Morven times are already up! :) Roll call??

[Dr. Doolittle]

Or at least Shannon sent me mine via e-mail--nice and late! :D

Who else will be there? (And please, everyone do an "anti-rain dance" for Saturday!! The extended forecast suggests that it may rain both Thursday *and* Saturday..:sigh:)

[asterix]

me me me, late too (Dr D, when are you? I'm 3:15 and 4:50 for D/SJ :eek: and 2 something for XC).

Hoping to knock the cobwebs off and go well under OT this year (hah! if not we will have to explain to coach that we can too return to P at the next outing), and demonstrate just how versatile our eventing horses are -- the Big Man carted mr. asterix around his very first pipe opener on Saturday, at baby beginner novice :D He was very polite, and very forgiving. I hope I can turn the gas back on for Saturday :lol::lol:

[GreyDun]

I'll be in the OT - D division... riding at 3 & 5 on Saturday & 3ish on Sunday... LOVE my times :) I'm taking my little grey Connemara mare Cady - come say hi if you see us!

Anyone else in Training D? Who's my competition :D

As far as weather goes, I see it's supposed to be cloudy? At least that's what I'm crossing my fingers for.

[OneDaySoon]

Grey Dun and Asterix - thank goodness we are in different divisions - I can't keep up with the Big Man's lovely dressage moves or Cady's catty XC moves!

I am OT-A, riding 2:09 pm and 3:18 pm. Sunday at 1:12 pm (woo hoo!).

Based on riders in OT-A, I should have gone P!!!!! ...but we are clearing cobwebs, staying out of Spring puddles, and drinking beer. ;)

[mythical84]

Asterix ... your times just brought a smile to my face. :)

[Invested1]

I'll be there jump judging xc on Sunday.... :D

[Ishi]

OP-C great ride times! 10:57 for dressage and 1:07 for stadium, then 11:54 on Sunday for XC. Hopefully my BF's times aren't to early!

[Dr. Doolittle]

I'm in OT B: dressage is at 12:35, and stadium "sometime to follow", according to a later e-mail from Shannon P; apparently the originally posted stadium times are not correct (OOPS! She said :p) X-country is at 1:56--nice leisurely days, both--and perhaps *just* late enough to justify bringing a beer (or 3) along...:winkgrin:

I guess I'm not competing against any other COTHers (unless they haven't weighed in yet :)), though of course I'll be up against all the "usual supects": Sharon White, Emily Beshear, Jan Byyny, Tiffany Catledge, etc., etc...:lol: It looks like most of us are in the same boat, though :sigh: Yeah, right--piece of cake! :p One can take comfort in asuming that the horses that they will be taking Training will be *green* ;))

asterix, that's *too* cool about your big boy taking good care of hubby at Baby Novice! (I suspect that he will "remember how to gallop" once you are back aboard ;))

I like to think of the first event of the year as a "shakedown cruise" (an appropriate sailboat term ;)), and I suspect there might be some "less than smooth performances" out there this weekend--other than my own! :lol:

[toeknee]

checking in! I have nice times at well! d-1:33 sat, and x-c 12:38 on sunday, OT-A(watch out onedaysoon!:) just joking!)... so excited to clean out the cobwebs! here's hoping for good weather and a good start to the season for everyone...well everyone who didn't get to go south:)!

[WNT]

OP-B, 1:03 dressage on Sat, SJ sometime later and 11:30 XC on Sunday. All our farm's horses are in Prelim and Training, so we may even get to braid that morning instead of the night before. And no having to get up extra, extra early (like for Pine Top :p)

[Dr. Doolittle]

Crap, JRey--what a bummer :(

(My sympathies...)

[piaffeprincess98]

Oh I wish I could be competing this weekend! Sam is still coming back slowly from his OCD surgery. I did take him to Kelly's Ford yesterday and popped over a couple of BN sized fences and he actually bucked a little. He was so happy to be out XC again, I don't think he's ever bucked in his life. It was so fun. We might be ready by May or June.

Anyways, I will be there all weekend with GRC, good luck everyone!

[JustJump250]

Dr. D, I'll be there in the OT-B with you! Dressage at 1:59, showjump "sometime to follow", and XC 1:30 on Sunday.
I'm so glad to have late times, means I won't be up until midnight Friday getting ready!

[Dr. Doolittle]

JustJump, you have your dressage an hour and twenty four minutes after me! I must be one of the first in the division to ride, and you must be one of the last :)

Glad to hear that GRC will be there, pp! :D

Now we just need to hope that the weather forecasters are wrong about all this rain we're supposed to get later in the week/Saturday :uhoh:

This would be a mighty pricey Combined Test :sigh:

[asterix]

wow, mythical, guess this means he'll be braided this time around ;)
So did we all get the special COTH consideration on times? can we make this a habit? I LOVE these times :winkgrin:

[Mustang51]

Well Asterix, my times seem to all be just about 2 hours earlier than you all's! You need to hurry up and move back up to prelim so we can trailer pool! I'm also not sure how I'm going to get a course walk in given our coach's times...

[Invested1]

Out of curiosity, why do you think they went with all Open Divisions? Why not split the Pros and Ammies? Or have Rider/Horse divisions?

[asterix]

oh, yeah, mustang, I can't wait to get back to those early prelim times. not.
:D
don't worry, you'll get a course walk, not sure when though -- I hope to tag along so I can begin resetting my eye back up to prelim. I figure if that prelim trakhener looks doable, I can contemplate getting back out there

RAIN AWAY dance, everyone. looks a bit dismal on Saturday :no:

[Invested1]

RAIN AWAY dance, everyone. looks a bit dismal on Saturday :no:

According to weather.com, we're really likely to get rain Thursday and Friday (though WARM temps!!). Saturday is cloudy with only a 10% chance of precip, and Sunday is partly cloudy with only a 10% chance....

Let's hope it stays that way!! :yes:

[Dr. Doolittle]

Yes, I *just* watched the weather, and it now looks much more promising! Scattered showers Thursday and Friday, and NOW (at least according to channel 4, 3 minutes ago), SUNNY on both Sat. and Sun.--Whew! :D

asterix, enjoy your late times while you have 'em ;)

What will be your first Prelim outing of the year?

I'll be out there walking the course on Friday afternoon; I'm guessing that I will pretty much have the place to myself, since most will be walking it Saturday...I'm planning to get a look at the Prelim course while I'm there. :)

(I remember walking some of it last year, and I schooled over a few fences during the schooling day; most of it looked doable, though there is a biggish corner and that "rather hefty" Trakehner in the wooded gap :eek:)

[asterix]

Oh, you mean the "head" corner? I remember thinking "corner, ok, head not ok" -- Piks would take one look at that and scoot sideways right off his line!

Yeah, that trak. will be my "eye test" for how much schooling we'll have to do before going back out at Prelim.

I'm not going out until MCTA -- coach did not think Plantation was a good idea (mainly she doesn't like the courses, I think) and I"m going to Rolex, so...

but for us, it's all about the schooling -- if we get a good solid P school or two under our belt we have a good shot. And if I can do the MCTA course, we are ready for a season at Prelim (MCTA usually has our two bugaboos, jumping INTO water and a big trakhener).

I'll probably walk on Sat but if I get inspired I may see you Fri for the T course. Doing a P walk for the education -- I find this VERY helpful!

[Dr. Doolittle]

Oh, you mean the "head" corner? I remember thinking "corner, ok, head not ok" -- Piks would take one look at that and scoot sideways right off his line!

Yeah, that trak. will be my "eye test" for how much schooling we'll have to do before going back out at Prelim.

I'm not going out until MCTA -- coach did not think Plantation was a good idea (mainly she doesn't like the courses, I think) and I"m going to Rolex, so...

but for us, it's all about the schooling -- if we get a good solid P school or two under our belt we have a good shot. And if I can do the MCTA course, we are ready for a season at Prelim (MCTA usually has our two bugaboos, jumping INTO water and a big trakhener).

I'll probably walk on Sat but if I get inspired I may see you Fri for the T course. Doing a P walk for the education -- I find this VERY helpful!

:lol:

Yeah, what's up with the "Easter Island Head" corner?!? (And how does one replicate that in schooling? Rather intimidating for horse *and* rider--at least if they haven't encountered it before; definitely on *my* list of :eek: fences! ;))

Good luck at MCTA! (At least you have a little time to get a couple good schools in beforehand--too bad they don't have a X-country schooling facility that has a variety of Trakehners to practice over--and that's closer to you than Wingreen...Does Wingreen even *have* a "big honking" Trakehner? I've schooled over most of the ones they have there, and they seemed pretty straightforward. I guess I'll find out at the Lucinda clinic next month :D)

Anyway, I suspect you will be *itching* to go Prelim again after Piko skips over the T course this weekend ;)

[Tazzie]

I will be there jump judging all day on sunday. Good luck to everybody showing!

[OneDaySoon]

:lol:

Yeah, what's up with the "Easter Island Head" corner?!? (And how does one replicate that in schooling? Rather intimidating for horse *and* rider--at least if they haven't encountered it before; definitely on *my* list of :eek: fences! ;))




You guys are scaring. Please stop talking about these Freaky Southern Hemisphere Fences or I''ll be Bunny Hopping Back Home. For God's Sakes, its March (which is like December 1st for those lucky folks that went South) and I haven't had enough coffee to memorize the dressage test yet...let alone think about J-U-M-P-S Shaped Like Monolithic People!!!!!

[asterix]

ahh, ODS, you are fine -- they have retired the dreaded Tire Jump on Training, and the Easter Island Head is on prelim (but, it does look like that, in my memory -- instead of a potted plant, a big head to keep you "on your line") :lol:

And, Dr. D, I have yet to jump the big airy Trak right here at home (not the regular prelim one, that I have conquered in schools and in competition) -- the new one in the back field -- used for Prelim AND intermediate.
So once they let us school again (turf is growing, don't tell that to my 8 size 4 shoes last seen doing spring dances on it :winkgrin:), I can go jump that one for sh*ts and giggles.


Wingreen, no, not TOO scary, although I haven't gotten to do many of them (see: size 4 shoes, pulling of front one, beginning of Lucinda clinic. grr.)

[Invested1]

Does Wingreen even *have* a "big honking" Trakehner?

How does a "big honking Trakhener" compare to, say, the Prelim trakhener at FPP?

[Invested1]

I will be there jump judging all day on sunday. Good luck to everybody showing!

Hey--me too! We can commiserate at 0645! :lol:

[Dr. Doolittle]

You guys are scaring. Please stop talking about these Freaky Southern Hemisphere Fences or I''ll be Bunny Hopping Back Home. For God's Sakes, its March (which is like December 1st for those lucky folks that went South) and I haven't had enough coffee to memorize the dressage test yet...let alone think about J-U-M-P-S Shaped Like Monolithic People!!!!!

:lol: :lol:

I'm thinking that all this talk will just result in everyone "riding the hell" out of the scary bugaboo fences--and as a result, having no problem with them! :D

[Dr. Doolittle]

ahh, ODS, you are fine -- they have retired the dreaded Tire Jump on Training, and the Easter Island Head is on prelim (but, it does look like that, in my memory -- instead of a potted plant, a big head to keep you "on your line") :lol:

And, Dr. D, I have yet to jump the big airy Trak right here at home (not the regular prelim one, that I have conquered in schools and in competition) -- the new one in the back field -- used for Prelim AND intermediate.
So once they let us school again (turf is growing, don't tell that to my 8 size 4 shoes last seen doing spring dances on it :winkgrin:), I can go jump that one for sh*ts and giggles.


Wingreen, no, not TOO scary, although I haven't gotten to do many of them (see: size 4 shoes, pulling of front one, beginning of Lucinda clinic. grr.)

I don't think I saw the P/I Trakehner you mention when I was schooling at Waredaca (or maybe I saw it from a distance, and went :eek: Let's not get any closer!) I did see the Prelim one, if I'm not mistaken--near the ditches in the trees? It is big, but is positioned well and I imagine it would ride well if yo were *forward* to it! (The ground was SO hard that day that I was being very conservative in terms of what I schooled over...:sigh:)

Piko wears size 4 shoes?? :lol: (I suppose that's appropriate, actually!)

I'd guess they are a little easier to find when he throws them...

Invested: the Prelim Trakehner at FP isn't that big, but it's really "airy" in comparison to many Prelim Trakehners; more like a hanging log, really. (Had they used a bigger log, it would have been less intimidating-looking, methinks ;))

BTW, there is a BULL in the cow field at Frying Pan!! :eek: I discovered this last Sunday when I jumped in there over the Trakehner (on my way to jumping out over the cow-catcher), and poor Mr. Dr. D (my groundperson) clambored over the Traks and walked through the field along the fenceline. He got a "closer look" at the big black (what I thought was a steer), and pointed out to me that there was some "extra equipment" hanging down...I said, "Yikes, you're right! Okay, I'm outa here", and jumped out of the field, leaving him to walk out, hugging the fenceline, trying to be unobtrusive, and not making any eye-contact with "Ferdinand"--who watched us intently, but never moved.

Phew!

There are also cows in there (female), so I guess they are now doing "field breeding at Kidwell Farm"? In front of all the rugrats and their parents?? Yoiks!

[Invested1]

BTW, there is a BULL in the cow field at Frying Pan!! :eek:

:lol: I.....discovered him too when I schooled FPP last Saturday!!
Made sure to walk as far away from him as possible, though neither he nor Ted seemed even remotely interested in one another. Whew! :D

[StrawberryFields]

what kind of shops will be there?

[OneDaySoon]

there is a BULL in the cow field

I am not talking to you guys any more. The imported sculptures was one thing, but looking for extra jewellry on unexpected domesticated animals while schooling Prelim-size, airy, hanging logs over sparkling waters - clearly shows that you are not focussed on the SPORT of EVENTING.

Don't even try to engage me in conversation at Morven - I will know for certain that is a competitor's tactic to promote run-outs and decades of therapy over the presence of cows in fields.

Dr. D, please discuss these diversions with the groundsman.

[Invested1]

I am not talking to you guys any more. The imported sculptures was one thing, but looking for extra jewellry on unexpected domesticated animals while schooling Prelim-size, airy, hanging logs over sparkling waters - clearly shows that you are not focussed on the SPORT of EVENTING.

Don't even try to engage me in conversation at Morven - I will know for certain that is a competitor's tactic to promote run-outs and decades of therapy over the presence of cows in fields.

Dr. D, please discuss these diversions with the groundsman.

:lol: :lol:

I'm only jump judging--can I engage you in conversation?? :winkgrin:

[LexInVA]

My goodness...:lol:

[piaffeprincess98]

Oh, you mean the "head" corner? I remember thinking "corner, ok, head not ok" -- Piks would take one look at that and scoot sideways right off his line!
Ugh, that got Sam and I last year. Considering he has jumped around advanced, he saw that thing from 15 strides away and said no thank you. Luckily there was an option.

[Dr. Doolittle]

I am not talking to you guys any more. The imported sculptures was one thing, but looking for extra jewellry on unexpected domesticated animals while schooling Prelim-size, airy, hanging logs over sparkling waters - clearly shows that you are not focussed on the SPORT of EVENTING.

Don't even try to engage me in conversation at Morven - I will know for certain that is a competitor's tactic to promote run-outs and decades of therapy over the presence of cows in fields.

Dr. D, please discuss these diversions with the groundsman.

OMIGOD..."wine spew" :lol:

Really, OneDaySoon--*must* meet you at some point! :D

For the record, I never noticed the "jewelry" on the bovine--that was my poor DH's observation--whose life was possibly endangered (plus, he was *way* closer than I was to the beast in question ;))

[OneDaySoon]

Hey Ya'll (I love sounding like I eat breakfast and tater tot casseroles, turduckins and Peee-Kawns, every day):

Looks like the weather should be sunny tomorrow, with showers possible on Sunday.

Has anyone walked the Training course yet? How does it look? Are the scary 'monster' jumps still out there?

Can't wait for the Spring Fling at Morven!

[Dr. Doolittle]

OneDaySoon, I plan to walk the T course this afternoon (and take a look at the Prelim course, while I'm out there :)), and would be happy to report back this evening, if you like.

The weather forecast looks good for the weekend--phew, no rain!; though it will be *chilly* both mornings. They are predicting that a line of shower/T storms will "blow through" this afternoon (with the weather front that's bringing the cooler, clearer weather), so I hope I don't get caught in it during my walk...(Though chances are that I will, so I am bringing my rain gear ;))

I'll also let you know how the footing looks, but I suspect that it will be fine-even if we do get some rain today (they have such good turf there :))

[GreyDun]

What scary monster jumps?? Do tell! It's my first Morven :) Someone mentioned it earlier, but yes, I still haven't memorized my dressage test yet either...I should probably do something about that...

Is the course open after 3:00?

[OneDaySoon]

What scary monster jumps?? Do tell! It's my first Morven :) Someone mentioned it earlier, but yes, I still haven't memorized my dressage test yet either...I should probably do something about that...

Is the course open after 3:00?

Hey ED,

Haven't you heard about the rolling heads???????????????? ...or is that what is going to happen to you and I when we try to recall our dressage tests tomorrow :lol:?

Dr. D,

Please report back on how things look. The butterflies have started already.
I checked the Weather Channel and they say showers on Sunday????

[Dr. Doolittle]

What scary monster jumps?? Do tell! It's my first Morven :) Someone mentioned it earlier, but yes, I still haven't memorized my dressage test yet either...I should probably do something about that...

:D Luckiily they are all the "A" tests, which are pretty easy to memorize (unlike the dreaded Bs!)

Is the course open after 3:00?

Yes (I'm going out there at between 3:00 and 3:30), and I'm hoping we can "take a gander" at the stadium course, too--though it will be set at Advanced height :eek: It should make all of our jumps look little and wee...;)

I don't remember there being any scary monster jumps on the T course last year--though they may have new ones! (No tire jump, though!)

[Dr. Doolittle]

Hey ED,

Haven't you heard about the rolling heads???????????????? ...or is that what is going to happen to you and I when we try to recall our dressage tests tomorrow :lol:?

Dr. D,

Please report back on how things look. The butterflies have started already.
I checked the Weather Channel and they say showers on Sunday????

Just work on doing that deep breathing thing (LOTS of great suggestions on the other thread about how to handle nervousness :yes:); I'll be sure to give a report upon my return.

As for the weather, they are now saying that we may have showers coming in Sunday NIGHT (just in time to wet down the Nats home opener at 8 PM, for those baseball fans who care ;)), but it doesn't sound like it will affect us--everyone should be through with X-country by then.

[GreyDun]

Hey ED,

Haven't you heard about the rolling heads???????????????? ...or is that what is going to happen to you and I when we try to recall our dressage tests tomorrow :lol:?

Dr. D,

Please report back on how things look. The butterflies have started already.
I checked the Weather Channel and they say showers on Sunday????

I saw those creepy Easter Island heads last year when I was taking pics during the one-star... they're not on our course are they? The photos were SO weird looking with this big, life-sized head right next to the rider's foot over the jump...very bizarre. Not too many people had trouble with it, though, I think it was more of a rider frightener than anything :D Frightened me, and I wasn't even riding that day!

Uh yeah, the dressage test is the part that always wigs me out... I clutch nervously at my little photocopied test studying it up until the bell rings... poor little overloaded brain. :yes: I saw Elissa Wallace do the test rides for both the Intermediate & Advanced (I think... or maybe it was CIC3* & 2*? or CIC3*W? Whatev)at Red Hills...how the crap do you remember those back to back? Eek! I was impressed. Although I think if I spend the $$$$$ to do a CIC, I'd probably study that darn test like my life depended on it :D

Hm, I could sneak out of here and go snoop around the course this afternoon, but I didn't bring a change of clothes... and of course I choose today to wear a skirt & sandals. Go figure.

[Dr. Doolittle]

GreyDun, if you are doing Training, no worries ;)

(Those heads are only on the corners for Prelim and up...and something that I've steadfastly refused to go near with either of my last two "almost ready to move up to Prelim" horses when schooling there in the past during their schooling days :uhoh: At some point I'm gong to have to "bite the bullet", I guess...:sigh:)

As for the dreaded dressage test memorization, if you are a "visual learner", you might consider buying the DVD (put out by USEA, narrated by Sally O'Connor) called "Step by Step" (on riding the 2006 USEA eventing dressage tests.) I have this, and have found it helpful (though the "tips" provided by the commentator, Sally O, are pretty standard critiques--nothing too enlightening ;))

You get to watch the tests ridden by demo riders (ULRs, on mostly *very* nice horses), and Sally walks you through all the movements; plus, they have captions below, following the rider movement by movement through the test. Helpful with memorization, if you're the kind of memorizer who benefits from observing it done :)

Sandals and skirt, eh? I think you would probably be fine to walk at least most of the course (other than getting some scratches on your legs), unless/until it starts to rain! (Then you would be hating life :p)

[GreyDun]

Oh, we have a ton of copies of that DVD here at the office! I'll smuggle one home and watch it a bunch tonight (I'm totally a visual learner) and I'll also sleep with dressage test under my pillow...maybe I'll learn through osmosis? Worked for college! :winkgrin:

I had a great lesson the other day with a friend in Berryville, and she gave me some good hints on LOOKING up & around my corners...helps keep your circles round and keeps things in perspective too (I tend to internalize and crumple...so that I resemble a scared turtle). Very helpful not only for dressage, but also show jumping (I've had my fair share of "off course." Frustrating!). It's funny, I tend to ride much better (and look!) on cross-country, but I think that's because I tell myself that I have bit more time to find my next jump ("Oh crap...I thought the rolltop was over THAT hill..."), so now I just need to tell myself to look UP and ride focused and "in the moment" all the time. Breathing helps, too. :D

Hm, I might have some boots around here somewhere...so if you see some silly girl in a dress & boots stomping around the Training course - come say hi! :)

[Dr. Doolittle]

It sound like you have a good handle on the prep that works best for you :)

(I also know my own "weaknesses"--memorization being one of them!--so tend to overprepare rather than underprepare as a rule ;))

Looking UP around corners and while doing figures, yeah, a great tip! (Don't we *all* tend to stare at our horse's heads durng dressage? :lol:) I always like to remind myself (and my students) that lifting and turnng your eyes tends to help you lift and turn your head, and torso, and puts you naturally on your inside seatbone (and turns your pelvis so that it is leading the outside seatbone) which helps position yourself so as to keep the horse naturally balanced on turns...Now, if we can all just consistently do this in *competition*, we'll be golden! :D

I think everyone is a little anxious before the first outing of the year (Sheesh, even though I have prepared conscientiously, I always feel a little "under-prepared" for the first one :p)

I'll keep an eye out for you this afternoon (you should be easy to spot)--I am a short middle-aged blonde, who will be weariing maroon sweapants (and my hair in a braid...) I'll probably becovered in horsehair as well, since my first stop will be the barn!

[LexInVA]

Rain is just about to hit (felt some drops when I was out dealing with the landscape people) and it's very humid already so be prepared for some water sports when you check out the course.

[Ishi]

We just got back, the footing is great, and I think a little rain will be OK, hopefully not too much though!

No big headed corner on Prelim, in fact, the only corner on Prelim is a rather subdued one. The whole course looks nice, galloping, nothing too big, other then fence #16 I think, the double brush oxer.

Checked out stadium, too bad my horse isn't great a verticals and isn't a fan of his left lead! It's twisty but nice, and I liked it.

I'm really excited about tomorrow, can't wait to get in the rings! For now, I'm off to tend to my sick horse, and then bath and braid the two showing tomorrow.

Good luck to everyone!

[piaffeprincess98]

We just got back, the footing is great, and I think a little rain will be OK, hopefully not too much though!

No big headed corner on Prelim, in fact, the only corner on Prelim is a rather subdued one. The whole course looks nice, galloping, nothing too big, other then fence #16 I think, the double brush oxer.

Checked out stadium, too bad my horse isn't great a verticals and isn't a fan of his left lead! It's twisty but nice, and I liked it.

I'm really excited about tomorrow, can't wait to get in the rings! For now, I'm off to tend to my sick horse, and then bath and braid the two showing tomorrow.

Good luck to everyone!
Good luck! I will probably be stuck photographing in a dressage ring tomorrow, but I will cheer you and the BF on on Sunday.

[Dr. Doolittle]

Yes, Ishi is right on; the T course was *wonderful*, and I looked at a bunch of fences on the P course (I have actually done a good number of them--and the combos--when schooling The Princess there), and I saw the one corner she mentioned; it looked VERY doable :yes: (And no Neolithic heads in sight, except on one corner that wasn't being used as part of the course ;))

All of the courses looked really inviting and galloping; nothing scary, just some big solid jumpable fences, and some pretty "easy peasy" combos :) A very confidence-building kind of course (with the only "small issue" being a skinny hanging log where you have to pick your line carefully to avoid running into a tree directly afterward, with some branches hanging down; my advice, pick the line going slightly from left to right, and afterward--DUCK!)

GreyDun, you will have a blast! I didn't see you out there, but I had a video camera to my eye (and was talking to myself--while walking), so may not have noticed someone else walking the course in a skirt and boots! :p

I really liked the stadium, too--in my case, my horse bends better to the left (the first few turns are fairly bendy left-hand turns; lucky for me ;)), but everything pretty much *flows* through most of the course...really inviting, and I can't WAIT to get out there tomorrow! :D

Good luck to everyone!

ETA: it looks like the rain passed us by completely (though the front came through this afternoon--it got *really* windy! We actually could have used a bit more rain to soften up the ground, but the turf there is good, so I think by the time a few people have run over it, it will be close to perfect :))

[WNT]

Ishi and Dr. D, you made my day! I was getting pretty anxious about Easter Islanders and horse-eating trakheners on the Prelim. I'd hoped to try and get out there before it got dark today, but that wasn't gonna happen. I'll have a chance to walk it a couple times tomorrow, though. Sounds like fun times!

[Milocalwinnings]

Does anyone know what time Intermediate is running XC on Sunday? I'd really like to come watch but won't have time to stay the whole day.

[LexInVA]

Does anyone know what time Intermediate is running XC on Sunday? I'd really like to come watch but won't have time to stay the whole day.

They don't have the times listed by division. Just rider and time listings.

[Milocalwinnings]

They don't have the times listed by division. Just rider and time listings.


Alright, thanks... the article in the paper had a phone number to call for more info so I think I'll give them a call to see what time Intermediate is running. Thanks!

[Ishi]

Milo, my BF is in OI-A, goes at about 8:15 so I'm guessing Intermediate XC starts at 8AM. If you need an actual time, I have the packet in my trailer and can go look at it.

[Milocalwinnings]

Milo, my BF is in OI-A, goes at about 8:15 so I'm guessing Intermediate XC starts at 8AM. If you need an actual time, I have the packet in my trailer and can go look at it.


Thanks! I was hoping it wasn't going to start that early... don't have my license yet so I was going to drag my mom along for a little while.... maybe I'll convince her to go by telling her after she sees the Intermediate jumps my BN jumps won't look so big!:lol:

[OneDaySoon]

Wow, what a great XC course! I particularily liked the 4th jump which I had to re-visit (while on course :no:) to remind myself where it was! Oh Boy, good first outing though for the season, and some fierce competition in the Training divisions.

I hope everyone had a good weekend out there. It was nice to finally meet ToeKnee, but I missed meeting DR. D. and Ishi among others. Thanks Asterix, Mythical and NowOnCourse for lending your support.

Post your stories so we can here about your weekend, and would someone please let us know who all the photographers were?

P.S. Exactly how many loose horses were there (4 or 5?) - they all seemed really full of the fresh Spring air....taking in a fast and wide expanse of the grounds, rings, roads!

[piaffeprincess98]

Well, I have to say after taking photos of every horse and rider in stadium and cross country, that it was not nearly as scary as I've seen before. There were some quality training horses as well. I was at the water all day and only had about 4-5 falls and one close encounter which required the ambulance to check a rider out. The stadium went well for prelim/inter. but alot of training people had the first part of the blue/red in and out down. Lots of running down the longside and not taking a check before that.

Now it's time for me to go to bed and thaw out a little bit! Boy was it raw.

[GreyDun]

Wow, what a great XC course! I particularily liked the 4th jump which I had to re-visit (while on course :no:) to remind myself where it was! Oh Boy, good first outing though for the season, and some fierce competition in the Training divisions.


Oh, no! What happened?? I'll tell my story tomorrow - it's horribly embarrassing... I'll have to figure out a way to portray myself without looking like a moron... :winkgrin:

[Dr. Doolittle]

Oh, no! What happened?? I'll tell my story tomorrow - it's horribly embarrassing... I'll have to figure out a way to portray myself without looking like a moron... :winkgrin:

Oh my! (looking forward to hearing all about it :p)

I too will tell my story tomorrow--this was a looong weekend, and I need to get to bed!

(I assume that everyone else will weigh in with their "tales" tomorrow as well :))

Thanks, piaffeprincess, for taking ALL those pix; we can't wait to see them! (Some of us more than others, however...:lol:)

[mythical84]

I can't wait to hear everyone's reports. I got there just as OneDaySoon was heading into the water, so I missed her fence #4 mishap, but what I saw looked great! Asterix had a comical round on the Big P ... I think he was telling her that those Training jumps were just way too little for him. ;) Both Fritz and Piks looked quite pleased with themselves afterwards ... very cute.

Dr. D ... I think I saw you gallop by on a very frisky chestnut mare ...

And GreyDun ... your horse is adorable ... that all I can say, just adorable. :)

[Tazzie]

Hey--me too! We can commiserate at 0645! :lol:


Hey Invested! Dangit that I didn't see this, I would have asked around for you!!! Where were you and how did it go? I was COLD COLD COLD, however I had zero penalties all day and I wasn't necessarily at easy fences. I was at 12/17 (the bounce) for I, at 15ab (1/2 coffin) for P, and then 17abc for T. You would have heard my voice - literally - on the radio all day long from the very first rider through the very last!

This was my first time volunteering at Morven and I will definitly be back. I love the way I was treated, the food that was there in the morning, for lunch, and then the food for when we were done for the day. I was thrilled that the owner of Rubicon was collecting sheets all day b/c I volunteered there last fall for the first time and really liked him. It's always great seeing people like him volunteering at other events besides his own.

So let me know how your day went.

As for everybody else - the only other person here that I have met is Doolittle, but overall the course seemed to be very well run. There were a few mishaps and like somebody else said quite a few loose horses, but nothing tragic. Poor Sally Cousins - she had an easy fall at a fence and her horse ran far away, she really wanted to finish on him but unfortunatly she had 3 more rides (and this was her 2nd) that she had to get ready for, the next ride being in the same division, so she couldn't remount and continue on the horse she fell from.

Funny and slightly off-topic tale from me: my car is a Matrix and I do love it, however I haven't had heat all winter. The dial is broke and stuck on cold and I just haven't gotten around to fixing it (you know how that goes - there's always something else to pay for, usually relating my horse). Now normally not having heat isn't an issue for me b/c I don't have to drive far to and from work and to the barn. However I left my home in Frederick yesterday morning at 5:30am and the temp was 32. By the time I got to Morven the temp was 28. This was my first time volunteering at Morven so I stupidly didn't realize that the Lemp building was heated, and I was there about 25 minutes early b/c I didn't want to be late. So I sat in my car and FROZE until time to go in. I went in for the jump judge meeting fully bundled up and right away had to start stripping clothing off b/c Lemp was heated. I felt like a complete idiot. However I now know better for next time!

[asterix]

Well, it is embarrassing when your HORSE tells you it is time to move up :lol:

I think we racked up our worst score ever, barring times when we've had xc jump penalties. He jumped around stadium like it was braille -- this is a horse who NEVER takes a rail (let's just review video from my muffed turn at Loudon prelim last fall, when I made him ANGLE the prelim triple bar. Clear.).

My coach declared him bored and claimed his ears were flopping sideways around the whole course. He was pretty somnolent all day -- I must have been the only person who was thrilled when a loose horse came careening around the dressage rings -- forward energy! But then the judge made us stop until horse was caught. Phoeey. He fell asleep while that was happening.

I thought he was ill but no temp, eating well, drinking, pooping, trotting off to his friends when we got home. So we came back for xc and he was pretty happy but unfocussed (remember those Easter Island heads? How many of YOUR horses spooked at those? Huh? Yeah, not on our course, not on ANY course. Still spookworthy. This from the horse who fell asleep during mayhem the day before).

All the small stuff he jumped rather "bleh" -- thank you for trotting the water and then HEAVING yourself out over the tiny log about 12 strides too early.

But the back half he finally perked up, found his OWN line to the angled skinny, happily bopped down the steps like he was doing gymnastics, and headed off for the trakhener only to find me dropping and peering at the last second. One more HEAVE over that one and the finish line found me promising, No More Trainings, I Swear. I HEAR you.
That horse is very expressive.

I am not quite ready for Prelim xc but the Pony has spoken. Schooling here we come.

[GreyDun]

Has anyone seen the final results posted?? I waited for over an hour and a half after my ride to see if I moved up... but alas... nothing was ever posted. :no:

By the way - I'm still working on my story of the weekend (I'll probably Blog about it)...

Oh, and it could it have been any colder? Ack! Although that did help in our "dressage energy."

Thank you so much, volunteers - we couldn't have done it without you!:)

[Dr. Doolittle]

I just wish it had been warmer! (And at least I had late times; the poor jump judges--Tazzie in particular--I know how that "car with no heat" thing goes :sigh: And yeah, the horse-related expenses *always* take priority! ;))

I didn't see tazzie, or Invested, or GreyDun, or mythical (Invested, what fence were you on for Training? Not that I would have been able to say howdy, as fast as we were going! :lol:)

I did see and talk to asterix, and bambam (all three of us walked the stadium course together, though bambam wasn't competing this time--but we were able to share "chestnut mare stories", and "tips for remember X-country courses" :))

Our dressage test consisted of the followng: "I'm on the bit, NO I'M NOT!; okay, I'll cooperate during this circle, but WAIT--WHAT'S THAT OVER THERE??!?! :eek: Hey, *I* know what's coming up, a transition, right?? RIGHT?? I'll just DO IT EARLY, OK? NO? You won't allow this?? Then I'll just bob my head up and down and avoid the connection--Neener, Neener!!"

:sigh: :rolleyes:

Ironically, the dressage judge who judged us *really* likes my horse (and is always generous with her scores), so I knew going in that if we could lay down a half decent test, we would probably get a pretty good score. Twas not to be on Saturday, but the judge was at least *kiind*, and we got a 38 (better than we deserved, under the circumstances ;))


(I know the scribe, and afterwards she told me how much the judge had praised my horse--I said "yes, bless her...I wish we could have given her a REASON to score us well today!" Lots of "tense and innattentive" comments on the test, no surprise :D)

We were tied for 11th out of 20 after dressage, and a lot of rails were coming down in stadium (11 out of the 20 riders in my division had at *least* one rail down!) Since we were double clear (in spite of the fact that Ms Mare was "on the muscle" the whole time, we fortunately didn't get any bad spots...Our round was: "OKAY, I'll *listen* to you, but I DON'T have to LIKE it, Fuss, Fuss" :lol:), we moved up to a tie for 9th (I guess most of the rails were pulled by those below us in the standings, though the leader, Emily Beshear, had one rail with her mare--who apparently had a LOVELY dressage test, and got a score of 24.5--she rode right before me, of course :p However, with a dressage test/score like that, you can afford a rail and still remain in first! ;))

X-country was interesting: I took the girl to the outer edge of the warmup field so that she could be away from all those "dreaded other horses", and after about 20 minutes of quiet trotting and cantering, she *finally* relaxed and focused on me...But of course I needed to jump some warmup fences, so when "back in their proximity" again, she got all worked up and silly within 5 minutes :rolleyes: (She's the ultimate Drama Queen, and was especially full of herself for this first outing of the year...:sigh:)

We were out of the start box, and right up to about 500 MPM by fence two!

mythical, that would indeed have been me galloping by ("frisky" is a good euphemism: I had bugs in my teeth! :lol:)

She got around clean, and by around the middle of the course, she had settled some, and was actually listening (we had one *ugly* fence--the big oxer around the bend and up the hill--fence 6, I believe...I was trying to re-balance her, and not getting much of a response; she got really "under" it, twisted, and deer jumped it, unseating me in the process, but I luckily was able to stay aboard, retrieve my reins, and get her "semi-back under control" before her freight-train impression down the hill to the coop in the fenceline :D) We wound up with the second fastest time in our division, and I was easing her back at the end. (I guess she probably *is* able to handle the Prelim speed, but now I need to work on getting that "rideability" back again--I had it last fall! :sigh:)

I didn't realize how much halt-halting I was having to do on course yesterday until I got up this morning, and my lower back said "you have GOT to be kidding me!!" I'm wrapped up in a Thermacare, and will take a Tylenol with codiene before heading out to teach today...I'm hoping I make it through the day without needing to just collapse to the ground for relief...next step will be a Hoveround! ;)

We wound up moving up to 6th in the standings (after several folks had refusals), though they originally had me in 5th--there was a scoring error, apparently, and they changed the board--but not before the person who was *actually* 5th grabbed the 6th place ribbon! (They told me to just take the pink one home with me :))

Okay, I hope to come home tonight to read a bunch of other reports, including asterix's (which I'm sure will be amusing--apparently the Big Guy is *SO* over Training Level stadium! "Yawn" :D)

ETA--we were cross posting!!

[toeknee]

My weekend was quite the opposite of Asterix(you should have let me know you needed some extra energy I would have been glad to send some your way:))Other then the major spring fever, we had a nice weekend. I think maybe our worst dressage score, ever but hey can't blame him for being a little excited to get out! He show jumped well and I was sure he had tired himself out well enough on Sat. that he would have no engine left for Sunday. WRONG! I was the second training ride and he basically pulled my arms out around the whole course. He was locking onto every fence remotely close by! The turn to the water was especially sticky...:) He was a good boy though and I'm happy to have the first event of the season under out belts!

Onedaysoon-your horse was beautiful and your sj round was hard to follow! Very pretty! Nice to meet you!

Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers that braved the cold for us! It was a chilly weekend, thanks for your time:)

We are off to MCTA next with lots of schooling in between for our move back up to prelim. Where is everyone else going next?

[Invested1]

I didn't see tazzie, or Invested, or GreyDun, or mythical (Invested, what fence were you on for Training? Not that I would have been able to say howdy, as fast as we were going! :lol:)

No, but you heard me. :lol:
I was fence judging the Trakhener on the Training course and that was me cheering for you at the end. :D

[Invested1]

Hey Invested! Dangit that I didn't see this, I would have asked around for you!!! Where were you and how did it go?

Hey--you actually helped me out--thanks!! :D
My friend and I were fence judging #18 on the Training course and had a question of whether someone was a stop or not. The horse had all 4 feet on the ground and (for a brief moment) lost forward momentum--that was us calling it in asking how to score it and you chimed in saying you'd seen it.
Thanks!

What were you wearing in the briefings? Wonder if I saw you?

[OneDaySoon]

Congrats Dr. D - great day for you and the pony. GreyDun - how did it go on XC?

Tazie - thank you for braving the cold weather, we saw you starting your car etc. My husband and I were stood behind you at the water when one of the riders came off at the Prelim water....mutter mutter mutter about too fast approach.

We rode in OT-A (#167) and took a bit of a big jump off Training 17a - b....I was on a big bay with blaze and wearing a green outfit...and looking TIRRREEDDDD :o when I wasn't beeming from ear to ear!!!

I called Shannon and the photographers were:
GRC
Pics of You

Lindsey - we can't wait to see your photos - especially after your LOONNGGG day in the cold weather.

Shannon says results will probably be posted tomorrow.

Asterix - glad Piko wants his mojo back ;).

I was tied for 6th after dressage, had our usual rails in stadium, Fritzy was super in XC and we tried to 'fly' as many jumps as we could which went well, but I did miss Jump 4 (I was spending so much time in XC Bliss Land I stopped focussing on the darn course)...anyway, circled back before Jump 5 to do Jump 4, and incurred 9 time penalties. Finished 10th and fairly happy for the 1st event of the year - but wow, do I need a personal trainer!!!! Dr. D. were you in OT-A?

[Tazzie]

My weekend was quite the opposite of Asterix(you should have let me know you needed some extra energy I would have been glad to send some your way:))Other then the major spring fever, we had a nice weekend. I think maybe our worst dressage score, ever but hey can't blame him for being a little excited to get out! He show jumped well and I was sure he had tired himself out well enough on Sat. that he would have no engine left for Sunday. WRONG! I was the second training ride and he basically pulled my arms out around the whole course. He was locking onto every fence remotely close by! The turn to the water was especially sticky...:) He was a good boy though and I'm happy to have the first event of the season under out belts!

Onedaysoon-your horse was beautiful and your sj round was hard to follow! Very pretty! Nice to meet you!

Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers that braved the cold for us! It was a chilly weekend, thanks for your time:)

We are off to MCTA next with lots of schooling in between for our move back up to prelim. Where is everyone else going next?


Hey Toeknee - where you the horse that !Bounced! 17b to 17c (the logs downhill before the last fence trakehner)? If so, IIRC, you were the only one!

[Aspire2JumpHigher]

I got over just a little before Dr. D rode X Country...silly mare. I'm sure everyone around me heard me yelling for her to cool her fricken jets as she fussed past me :eek: ...and then again when she spooked going by "Mr. D". :sigh:

What a mare. :rolleyes: Right after I was singing her praises too.

Everyone looked good so far as I could see...I was over at the water complex.

There was one horse that had the vet trailing after them; does anyone know if everything was okay? I heard the announcer ask the rider to hold up for the vet to check their horse. :confused:

[OneDaySoon]

Hey--you actually helped me out--thanks!! :D
My friend and I were fence judging #18 on the Training course

Invested - thank you for being out there too!!! I loved the trakehner! I was the one going by with alarm bells ringing for being so darn late to the party (or the re-routing between Jump 4 and 5)!!!

[Tazzie]

Hey--you actually helped me out--thanks!! :D
My friend and I were fence judging #18 on the Training course and had a question of whether someone was a stop or not. The horse had all 4 feet on the ground and (for a brief moment) lost forward momentum--that was us calling it in asking how to score it and you chimed in saying you'd seen it.
Thanks!

What were you wearing in the briefings? Wonder if I saw you?

Invested - I hope you didn't mind the help, even though you were downhill from me I and the person I was with had a clear view and clearly agreed on the fact that they did - just barely! - go clear! As for what I was wearing, jeans and a black jacket and bundled up seriously! I haven't been in the weather much this winter due to an injury so I just wasn't used to it! It took me til about 2:30 to adjust! Luckily the only result from the cold day is some rosy cheeks today!


We rode in OT-A (#167) and took a bit of a big jump off Training 17a - b....I was on a big bay with blaze and wearing a green outfit...and looking TIRRREEDDDD :o when I wasn't beeming from ear to ear!!!


Let me tell you - you were not the only rider that jumped into oblivion from off of 17c! If you looked at the hoofprints after 17c - they were all about 6 feet out! Jumping down that drop and down a hill all the horses flew off that 2nd drop!

There was one horse that had the vet trailing after them; does anyone know if everything was okay? I heard the announcer ask the rider to hold up for the vet to check their horse. :confused:

Now this was the one of the strangest things that happened yesterday. Again I was at 17abc for T which was next to last, and I was able to see a horse come over the bridge and go through fences 12-16 all the way to my jump, and me and the person I was with watched that horse all the way down the hill and over the last fence and pull up and trot a few steps and couldn't see anything. I'm not sure which jump judge called that in for a vet to meet them at the finish line, but I wish I knew what they saw that we couldn't! Not saying that there wasn't something that I didn't see, it was just strange overall.

[Invested1]

Invested - thank you for being out there too!!!

I had a really great time! There were even a couple funny exchanges on the Jump Judge radios (Tazzie--did you hear the exchange about the single guys? ahhahahaha)--think everyone was punchy from being up so early. :D

I was judging the last fence for each division--and let me tell you, there are a LOT of saintly Prelim horses out there!! :eek: :yes:
While we had no actual problems at the last fence on Prelim (or on Int for that matter), I can't count how many times I GASPED! ACK!!!

The trakhener on Training actually proved to be problematic for a lot of riders! I ended up helping try to catch one horse and giving another rider a leg up (hope those 2 are feeling ok today!!). And quite a few stops/runouts....

And let me tell you, I was JEALOUS yesterday--what a PERFECT day for xc!!!!

[Invested1]

Invested - I hope you didn't mind the help, even though you were downhill from me I and the person I was with had a clear view and clearly agreed on the fact that they did - just barely! - go clear!

Not at all--we wanted all the opinions we could get on that--looked like a close call and didn't want to make it the wrong way!

[toeknee]

Yup Tazzie that was us:) I had a feeling that one was gonna be interesting!

[Invested1]

Hey Toeknee - where you the horse that !Bounced! 17b to 17c (the logs downhill before the last fence trakehner)? If so, IIRC, you were the only one!

I saw that too!!! I even commented saying, "huh, I thought that was a one-stride?" :lol:
You looked great doing it though!! :yes:

[JustJump250]

Yup Tazzie that was us:) I had a feeling that one was gonna be interesting!

Toeknee, you weren't the only one who bounced the down banks! My little mare lept UP and OUT over each one- I think she landed from B about 5 inches from the log for C...she thought that was *so* much fun :lol:

[OneDaySoon]

Toeknee, you weren't the only one who bounced the down banks! My little mare lept UP and OUT over each one- I think she landed from B about 5 inches from the log for C...she thought that was *so* much fun :lol:

JustJump and Toeknee - all I remember thinking was "slip reins or die"...as we hurtled off into oblivion :eek::eek::eek:

Toeknee - thanks for the nice comments. If only my riding matched my pony's occassional good looks and generous-hearted talent. Wish I was joining you at MCTA...think I am headed back to Morven for Loudon's Prelim. YIIIIKKKKKEEESSSSSSS. How did you end up in the results? Do tell.

[toeknee]

Justjump-Yeah I know all about up and out over drops! We haven't schooled since rubicon and he is always a little, hmm shall we say, over dramatic about his drops. So as we rolled on up, I was thinking hmmm this isn't gonna be pretty! But actually it didn't ride that bad!:)(thanks for the compliment Invested!)"...as we hurtled off into oblivion

ha ha Onedaysoon, that IS what it felt like! I actually didn't stay around for the scores to be posted...18th after dressage!(yup my score was actually THAT bad:)HAHA) and then moved up one whole place to 17th after sj! We might have been bumped up a few places with our clean ride...off to see if the scores are posted yet... Good Luck at Loudon! From what I saw in sj you will be more than fine!

[OneDaySoon]

Pics of You photos are posted.

[GreyDun]

I saw mine! They're goofy... look under "Daily." I love how my lower leg tends to slide back in stadium ("to lower wind resistance," of course :D). Cady Pony seemed very intent on spooking at the jump judges...nerd! Ah well... somehow we made it around without me slithering off after one of her shies at NOTHING. I did lose my stirrup after the "skinny" in the woods (right where you turned right to the brush and then headed for home)... Way to. :rolleyes:

I think I might get one or two... I'm waiting to see GRC's pics, too... they tend to ere on the side of quantity over quality though... I wish Shannon was shooting!! I made my professional photog. bf video tape me though...figured that was more educational than a few pics.

Thank God they didn't get any of my "dressage mishap"...more on that later. I'm going to blog about it once I get the video up...tee hee.

OneDaySoon - Fritzy looks SO cute! Love him!!

What's everyone else's pics?

[yellowbritches]

So glad everyone seemed to have an enjoyable weekend. While I so totally needed the horse-free break and wouldn't have missed my Chicago trip for the world (nor would I have wanted to miss the chance for a new family story, about my mother, getting a SPEEDING TICKET, IN A U-HAUL, IN THE RAIN!!!! on Thursday...she will never live it down :lol::lol::lol:), I was still kinda sad that I didn't get to have any part in one of my favorite events, and what is basically a "home" event. However, it sounded typically Morven. Fun and rewarding!!!

[Dr. Doolittle]

Just got home from another looong day (about 15 minutes ago--what was I thinking overscheduling my day--after the first HT of the year? :p), and am sitting here with a glass of wine, enjoying all these stories ;)

Invested, I didn't hear you what with the wind blowing past my ears :lol:, but thanks for the cheers! :D Did you see my student, Joy? She was standing there watching me go over the Trakehner, and had her new baby with her (in one of those Snugglies); as I went by, I yelled out to her "we're really fast!" :lol: She used to be "chronically a little too fast" at Novice with HER chestnut mare--who is due to give birth to a foal by A Fine Romance *literally* any day now--and she is SO wanting to get back to riding and eventing, ASAP--her daughter is only 7 weeks old, but she's already Jonesing! :winkgrin:)

OneDaySoon--I was in OTB...I wish I could have seen/met you (and seen your lovely beast! :)), but good luck at Loudoun; maybe I will see you there (I will be there coaching my student with the ditchy mare at *her* first HT of the year--I would have entered myself, but have the Lucinda Green clinic a few days before, so figured I would skip that one, and do the Morven HT instead ;)) If the Prelim course at Loudoun at Morven is similar or the same as the one this past weekend, I'm thinking it will be really inviting and rideable! :yes: In any case, *good luck*!!! I'm really hoping I will have a chance to meet some of you all at some point (who I only know from the COTH BB ;))

Toeknee--:lol: It's nice to have an "exuberant horse" on X-country (though truly, I had to secretly envy asterix this weekend, with her "lazy kick-on boy" ;); I think my mare *might* have bounced the bank drop if I hadn't cranked her back before the first fence of the combo, and said "HO, dammit already!!"

It's funny that so many were so exuberant their first time out of the box! :D

Yes, pix of you have their pix up already--they got some nice ones! Looking forward to the GRC photos, and (maybe :uhoh:) to the Equivue tape I ordered..

Aspire--did you hear me yell at HRH on course? When she did that massive spook (which was actually as a result of a "dreaded other horse" galloping in the opposite direction--how DARE he?!?), I said "there's no spooking!!!!" :mad:

(I often channel Jimmy Dugan from A League of Their Own: "there's no crying; there's no crying in baseball!!"...:lol:)

Yeah, she was "on the muscle", but Mr. Dr. D is of the opinion that this indicates that there won't be the problems with making Prelim time that I had originally anticipated :D

OKay, GreyDun, since I am an "old woman who doesn't read blogs", PLEASE give us the full report--and soon! We are all waiting with bated breath! :)

[asterix]

Pics don't lie, do they?

:lol:

I just checked mine, and in EVERY SINGLE ONE (except for 5a, which got his attention briefly) my horse looks BORED out of his mind.


Ok, fine.

sigh.

loving everyone's reports so far!

[piaffeprincess98]

I think I might get one or two... I'm waiting to see GRC's pics, too... they tend to ere on the side of quantity over quality though...
Well, as someone who works for them and was out shooting all weekend, I have to disagree and am disappointed that you feel that way. We were training some new people this weekend, and I'm not sure if theirs will be posted or not, but we all work very hard.

[flyingchange]

Please don't disparage GRC. They shoot a lot of events and usually shoot a variety of fences in XC and SJ. Love their pics - they capture the moments very well and are fun to look at and, when necessary, learn from.

[Dr. Doolittle]

Pics don't lie, do they?

:lol:

I just checked mine, and in EVERY SINGLE ONE (except for 5a, which got his attention briefly) my horse looks BORED out of his mind.


Ok, fine.

sigh.

loving everyone's reports so far!


:lol:

Now there is *definitive* proof that your horse was "trying to tell you something" ;)

[Invested1]

Pics don't lie, do they?

:lol:

I just checked mine, and in EVERY SINGLE ONE (except for 5a, which got his attention briefly) my horse looks BORED out of his mind.


Ok, fine.

sigh.

loving everyone's reports so far!

I wanna see!!!!!!!! What number? :D

[asterix]

You will laugh, I promise you. 197, Seybold.
Usually he is very perky, ears up, etc. (he used to, in fact, be rather looky and wide eyed at everything). Not so much this time.
I emailed my "senior" coach (her daughter was at Morven but she was not), and told her what happened. She said "you know how I feel about how bored he is at that height"

Can someone give me a brain transplant so I think Prelim trakehener and ditch and walls look fun? Obviously this train is getting ready to leave without me.

(I should say we successfully moved up last year but I still find xc very intimidating)

[Dr. Doolittle]

Please don't disparage GRC. They shoot a lot of events and usually shoot a variety of fences in XC and SJ. Love their pics - they capture the moments very well and are fun to look at and, when necessary, learn from.

Yes, I agree--I *love* GRC!

(The one and only time I was a little dissapointed by their work was at the last Rubicon; they had some newbies, apparently, and a few of their "more experienced" photographers were shooting another HT held the same weekend...As a result, the timing wasn't as perfect as it usually is in some of the shots, but they still got several really good ones--so that time, I ONLY bought 3, instead of the usual CD-Rom of all the pix ;) They work hard at getting *lots* of shots of everyone, thereby increasing the chances that there will be some that are "just right"--depending, of course, on personal preference as to what you're looking for. I have bought photos from them at each and every HT I've ridden in, many are framed and on my walls...And their CS is great, as well :yes: Keep up the good work,
piaffeprincess!)

The one thing that I would *personally* prefer (from all photographers) are fewer "head on" shots in stadium; rarely do those turn out flatteringly (at least for most horse/rider combos ;))

[piaffeprincess98]

Yes, I agree--I *love* GRC!

(The one and only time I was a little dissapointed by their work was at the last Rubicon; they had some newbies, apparently, and a few of their "more experienced" photographers were shooting another HT held the same weekend...As a result, the timing wasn't as perfect as it usually is in some of the shots, but they still got several really good ones--so that time, I ONLY bought 3, instead of the usual CD-Rom of all the pix ;) They work hard at getting *lots* of shots of everyone, thereby increasing the chances that there will be some that are "just right"--depending, of course, on personal preference as to what you're looking for. I have bought photos from them at each and every HT I've ridden in, many are framed and on my walls...And their CS is great, as well :yes: Keep up the good work,
piaffeprincess!)

The one thing that I would *personally* prefer (from all photographers) are fewer "head on" shots in stadium; rarely do those turn out flatteringly (at least for most horse/rider combos ;))

I remember at Rubicon, I did stadium and we had a few people who had been with us all summer on XC. I can't remember who did dressage...

As far as head on shots, as a rider, I appreciate them so I can see if I'm leaning one way or if we're straight. But it is tough to get both the horse and the rider's head, especially if the rider is straight between the horses' ears. It ends up looking really weird.

[GreyDun]

Well, as someone who works for them and was out shooting all weekend, I have to disagree and am disappointed that you feel that way. We were training some new people this weekend, and I'm not sure if theirs will be posted or not, but we all work very hard.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pooh-pooh them at all, so I hope you don't take offense - I'll still be buying photos from them, and I'm sure yours were fantastic! I really do appreciate you guys taking so many pictures - they're really really educational... especially if you weren't able to drag a friend along to videotape your rides. :)

I know how the photography business works, and sometimes you get a really great person or group of people to help you shoot and sometimes you have to make due with someone with little experience (like me!). Often times, I do freelance photography for professionals, too, so I know what you have to deal with (hell, you probably had to shoot my stinky dressage test, poor thing!) In any case, I'm glad we had two photographers at Morven, and most likely I'll be supporting both of them with my check book :D

I have to say that I've gotten really spoiled over the past few years with my bf's photography & Shannon's - the dynamicism of the pictures is hard to overlook! Sometimes I forget that obviously the pictures that we see at the show are just raw, unedited proofs, not "finished products" that you'd receive afterwards.

[Invested1]

The one thing that I would *personally* prefer (from all photographers) are fewer "head on" shots in stadium; rarely do those turn out flatteringly (at least for most horse/rider combos ;))

Uhhhh, and no more butt shots. :lol:

[Invested1]

You will laugh, I promise you. 197, Seybold.
Usually he is very perky, ears up, etc. (he used to, in fact, be rather looky and wide eyed at everything). Not so much this time.
I emailed my "senior" coach (her daughter was at Morven but she was not), and told her what happened. She said "you know how I feel about how bored he is at that height"

Can someone give me a brain transplant so I think Prelim trakehener and ditch and walls look fun? Obviously this train is getting ready to leave without me.

(I should say we successfully moved up last year but I still find xc very intimidating)

OMG, he DOES look bored!!!! :lol:

[GreyDun]

Uhhhh, and no more butt shots. :lol:

I second that... :D

[asterix]

OMG, he DOES look bored!!!! :lol:

See, and you don't know him like I do, and it's STILL obvious.

I swear he is beginning to channel my dearly missed Irish horse, who was so "loud" in his emotions you could spot them from 100 meters...:lol:

[Dr. Doolittle]

Uhhhh, and no more butt shots. :lol:

I must third that, and *especially* now since I've fallen in love with FITS breeches, which (from behind) make one's derriere resemble a "rhesus monkey butt"...:uhoh:

(I noticed that asterix was wearing them in one shot of her on her youngster--I have the same ones, also in black, but just got new ones in tan for competition :) Luckily for asterix, she is petite and has a small derriere, so minimal danger of "monkey butt comparisons" :D)

[Dr. Doolittle]

Oh, and NOT TO NAG,

but GreyDun, please, give us your report!!! (Or at least a link to your blog ;))

And what about Ishi?? We have yet to hear from her!

[asterix]

Oh! Dr D, I came up behind you at the score board and actually thought "hmm, those don't look SO weird in tan..." :lol:
YOUR derriere is plenty petite as well, if I may say so.

I ADORE those britches (although one time I wore them for two jumping lessons in a row and got a rub on my kneee, so they are sort of relegated to dressage until I figure out what the deal was) but am embarrassed to admit that I bring jeans with me to the barn when I wear them. Normally I don't care about going to the market etc in britches, but those really do look sort of anatomical, don't you think??

[GreyDun]

Ahhh, I love FITS too! Did you read the Blog (http://useventing.com/blog/?p=140) from a few weeks back?

[asterix]

yes, but did SHE go to the supermarket in them???
Inquiring minds want to know :D

[Dr. Doolittle]

Oh! Dr D, I came up behind you at the score board and actually thought "hmm, those don't look SO weird in tan..." :lol:
YOUR derriere is plenty petite as well, if I may say so.

I ADORE those britches (although one time I wore them for two jumping lessons in a row and got a rub on my kneee, so they are sort of relegated to dressage until I figure out what the deal was) but am embarrassed to admit that I bring jeans with me to the barn when I wear them. Normally I don't care about going to the market etc in britches, but those really do look sort of anatomical, don't you think??

Well, thank you! :p

Yes, not the breeches that one wants to wear out in public (unless one is wearing a long coat..;)) The masses "just wouldn't understand"...

[GreyDun]

Oh, I'm going to report tonight (I hope) - I'm swamped at the office during the day since the magazine's going out today (hopefully). Since it's the first issue that I'm actually in charge of, I'm hoping I don't make any stupid typos. :winkgrin: There's a lot of hoping going on right now...

I'm putting the video up on youtube right now from the weekend and scrounging around getting ready for The Fork (by the way, there's a TON of people going! So I hope you all enjoy the Blog this weekend... hopefully it will be much more "laidback" to cover than Red Hills...). Crossing my fingers for nice weather, but I believe the forecast is calling for rain...shoot!:uhoh:

[Dr. Doolittle]

GreyDun, yes, I read that!

And totally agree with the raves--but yeah, asterix has a point about the "public display" (not that anyone looks at MY A$$ anymore, not at my age! :lol: *Maybe* the hubby...)

[GreyDun]

Well, thank you! :p

Yes, not the breeches that one wants to wear out in public (unless one is wearing a long coat..;)) The masses "just wouldn't understand"...

LOL, I totally wore mine to Carmax when I got my new car the other day... I got some pretty funny looks, because from a distance the back sort of looks like naked cheeks! I'd wear mine all day - they're SO comfy :D

[Dr. Doolittle]

Oh, I'm going to report tonight (I hope) - I'm swamped at the office during the day since the magazine's going out today (hopefully). Since it's the first issue that I'm actually in charge of, I'm hoping I don't make any stupid typos. :winkgrin: There's a lot of hoping going on right now...

I'm putting the video up on youtube right now from the weekend and scrounging around getting ready for The Fork (by the way, there's a TON of people going! So I hope you all enjoy the Blog this weekend... hopefully it will be much more "laidback" to cover than Red Hills...). Crossing my fingers for nice weather, but I believe the forecast is calling for rain...shoot!:uhoh:


Okay, something to look forward to! (Sweet, since there's nothing worth watching on TV on Tuesday nights anymore, since House and Bones went on hiatus...unless you are a Biggest Loser or "Idol" fan; count me out! :p)

Looking forward to the report, and I'm sure the magazine will be great (we should stop distracting you now with our COTH posts...;))

[OneDaySoon]

Oh, I would do anything to have anything on my body look smaller! So I ordered two pairs fo FITS...they look so small. Does anyone know if they fit small or do we just squeeze in and enjoy the results?

[Dr. Doolittle]

They are rather "form fitting", but have lots of stretch (and are snug in the right places, like the "tummy area" ;)) I find them very comfortable, and like GreyDun, wind up wearing them all day without noticing that I have them on--the only way to find out for sure if you have the right size is to try them on, obviously ;), but I suspect that you will be "pleasantly surprised"...

[GreyDun]

The FITS fit GREAT... I think they're very true to size actually. I got a small thinking they'd be a little hard to squeeze into over the winter (hehe), but actually they fit perfect - the waistline is very forgiving. And they're slimming! And comfy! You'll love them, I promise. :D You can wear them in any season (I don't know HOW but they're warm & cool at the same time. Weird.) OneDaySoon - I'm sure they'll look lovely on you - not that you need any slimming! :)

Hope you guys like the magazine - I think it's a cool issue! Oh, remind me to tell you about a funny typo in one issue...hehe...

By the way, House is the BEST (and Bones was growing on me, too)... probably the only thing worth watching on tv these days. I always did enjoy CSI and Law & Order though. Sadly our cable (that we were getting free from the landlord :)) busted so now we get NO channels... luckily you can catch episodes online though!

[mythical84]

Did anyone else see the guy on XC (probably close to 2pm) riding in the double bridle?? I'm wondering who it was.

[GreyDun]

Did anyone else see the guy on XC (probably close to 2pm) riding in the double bridle?? I'm wondering who it was.

Weird! Nope, didn't see him, although he would've been going around the same time as me.

Didn't Andrew Hoy ride Master Monarch in a double bridle at Rolex? I think Heather Morris rides Genial in one, too.

[Invested1]

Ok, a)nobody with a small butt is allowed to whine about butt shots, so you ladies all pipe down. :winkgrin: b) can someone post a link to the breeches you're talking about???

[Dr. Doolittle]

Ok, a)nobody with a small butt is allowed to whine about butt shots, so you ladies all pipe down. :winkgrin: b) can someone post a link to the breeches you're talking about???

PLEASE, Invested! (AKA, Sigourney Weaver look-alike ;))

Here is a link:

http://www.fitsriding.com/breeches.htm

I got mine from VTO Saddlery (good CS there!) You can also check out the blog that GreyDun sent a link to (about 6 or 7 posts before this one) if you want to read a "rave review"...:)

[OneDaySoon]

I want to impale myself on a pitch fork....my mindless wandering galloping between Jumps 3, 4, and 5, cost me 5 places. At least I have the F.I.T.S smaller butt to look forward to. How did everyone else do?

BTW Dover has the best price on the FITS breeches.

[Invested1]

Ok, a)nobody with a small butt is allowed to whine about butt shots, so you ladies all pipe down. :winkgrin: b) can someone post a link to the breeches you're talking about???

[Dr. Doolittle]

I want to impale myself on a pitch fork....my mindless wandering galloping between Jumps 3, 4, and 5, cost me 5 places. At least I have the F.I.T.S smaller butt to look forward to. How did everyone else do?

BTW Dover has the best price on the FITS breeches.

Thanks for the tip (of course I already bought them from VTO :sigh:, but it will help others ;))

Bummer about your little "detour" being so costly! :( You won't do that particular thing again, of course...:D

[piaffeprincess98]

Uhhhh, and no more butt shots. :lol:
I agree, but butt shots are important so we can get number shots. I try to make them tasteful when I can!

[piaffeprincess98]

Did anyone else see the guy on XC (probably close to 2pm) riding in the double bridle?? I'm wondering who it was.

Was he riding a plain bay horse with great knees over the fence? Here is who I think you're talking about? http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/ThumbPage.aspx?e=3678775&g=03HV00FF50

That horse was fancy. I heard him talking about the horse at the water jump before he rode. He was telling stories of eventing in the 70's, it was a hoot.

[piaffeprincess98]

You will laugh, I promise you. 197, Seybold.
Usually he is very perky, ears up, etc. (he used to, in fact, be rather looky and wide eyed at everything). Not so much this time.
I emailed my "senior" coach (her daughter was at Morven but she was not), and told her what happened. She said "you know how I feel about how bored he is at that height"

Can someone give me a brain transplant so I think Prelim trakehener and ditch and walls look fun? Obviously this train is getting ready to leave without me.

(I should say we successfully moved up last year but I still find xc very intimidating)
Your boy looks huge! I couldn't tell from the picture, but was he the one that stumbled out of the water over the log? I think I got a series of that.

[Dr. Doolittle]

:lol:

Indeed, asterix's horse is 17'3"!! :eek:

Yeah, he is one who is defnitely better over the bigger stuff :D

[snickerdoodle]

PP.

thats Packey. he has been around for decades. good rider. used to be he CD for CDCTA when it was held at Great Meadow. I think he rode on one of the Pan Am teams back in the day.

[GreyDun]

http://useventing.com/blog/?p=171

Here's the scoop on my weekend...complete with video. :D

Sorry, no video of the embarrassing dressage part... (none that I'll SHARE anyways! hehe).

[piaffeprincess98]

PP.

thats Packey. he has been around for decades. good rider. used to be he CD for CDCTA when it was held at Great Meadow. I think he rode on one of the Pan Am teams back in the day.
Yeah, that's what I heard, but I wasn't sure if I should post his name or not. He was talking a little about the current state of eventing too, which was interesting.

[Invested1]

http://useventing.com/blog/?p=171

Here's the scoop on my weekend...complete with video. :D

Sorry, no video of the embarrassing dressage part... (none that I'll SHARE anyways! hehe).

GreyDun--you are an AWESOME writer! Your blog had me cracking up!!

And if it makes you feel better, I TOTALLY agree with you on this point: "(is it weird that I feel more nauseous before dressage, not cross-country?)"!!! :yes:

[GreyDun]

Hehe, thanks - writing about something you love is so easy! Plus, it's probably more fun to write about the mishaps than the triumphs, oddly enough.

If anyone would ever like to share a story or their experience on the Blog, I'd be happy to post it for you! I've got a great group of people who are writing for me now, but we're always looking for new voices. :D

By the way - the only thing that scares me more than dressage and warm-up rings is... going out to the barn the morning of an event at the butt-crack of dawn and seeing my blue-eyed CREME (yes... he looks like a My Little Pony) gelding completely covered in poo. The horror...the horror.... :winkgrin:

[OneDaySoon]

Great finish GreyDun! Yeaaahhhh Cady!

GRC photos are up for several riders. Hopefully they shot all the divisions and they'll be posted soon too.

I rode in my F.I.T.S. last night for the first time (I shot myself out of a cannon to get in :eek:) and they are fantastic. Who knew that one could do sitting trot by using the proper tools :lol:!

[piaffeprincess98]

Great finish GreyDun! Yeaaahhhh Cady!

GRC photos are up for several riders. Hopefully they shot all the divisions and they'll be posted soon too.

I rode in my F.I.T.S. last night for the first time (I shot myself out of a cannon to get in :eek:) and they are fantastic. Who knew that one could do sitting trot by using the proper tools :lol:!

Where do you see them? I was looking on grcphoto.com and didn't see a link.

[GreyDun]

here ya go: http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=32041

[Dr. Doolittle]

http://useventing.com/blog/?p=171

Here's the scoop on my weekend...complete with video. :D

Sorry, no video of the embarrassing dressage part... (none that I'll SHARE anyways! hehe).

GreyDun--I *finally* got around to reading your blog/watching the video; thanks so much for sharing your (hilarious) report, and the video--your mare is *adorable*--and what an awesome jumper! Making it look easy, and so calm about it all! ;)

(I would give a body part to have my mare be that laid back about everything; especially at the first outing of the year! :p)

My student with the Conn/TB mare (a hony, a little bigger than yours--and also grey, though darker) has the same problems with "no withers=saddle slippage" :sigh:

I wish there were an easy solution to this! (Breastplates don't help much, as you have discovered...) We just have her get off and re-adjust the saddle right before going into the ring :lol:


Anyway, thanks again for the report, and great job! You two looked wonderful :)

[piaffeprincess98]

here ya go: http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=32041
Thanks, I don't know why I couldn't find that.

[toeknee]

all this talk about these F.I.T.S. almost has me talked into to spending the money for them. For some reason I find it easier to spend the big$$ on my horses-boots, bridles, blah blah stuff I already have but think I *MUST* have more...:lol:

GreyDun-I loved you blog...very fun to read. I must confess I too have a fear of warmup rings. You will find me in the grass, on a hill, in the corner, etc. trying to escape the mob. I am spoiled and ride mostly by myself at home or with someone who can pretty much read my mind, so I don't do well with others!

All the pictures are great! I love having so many chocies. I also got a email from Sunflower Studio? w/ some pictures. It is funny cause as I started my dressage test I noticed no one was in the ring next to me so the photo guy was snapping away as my horse preformed his best impression of a girafee on crack, letting me know we have done this test way to many times, he knows it and will get it done asap so we can JUMP!!:lol: Luckly, with so many pictures some nice moments were caught! Thanks picture people!