Cartfall
Jan. 20, 2008, 09:32 PM
:D:D:D:cool::cool::cool::yes::yes::yes:
My youngster Zanzer debuted into the "BIG" world of CDEs this weekend at the Nature Coat HDT. We have done several ADTS and some schooling level HDTs, but this was the real thing--an event at Black Prong!!!!
I have worked very hard with a local dressage trainer who has helped us become a better pair!! Her advice just before we left was --calm, calm, calm. Saturday was humid and very overcast. Rain had been predicted pretty much all day, but luckily had not produced when we went into the dressage ring. I had opted for jacket, hat and apron. It spit some while I was in my test but I was not worried. (little did I know what was coming!!!:eek:)
We drove our training test 2. I thought he was fractious, resistive and not paying attention. Several who watched the test thought he looked good and went very relaxed. Scores would tell!!!
The cones course was one of those two part deals where you must go double clean in the first 15 gates in order to drive the remaining 6. It has to do with best in Cones for the different levels. If you get a whistle at the exit gate after 15, you are done. Zanzer was very much on his game and went straight and true for me. Few places offered a canter to us. We heard no whistle and went on to drive all gates clean and make our time. whoo hoo;)
Once we were done. my gator climbed on the back and suggested to me we get back to the barn. Starting off slowly, we walked and she said it again. I asked her what was the rush and she just pointed west. A wall of water was heading our way!!! It is about 3/4 of a mile from the dressage ring back to the barns and trailer. I set him down into a road trot.
Zanzer being purebred Arabian does not understand the concept of getting wet!!1:winkgrin: When that cold cold rain hit us, he did a little buck and started cantering. Of course when we pulled up to the trailer (with awning out popping in the wind) he was very puffed up!!!!:eek: It was a deluge.
Once he was off the cart, I had my gator take him to his stall still in harness. I had to drop my awning. My hat kept dumping water water off the brim. Goodness, that was cold rain. I was absolutely soaked to the skin and had water in my laced ariats. We got Zanzer wiped down, in a blanket and settled in his stall and ran for the RV.
There were several people who did not get done with their dressage or cones due to the storms that followed. So they got to drive on Sundya mornng, moving the marathon back an hour.
So no scores for training were posted Saturday.
Sunday morning dawned extremely cold and bright. A definitely long john day!!!
Our go time was around 2, toward the end of the pack. I knew the hazards would be torn up by time we got to go. As my goal was for my horse to be successful this weekend, our plan was to go wide on most hazards and stay out of the deep sand places. Luckily we had a couple of options on each hazard.
First hazard for training was really the big bridge out in the maze--Zanzer has never seen anything that large. We had schooled on it Friday and he went--tentative but trusting me. It was not a judged hazard but definitely was an obstacle!!!
Our first judged hazard was an easy on in the trees up by the pavillion.
We did not do the Lightning Bolt, but proceeded to the large water hazard. As the day wore on, we heard stories about how deep the middle of the pond had gotten. Our plan had us going to the shallow end of the pond and put Zanzer into the water in a shallow and for a short time. Good thing--he came to a dead stop when presented with the water. I kept asking while he cogitated on it and then he went--slowly---but he went. My good lad--he is so trusting and goes where I ask. :yes:
We then proceeded to Johnson't Junction, a large tight fence maze type obstacle. The B gate was set up for a keyhole to get to C. C was tough as it was tight and sharp turns. But again, Zanzer did it well--he is very agile.
The Dreamer is a large spreadout hazard in trees with fenced areas. We chose a less travlled route which kept Zanzer on solid ground away from the torn up sandy area.
The last obstacle is called Maureen;s Falls after the wife of the couple who owns BP. It has several fountains, a large ramp bridge and some short ramps. My gatored saved the day here--I went in and had a brain fart ---absolutely nothing came to my mind. Thanks Sheree!!!
When scores were finally posted---56 on dressage!!!!!:):cool::cool: I was so proud of my boy. Evidently I was wrong!!! egg on face!!!
There were 6 in Training Single Horse class--first went to Wendy Ying, second was Ellen Epstein (??) with her absolutely beautiful warm blood, and we were sitting nicely in 3rd.--all we had to do was go clean in marathon. 4th went to Dan Evans and the other two ladies retired from the event.
When the day was done, Zanzer had given me so much and done well. I am just bouncing off of the ceiling. He is beginning to live up to some of his potential.
At the end of the marathon, one of the dressage judges was checking people in. He asked me if he could ask me a question--sure I said. IN his words--
"Where was that trot I saw on the course just now yesterday?" I was dumbfounded and had to laugh. He told me I had a nice horse with much potential--if I let him!!! Really made me feel good though!!
The goals for the weekend were realized--it was just such a grand grand weekend.
Some other very succesful people this weekend--
Sami in Advanced Single Pony with AHJ--first place- great job Sami, you guys looked awesome on marathon.
Jan Jan Hamilton (first time in Prelim) with our own Ironbessflint on board as gator took a very resectable 5th in a field of 17 Prelim Horses. Well done lady.. and IBF--it was great to meet you!!
Jan Jan's mom Nifty took 3rd in her first time stepping up to Prelim. Great job.
Tom Childress with Sandy (a COTH lurker) on board in Prelim the first time with a succressful weekend!!!
This has been edited because I left out several people. Sorry but it was late last night when I posted. Did not mean to leave out anyone.
Our 49er was there with her lovely buckskin pony, Riley. Don't know how she did, but she won some ribbons I know. Congrats to you and that nice pony of yours. I like Riley!!
Jaime ??? a new driver who drives Hackneys was there with his pony I met at Tampa Trials--he won best cones in training!!! Absolutely awesome. He was so excited in spite of the fact he was out in that awful storm trying to get ready for his dressage. He wound up among several others having to do dressage, cones and marathon all on Sunday.
I met a nice lady Dolly somebody and never did figure out where she was from--but she had an arab gelding who could be paired with Zanzer. We rode the course together on our own course walk. She unfortunately pulled from the competition.
I know I will have left out someone and my apologies but it was such an intense weekend with weather and doing so well that there is only so much room in this small brain!!!!
No wrecks, no problems on a very difficult course--
Just wanted to share and will have picture tomorrow!!! I had to buy the CD this time as it Zanzer's very first BIG event!!!
My youngster Zanzer debuted into the "BIG" world of CDEs this weekend at the Nature Coat HDT. We have done several ADTS and some schooling level HDTs, but this was the real thing--an event at Black Prong!!!!
I have worked very hard with a local dressage trainer who has helped us become a better pair!! Her advice just before we left was --calm, calm, calm. Saturday was humid and very overcast. Rain had been predicted pretty much all day, but luckily had not produced when we went into the dressage ring. I had opted for jacket, hat and apron. It spit some while I was in my test but I was not worried. (little did I know what was coming!!!:eek:)
We drove our training test 2. I thought he was fractious, resistive and not paying attention. Several who watched the test thought he looked good and went very relaxed. Scores would tell!!!
The cones course was one of those two part deals where you must go double clean in the first 15 gates in order to drive the remaining 6. It has to do with best in Cones for the different levels. If you get a whistle at the exit gate after 15, you are done. Zanzer was very much on his game and went straight and true for me. Few places offered a canter to us. We heard no whistle and went on to drive all gates clean and make our time. whoo hoo;)
Once we were done. my gator climbed on the back and suggested to me we get back to the barn. Starting off slowly, we walked and she said it again. I asked her what was the rush and she just pointed west. A wall of water was heading our way!!! It is about 3/4 of a mile from the dressage ring back to the barns and trailer. I set him down into a road trot.
Zanzer being purebred Arabian does not understand the concept of getting wet!!1:winkgrin: When that cold cold rain hit us, he did a little buck and started cantering. Of course when we pulled up to the trailer (with awning out popping in the wind) he was very puffed up!!!!:eek: It was a deluge.
Once he was off the cart, I had my gator take him to his stall still in harness. I had to drop my awning. My hat kept dumping water water off the brim. Goodness, that was cold rain. I was absolutely soaked to the skin and had water in my laced ariats. We got Zanzer wiped down, in a blanket and settled in his stall and ran for the RV.
There were several people who did not get done with their dressage or cones due to the storms that followed. So they got to drive on Sundya mornng, moving the marathon back an hour.
So no scores for training were posted Saturday.
Sunday morning dawned extremely cold and bright. A definitely long john day!!!
Our go time was around 2, toward the end of the pack. I knew the hazards would be torn up by time we got to go. As my goal was for my horse to be successful this weekend, our plan was to go wide on most hazards and stay out of the deep sand places. Luckily we had a couple of options on each hazard.
First hazard for training was really the big bridge out in the maze--Zanzer has never seen anything that large. We had schooled on it Friday and he went--tentative but trusting me. It was not a judged hazard but definitely was an obstacle!!!
Our first judged hazard was an easy on in the trees up by the pavillion.
We did not do the Lightning Bolt, but proceeded to the large water hazard. As the day wore on, we heard stories about how deep the middle of the pond had gotten. Our plan had us going to the shallow end of the pond and put Zanzer into the water in a shallow and for a short time. Good thing--he came to a dead stop when presented with the water. I kept asking while he cogitated on it and then he went--slowly---but he went. My good lad--he is so trusting and goes where I ask. :yes:
We then proceeded to Johnson't Junction, a large tight fence maze type obstacle. The B gate was set up for a keyhole to get to C. C was tough as it was tight and sharp turns. But again, Zanzer did it well--he is very agile.
The Dreamer is a large spreadout hazard in trees with fenced areas. We chose a less travlled route which kept Zanzer on solid ground away from the torn up sandy area.
The last obstacle is called Maureen;s Falls after the wife of the couple who owns BP. It has several fountains, a large ramp bridge and some short ramps. My gatored saved the day here--I went in and had a brain fart ---absolutely nothing came to my mind. Thanks Sheree!!!
When scores were finally posted---56 on dressage!!!!!:):cool::cool: I was so proud of my boy. Evidently I was wrong!!! egg on face!!!
There were 6 in Training Single Horse class--first went to Wendy Ying, second was Ellen Epstein (??) with her absolutely beautiful warm blood, and we were sitting nicely in 3rd.--all we had to do was go clean in marathon. 4th went to Dan Evans and the other two ladies retired from the event.
When the day was done, Zanzer had given me so much and done well. I am just bouncing off of the ceiling. He is beginning to live up to some of his potential.
At the end of the marathon, one of the dressage judges was checking people in. He asked me if he could ask me a question--sure I said. IN his words--
"Where was that trot I saw on the course just now yesterday?" I was dumbfounded and had to laugh. He told me I had a nice horse with much potential--if I let him!!! Really made me feel good though!!
The goals for the weekend were realized--it was just such a grand grand weekend.
Some other very succesful people this weekend--
Sami in Advanced Single Pony with AHJ--first place- great job Sami, you guys looked awesome on marathon.
Jan Jan Hamilton (first time in Prelim) with our own Ironbessflint on board as gator took a very resectable 5th in a field of 17 Prelim Horses. Well done lady.. and IBF--it was great to meet you!!
Jan Jan's mom Nifty took 3rd in her first time stepping up to Prelim. Great job.
Tom Childress with Sandy (a COTH lurker) on board in Prelim the first time with a succressful weekend!!!
This has been edited because I left out several people. Sorry but it was late last night when I posted. Did not mean to leave out anyone.
Our 49er was there with her lovely buckskin pony, Riley. Don't know how she did, but she won some ribbons I know. Congrats to you and that nice pony of yours. I like Riley!!
Jaime ??? a new driver who drives Hackneys was there with his pony I met at Tampa Trials--he won best cones in training!!! Absolutely awesome. He was so excited in spite of the fact he was out in that awful storm trying to get ready for his dressage. He wound up among several others having to do dressage, cones and marathon all on Sunday.
I met a nice lady Dolly somebody and never did figure out where she was from--but she had an arab gelding who could be paired with Zanzer. We rode the course together on our own course walk. She unfortunately pulled from the competition.
I know I will have left out someone and my apologies but it was such an intense weekend with weather and doing so well that there is only so much room in this small brain!!!!
No wrecks, no problems on a very difficult course--
Just wanted to share and will have picture tomorrow!!! I had to buy the CD this time as it Zanzer's very first BIG event!!!