My First 3 phase, or ...

[missamandarose]

"no longer an eventing virgin"

So I finally pulled my big girl panties on, and went to Pine Top this weekend, and it was a freaking BLAST!!! I went to the very first "inaugural" Intro to Eventing Clinic at Triple Creek last February, and I worked my tail off in 2008. The hard work was absolutely worth it, and I ended up with 3rd place in the Tadpole division... yeah, I know... its not the big stuff, but it was my first horse trial ever, and that coop at fence 2 was scary to me! LOL.

Anyhow, it was, aside from wet and gross, so much fun and a wonderful, positive experience. Everything they say about eventers is true... helpful, encouraging, fun. And I found that there is another eventing true-ism... once you cross the xc finish line for the first time, you're hooked.

Officially a member of the dark side!!!!

(but unfortunately, there are NO PICTURES to share! no one from my camp was brave enough to stand in the rain!! oh well... I'll always have the memories!!!)

[joharavhf]

WELCOME :) I have taken 9 years off, so my turn to return to the dark side this coming Spring! And hey - I'm starting at elementary - we ALL have to start SOMEWHERE :)

[LSM1212]

Yep... did my first 3 phase in early November. Baby Starter (probably even lower than your tadpole division). I got a 5th. ;)

I had alot of fun (though it was cold and icky out). I plan on sticking with it but will still do my other discipline (Hunters).

:D

BIG CONGRATS!!!!!!

[Kairoshorses]

Congrats! And Welcome To The Dark Side! Eventers are the best, kindest, most wonderful people I know. And they love their horses! You will enjoy your time here, I know.

[maxxtrot]

welcome to the dark side. see, you did have a good time. you will be hooked forever. and itdoes not matter what level you are at, we all hangout togethere. a friend of mine that is a hunter commented to me once- "wow, your upper and lower level riders all hangout together- how cool" i thought that was great. anyways congrats on your ribbon and hope to see you out there soon.
stacey

[RunForIt]

Hurray Miss Amanda!!!!! I know how proud you are - plus, you really got "initiated" as an eventer: what better venue to begin than PTF and you got around in BRITISH eventing weather (any chance you were stabled in the British barn?)!!!!!! What great credentials you're carrying!!!! Kick on!!!!! :D :cool:

[CookiePony]

It's really something that you finished on your dressage score, especially since you just did your first show last summer. So you should be very proud! :yes:

[Rescue_Rider9]

YAY YOU!!!! I went to my first one last year and did the starter division. It was the most fun I ever had. And I went on the horse I trained myself. Best feeling ever! Even better... We came out in 1st!!!! It was great. Welcome to the world. Hope to see you around!

[missamandarose]

Hurray Miss Amanda!!!!! I know how proud you are - plus, you really got "initiated" as an eventer: what better venue to begin than PTF and you got around in BRITISH eventing weather (any chance you were stabled in the British barn?)!!!!!! What great credentials you're carrying!!!! Kick on!!!!! :D :cool:

LOL! No such coinsidence!! We were in the American Barn... far, faaaaar away from everything... so that walk back in the rain after schooling in the rain on Friday was oh so fun! I kept muttering things like "Seriously? this is eventing?" while we were schooling, but it was still fun in the end. Cannot wait to get out there and do it again (hopefully in dryer weather!)

And thanks everyone, too! CookiePony... yeah, it has been a LONG rode since my first schooling H/J show last year! Looking back I think "How on earth was a scared of going into a ring of 18 inch cross rails!?"

[FlightCheck]

Good for you - you've passed the "you're not REALLY an eventer until you've ridden in the crappy weather" test.


What's next?

[missamandarose]

Good for you - you've passed the "you're not REALLY an eventer until you've ridden in the crappy weather" test.


What's next?

Actually, I feel like I killed two birds with one stone... did my first HT and did my first HT in crummy weather (which I was really, REALLY dreading)

Not sure what's next though! I think I am going to shoot for a clinic with Carol Ogden being held about 20 miles from home in March... and I'll try to hang with the BN people (bites nails). I hear Carol is good about tailoring to each rider's capabilities, and I really don't want to join the amoeba/tadpole group at the clinic. :)

[FlightCheck]

Have fun - Carol is a WONDERFUL person

[missamandarose]

Thats what I've heard... seems the crowd she comes up to instruct on a regular basis at this particular eventing barn does pretty well when they compete... hoping that will rub off on me, too!

[Horsegal984]

Congrats!!!! I'll be joining you on the dark side by June.... Our goal is BN June 20th at the Ark, we're planning for me to go maiden once before then to help with my nerves. The horse doesn't need it, I'll be showing one of my trainers made eventers, they all think anything BN or lower is just for warm up lol.

It souds like you had as much fun as I hope to!!! Let's keep adding to the members of the dark side!!!

[Miriam]

Kudos to you to coming out to play in the rain. I certainly hope that we've gotten that out of the way for the rest of the season, though I doubt it.

I went, and I was really pleased with my boy. I'm finally starting to feel like we're on the right path.