Deep breath...

[columbus]

I think we are dwelling on the horrible and I know eventing is not all that. I am not involved in eventing now except as an occasional volunteer but I raise Irish Draughts and it is important that eventing be a part of what I understand to create horses who provide that "fifth leg" that Irish Draughts are known to contribute to the golden cross for upper level eventing. Yes something terrible happened at Rolex and Jersey Fresh but I know a lot of exciting/excellent things happened as well. Surely there were rounds that made you wish you were out there. Kids coming along well/ doing it right with great guidance. Horses that are especially fun to watch. Old folk out for a safe adventure on a worthy horse. We know about the bad...what about the good. Anything that struck you as "positive" out there this month? PatO

[hamsterpoop]

Yes; I'm always amazed at the depth of knowledge and the level of real concern amongst those in the eventing community. There is a level of "let's make this better" that surpasses all of the insipid, useless sniping I read.

[eventinglvr]

There is a level of "let's make this better" that surpasses all of the insipid, useless sniping I read.


There are those of us who truly love the sport and will stick with it no matter what, trying to make it better. Then there are those who say they support eventing but then turn on it when something goes wrong. Hopefully, the people who truly want to make eventing better will out number the people who just want to complain.

[LR1976]

I'm glad you started this thread because I've been thinking the same thing. Yes, there have been some really awful things that have happened and something needs to change...SOON. I have no great answers but a lot of folks do! It seems all the threads have been rather gloomy lately so lets hear some good stories!

[eventingfan]

my daughter and the horse she has brought all the way from starter novice made it around the CCI*** xc clear (ok, they had time).......positive does not begin to describe it :-)

[LR1976]

my daughter and the horse she has brought all the way from starter novice made it around the CCI*** xc clear (ok, they had time).......positive does not begin to describe it :-)

THAT is awesome!!!

[deltawave]

Bonnie (my IDSH!) getting herself into a bit of a pickle schooling last weekend (well, it was MY fault) and calmly figuring it out, saving both of us, and--best of all--cantering up to the same question the next time around without ruffling a single feather and getting it right. :) We're definitely on the "slow track" progress-wise, but we trust each other and little by little she's becoming my great partner. I still miss my push-button, "been there, done that" horse and the things SHE had to teach me, but I'm also loving the (VERY) slow process of making my own. :yes:

[Snapdragon]

There's a lot of good out there in eventing land--even at the upper levels. My friend went clean XC with time faults at the Jersey Fresh *** on a horse she has brought along herself. She bought him as a 1- or 2-yr-old and has done all the training with him.

I'm at the lower levels (happily) and had the time of my life on my mare at our last HT a couple of weeks ago. I haven't shown at a recog. show in a year and a half because of horse and then rider injury. I probably shouldn't write this, but I'm really looking forward to the next few months of showing!

[RAyers]

My 17 year old TB that I started from scratch is getting ready to run his 17th intermediate in 2 weeks. And I hope we will get some Advanced in this year as well.

[JER]

My 17 year old TB that I started from scratch is getting ready to run his 17th intermediate in 2 weeks.

Reed, I know we've discussed how event horses compete more often since the demise of the long format but this is quite possibly the worst case of point chasing I've ever heard of.

:lol:

[Reynard Ridge]

Reed, I know we've discussed how event horses compete more often since the demise of the long format but this is quite possibly the worst case of point chasing I've ever heard of.

:lol:

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

I love the English language.

[pony grandma]

Reed, I know we've discussed how event horses compete more often since the demise of the long format but this is quite possibly the worst case of point chasing I've ever heard of.

:lol:

Damn, that's some trailer race. All in 2 weeks huh?

[deltawave]

HAHAHAHAAA! Now I get it. :p

Reed, glad to hear that Shiv is back. :yes:

[RAyers]

Yeah, those 2-a-day horse trials were hell! I put a supercharger on the truck and a spoiler on the trailer.

Hey, what can you expect when I am typing from my PDA? It is hard enough reading the words when I type, much less proof the copy.

How about this?

In 2 weeks, Shiver, who is 17, will compete in his 17th OI horse trial and looks to be ready to go Advanced as well this year.


Freaking tough crowd!!!!

Reed

[JER]

Awwww.

I was just kidding.

17 Intermediates is quite an accomplishment -- especially when carefully spread out over a horse's career. :yes:

:)

[Snapdragon]

Reed, that is a fab accomplishment, especially keeping a 17-yr-old horse going for so long and in such good form--when you're not running into trees.;)

And just to add to the happy eventing thread, I just got a ribbon and brand new leadline in the mail from the HT we did a couple of weeks ago. That was just so very nice. It was the Loudoun HT, so big thanks to the sec. for doing that! Definitely going above and beyond, and aside from the fact that the little beasty was so good, the show was very well run and from what I ascertained, everyone had a good time.

[Guyot]

Well, I enjoyed the day at Jersey Fresh, saw a lot of good riding and overall it was just a great day to be outside and enjoying horses!

With me were a bunch of horse crazy teenagers who had never been to an event before, and not only did they fall in love with the sport, they were able to meet and get pictures and autographs of many riders. Many of those ULR were just coming off a horse and all took the time with those kids! Needless to say, professionalism and good manners were in high attendance.

We were also able to have a serious talk on the way home about life and enjoying every moment to the fullest. Those kids learned a lot and left to go home to work hard and enjoy their own horses. Eventing is about life in a microcosm; one of the things I appreciate the most.

[slp2]

I don't know if this counts . . . but I'm at a barn where there are primarily dressage and a few hunter folks. Everyone always comments on how I can do "anything" with my horse. When they say that they mean that I can go out on relaxing hacks alone, go for a nice hand gallop around the fields, jump, or have a focused dressage lesson. My horse is sensible about wind, turkeys, deer, vehicles, etc. Most of the riders are kind of stuck in the indoor and only venture into the outdoor when conditions are pristine. I think the main reason I can do these things is because I work with my horse a LOT, and the training required for eventing really makes a horse into an all-around athlete, and all-around enjoyable horse to own. I also know her every mood, every bump on her legs, and know when to back off, or push for a little more--we have an understanding through spending hours of time together. I know that some of the upper level horses that are fit as a fiddle, are not always so easy to live with. But for the most part--training a horse in multiple disciplines makes them more versatile. It's also a lot more interesting for our horses! There isn't the constant drilling on the same thing, day after day--and that has got to be healthier for them.

[mkevent]

I have to admit that I feel guilty about what I've posted on some of the other threads, but it truly has been to gain a better understanding and perhaps put out ideas that may overall help our sport. I don't understand what is required of the upper levels, and I am not knocking those that do.
I do know that I love eventing. I'm proud to tell people that I am an eventer because it is such a great sport and my fellow eventers are really cool people. Even GM, once he's done commenting on the "colorful outfits that eventers seem to favor" usually does follow up with a positive comment about how eventers do understand horsemanship and horse management.
I appreciate the bond with my horse even more because of the different tasks that I ask of him. He is naturally spooky, and I know he's become a braver horse cross country because we've established a partnership and we trust each other. I agree with the poster that said that those in other disciplines do respect the multitude of things that eventers can do and I do think our horses tend to enjoy their jobs. It is a great sport-even those not blessed with inherent bravery(me) can do reasonably well and develop bravery along the way. I would have never expected to become an eventer because I did think they were crazy when I knew nothing about the sport. Now that I know about the sport, I respect eventers even more-we do take the challenges knowing the risks involved-not because we are crazy, but because we've done our homework, forged a partnership with our horse, and enjoyed the fruits of our labor by a successful XC run.

[LR1976]

we do take the challenges knowing the risks involved-not because we are crazy, but because we've done our homework, forged a partnership with our horse, and enjoyed the fruits of our labor by a successful XC run.


It's great, isn't it?! Even better than the feeling of coming off a clear xc run is watching my horse jig back to the barn thinking he's the hottest thing going. :D

[riderboy]

Yeah, It's a much more balanced life for the horse I think. And they are mentally and physically healthier for it. Make no mistake, I do this sport because it's fun for ME. Although I believe my horse really likes it as well, I'm the one that takes him out to the horse trial. I believe that imparts an extra burden of responsibility on my part to take care of him and be as safe as possible.

[eventinglvr]

My favorite: A few years back, I was at an event with a friend of mine who had a very difficult horse that she had experienced some real issues with on the xc course. They had just finished an absolutely beautiful xc round and had just stopped and dismounted after the finish line (which, by the way, was right next to the start box). My friend let go of the reins for one second (thinking I had the reins in my hands) and her horse proceeded to trot straight back to the start box. He got to the box, stopped and turned to look at us like "Get over here and get back on me so we can do that again!"