Indiana Horse Trials

[FineDesign08]

Is anyone going to Hoosier horse park at the end of this month? This will be my horse and I's first even in almost 3 years. We are going BN.

[Hollywood]

I will be there - it's a fabulous event! I am taking my greenie b/c my other horse has not been sound - this is his first event, we are going BN - yikes, I am already nervous!

[FineDesign08]

I am so excited! I have been to the park once for Pony Club C camp in 2005. It was nice.

[FoxChaser]

Count us in at BN too. It will be my greenbean's second recognized (after doing May-Daze the weekend prior). Does anyone know if IEA uses the ditches? It always used to be a softer course than Penny Oaks, but I see from the photographers last year that PO used ditches at BN on x-c. Just wondering if we need to be doing some schooling between now and then... ;)

[FineDesign08]

Well my name is Morgan. I will be riding a black Thoroughbred named Colorado Cielo.

[groom]

Just wondering if we need to be doing some schooling between now and then... ;)


Yes.

[riderboy]

Hopefully this damn rain will stop so it can dry out a little!

[FineDesign08]

I sure hope so! It is suppose to have fine dry days here in St. Louis starting Sunday.

[deltawave]

I think we got in, not sure if I've gotten a notification, though. We'll be doing Novice, Lynn and Seelie Court. Also volunteering to help at the T3D when I have time. :yes:

[tle]

Well my name is Morgan. I will be riding a black Thoroughbred named Colorado Cielo.

Wanna help teh poor announcer? How do you pronounce Cielo? ;-)

[FineDesign08]

Haha everyone says it wrong.

Its.. see-ello

I hope that makes sense. :-)

[tle]

Haha everyone says it wrong.

Its.. see-ello

I hope that makes sense. :-)

See... that's why I asked. :-) Makes perfect sense. Thanks.

[deltawave]

Ought to be "Cielo Colorado": "colored sky" or "colored heaven" but it's pretty all the same. :) If you want to be really correct, it's see-AY-low. "AY" like in "BAY". :yes:

[FineDesign08]

Haha thank you. I was once told it meant colored sunset. Oh well its all the same. He was named 9 years before I got him:-) I like it.

[Mariequi]

Never been there. Would like to have visited with you, Tammy, but I'll be taking care of horses here so you have more company there!

[deltawave]

I took a stupid (and rather entertaining, from what I'm told) pratfall today, cantering around on a loose rein and now feel like "Frodo of the Nine Fingers" (no ring of doom) because I think I may have busted the 10th. :mad:

So I'll be riding with 9 fingers . . . on a horse who's recently become a puller. Whee! :rolleyes: Look for the person making a continuous left turn, since my right hand doesn't work! :p

[Kairoshorses]

I took a stupid (and rather entertaining, from what I'm told) pratfall today, cantering around on a loose rein and now feel like "Frodo of the Nine Fingers" (no ring of doom) because I think I may have busted the 10th. :mad:

So I'll be riding with 9 fingers . . . on a horse who's recently become a puller. Whee! :rolleyes: Look for the person making a continuous left turn, since my right hand doesn't work! :p


Just think of the other song from that film: Where there's a whip, there's a way.....!!

:D

[pony grandma]

So I'll be riding with 9 fingers . . . on a horse who's recently become a puller. Whee! :rolleyes: Look for the person making a continuous left turn, since my right hand doesn't work! :p

Do you want to borrow a Myler combo bit for Xcountry Sat? It rides very light handed!! I'll be there working all weekend, so I can bring one for you.

[deltawave]

Haha, thank you, but that's the bit we already use and Bonnie cheerfully pulls like a truck in it! :lol: She's not awful, and I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm basing my conclusion that she's now a puller on what may turn out to be just first-outing enthusiasm (I HOPE!) displayed at her first HT of the year a couple of weeks ago. We'll be doing quite a bit of galloping before XC, though, just to test the "stop" button. ;)

[tle]

Never been there. Would like to have visited with you, Tammy, but I'll be taking care of horses here so you have more company there!


No worries Marie! I'll be down for MidSouth next month. :-) See ya then!

[Hannahsmom]

Count us in at BN too. It will be my greenbean's second recognized (after doing May-Daze the weekend prior). Does anyone know if IEA uses the ditches? It always used to be a softer course than Penny Oaks, but I see from the photographers last year that PO used ditches at BN on x-c. Just wondering if we need to be doing some schooling between now and then... ;)

I've never known IEA to be 'softer' than Penny Oaks but I've only ridden at Prelim at both. Are you talking about the ditches new a year or two ago? As I recall, last June BN had an option at the ditch so BN didn't have to use it.

I'll be there btw, I'm working all day over in dressage, doing warmup steward I believe. I'll be the one with the little brown dog, my Border Terrier puppy. Normally I jump judge if I'm not riding so this will be different. Although I was warmup steward for a recognized dressage show so my guess is this will be similar to that. Everyone be sure and say hi!

[Mudroom]

I took a stupid (and rather entertaining, from what I'm told) pratfall today, cantering around on a loose rein and now feel like "Frodo of the Nine Fingers" (no ring of doom) because I think I may have busted the 10th.

Do we need to warn your dressage judge to ignore any finger jestures?

[deltawave]

Gestures hurt too much! :lol: I'm seriously bummed. Not going to scratch at this point but definitely wouldn't pass a "jog" on my right front! :eek:

[jules2001]

Count us in at BN too. It will be my greenbean's second recognized (after doing May-Daze the weekend prior). Does anyone know if IEA uses the ditches? It always used to be a softer course than Penny Oaks, but I see from the photographers last year that PO used ditches at BN on x-c. Just wondering if we need to be doing some schooling between now and then... ;)

Foxchaser-
The ditches you see from last years PO at Beg Novice was an option. I believe you could gallop by or jump the ditch if you wnated.

[LAZ]

Everything looks great down here--courses are flagged, A/B/C are flagged (but waiting for numbers til tomorrow). The steeplechase looks very big deal, roads and tracks is a nice hack. We've had dry weather since getting pounded with rain on Sunday night and everything has dried out nicely!

[FoxChaser]

Yay for maybe no ditches (though from the fake one I set up, I think he'd be fine) :) DW, hopefully the terrain will hold Bonnie in so that she isn't the pulling machine she was last time- that's what I'm counting on at least. My boy pulled my arms out last weekend at May-Daze, but what with the in and out of the woods & all (no wide open gallops quite like the KHP), I think it will hold him more. I'll keep an eye out for you and your sore finger!

[CookiePony]

I will be in the T3DE vet box (yahoo!!) and then jump judging in the afternoon. FC, I will most likely see you and Bailey (whom I have yet to meet) go by. :cool:

[riderboy]

I think we are out. My boy pulled up lame last night and the vet found a big ol' heel bruise this morning. What can I say? Other than the four letter words I want to say because I was so looking forward to this, especially after missing it last year. Be safe, have fun, maybe next year.

[AEM74]

LAZ, I'm assuming our steeplechase ropes are still holding? I said a little prayer and wished happy thoughts on each stake and knot as we were putting the thing up. It just needs to hold for two more days...

[enjoytheride]

I was there for a couple hours and saw some of the steeplechase down to a few of the novice riders. The steeplechase looked great and these riders seemed at the top of their level as far as how they made it around the rest of the course.

I thought the ending to P and T was in a very very odd place but maybe this was because they used parts of the park I have never seen before (all the way back behind the black powder range) so it was longer then usual.

The weather was fantastic.

I belive xpress foto was there taking pictures.

[deltawave]

We had a great day! We decided I should "go for it" in dressage and ask for MORE from Bonnie, who was only too happy to oblige. :rolleyes: Whereas she was relaxed and very quiet at Dayton, she was all snorty and jiggy today, so going for it produced maybe a little too much horse. :p The judge noticed how hard I was trying and I got the famous "tactful ride", which is eventing code for "good job keeping her from blowing up in there!". :lol: Got a few eights, including some of the trot and her final halt, and even though she was MUCH naughtier than 2 weeks ago we got a better score. Tied for 8th after dressage.

Cross country was GRRRRREAT! :D The course was bigger than our first outing, and the first 5 fences were in a straight line and I could just see both my arms hanging out of their sockets before we had to make the hard right turn--first real question--to an up-bank/brush combination. The rest of it had a few "looky" spots which was just what I wanted--the jumps don't bother Bonnie but she worries about tents, big complexes with 10 jumps sitting around in one small space, jumping down into cluttery areas and other extraneous things. Fortunately for us, there was a little bit of all of that, and Bonnie ROCKED. She was quiet, she was polite, she was happy to cruise along at about 420mpm and although she still likes to gallop DOWN there was almost no pulling today, she let me steer, and she let me pick her up 15 strides in front of jumps with no drama. What a difference 2 weeks makes! I guess the ridiculous monster pulling thing she pulled at Dayton was "first time out" overexuberance. (whew!)

Anyway, we were clean and about 40 seconds under time, right on the 420mpm pace I wanted. My "mental clock" is getting pretty good at Bonnie's paces. :)

Stadium tomorrow--smallish jumps except for one odd maximum oxer in the middle of the course. :lol: A gigantic puddle on one end of the arena which one has to go through a couple of times to make good turns--but it looks kind of thundery right now so I'm guessing the whole ring will be wet by morning.

[enjoytheride]

Deltawave did you do Novice or Training? I hope you guys missed the tornados and hail storms I caught here at home.

[CookiePony]

Hooray for LAZ and her T3DE team!!! She pulled off a really fine Endurance Day. I had a wonderful time in the vet box with Mudroom (nice to meet you after all this time!) and got to see deltawave and FoxChaser go by, looking good.

FoxChaser-- I tried to get a picture of you at the ditch, then realized too late that you were going for the option. Duh! LAZ enjoyed a laugh at my expense. :p

[enjoytheride]

bump

[Hannahsmom]

I was the dressage warmup steward all day Saturday so didn't get to see anything. At least I got to say hi to Deltawave but no-one else said hi. Oh well. Missed getting to see the action on XC. Oh well, my Border Terrier puppy thought it was all great.

[Mudroom]

HM: Sorry I missed you. I was in the vet box and then XC warm up all day. I got to see about 5 rides thru the water complex while I sat in my car and ate a cheeseburger.

Cookiepony-thanks for your help. It was nice to meet you too. We had a great crew of volunteers in the vet box and the T3DE horses and riders seemed great and very well prepared! Hope you all had a blast and that IEA will keep the T3DE going.

[FoxChaser]

We had a lovely weekend too! The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the x-c ran just great as always. I actually finished with time penalties... this after having been 43 seconds under optimum at May-Daze the previous weekend. The course held him (except from jump 3-6) and as CookiePony said, we chose the option instead of risking the ditch. I think we ended up 9th or 10th in our division, no stops and no rails- terrific for his second time at recognized :) Deltawave, we were in the trailer next to you in the parking lot. I said hi on Saturday. Hannahsmom, I forgot that you were stewarding! I spoke to you a bit as did my mom (I was on a giant grey TB and my mom was the older lady in the big hat who talked to you while we warmed up). All I can say is that all the volunteers this weekend ROCKED!!! Way to know what time the rings were running on (early, late, whatever), who was in, and very nice job keeping everyone informed. As usual, IEA was a terrific show :D

[LAZ]

I was the dressage warmup steward all day Saturday so didn't get to see anything. At least I got to say hi to Deltawave but no-one else said hi. Oh well. Missed getting to see the action on XC. Oh well, my Border Terrier puppy thought it was all great.

Hey--what am I, chopped liver? I said hi!

[Hannahsmom]

Hey--what am I, chopped liver? I said hi!

Naw, but if you didn't say hi I'd have to pummel you into the ground! LOL Of course my little show dog does like liver, btw...

Foxchaser, I think I do remember you on your big gray! I had only one or two incidents where competitors were a bit cranky, overall they were on time, even though we had some issues in that we started three dressage rings at 7:00 am w/o an order of go....ack...I was under water....thankfully the dressage chair got me the right order and we worked out a system with the old fashioned cut and paste. After ring stewarding some recognized dressage shows, this weekend reminded me how nice eventers can be overall. There were were one or two that needed to remember that we are volunteers, but overall, everyone else was wonderful. Of course being a long time competitor and up in my years, I wasn't too impressed and wasn't budged by the "one or two' that need to remember that eventing is a priviledge, not a right. LOL.

[tle]

I was the dressage warmup steward all day Saturday so didn't get to see anything. At least I got to say hi to Deltawave but no-one else said hi. Oh well. Missed getting to see the action on XC. Oh well, my Border Terrier puppy thought it was all great.

At least you could see horses competing on Saturday... I was there all day but from where the microphone is, I couldn't see anything. Ok... that's a slight exaggeration... I could see horses starting on phase A... making the last gate turn on Phase C... and if I looked hard, I could see horses galloping off in teh distance on the 'bottom end" of steeplechase to jump 2/5 and galloping to/from the water complex. :)

The weekend went really well! Weather was amazing. LAZ and her crew, from what I could see, did a fantastic job on the T3DE. Deltawave had a nice ride in stadium... loved watching Bonnie "hop" over the water in the arena. :) Ran into a few folks here and there... and Mudroom... thanks for the cheeseburger!! My brain is fried or I'd probably have more to say.

[Willie76]

My horse and I ran Novice this weekend. It's my third event and his as well (we started together), thus it was very, very rough around the edges. (Though we didn't look as giraffe like as we normally do in dressage, so that was a definite improvement).

I had a blast, except I was APPALLED at some of the ring etiquette I saw in warm-up, both dressage and XC. I practice calling where my horse and I are heading and looking at who I'm speaking to and making sure they hear me (I am not a quiet person). I was almost crashed into 3x in dressage warm up before I pulled out of the ring for the sanity of my horse and went to warm up somewhere else. Also, was unfortunate enough to be right next to the two girls who clearly were not looking where they were going and crashed head to head on their horses in XC warm up, thus freaking my horse and causing another woman to get bucked off (though she was unhurt).

I have to say, I grew up riding hunters and jumpers and eventers have been 100 fold nicer, more helpful, and friendly then people I've met on the A circuit, but there were a few people who needed to be reminded that this is a privilege.

[FineDesign08]

I didn't get to meet anyone. Our Dressage test felt horrible, because we got tense going on. We got a 40.5. Cross country I psyched myself out. I have never ridden such a big BN course. haha My horse will jump anything, but I did not ride confidently enough. We had 3 refusals and got eliminated. We finished the course though and gained a lot of confidence. All in all it was a great experience.

[LAZ]

I typed up a thing on the T3DE last night and lost my connection before I posted it--such is life in the sticks!

The first T3DE at the IEA horse trials was a resounding success--the weather was perfect, the footing was nearly perfect, things ran smoothly and I believe everyone had a grand time and came away feeling that they had really accomplished something.

I have to say that everyone, and I do mean every single person that crossed the finish line on D had the biggest smiles I have ever seen in my life. It made all the preparation for this event worth while!

You could see the tension fade out of the riders after the first trip around steeplechase--the second time around was relaxed, forward, and by the finish line everyone was grinning and good boying' (or girling) their horses--it was so great to watch! The flag guards on A & C all had a great time seeing the metamorphosis of nervous riders on A coming off as confident and gleeful riders on C.

All the horses looked really good coming into the D box where we had the wonderful help in the form of our own CookiePony and Mudroom (plus several others that don't post on here). They acted as timers and hand holders for each horse that came in the box, relieving the rider/groom teams of having to keep an eye on the time and helping to keep things on track and calm.

I can't tell you how many complimentary comments I got on all the volunteers from competitors. Huge thanks to everyone that helped out.

Thanks to all the competitors that supported this classic format event--we'll be doing it again next year!

Many thanks to our excellent and helpful clinicians--Dorothy Crowell, Martha Lambert, Melissa Miller, Howard Moore, Chris Newton, Nad Noon--you guys rock!

Thanks to Dr. Katy Ivester, DVM, Dr. Lani Gilliam, DVM, Dr Scott Thompson, DVM for being there all weekend and helping out.

Thanks to Ed Barnett and Mark Gray for building such LOVELY steeplechase fences--you guys made steeplechase look like the big time!

Here is an excerpt from a release I sent the USEA:

Many congratulations are in order for all the competitors who completed--in the classic format to complete is to win. Hannah Hubsch led from start to finish on her Sunny Weather and in doing so not only won the T3DE but also won prizes for being the highest placed Young Rider and the best dressage score. Jamie Bales and Overture won Best Presented, Michelle Weeks and Dusty Dazing got the nod for smoothest Cross Country ride, KC Mullin on her thoroughbred Willpower for Best Conditioned, KC and Will also were awarded an "Ironmaster" type award for continuing in the face of adversity. Jennifer Lewandowski won the Sportsmanship award for her amazingly good cheer and willingness to help. Leah Snowden on My Ero won the award for the highest placing off the track Thoroughbred.

Awards:

Highest Placed OTTB--Saddle pad from CANTER Ohio
Best Conditioned--Custom color & designed saddle pad from Barb Guenther[FONT=Times New -- Custom painted Stall Plaque
Best Dressage Score--White polo wraps from Gunther Hardt
Highest Finishing Young Rider--signed book from Ian Stark
Best Turned Out--Custom Painted Stall Plaque
Best Cross Country Ride--Custom Painted Stall Plaque
Highest placed from Indiana--Zoo Book
Sportsmanship--Leather Halter donated by The Equestrianne Shoppe

First Place
Stall plaque
Ribbon
$200 SmarkPak Certificate
Nunn Finer American Style Jumping Boots
$60 FITS gift Certificate
ProChaps Gift Certificate
Magic Cushion Bag
Equine Massage and Chiropracti Certificate from Dr. Lani Gilliam, DVM[FONT=Times New Roman

Second Place
Ribbon
FITS $60 Gift Certificate
ProChaps Gift Certicate

Third Place
Ribbon
ProChaps Gift Certificate

[NMK]

GREAT SWAG and GREAT FUN...LAZ, thank you for such hard work!!!!Wow look at those prizes! I've got to get horse #2 up to training for next year. Whooo hooo!!

Nancy

[LAZ]

GREAT SWAG and GREAT FUN...LAZ, thank you for such hard work!!!!Wow look at those prizes! I've got to get horse #2 up to training for next year. Whooo hooo!!

Nancy

Nancy--

We gave each competitor a 'goody bag' (embroided with our T3DE logo) with a stethoscope, vet thermometer, Magic Cushion or Vetwrap and movie tickets (thanks to our sponsors!) and fed them lunch and dinner T,F and Saturday.

I had GREAT helpers.

[CookiePony]

Hannah Hubsch led from start to finish on her Sunny Weather and in doing so not only won the T3DE but also won prizes for being the highest placed Young Rider and the best dressage score. Jamie Bales and Overture won Best Presented, Michelle Weeks and Dusty Dazing got the nod for smoothest Cross Country ride, KC Mullin on her thoroughbred Willpower for Best Conditioned, KC and Will also were awarded an "Ironmaster" type award for continuing in the face of adversity.

Sunny Weather, Willpower, Dusty Dazing, and Overture were all "my" horses (I timed them) in the 10 minute box! I am so happy to see that they were all recognized in some way. I got very fond of them in the space of those ten minutes (I must admit to a special soft spot for Sunny Weather).

[LAZ]

Sunny Weather, Willpower, Dusty Dazing, and Overture were all "my" horses (I timed them) in the 10 minute box! I am so happy to see that they were all recognized in some way. I got very fond of them in the space of those ten minutes (I must admit to a special soft spot for Sunny Weather).

Dang--you must have the magic touch!

KC posts here as QuiteRandom...

I have personal connections with Jamie & KC, so I was really tickled for them!

Chris does have your camera bag. When I get it from her I'll ship it back to you.

[pony grandma]

I wrote something earlier and lost it too. So I went and did mucks and brought in the night turn-outs -- kissed a few noses.

The T3DE was amazing. LAZ out did herself. What great enthusiasm and committment she has for the sport. The comment I got from a competitor as she passed my gate on phase C was that her horse felt amazing. Then later I heard that everyone felt that their xcountry run was so vastly improved after having done the warm-up phases.

I think that you are on the correct path for the sport's new future. And this done at the lower levels for the MAJORITY for a change. Read the new forum article in the COTH written by Julie Zapapas, she speaks equally in support for this group of riders that love their sport.

And hooray for the core group of hard-working, sleepless organizers and course builders; their boundless enthusiasm, energy and the humor to get them through the days; the beautiful weather, the stupendous competitor's party .... (and such a beautifully decorated course, it was magical :D )


[\QUOTE=Willie76;4134464] I was APPALLED at some of the ring etiquette I saw in warm-up, both dressage and XC. [/QUOTE]

And at the stadium warm-ups. Some of the Preliminary riders weren't ready on time. The warm-up steward deserves cudos for that job, they have their hands full enough already without having to teach manners at the same time. Parents and trainers need to step up. I'm proposing a new division for *grown-ups* , regardless of age; those that know the rules, act responsibly and know their own consequences. I got to overhear a lot of what the organizers get faced with.

I hope that everyone went home tired and happy!

[roki143]

Is there any where that results are posted yet? This was one of my "home" events while in college, and would like to see how old friends ended up!

[AEM74]

roki143, when the results are posted (probably in a few days) they'll be posted here: http://www.useventing.com/competitions.php?section=calendar#VIII

[Halfhalt08]

Thank you to all the volunteers for putting on a lovely event! I tried to thank the ring stewards, timers, pinny collectors, and anyone else I ran into. The footing was great on cross country and the weather was beautiful.

I will have to agree on the ring etiquette comment though...it was quite bad! The woman that got bucked off in the warm up due to two horses colliding was from our group. All 3 of the warm ups were slightly more nuts than usual which was somewhat irritating. Still had a fabulous weekend though!

The only other comment I have is that I cantered my whole beginner novice stadium course, didn't make any wide turns, and had a decent amount of time faults. I heard this from a few others too which was a bit odd. The course rode nicely though.

[deltawave]

One rider in my division c-r-a-w-l-e-d around stadium, barely cantering, (with two reins, a gag bit and a death grip!) adding strides in every line, and had only one time fault. She didn't waste space, though, and made all the inside turns. FWIW--I think the CD intended for people to make the inside turn from #2 to #3 and to not use the whole end of the arena where the big puddle was going from #1 to #2 and #7 to #8.

[Wee Dee Trrr]

The T3D was a HUGE success from a competitor's point of view.

I thought the speakers all did a great job. I especially benefited from Dorothy and Melissa's differing opinions on how they keep track of time on phases A,B,C, and D.

There were many awards provided by sponsors. I personally am waiting on a plaque with Will's picture painted on it as well as a custom saddle pad. :D (Good boy Will)

Although I have competed in another T3DE (several years ago) as well as grooming at a 2/3 star, I learned a great deal from this experience. I learned more about all aspects of the long format, my current horse, and me as a rider.

I wanted to say a VERY special thank you to LAZ, Dorothy Crowell, Lani Gilliam, Katie Ivester, Gretchen Adams, and Rachel Skirvin for all their help and support over a very long weekend.

Also thank you to all the people who were so supportive of Will and I, and all the volunteers.

[Wee Dee Trrr]

PS-
Thank you CookiePony, you were a calming influence in the 10 min box and a great timer! Thanks for volunteering!

-KC (and Will)

[CookiePony]

You're welcome KC! I just loved Will-- he was so quietly charismatic. Congratulations on your very prestigious awards!

[Halfhalt08]

Yeah I am not quite sure what happened. I am thrilled either way because it was my baby's first event but we had a forward canter and only jumped the corner of the puddle between #1 and #2. And I was impressed we made the turn to #3 inside the last fence. That rode better than I expected.

Guess prospective is everything because I used to have a hot headed prelim horse who never had time and was thrilled to canter quietly at BN. Just was shocked we had 9 times faults! Trainer didn't think I was going exceptionally slow either.

One rider in my division c-r-a-w-l-e-d around stadium, barely cantering, (with two reins, a gag bit and a death grip!) adding strides in every line, and had only one time fault. She didn't waste space, though, and made all the inside turns. FWIW--I think the CD intended for people to make the inside turn from #2 to #3 and to not use the whole end of the arena where the big puddle was going from #1 to #2 and #7 to #8.