Hunter Trial, a hunter/jumper show but in an open field, which to Houston felt like Cross-Country.  He excelled in his divison and even won his jumping classes.  He wasn't quiet sure why I wasn't asking him to go on the bit during the flat classes, but he enjoyed the extra freedom.  Some might think that was confusing for Houston in his training as an eventer, but anything to help his mind settled and give him more exposure to the show world was well worth it.

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Horse Trials, FENCE

FENCE in Tryon, NC is known for their amazing views from the cross-country course and excellent events.  Houston and I traveled to FENCE in late October for the Tyron Riding & Hunt Club Horse Trials.  This is one of my all time favorite events to attend because you get a hand addressed invitation to attend the event each year.  Most events are published in the Omibus and you map out your season accordingly, no personal contact from the actual event organizor. 

Don't judge us by this picture, please.  We were both still learning about Dressage at this point and very lucky to have a square halt and semi-round frame.  We worked with an all purpose saddle and regular snaffle bridle at this point.  We did evolve into the full Dressage turnout complete with all black tack, fancy coat and Stubben studded bridle.  When we first started competition the rules did not allow for a whip to be carried during the actual Dressage test.  Houston isn't the biggest fan of spurs and doesn't require the whip, just moves nicely knowing that I have it.  We circled the ring until the bell rang for us to enter and begin our test, dropping the whip outside the ring as we entered.  The key is remembering where you dropped it- so you can pick it back up when you're finished.

Houston was spectacular at this event and with close to 15 people in our division, Novice, that season I was very proud of our 5th place finish overall.

Back to My Roots

Growing up as a hunter/jumper changing over to Eventing was a bit of a shock. 

Dressage was never in my vocabularly before. 

I decided since Houston loved to jump we would go back to my roots and enter a hunter/jumper show that was low key and close by.   We placed, but not in the top 3, for all classes.  Houston doesn't do lead changes and we aren't the most fancy mover out there.  But can we talk about how handsome my man is?  This picture was taken at the hunter show only a year after I purchased the sunbleached ex-racer.  Amazing what high-quality grain, lots of regular training and stall rest can do.  He doesn't look like the same horse!