Loch Moy Anyone?

[c_expresso]

Who is going to MDHT next week and the week after? I will be there both weeks! Should be fun, I hope. If the trakehner doesn't eat me that is!!!!!

[yellowbritches]

We'll be there both weeks. Just the BFG (training) now next week (the little BN mare is knocked out with some sort of infection...we're thinking acute Lyme disease), then I ride the BFG (training) the following week and the boss will be out, finally, on the Dun One.

[tarheelmd07]

I'll be there both weeks at Training with the giant Surf Guitar, sporting our pink of course :D

[c_expresso]

I'll be there both weeks at Training with the giant Surf Guitar, sporting our pink of course :D

I will be there training too with my pink!

[LexInVA]

I'd like to go and spectate for at least one of the weekends since it's so close (under an hour drive) but I have no idea if I will be going yet. Still figuring out what is going on.

[piaffeprincess98]

I'll be there going training the first weekend and photographing with GRC the second.

[jpalisades]

I will be at loch moyII, not riding this time around. I am bringing a bunch of students to jump judge!!!

[octavian_jazz]

I'll be there the second week going prelim. I'm excited to see the new courses!

[Tazzie]

I will be jump judging all weekend both weekends.

Good luck to anybody competing!

[asterix]

I'll be at #1, BN with the giant munchkin (he appears to be growing, and must be closing in on 17h [and stocky!!], so I have been scoffed at for calling him "munchkin." He's still the smallest horse I've ever owned :lol:)

He's ready and I'm dying to get him out and get more mileage.

Hope the weather cooperates!!!

[yellow rose]

we have 4 going the 1st weekend... 6 the second. wooo! going to be crazy. good luck everyone!

[Ishi]

We have 2 the frst weekend, my young horse at Novice and I'm riding my BF's horse Prelim. The second one my BF is taking a Novice horse and I'm moving up to Intermediate. I'm not nervous yet, I'm sure it will hit me soon though! It's my first Intermediate :eek: but I'm riding a very, very, very nice horse so I think we'll be OK.

I can't wait, I really like this HT and hope everyone has a great time!

[myboyludy]

Ive got my munchkin(aka super pony) the first week hopefully as long as his leg injury isnt too bad. seems to be progressing greatly. Hes going training. Week two has the big horse going prelim

[retreadeventer]

Only the first week for me -- Surefire cured me of wanting to event in the dead of summer, it's getting harder and harder -- I sure hope it is NOT hard up there this year. I was going to try for both weekends but I am happy now I only entered one. Kind of had my fill of "disorganized new event" lately too. Hopefully this will change!

[leawoodfarm]

I'll be at #1 doing my first recognized BN. I figured it was a good one since our only problem is water and he went right through both of the waters up there at the last Short Course. The place looks really nice and the new ring is HUGE! I just hope its not horribly hot. I am really excited - especially since I have never seen my boy braided and I think he will be oh so adorable :) . Good luck to everyone!!!

[yellowbritches]

We have 2 the frst weekend, my young horse at Novice and I'm riding my BF's horse Prelim. The second one my BF is taking a Novice horse and I'm moving up to Intermediate. I'm not nervous yet, I'm sure it will hit me soon though! It's my first Intermediate :eek: but I'm riding a very, very, very nice horse so I think we'll be OK.

I can't wait, I really like this HT and hope everyone has a great time!
OOOOO!! Good luck! My jealousy is toned down by the fact that I get to ride one of my favorites. If I was standing around watching everyone else get to go gallop giant fences, I'd be a whole lot more jealous! :lol:

[yellow rose]

We have 2 the frst weekend, my young horse at Novice and I'm riding my BF's horse Prelim. The second one my BF is taking a Novice horse and I'm moving up to Intermediate. I'm not nervous yet, I'm sure it will hit me soon though! It's my first Intermediate :eek: but I'm riding a very, very, very nice horse so I think we'll be OK.

I can't wait, I really like this HT and hope everyone has a great time!

goooooo ishi!!!! we can walk the intermediate course together OK???? :) :)

[Dr. Doolittle]

Go, Ishi! :D

Very cool, and good luck!

I will be there volunteering on the 13th (bit checking), and will be back doing T with The Princess the following weekend--our last T before moving up, God Willing! :winkgrin:

I'm just hoping that she doesn't do her patented "stick at the base and jump from a standstill" at the Weldon's (brush) Wall :rolleyes:...My sister-in-law and brother-in-law (hubby's brother and SIL) are coming ALL the way down from PA *specifically* to watch me compete. (I feel compelled to give them a "good show", but even if it aint pretty, I'm figuring that they won't know the difference ;)) I just want to go clear x-country--not an issue, I don't think--and have a decent dressage and stadium. With all the stadium schooling I've been doing over the past 6 months, that should be a no brainer. (And Her Pissy Majesty seems to put in good and calm dressage tests at Loch Moy, for some reason, so I have reason to be hopeful...)

Good luck to all, and if you're riding on the 13th, I will be checking your bit; please say hello! :)

[CamsMom]

We'll be there on Sunday doing BN on the BF's horse. It will probably be our last event for a while, since Lee really does need a lot of work with dressage and stadium. He starts full time training on Monday!

I was supposed to volunteer on Saturday, but we're going to Fox Chase for a jumper show with Cam. I will probably be there volunteering bothd days the second weekend.

Good luck to everyone!

[Erin Pittman]

Steuart'll be there on the second weekend with two young horses at Novice (True Muse and Brilliant Truth). I'll be there to groom and video, as usual. :)

[nowoncourse]

I'm taking two the first weekend. Both clients' horses. One at T and the other N.

Hey Astrix... a student from our barn is also going BN also. If times work out you two should try to trailer together... save money and the environment. I'm willing to drive someone as well if my T times is close that day.

[CamsMom]

Well, it looks like we will be switching horses for this weekend. Lee went to the trainer today and since he had a total meltdown last week at Surefire, it was decided that he needs a lot of steady work before we enter another event with him. So Cam will come out of "eventing retirement" for this weekend. While dressage is not her forte, at least we know what to expect from her, and she loves stadium and XC. :)

[Catalina]

We are going both weekends and moving up to Novice :). I took Connor to Waredaca on Friday and he jumped all the Novice stuff easily and we even did some Training jumps, including a Trakehner (the first one I have ever jumped), which he cleared awesomely :D. Now, we just have to keep the rails up in stadium :sigh:.

Good luck ishi (are you riding Napa Intermediate?). I will hopefully see you on Saturday :).

[LisaB]

We'll be doing tr there since we haven't been out since the AEC's. Winston should be in full form since he's been terribly bored.

[Firefox]

Lee and I will be there on Sat doing prelim, LisaB I am sorry that I will not see you and Winston!!

[LisaB]

Going to Loudon, Firefox? I'll be there doing prelim. And my goal will be to try to beat your dr score! Ha!

[curlykarot]

I'll be there both weekends going BN the first and if everything goes well, we will move up to N the 2nd.

I was up there Sat & Sun painting jumps for Carloyn - everything looks great! She is planning to aerograte (?) /aggravate?? (Can't think of the right word!) the ground this week too.

She is still looking for volunteers! Please call her or e-mail if you can help either weekend!

[piaffeprincess98]

Got my ride times by email this afternoon. 9:20 dressage, 11:20 stadium and 11:34 XC. I'm glad I'll be done early, but we will be up pretty early to make the 2 1/2 hour trek. I haven't decided whether I will walk XC in between dressage/stadium. I did it at Surefire with a similar amount of time, so we'll see.

[LisaB]

Got ya beat Lindsay
8:44 dr time.

[asterix]

holy moly. I have 4 hours in between dressage and SJ. My poor greenbean. I wonder if I can park him on the trailer so I can walk my courses in all that time....

[bornfreenowexpensive]

holy moly. I have 4 hours in between dressage and SJ. My poor greenbean. I wonder if I can park him on the trailer so I can walk my courses in all that time....


give me a shout if you need a hand. My girl will be done before you start but I should be around for a little while before heading home. If you don't park too far from me, I can keep an eye on him. Learning to stand on the trailer is all part of the training process!

[piaffeprincess98]

Got ya beat Lindsay
8:44 dr time.

Are you in prelim or training? I'm in OT C. Yet another event w/o amateur I assume, since I put it on my entry.

[retreadeventer]

Hey I think I am in OT C too!

[Firefox]

Going to Loudon, Firefox? I'll be there doing prelim. And my goal will be to try to beat your dr score! Ha!

No it is yours to win!!! I ma not doing anything in August and thinking about five points in Sept (prelim Championships) maybe :)

[Firefox]

give me a shout if you need a hand. My girl will be done before you start but I should be around for a little while before heading home. If you don't park too far from me, I can keep an eye on him. Learning to stand on the trailer is all part of the training process!

Darn, looks like all the AR2 riders are there on Sunday and I am there on Saturday bummer no one to drink with :)

[asterix]

bornfree, thanks! I'm shamelessly scouting the parking lot when I get there-- if I can squeeze into a spot near a familiar face I imagine he can be tied to the trailer without too much drama. He's growing up fast! Now I have to figure out if Equivu will be there -- the Equivu guy LOVED my big black dog at Rubicon and I could probably, ahem, park him there while I do dressage.....
:winkgrin:

[c_expresso]

I go at 9:24 and then jump a bit later. My trainer's first ride is at 8:22 and her last is at 5:44. Can we say LONG A$$ DAY!!!!!!!!!!

[LisaB]

It looks like they stuck us all in OT-C. See you guys there!

[Catalina]

Dressage at 11:18 and then a nice loooong wait until 2:48 stadium. My trainer said to me yesterday "You don't really need me there for dressage do you?" :lol:

[Dr. Doolittle]

bornfree, thanks! I'm shamelessly scouting the parking lot when I get there-- if I can squeeze into a spot near a familiar face I imagine he can be tied to the trailer without too much drama. He's growing up fast! Now I have to figure out if Equivu will be there -- the Equivu guy LOVED my big black dog at Rubicon and I could probably, ahem, park him there while I do dressage.....
:winkgrin:


asterix, Carolyn told me that Equivue would be there (at least I know they will be there for the second one, but I imagine that they will be there for the first one too--which is great, since a shady spot to park your dog will be a good thing; it's supposed to be in the 90's again. :sigh:)

I will be there checking bits on Sunday, so will be able to wish you luck! :)

[asterix]

hmm, this is a distinct possibility....thanks, dr d!!! :D
i'll see you at bitcheck!

[KSevnter]

Can anyone who has been before tell me how far (on foot) it is from the trailer parking to the x-c and/or whether an hour and 45 minutes between D and SJ is enough time to get the XC walke?

In the alternative how early are they going to open the gates, I have one of the first rides and I am trying to figure out how to get the xc walked.

[Catalina]

They have shuttles that continuously run between parking and the show area :D. An hour and 45 minutes should be pleanty of time to walk XC.

[curlykarot]

KSevnter - XC is not that far from parking. If you happen to be parked in the furthest reaches of parking, then, yes it might be the 15 min. walk they posted on the website. But it looks like you will be getting there early, so you might just be parked closer. Parking is close to the dressage and stadium (right near the big, all weather footing ring). The XC start box is up closer to the red barn.

If you have to be there that early, e-mail or call Carolyn - she is super nice and can tell you what time the gates will be open.

[curlykarot]

I asked about parking and they said that they are trying NOT to park anyone up in the XC schooling area/ next to Park Mills Rd. They were going to try to fit everyone up top near the big ring.

[KSevnter]

Great, thank you guys for the info! I figure xc or sj are going to have to be walked before my test so that I am not completely crunched for time.

[piaffeprincess98]

I think I'm going to go up on Sat and walk the XC. I have 2 hours between dressage and stadium, but if we do get stuck at the bottom of the hill, I want to have the course already walked! I'll be there pretty early, so I hope my chances of a good parking space are good.

Anyways, I hear Rt 15 is closed? I guess the best way to go is White's Ferry? I actually Mapquested it from Stafford and it said to go 95 to 495 to 270 to 70. In the early hours on Sunday I think that it's probably going to be ok. It said it would take 2 hours, which is better than the 2 1/2 or more it would take to go through Leesburg.

[asterix]

erm, I drove all the way up rt 15 from 50 to 70 yesterday. It's fine. But 28 is closed -- the road you would take at Point of Rocks just after the bridge over the Potomac. On the MHT website they have a detour that has you turning right at I think the next road up from 28. Not sure if that's faster for you than the highway, but...

[Dr. Doolittle]

Argh, Rt. 28 is closed *again*?!?

I know they had closed it for about a year (so we had to use the detour) up until this spring; there was a bridge that was under construction, but it was finished earlier this year, and we got to Loch Moy via 28 in June...is there yet ANOTHER construction closing now???

:sigh:

GACK, what a PITA! :mad:

I guess I should e-mail or call Carolyn for confirmation of this...

[yellowbritches]

No need. It's closed. I drove up 15 to Frederick on Saturday night and saw all the detour signs. Also saw all the signs warning on the road closing several weeks ago. It is definitely closed.

Guys, if you've got a small rig, it isn't hard to get to Loch Moy via the ferry through Poolesville. Go into Poolesville, hang a left on 109, go to the light at 28, hang another left, Parks Mill is just a few miles up, past Dickerson. :yes:

[yellowbritches]

PS- Park Mill is on the right.

[Dr. Doolittle]

SH*T!!i

(:sigh: And I had SO appreciated being able to just get there via 28 in a timely fashion--the one time I went up there this year...)

[asterix]

well, it's worth at least googlemapping the detour they have on their website (MHT) -- when I drove past that next road yesterday I thought "hmm, wonder if you can get there from here..." and apparently you can. Maybe faster than the ferry?

[Dr. Doolittle]

Yeah, I did the detour 3-4 times last year (am still not comfortable taking the ferry :)), and it's *only* about 15 minutes longer from Leesburg...

Still...

(Sheesh...I got to go "the short, direct way" again the last time I was there in June, and it was such a pleasant reprieve, short-lived as it turned out to be...:rolleyes:)

[asterix]

oh, dr. d, you are just driving a car, right, to volunteer? you can take the ferry!!! I've been across there with a horse trailer! (can't for the life of me remember why, now, but...). I know someone who commutes most days that way...in nice weather, it's truly fine, i promise!!
it can't be any scarier than driving down the MHT mega-hill with 3 working trailer brakes and one sled, can it???

[piaffeprincess98]

erm, I drove all the way up rt 15 from 50 to 70 yesterday. It's fine. But 28 is closed -- the road you would take at Point of Rocks just after the bridge over the Potomac. On the MHT website they have a detour that has you turning right at I think the next road up from 28. Not sure if that's faster for you than the highway, but...

Yes, that's the road I meant, sorry. I heard the detour was pretty long.

I might time it if I go up on Sat. for my XC walk.

[curlykarot]

Yes 28 is closed at one of the littlest bridges you have ever seen.... over the littlest creek you have ever seen.:mad:

The detour is Mountville Rd. If you are coming up from Leesburg / Lucketts on 15, keep going North past 28. Take a Right onto Mountville Rd. (its at a light). Stay straight on Mountville until you reach New Design Rd. You will cross over New Design Rd. to Oland Rd. Go Straight across Rt. 85 (Buckeystown Pike) to Lily Pons Rd. At the end of Lily Pons, take a Right, and the MDHT is on your Right about 2 miles down.

The detour adds about 10- 15 min.

[Aspire2JumpHigher]

Yeah, I did the detour 3-4 times last year

(Sheesh...I got to go "the short, direct way" again the last time I was there in June, and it was such a pleasant reprieve, short-lived as it turned out to be...:rolleyes:)

Don't worry, I'll be making the trip with you as always...have no fear Girl Friday will be there!!

...finally. :winkgrin: LOL

[Dr. Doolittle]

Don't worry, I'll be making the trip with you as always...have no fear Girl Friday will be there!!

...finally. :winkgrin: LOL


:lol:

Good to hear!

You need to e-mail me, girlfriend with a confirmation of this promised help; Mr. Dr. D will be there too, surly as always...you would be a cheerful breath of fresh air ;)

(Dr. D is still too much of a sissy pants to take the ferry :uhoh:, even with a car...I'll just go the Mountville Rd. route, thank you!)

[FairWeather]

I asked about parking and they said that they are trying NOT to park anyone up in the XC schooling area/ next to Park Mills Rd. They were going to try to fit everyone up top near the big ring.

Oh thank Dog! That parking area brought out my crazy.

I'll be there, with Owners hat on, watching Green-Bean's debut with a more skilled rider, which I'm very excited about.
This pony was a project of love--a CANTER horse with terrible conformation behind, the worst feet you've ever seen (she spent over a year in boots or wraps) and two years of soundness issues.
I'm beaming that she's going to her first event!

ETA: I'm usually walking about with a giant camera, if you see me and want some pics, just let me know and I'll try my best. (I'm about 6' tall, blonde, will have a hat on, not in danger of dying of starvation anytime soon!)

[flyingchange]

Dr. D. -

You are being SILLY. The ferry is actually FUN! If you don't get caught in a long line that is (which on a weekend, you shouldn't). You can roll down your windown and look out on the peaceful Potomac. It is BEAUTIFUL! I LOVE the ferry. Make Mr. Dr. D. drive so you can just relax. It is a much better way to go than that haul over POR, etc. I have even taken a horse trailer over using the ferry - several times. And it was fine. Now that I have a GN, I am going to go the long way, but if I still had my Bevery Hill Billies number, I'd use the ferry. If I can drive up and down that driveway to the HT, you can cross using the ferry! :yes:

[Dr. Doolittle]

Dr. D. -

You are being SILLY. The ferry is actually FUN! If you don't get caught in a long line that is (which on a weekend, you shouldn't). You can roll down your windown and look out on the peaceful Potomac. It is BEAUTIFUL! I LOVE the ferry. Make Mr. Dr. D. drive so you can just relax. It is a much better way to go than that haul over POR, etc. I have even taken a horse trailer over using the ferry - several times. And it was fine. Now that I have a GN, I am going to go the long way, but if I still had my Bevery Hill Billies number, I'd use the ferry. If I can drive up and down that driveway to the HT, you can cross using the ferry! :yes:


:lol:

I'm sure you're right (and Mr. Dr. D *will* be driving, actually--but he's a more nervous driver than I am, by far! And he HATES the "hill climb", Oy! :rolleyes:, but it has never posed a problem for my 1/2 ton Burby pulling our steel Shoop rust-bucket, carrying "Tondula" ;)

How much shorter is it taking the ferry? If the time savings isn't significant, I would prefer to go the way I know via the detour (by heart at this point :rolleyes:)

[CamsMom]

If I can take my 50' school bus on the ferry without having a heart attack, you should be able to handle it with a truck and bumper pull!:winkgrin:

[Dr. Doolittle]

If I can take my 50' school bus on the ferry without having a heart attack, you should be able to handle it with a truck and bumper pull!:winkgrin:


:eek:

[asterix]

This whole thing is cracking me up.
:lol:

Let me see if I can get this straight. We are ALL warrior women, but..
I am afraid to go down the hill (to be fair, I am having equipment malfunction)
FC is afraid to go UP the hill
Dr D is afraid to go across the river.

Geez, the actual HORSE TRIAL will be a piece of cake, right?

[LexInVA]

I'll take the ferry next weekend. Who's with me? :D

[CamsMom]

Since I'm in Lovettsville it's actually quicker for me to take the detour than the ferry.

I'll be there jj'ing tomorrow and with the daughter and horse on Sunday. Of course it is supposed to be hot and humid both days!

[EnjoyingRiding]

This whole thing is cracking me up.
:lol:

Let me see if I can get this straight. We are ALL warrior women, but..
I am afraid to go down the hill (to be fair, I am having equipment malfunction)
FC is afraid to go UP the hill
Dr D is afraid to go across the river.

Geez, the actual HORSE TRIAL will be a piece of cake, right?

hahahahahaha that post was amazing. I'm actually luaghing out loud (reading while watching tv) and my aunt probably things I am crazy...

In all seriousness, good luck @ the event everyone!!

[Dr. Doolittle]

Oh Good Lord! :lol: :lol: :lol:

(i just got home and am packing tack and gear for tomorrow and tying up loose ends and e-mailing students and feeding animals, but had to check the COTH--thanks for the good laugh, asterix: "wine spew" :p)

[Firefox]

How did everyone make out!! WOW the new rings were great!!! what a huge amount of work THANK YOU CAROLYN!!! We had a good day ended up 4th overall, was second by tenth of a point after dressage,behind Sharon White, had a double clear SJ and clean XC with some time, image my surprise when I went an looked at scores (mind you opt time was 5:09 ish) and they had us doing it in 3:19 (wow that is FAST!!!) it would have left us in 2nd but I couldnt do it and told the scorers, I am sure someone else would have noticed that :) Grea tday even though it was hot once again!!!

[Dr. Doolittle]

How did everyone make out!! WOW the new rings were great!!! what a huge amount of work THANK YOU CAROLYN!!! We had a good day ended up 4th overall, was second by tenth of a point after dressage,behind Sharon White, had a double clear SJ and clean XC with some time, image my surprise when I went an looked at scores (mind you opt time was 5:09 ish) and they had us doing it in 3:19 (wow that is FAST!!!) it would have left us in 2nd but I couldnt do it and told the scorers, I am sure someone else would have noticed that :) Grea tday even though it was hot once again!!!

Great job, Firefox! :D

(And kudos on that honesty thing, too ;))

Aren't the new rings wonderful? (I can't wait to compete there next week...)

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow at bit check, and let's hope the T-Storms hold off until all riders are finished with x-country!

[tarheelmd07]

was there a photographer there today?

[piaffeprincess98]

GRC was there and will be today and next weekend.

[lilypondlane]

Carolyn has done a FABULOUS job -- the ring at the top is GInormous with another huge ring below. You could watch dressage, stadium and x-country from a big tent set up with tables and chairs and could even catch a little breeze there every now and then. By the time we arrived, the top parking area was full and they put us in a grassy spot just off to the right of the "S" curve of the driveway up to the top (really not at all scary, guys) where they cut out a wide flat spot on the side of the mountain -- backed to trees and SHADE, had our very own porta-potty, and was just a short sprint up a path to the top for the riders. Plenty of shuttles going back and forth for the spectators/helpers too. My boy was first after dressage, had some time faults stadium and x-country (he's going through a "I'm-in-charge-here" stage), amazingly ended up second, so very happy with that. Not that it's about the ribbons, but the MDHT ribbons are also fabulous. Kudos to Carolyn!

[Catalina]

I am in a state of absolute shock :eek: after yesterday.

As the others said, Loch Moy is AMAZING now. What a fabulous facility :D. Carolyn really has done an incredible job with the place and the rigs are fantastic.

Anyway, it all started at dressage. When I bought my horse last fall he was getting scores in the 40s and 50s so we have been working really hard on impulsion and learning to bend. We have been getting scores in the 30s at BN (34.2 & 39), so I knew he was improving. We moved up to Novice yesterday and so I was hoping for a score in the mid 30s. The test went well, I thought. There were a few moments where I felt he was great and a few where I was 'That could have been better', so I was comfortable thinking I had achieved my mid 30 goal. There were a bunch of REALLY nice horses in my division.

A while later I went to check the scores. As I walked up I saw a 21.6 in my division. I thought 'Wow, that's an amazing score' and proceeded to look for my name. I followed the column over, did a double take, a triple take and about ten more takes. OMG, the 21.6 was ME!!!!!!!!!! I was seriously floored. The judge LOVED Connor and we got five 7s, two 9s (one for impulsion where the judge wrote 'Yes!') and the rest 8s. There was another score of 23.7 and 27.4, so there were so really nice horses.

On to stadium where we had been having rails at BN. I walked the course with Ishi and she gave me some pointers and when my trainer warmed me up, I really worked on getting a GOOD canter. I was nervous as heck and my trainer and Ishi kept telling me to relax. Well, it worked and Connor was amazing and we got a clean round (one of only a few in my division, it turned out). He was just powering over the jumps and I was trying really hard to sit up and leg and he responded in kind.

The XC course was lovely with a nice flow and several interesting questions, like a faux Trakhener and a log carved like a horse coming out of the water. At BN, Connor was always good at XC, but he didn't really come to life until several jumps into it. I was expecting that yesterday, so I trotted out of the box expecting to have to encourage him over the first few jumps. Ummmm, NOT! He took one look at jump 1 and exploded into action. He proceeded to chew up and spit out the rest of the course and we crossed the finish line with 30 seconds to spare (I had to trot between the last two jumps and go wide through the finish flags to kill time because he has such a huge stride).

And, WE WON!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D I am still in a state of shock and on Cloud 9000 over the incredible horse that I own. I LOVE MY HORSE!!!!!

I hope everyone else had a good weekend :D.

[Jleegriffith]

Catalina- I remember last year when you were struggling with the decision to sell your other guy b/c x-country didn't seem to be his thing. I am so happy to see you having fun again and gaining confidence as you go. Major Congrats!

Firefox- Wow, you are on a roll this season! You make an awesome team. Are you going to the AEC's?

[Firefox]

Catalina- I remember last year when you were struggling with the decision to sell your other guy b/c x-country didn't seem to be his thing. I am so happy to see you having fun again and gaining confidence as you go. Major Congrats!

Firefox- Wow, you are on a roll this season! You make an awesome team. Are you going to the AEC's?

Great job Catalina!! Thanks Jess, Lee was awesome! and no we are not going to the AEC's just too expensive for fuel, I think that we are going to go to Five Points instead and do the prelim Championships

[yellowbritches]

Nice thing about getting up at 4:30 for one horse is that you're done EARLY! We left at noon today! :lol:

Our training rider on the BFG did exactly what he hoped for...he finished. Horse and rider are a bit rusty, and I think he was in that funky pre-move up mindset where the novice looks ridiculously easy but the training looks HUGE. :lol: They did an ok dressage test with an unremarable score, had an ok sj with one rail (and an occasionally very forgiving horse), and got around xc with a couple of silly stops. The BFG proved his honesty at the trakhner. He spooked BIG time at the stone dust that was laid around the trakhners (very, very typical move on his part. He's genuine at the jumps, but an ass in between), and ended up stopping. Second approach he eeked to a trot, giving the ol' hair eyeball to the stone dust, then slithered over the substantial trakhner, from a western pleasure type jog!!! :eek: Can we talk about honest??? The other decent questions, the corner and the brush and ditch he did without any problems. They had some other issues...in fact, we debated on whether he actually go 4 stops, but did not get pulled off the course...we have no idea (one "stop" was a shuffle dance on top of the bank, so might not have been counted. We were too far away to see if he stepped back). Was a great course, but more of a prep for prelim than a training move up. Very doable, though, and the rider had a great time, came off the course beaming and with big pats for his pony! :D

We definitely have homework to do, but it is more about teaching his dad how to come out of the box meaning business and GALLOPING on. At novice, the BFG can lope around and easily make the time. He now needs to learn how to boogie. Thankfully, in a couple of weeks when we move, his dad can quit being a weekend warrior and ride as much as he wants. I'll attempt to get the gallop button established next week when I get to ride there, and by Loudoun, they'll be hard to beat! :yes:

This is the first time we've been to MDHT since the little party they had before their first ever event. Wow!!! The boss and I kept looking at each other and saying "Menfelt." It had that type of vibe, from the great little schooling field, to the beautiful rings, to the fantastic courses. Fantastic! The footing, always our number one concern, was absolutely beautiful, with nice thick turf that was extremely well arrovated. Extremely well run, at least early in the morning while we were there, with very helpful volunteers (thanks Volunteers!). Big time kudos from our crew. This might just be a "must do" event for us! :yes:

[Ishi]

We had a HOT, but great time too. I hadn't seen all the new stuff before Friday and all I can say is it looked awesome!!! The courses were great, the rings, parking, everything, it was so incredible.

My 5 year old did (hopefully!) his last Novice, he was in first after dressage, but we had a rail in stadium, then clean and clear cross country. We ended up in 3rd and I was very happy with him, he's such a neat young horse!

My borrowed prelim horse had an exciting dressage test, who needs a med canter when you can buck and kick and squeal your way around a 20 meter circle instead?! Needless to say, that test put us close to the bottom, but he was clean and clear in stadium, and clean cross country with some time, which was perfect. I had a blast on him and can't wait for next weekend's BIG move up! I already scoped out some of what we think is going to be on th Intermediate course next Saturday and I so so excited!

I got to hang out with Catalina, but I missed her amazing dressage test, I would have loved to have seen that! So today we had off and tomorrow we start back up. Hopefully next weekend's dressage test will be a little more subdued, although I'll probably be the jazzed up one, I can't wait to get out on that cross country course! Can't wait to hear how everyone else did today!

[LexInVA]

Next weekend should be fun. :)

[myboyludy]

Well since we are sharing our weekend I join! I must say Ive never been to MDHT but ill be there again! Great course and lovely facility! My up and comer did training today and with a usual forrest test landed in the 3rd to last spot dressage> We are always there.. with a 46.3. It getting better slowly, BUT!!! He sj like a star, I cant say he was ridable the whole time but tried his heart out to jump clean and did! Only the senconnd time ever to do so! And xc he can in about 31 sec fast.. OOPPPSSS! We werent even going fast but Ive gotten real good at shaving turns and galloping straight to a jump and turning 3 srides out to save the dear boys legs! Well long story short... He finished 3rd! He got his first ribbion! IM SO PROUD! Next week I load up again and head back with the prelim horse!

[piaffeprincess98]

Well, I rode training today. Compare to Surefire, I thought the stadium was HUGE (maybe since it was on a flat surface?) and the XC was definitely bigger. Saw LisaB who had a good dressage apparently and one stop on stadium, but otherwise, Winston had his knees up to his eyeballs.

Anyways, our dressage judge was quite tough, we got a 37 for third place (first was like, a 36 or something), for what I thought was a better test than our Surefire test. Oh well, she seemed concerned that his poll was too low, but he was going very pleasantly to me. I'll show my dressage trainer/judge the test tomorrow and see what she thinks. He was pretty steady, which I guess gets good marks and makes up for a lack of lengthening in trot and decent, but not fabulous gaits. He was being so silly and spooking at the bluestone clicking against the white plastic ring. Typical him.

I was particularly nervous for stadium since it seemed big to me and there was no room for error at some of those combinations. We did a couple warm up fences and just went in. I rode more forward than Surefire and it paid off. He actually kicked out over the first three fences like a jumper, it was so strange. I guess he's got bionic hocks now after his OCD surgery. My dad said the stadium judge laughed at his antics and everyone chuckled at his name. Anyways, we only had one rail at a blue combination at the end of the course, he just rubbed it. One rail is pretty amazing for this horse.

Cross country was good, we rode very well to the first 8 fences, very positive and forward, he was loving it. At the trekhener, I rode a little backwards since I thought he might look. I wanted to wake him up a bit and I held on a little too long, so he did look of course, but jumped it, albeit a little short. Of course, GRC was there to get photos of me over it!

The little corner in the woods was a good question, I liked it, but rode it a little bad. It was to the right, and he tends to lean that way, so again, got over it, but awkward jump. The ditch and wall he jumped right out of stride even though I'd never done one in competition.

The last water was good down the bank, but I kept my upper body a little forward on landing and so we jumped up the lip of the water and got a yucky distance to the chevron out. It was ugly, and of course, I will have a photo of it! We finished under the time and ended up in first! Not totally deserving (only the stadium I thought), but still pretty cool.

Overall, the yucky fences we had were a good wake up call about my upper body position and something to work on at home. We've done a thousand trekehners and skinnies, but not for awhile. He saves my butt from time to time, but he is great for practice with my greenie, who will probably not be as forgiving.

I liked the new rings, they were just a little hard, but I know they'll need time to settle. We were parked in what my dad and I called "the ghetto", down behind stadium with about 5 other bumper pull trailers. We couldn't see or hear anything! But it was still closer to everything than most events.

So I will be there next weekend with GRC. Good luck everyone!

[yellowbritches]

It WAS a lot bigger than Surefire. After walking the course today I decided my ambition for the Young One to go training (he ripped my arms out at novice) is a little over ambitious. He would have tried his heart out out there today, but I think he would have been shell shocked. He'll stay at novice a little longer. :yes:

I LOVED the xc course, though. It looked like a blast, with lots of REAL galloping (our rider's first time experiencing a real, galloping course), big, bold, forward riding fences, and lots of good questions. I'm looking forward to next weekend. Well, the dressage and xc part. Show jumping always turns my stomach a little, but I trust the BFG and as long as I ride forward and keep my shoulders open, we should have a nice round. :yes:

Congrats on all the good rides! Can't wait for next week!!!

[Firefox]

.

My 5 year old did (hopefully!) his last Novice, he was in first after dressage, but we had a rail in stadium, then clean and clear cross country. We ended up in 3rd and I was very happy with him, he's such a neat young horse!

My borrowed prelim horse had an exciting dressage test, who needs a med canter when you can buck and kick and squeal your way around a 20 meter circle instead?! Needless to say, that test put us close to the bottom, but he was clean and clear in stadium, and clean cross country with some time, which was perfect. I had a blast on him and can't wait for next weekend's BIG move up! I already scoped out some of what we think is going to be on th Intermediate course next Saturday and I so so excited!!

Ishi, was that you park beside us, we put up the tent to sit in the shade?? I figured not everyone had a prelim horse that bucked and then a nice novice horse, small world!! Have fun next weekend!!!

[Dr. Doolittle]

FILTHY, actually--at least prior to my shower--it took a lot of time and effort to scrub it all off :p

Just wanted to say congrats too *all* the COTHers who competed--it seems as though everyone kicked butt and had a great time :D

A good dressage test was had (on their greenbeans) by asterix (DANG, woman--apparently you need to re-adjust your dressage goggles :lol:), yellow rose, and Steve--don't know how they fared in the jumping, since I left after havng a beer, walking the T and P courses, and checking the scoreboard--but hopefully they didn't have to jump in the T-Storms that I drove home in! :eek:

flyingchange had an interesting dressage experience, which I'm sure she will report on; good jumping, though ;)

I MUST go to bed now; these 4:30-5:00 wakeup calls (two days in a row) have taken their toll on me...(Being old sucks :sigh:)

[FairWeather]

Sadly most of Beginner novice was cancelled due to the storms. WAHHHHH!

Pony only got to do her first dressage. We stood tacked for two hours, and it just never cleared.

WAHWAHWAHHHHH. So sad, the course was lovely (if big!)

[Ishi]

firefox, small world, that was us! I don't know who was parked between us, she was super nice too. We had so much fun, and thank you so much for the shade, after you guys left we hung out moving our lawn chairs :lol: I think we are going to get a tent for next weekend, that was awesome and your hubby was so nice too!

[retreadeventer]

Firefox did great! That's wonderful.
Training was what everyone said it was. Big. square. tough. I survived and missed the storms too, left while it started getting black! Got one drop of rain on the windshield on the way home and no back up at the bridge either!

[c_expresso]

The training show jumping was HUGE. And tough because it was like a jumper course, all those bending lines to combinations were related distances. My horse was a star for the first 6 jumps and then was a sheeeet head in the stadium but he was freaking AWESOME XC... except that I got lost in the stupid woods! I thought that the first water at 10 was a little out of the way... it would have been easier to go from the trakehner to the woods. But anyway, we jumped the HUGE scary ditch and wall... my horse was goooood, and it is my new fave event! Can't wait to take it on next week.

[piaffeprincess98]

The training show jumping was HUGE. And tough because it was like a jumper course, all those bending lines to combinations were related distances. My horse was a star for the first 6 jumps and then was a sheeeet head in the stadium but he was freaking AWESOME XC... except that I got lost in the stupid woods! I thought that the first water at 10 was a little out of the way... it would have been easier to go from the trakehner to the woods. But anyway, we jumped the HUGE scary ditch and wall... my horse was goooood, and it is my new fave event! Can't wait to take it on next week.

Yeah, I agree, after the waters especially I had to remember where I as going. I had to search for the last fence after the second water. Did you get time penalties while being lost?

Too bad about BN. I'm wondering next year when my greenie is going BN if I will even compete in the summer. Most time the BN goes in the heat of the day and can often get caught with those nasty summer afternoon storms.

[leawoodfarm]

Yesterday was great - except for the storms. I took my guy BN. Dressage wasn't one of our best- a little stiff but okay. Left us in the middle of the pack. SJ was great and FINALLY iI didn't get eliminated or have a stop at the water XC. I was the second to last rider to go before the storm. I am pretty bummed out since my XC doesn't reflect in the scores and I know the person who is listed as first actually was eliminated XC - it would have moved me up in the standings. But oh well, it was a great day and a great learning experience for my youngin. Great job to everyone on here - it seems like everyone did great!!

[LisaB]

Yeah, everything was great for Winston. I though, decide to have a whole new type of brain fart. Winston took down his guard because I finally didn't get an error in dr. He thought I had my act together. Ha!
In stadium from fence 5 to 6a, there's a broken line, 2 strides to a 1 stride. The course was so easy that I just let my concentration go down and give him absolutely no hope of getting 6. Last minute, oh! Turn, I even lean in to the right, just so I knock him off balance. I swear he looked back at me and called me an a-hole.
Then I did the same exact thing to the 2nd water, drop in turn left this time. Gave him no hope! Poor Winston has to put up with me. Anyway, course was too easy for us and I just start noodling around. So off to prelim at Loudon for us! Maybe then I won't mess around.
The dr judge did grade tough but I was placed 2nd so I thought that was about right in the placing and she said all the right things.
Was anyone else really happy to see the x-c wasn't all fru-fru decorated this year? I love that it looked more traditional and was more galloping.
And wow! Those arenas and 2 waters? Jeez! Truly impressed!

[flyingchange]

Man, I just saw that most of the BN did not get to jump. That SUCKS! I am SO sorry!

I have to say, that I talked to asterix after her dressage, and she was all "it was a bad test, he wasn't forward, I needed a whip, blah blah blah ...." And then they scored a 20 something. Mmm, hmmm... asterix. I think you are a little MODEST! Or a BS ARTIST!!!! But I am hating it for you that you didn't get to jump. Bleh.

I just want to give a shout out to Dr. Doolittle, who was doing bit check in the dressage rings. All day. And it was rather hot and dusty. This after doing at CT at Prelim on Saturday.

I saw the Training SJ and I am glad I'm not the only one who thought it looked rather big. Looked like a championship T course. The one stride seemed to be very difficult for many pairs. Was it set long or short? Did the fence before it cause problems getting to it? Was it that it was across the diagonal of the arena? It seemed to get a lot of people. Training XC - I would not have wanted to move up a green horse or rider there. It was quite big in parts. So for those who did that, give yourself a pat on the back!!!!

Oh, can I say what a nice guy Boyd Martin seems to be? Every time I would pass him or he would pass my trailer, he would say "hi!"

Yeah, our dressage warm up was exciting. Poor Lucy had a meltdown during it. It was just all too much stimulation for her. I ended up taking her back to the trailer to let her catch her breath. I also needed to check a cut she had on her leg from hitting herself during he meltdown. It was fine - just superficial. Went back to warm up and handwalked her and ended up going in and doing the test just fine. Sigh of relief. It would have been a first to have gotten all the way to the HT only to go home because my my mare was having a hystrionic.

She jumped great, despite having a flailing ape on her back, in the SJ. And XC she seemed to get her groove on. I was worried about the light to dark question at fence 8 going into the woods. We slowed down on approaching it - to a trot - and she was fine. Good girl! After coming out of the woods she seemed to think she was GI Jane and galloped the remaining fences fine. We did walk into the water ... once she felt that the footing was good, she broke to a trot and popped the out fence great. Then galloped the last fence quite confidently.

It had been some time since I had done BN. What fun it is (the jumping). The dressage - well, some day I will grow to enjoy it. Maybe.

[curlykarot]

Well, I was one of the BN riders who got rained out :( I am bummed. I was in stadium warm up when they held the show. I really didn't hear any thunder until after 5pm - they held the show arond 4:15ish - was there thunder at that time? If not, we really could have ridden in that rain.

We had a much better dressage test this time too! Surefire's dressage wasn't that good, but this test was much better - I got a 35.

A big THANKS to all the volunteers for a great weekend otherwise - Dr. Doolittle, thanks for being at the dusty bit check and being patient with my trainers big warmblood mare! I didn't realize that was you - I'll say hi next time! And I know Tazzie was there being jump judge extraordinaire!

Congrats Catalina! I just have to say... I hope I'm not in your novice division next weekend! ;) Treasure just learned how to pay attention thru a whole test AND keep his head down for a whole test this weekend - not sure we can compete with a 21 next weekend!

[OneDaySoon]

Come on Asterix, fess up with that stunning dressage test. Where is she? No excuses now, we don't want to hear about going up or down the hill or anything else....just bask in the glory of a job well done.

I am so envious of all the fun you guys had over the weekend - we're in recovery and wait-and-see mode for the rest of the year. Anyway, sounds like the MHT facilities are quickly becoming a really big draw.

BTW, how come BN didn't get to jump? Weather? What a shame.

Congrats to all the ribbon winners!

[snickerdoodle]

What was with all of the TE's, especially in Training. One division had 3 and the other had 4.

[curlykarot]

What was with all of the TE's, especially in Training. One division had 3 and the other had 4.

I know in the case of 1 training rider, she missed the water. The training track followed the prelim track almost the entire way, except on the training track you went to the water before the woods. On the prelim track, you went to the woods before the water. I didn't walk it, but heard that it made more sense if the track had gone to the woods first, then the water.

[yellowbritches]

I saw the Training SJ and I am glad I'm not the only one who thought it looked rather big. Looked like a championship T course. The one stride seemed to be very difficult for many pairs. Was it set long or short? Did the fence before it cause problems getting to it? Was it that it was across the diagonal of the arena? It seemed to get a lot of people. Training XC - I would not have wanted to move up a green horse or rider there. It was quite big in parts. So for those who did that, give yourself a pat on the back!!!!
Both the combos and the three stride line walked in perfect strides, at least for us. I think maybe the approach to the one stride was tough for some riders. We had our rider jump the left hand side of the vertical before it to start getting out so he could get turned back in (it made sense walking it, but it doesn't translate well in writing).

Not knowing what to expect of the course, we did move them up there (the horse has been around training with me, but its been awhile). We don't regret it. It could have gone a lot better but for a weekend warrior who rarely gets to ride more than two days a week, I say it was not bad. It WILL get better, and, like I told him yesterday, no training course will look that tough again...it had a lot of BIG rider frighteners, but rode really, really well.

[ZEBE]

I was a jump judge for the hairy, scary ditch and brush but was sitting in the bed of a truck between it and 9 (the trakaener). There were MANY TE's on Training Levelel because several riders turned immediately after 9 and went right into the woods - jumped #11 and missed #10- water complex all together.

Some great riding out there! but that da()*&)*&m ditch and wall is one of the reasons I've avoided riding training there at MHT :-) ! (Although my horse has jumped it with my trainer last year when I couldn't ride :-)..

BC-K

[piaffeprincess98]

My trainer and I thought the 1 stride in training SJ was quite long. What really bothered my non-riding dad was when we saw people riding training SJ flapping all over the place, getting horrible distances, etc and their horses jump clean! He said Sam and I looked very composed but still had the unlucky rail.

Dr D., where you bit checking on Sunday all day? The lady who checked mine insisted (not nastily though) my snaffle was on backwards, but it just has a slight kink on one side which is meant to be put on the stiffer side.

[Dr. Doolittle]

Well, I didn't even realize (until after the fact) that I spent all day with a delightful fellow COTHer, Classic Melody! (She PMed me after reading the thread about "tales from the filthy"; she was comparing us to coal miners :yes:, I thought we also resembled Pigpen from Peanuts, with our shoes trailing dust behind us! :p We had a good time talking horses despite the conditions of our "downwind of the bluestone monsoon bit check station", though, and I am always glad to have a chance to help out if and when I can.)

(We were both "giggling like schoolgirls" whenever we got to see the adorable and friendly Boyd Martin; competing to see who would check his bit; fortunately he rode several horses, so we got to see much of him ;))

Anyway, piaffeprincess (a *big* congrats on your win, BTW! :D), I think that was me inspecting your bit (which I usually did from the right side, since I'm right handed), and indeed, your bit had "two different sides" (when you told me, I checked the other side, and sure enough, the other side was "normal". Please tell me more about this type of snaffle, since I--among many others--have a horse who is stiffer to the right, so who could probably benefit! ;) Alas, I have had to tell many a student that their snaffle bit is in backwards when I come to give them a lesson, so am a bit sensitized to this; but of course I guess it just proves that they clean their tack frequently, and don't pay attention when they put it back together :p)

I agree with those who thought the T course was on the stiff side; can't wait to ride it next weekend (thought the P course looked rather intimidating; certainly not a "move up" course, despite what Yellow Rose might say :winkgrin:) I talked to one of the JJes when I was walking it, and she confirmed what others have been saying about the TEs where riders missed the 2nd water complex (with STEEP banks!); the course did go at a rather odd angle there, so it will be interesting to see what they do with it next week. I'm thinking they might reverse the track??, or maybe move some of the portables? The Trak and the brush and ditch (:eek: I just have to KICK her to it, dammit!), can only be jumped from one direction, so that will determine the track to a large extent...I wasn't able to see much of the T stadium course from where I was (watched maybe 6-8 rides), and yeah, some people got into trouble at the bending line to the one stride, and also at the longish three stride with the yellow oxer. (You needed to go FORWARD!) The big gray oxer rode long, but well for most, and the final line (planks to a two-stride) rode well IF riders balanced their horse up to the planks on the turn; otherwise they got a nasty chip (or oogly long spot) to the planks, and messed up the distance to the two stride, which otherwise rode nicely.

flyingchange, luckily you got to jump :yes:, and the girl was good! She will probably be even better next week, since hopefully the dressage will be less scary for her. ;)

BIG bummer that the inclement weather wound up preventing the BNs from jumping around that neat course...:sigh: SO sorry on your behalf, and I only hope that at least some of you are entered next week, and that the weather cooperates for us so that everyone gets a chance to complete. (It looks like more 90's for the next 6 days...UGH! :()

Great venue, and hats off to Carolyn and Co! :D

[LisaB]

I didn't realize you were bit checking dr d! A young lady did mine and my horse was spooking at her clipboard. Was that you?

[old_grey_mare]

Soooo disappointed!! My daughter was one of the cancelled BN's. She was hoping this would be her first successful event with our greenie---and first recognized event EVER. Last schooling show landed her on the ground after too tight a turn in sj and couldn't make the fence. Lots of greenie errors (on both parties). We drove 4 hrs to get there and we weren't going to toss in the towel quickly. We sat out the rain as well and were just devestated by the cancellation. That is alot of $$ in entries/gas/dog boarding for a dressage class. I guess it was good experience---the pony was good for her and not a basket case---very relaxed. Just so dissappointed in the end. Don't know why they couldn't have done SJ as the thunder didn't come for a long time.

Ugh:mad:

[piaffeprincess98]

Dr. D, I'll have to check on the bit brand/name, but it's just a single jointed snaffle with a kink on one side which can be turned up side down and reversed if your horse is stiff to the left! I think it's a KK but I'll check.

I knew you recognized me from jump judging at Surefire, so I thought I might recognize you if I knew where you were volunteering. Now I have a sort of clear picture of you. Blonde hair right? It was an early morning....

I thought the bench on training XC at fence 7 (with the bank afterwards) was interesting. The landing side was shaped like a roll top, so I'm betting this weekend the training will go up the bank and over the roll top. I thought it was a creative idea for a fence.

[Dr. Doolittle]

I didn't realize you were bit checking dr d! A young lady did mine and my horse was spooking at her clipboard. Was that you?

:lol: No, that must have been Suzanna; SHE was the "young lady" bit checker (I was the "old lady" bit checker :p) Plus, I didn't take the clipboard with me when I was checking bits--just my "gloved hand", which many horses were taking exception to; I think it put them in mind of veterinary procedures--after awhile I started hiding it under my shirt...;)

So sorry about your experience, old_grey_mare; obviously we can't control the weather, but it would be nice if there were some sort of compensation possible when these "acts of God" prevent us from being able to compete, since people work so hard, pay so much, and travel so far to compete in this sport...:sigh:

[Dr. Doolittle]

Dr. D, I'll have to check on the bit brand/name, but it's just a single jointed snaffle with a kink on one side which can be turned up side down and reversed if your horse is stiff to the left! I think it's a KK but I'll check.

I knew you recognized me from jump judging at Surefire, so I thought I might recognize you if I knew where you were volunteering. Now I have a sort of clear picture of you. Blonde hair right? It was an early morning....

I thought the bench on training XC at fence 7 (with the bank afterwards) was interesting. The landing side was shaped like a roll top, so I'm betting this weekend the training will go up the bank and over the roll top. I thought it was a creative idea for a fence.

Yes, that would be great, thanks! :) (PM me?)

At Surefire, I recognized your name and your horse's name, so knew to look for you when you went X-country--I fell down on the job yesterday I guess! :p

Yes, I am blonde, though it is graying out (looks like blonde, though! ;))

Good insights on the T course; I can't wait to take a gander at it!

We STILL haven't heard from asterix, whose baby was an extremely good boy, and who earned a *very* impressive dressage score of 26; she apparently has "dressage dysmorphia" along with bambam...:D

[asterix]

A good dressage test was had (on their greenbeans) by asterix (DANG, woman--apparently you need to re-adjust your dressage goggles :lol:),

Ok, ok, I SWEAR I thought he was just sort of poking along and not really using himself, transitions decent but boy he can put out good trot-canter transitions when connected...

and then, yeah, ok, ok, I got a 26. From the dreaded judge with two last names , to boot. She LOVED him. You know, one of those tests where you think "hmm, he came a little above the bit there, oops" and the judge writes "above bit" and gives you a 7. Yeah, that kind of test.


But, kids, what is wrong with this sport when that score put me in 3rd place???
We are becoming DQs!

I am SUPER bummed I didn't get to jump, but the munchkin gets huge props for going to his second HT ever, first off the farm, and behaving like a complete trooper; steady and relaxed in both d warmup and d, on and off and on and off the trailer (including 2 hours with tack and studs, in the rain, eventually ALL BY HIMSELF in the lower parking area bc I was afraid to drive up the hill with my wonky brakes).
He's gonna be a heck of an event horse, I mean husband horse.

And, people, that Training SJ was HUGE HUGE HUGE. I just got done doing more than one prelim SJ on my big horse that were smaller than that course. Geez!!!!

[yellowbritches]

OK. People have to stop talking about how big training show jumping was. I'm starting to get freaked out about this weekend!!! :eek::lol:

Why is that I have no qualms about galloping down to a big ass table on cross country, but the thought of cantering down to a oxer of equal proportions turns my stomach?!? :lol:

[bornfreenowexpensive]

OK. People have to stop talking about how big training show jumping was. I'm starting to get freaked out about this weekend!!! :eek::lol:

Why is that I have no qualms about galloping down to a big ass table on cross country, but the thought of cantering down to a oxer of equal proportions turns my stomach?!? :lol:


you'll be fine. It just looked big because of the ring (very level nice ring). When I walked up to it I didn't think it was big at all. My mare clocked around it like it was 2'6"...it was nothing to her. You will be fine, just ride forward.

[Classic Melody]

:lol: No, that must have been Suzanna; SHE was the "young lady" bit checker (I was the "old lady" bit checker :p) Plus, I didn't take the clipboard with me when I was checking bits--just my "gloved hand", which many horses were taking exception to; I think it put them in mind of veterinary procedures--after awhile I started hiding it under my shirt...;)



Yes, that was me, early in the morning before I figured out it was best not to approach with clipboard! It was so fun hanging out with Dr. D and everyone, even in the horrendous dust.

[oreo]

you'll be fine. It just looked big because of the ring (very level nice ring). When I walked up to it I didn't think it was big at all. My mare clocked around it like it was 2'6"...it was nothing to her. You will be fine, just ride forward.

Yes - I agree. MDHT is beautiful. Don't worry - stadium will ride great.

I don't agree it is a hard XC course. You have to pay attention into the water and towards the end of the course when you go into the woods, but it is not a maxed out course.

Oh - and also look for the entrance from the road - easy to miss when trailering!

And lets support a whole new HT and a lady who has put gobs of money and time into making it work. I admire her no end!

[asterix]

er, bornfree, would that be your mare ridden by, um, BOYD? Cause, you know, when one of us mortals is riding a big SJ course, we can create problems all by ourselves.
Just sayin'
;)
Sorry I missed you -- I was late for dressage, as usual, and then went back down to the Lower Kingdom for a while....

[LisaB]

I'm glad you guys thought the tr course was huge. I thought it was easy and hence, my brain farts.
Yellow, it all rides really well.
Both courses, you square up your turns and ride forward through it all and you'll have it.

[Tazzie]

Congrats to everybody that competed this weekend! I was there all weekend long. I was jump judging 6ab for Prelim, 10ab for Novice, 17ab for Training (2nd water), and 13 for BN. We got through half of the division for BN. BN ran from 2pm-6pm and we closed down around 4ish. Almost exactly half. It sucked that we didn't make it through BN - there were 3 from my farm to compete that afternoon that didn't get to go.

Throughout the day I heard such wonderful things about the courses - stadium and xcty. Between overhearing conversations of those walking their courses and talking to people that would stop by my jumps and watch for awhile, people seemed really happy about the flow and questions on the courses. In fact, to be completly honest, I didn't hear a single complaint!

piaffeprincess98 - I was with Ralph from GRC during BN at the 2nd water. He is a very cool guy! I knew you were coming through by the way he was acting, and he cheered you on after the chevrons and was all smiles!

[c_expresso]

Yeah, I agree, after the waters especially I had to remember where I as going. I had to search for the last fence after the second water. Did you get time penalties while being lost?

Too bad about BN. I'm wondering next year when my greenie is going BN if I will even compete in the summer. Most time the BN goes in the heat of the day and can often get caught with those nasty summer afternoon storms.

Yeah I had time... LOL I was cantering blindly through the woods.... quite funny.

SOOOOOOO who's gonna be there next weekend? I am... hopefully will finish on my dressage score! It is my goal. No matter how crappy the dressage score!:cool:

[flyingchange]

Rafferty does get a blue ribbon for being such a good boweeeeeee, especially since all he got to do was dressage.

Oh, and I agree totally that the place is da bomb. It was super nice the first year and it has gotten even better. Training - well, I didn't ride it, but from what I saw from the ground, it looked quite substantial! Which does not mean "bad," but just that it looked like a big training. One that needed to be ridden with a suitcase full of confidence. No negativity intended in that comment!

[c_expresso]

Rafferty does get a blue ribbon for being such a good boweeeeeee, especially since all he got to do was dressage.

Oh, and I agree totally that the place is da bomb. It was super nice the first year and it has gotten even better. Training - well, I didn't ride it, but from what I saw from the ground, it looked quite substantial! Which does not mean "bad," but just that it looked like a big training. One that needed to be ridden with a suitcase full of confidence. No negativity intended in that comment!

Yeah I don't see how anyone could say it was anything but a solid training course. Even my trainer thought it was tough. A fabulous course, but tough. The first two jumps were big tables, down a hill, which was hard enough, and then the angled two stride with substantial sized benches was a tough question especially early on. At the first water, the jump out, bending three strides to the log was not simple either. The course was mucho fun though!

[Fergs]

So, those of you who rode at MDHT #1, what was the ground like? Hard? I hear they do a good job of aerating but am curious as to what folks thought. The ground is pretty hard where I am.

[c_expresso]

So, those of you who rode at MDHT #1, what was the ground like? Hard? I hear they do a good job of aerating but am curious as to what folks thought. The ground is pretty hard where I am.

The ground was hard, but not dangerously hard, or brick hard. They did a good job with it, but it was not perfect by any means, but they did as best they could. I think it will be much better this weekend after the HUGE rain Sunday afternoon/night... the stadium warm up was hard as a brick though by the end of Sunday... pre-rain that is.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

er, bornfree, would that be your mare ridden by, um, BOYD? Cause, you know, when one of us mortals is riding a big SJ course, we can create problems all by ourselves.
Just sayin'
;)
Sorry I missed you -- I was late for dressage, as usual, and then went back down to the Lower Kingdom for a while....



yeah...but I would have ridden her around that pretty easy too. XC is another story. I come from a jumper back ground so unless I'm sitting on a real grean bean....stadium always looks small. Could also be that I jump lots of bright show jump fences all the time too....you saw the type of fences we have at my farm!:D Come on guys....it's a max 3'3" course in a large level ring. You all will be fine.:)

[Dr. Doolittle]

Ok, ok, I SWEAR I thought he was just sort of poking along and not really using himself, transitions decent but boy he can put out good trot-canter transitions when connected...

and then, yeah, ok, ok, I got a 26. From the dreaded judge with two last names , to boot. She LOVED him. You know, one of those tests where you think "hmm, he came a little above the bit there, oops" and the judge writes "above bit" and gives you a 7. Yeah, that kind of test.


But, kids, what is wrong with this sport when that score put me in 3rd place???
We are becoming DQs!

I am SUPER bummed I didn't get to jump, but the munchkin gets huge props for going to his second HT ever, first off the farm, and behaving like a complete trooper; steady and relaxed in both d warmup and d, on and off and on and off the trailer (including 2 hours with tack and studs, in the rain, eventually ALL BY HIMSELF in the lower parking area bc I was afraid to drive up the hill with my wonky brakes).
He's gonna be a heck of an event horse, I mean husband horse.

And, people, that Training SJ was HUGE HUGE HUGE. I just got done doing more than one prelim SJ on my big horse that were smaller than that course. Geez!!!!

asterix, you got a TWENTY-SIX from hyphen woman?!? :eek:

I am in awe, and I bow down before you! (Of course this just means that she must like uphill, lovely moving calm, obedient horses, hmmm, THAT would explain it :D)

"He's going to be a heck of an event horse, I mean husband horse."

:lol:

Poor Mr. asterix, his dreams dashed before he even had a chance to *begin* to realize them...:sigh:

I hope you will at least share the boy with the hubby??

As for the stadium course, I didn't get a chance to walk it, but from where I sat it looked challenging and fun. (But this may be because my eye for T level courses has "morphed" as a result of the fact that I've been schooling Her Majesty over Prelim sized stadium and jumper courses for about 8 months now. T stadium looks smallish...so why is it that much of the Prelim x-country often still looks big to me? ;))

When is your next outing with "the baby"? (who will soon need a new moniker, since he's behaving like such a big boy :))

[Dr. Doolittle]

OK. People have to stop talking about how big training show jumping was. I'm starting to get freaked out about this weekend!!! :eek::lol:

Why is that I have no qualms about galloping down to a big ass table on cross country, but the thought of cantering down to a oxer of equal proportions turns my stomach?!? :lol:

We need to flip-flop our perspectives, apparently :D

[Dr. Doolittle]

Congrats to everybody that competed this weekend! I was there all weekend long. I was jump judging 6ab for Prelim, 10ab for Novice, 17ab for Training (2nd water), and 13 for BN. We got through half of the division for BN. BN ran from 2pm-6pm and we closed down around 4ish. Almost exactly half. It sucked that we didn't make it through BN - there were 3 from my farm to compete that afternoon that didn't get to go.

Throughout the day I heard such wonderful things about the courses - stadium and xcty. Between overhearing conversations of those walking their courses and talking to people that would stop by my jumps and watch for awhile, people seemed really happy about the flow and questions on the courses. In fact, to be completly honest, I didn't hear a single complaint!

piaffeprincess98 - I was with Ralph from GRC during BN at the 2nd water. He is a very cool guy! I knew you were coming through by the way he was acting, and he cheered you on after the chevrons and was all smiles!


Hey Tazzie, was that you who I talked to on Sunday afternoon while I was walking the course? (BN was running at the time, so it must have been around 3:30 or 4:00--shortly before the storms rolled in. I asked about the T water complex, since I was wondering what people were doing at it to receive TEs, and the jj whom I asked explained it very clearly. :) I remember meeting you at the last Short Course event, but it was briefly, and my brain was fried from the heat and humidity! :p)

[Catalina]

asterix, you got a TWENTY-SIX from hyphen woman?!? :eek:

Is she really tough? She was my judge and gave us a 21.6. Wow, I am even more blown away.

[Dr. Doolittle]

Is she really tough? She was my judge and gave us a 21.6. Wow, I am even more blown away.

Holy :eek:!! And, gulp...Congrats!!

Did you look at the signature on the bottom of your dressage test? (Hers is usually legible, IIRC ;))

[Tazzie]

Hey Tazzie, was that you who I talked to on Sunday afternoon while I was walking the course? (BN was running at the time, so it must have been around 3:30 or 4:00--shortly before the storms rolled in. I asked about the T water complex, since I was wondering what people were doing at it to receive TEs, and the jj whom I asked explained it very clearly. :) I remember meeting you at the last Short Course event, but it was briefly, and my brain was fried from the heat and humidity! :p)

Yup, that was me! :D

[Catalina]

Holy :eek:!! And, gulp...Congrats!!

Did you look at the signature on the bottom of your dressage test? (Hers is usually legible, IIRC ;))

Oh yeah, it is quite legible and my trainer verified it was her. I had no idea she was tough. Glad I found out after the fact :lol:.

[piaffeprincess98]

piaffeprincess98 - I was with Ralph from GRC during BN at the 2nd water. He is a very cool guy! I knew you were coming through by the way he was acting, and he cheered you on after the chevrons and was all smiles!

OMG, that was the fence I totally flubbed! I honestly thought someone might call me out for DR! I jumped ahead so bad, but he saved my butt. Apparently Ralph asked if it was my first event! I joked to my trainer saying "Did it look that bad?". But I don't think he even knew I rode up until this weekend. Those photos will be interesting.

[piaffeprincess98]

So, those of you who rode at MDHT #1, what was the ground like? Hard? I hear they do a good job of aerating but am curious as to what folks thought. The ground is pretty hard where I am.

I thought the first half of the course was a little hard and had the potential to be slippery since the grass was short. I took it easy on the turns to fence 3 and definitely to fence 4.

[Putter]

I wanted to try doing one of the short courses at Training level. After hearing how BIG everything looked at recognized training, I am wondering if this is still a good idea.

Anyone know if they soften things up a bit for the short courses? Any info on the would be much appreciated. (I also have friends who want to do intro and Beginner Novice-info on those would be great too).

[Foxhill Eventing]

I wanted to try doing one of the short courses at Training level. After hearing how BIG everything looked at recognized training, I am wondering if this is still a good idea.

Anyone know if they soften things up a bit for the short courses? Any info on the would be much appreciated. (I also have friends who want to do intro and Beginner Novice-info on those would be great too).

Being the course designer for the recognized events I can say that the Short Courses are a great user friendly way to go out and educate your horse and yourself. They are great fun, and the BIG JUMPS are tucked away for the October event. Loch Moy is also having a Super camp with 3 excellent insturctors(if I do say so myself) Aug. 5-8 for people looking for good education and good food and good fun.:D

[piaffeprincess98]

My trainer said the short courses are held at the front of the farm over the schooling course. Can anyone attest to that?

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Being the course designer for the recognized events I can say that the Short Courses are a great user friendly way to go out and educate your horse and yourself. They are great fun, and the BIG JUMPS are tucked away for the October event. Loch Moy is also having a Super camp with 3 excellent insturctors(if I do say so myself) Aug. 5-8 for people looking for good education and good food and good fun.:D


lovely courses...who will be the instructors for the camp?

[CamsMom]

when we did the short course in April it was held on the regular competition course and we had so much fun! The atmosphere is very relaxed and is truly a schooling experience for the greener horses. My daughter's gelding was elminated at the water, but she was allowed to continue to school the rest of the jumps.

[CamsMom]

Pictures are up from this weekend.

[yellow rose]

Originally Posted by Fergs
So, those of you who rode at MDHT #1, what was the ground like? Hard? I hear they do a good job of aerating but am curious as to what folks thought. The ground is pretty hard where I am.


must be the smallest aerater EVER

ground sucked. I hope they step it up for next weekend.

[Jleegriffith]

BFEN- the instructors will be Sally Cousins, Mogie Bearden-Muller and Joyce D'Aquila. Info here-http://www.themarylandhorsetrials.com/eventing_camp.shtml

Retread and I have been lucky enough to have Mogie coming out to my farm to teach us and she is excellent. I really feel like I am riding better than ever and my horses are going totally different. I wish I could do the camp but funds/time does not allow:sadsmile:

[yellowbritches]

Funny. We thought the going was pretty good considering we're in mid-July and we are extremely picky about footing. Go figure.:confused:

[Firefox]

must be the smallest aerater EVER

ground sucked. I hope they step it up for next weekend.

I dont know what you are used to riding on but I thought that the ground for the prelim course was really good and you could feel the difference in the ground! I mean this is the middle of July!!

Yellowbritches, you and I were thinking the same thing!!

[FairWeather]

Funny. We thought the going was pretty good considering we're in mid-July and we are extremely picky about footing. Go figure.:confused:
Ditto. I thought it was lovely! They resurfaced half the XC course, and it is MUCH improved from last year. It was giving even without rain, so it got my vote for YAY!

[piaffeprincess98]

Wow, they got a ton of me XC. My number is 211 if anyone is interested. Ralph managed to make me look not horrendous over the last water. And the trek. doesn't look awful, he just has a funny look on his face and his knees twisted a bit.

[Catalina]

My trainer said the short courses are held at the front of the farm over the schooling course. Can anyone attest to that?

The very first one that they had last fall was on the schooling course at the bottom, but the other five have all been up top with dressage in the arenas. The short course is great and I highly recommend it.

[Catalina]

And for being the middle of July, I too thought the footing was pretty good.

[asterix]

I thought the footing was good for July, too...not that I got a chance to test it out...
plus the fact that you do D and SJ on arena footing makes a huge difference -- try competing at Fair HIll in the summer - even if they aerate the xc, the d and sj warmups, and sj itself, are HARD AS ROCKS...

I don't think I've ridden for the dreaded hypenated judge before, but from comments here it does seem she likes some horses and really doesn't like others.

She kept saying "soft in hands" in a good way on my test (remember, BN, not looking for serious connection here), balanced, etc. My horse is VERY uphill and for a greenie quite relaxed (although she said in the collective remarks that I "kept him relaxed" when in fact I was cursing not having brought a whip as he seemed somewhat blah to me!!!)...If he's her type, then if you ride with a horse prone to tension I could see her frowning on that....

Dr. D, I promised horses and husband no competitions in August...but, dang, I gotta get him out -- perhaps I'll do a short course with him!!!

What I saw of the new courses (while walking bn) looked great. I was very sorry to be missing my prelim horse; waters looked like great fun!

[WakeRider]

both ponies are running both weekends.

Super pony went prelim (2nd), intermediate this week

baby horse goes novice both weekends (5th in the first one!)

pretty nice event, though the sj arena was almost concrete.

[LexInVA]

I'll be getting up bright and early to be there by 8 AM. Let's hope the weather is nice and friendly to us all. Anyone know what the food offerings will be?