CCC HDT - a GREAT event!

[Ashemont]

http://hoofclix.smugmug.com/gallery/8316696_HbK3L#P-1-15

This is how I got to celebrate my 66th birthday :) It was a fun event: we all (ponies too) stayed with good friends, Laurel and Bruce Pyatt (THANK YOU!) and ate like kings every night. The birthday cake (yummy chocolate, of course, made by Jackie Lewis) was the best ever! So what if we got a bit wet in the marathon - Hardy Zanke declared us the winners of the Wet T-Shirt contest and we got a big hug and kiss <BG>

The icing on the cake was that we took 1st place in Preliminary Pony Pair and also won the Best Marathon from all entries! The ponies really seemed to enjoy themselves (as both came into flaming heat :( ) and have decided that fescue grass made it worth the trip for them. We got our best dressage score ever, finally making it into the 50's and I was so happy with the girls' performance. It started raining in the middle of our test - which was in a covered arena - and the noise even scared me! But the ponies still halted and did the rein-back, albeit not as good as usual.

The rain had stopped by the time we did cones. I misjudged one awkwardly placed gate on course (it was on a downhill going from grass to road - guess I need to practice on more than level fields) but easily made time and went clean on the rest.

Marathon was a total blast! It started out hot and sunny so we opted for no rain gear. Guess that's why it started raining as we got halfway around. But the ponies were running exactly as planned - one minute slow by the first kilometer marker and then almost hitting optimum time by 3k. They were quick in the hazards, waiting for my cues to turn and flooring it from Gate D to the Exit with just a command of "Go!" I had a bit of concern about the creek as we've had little chance to practice water. However as soon as they saw where we were heading four ears locked forward and forward they went!

My navigator, Catherine Macaulay, had never 'gatored before. In fact, we didn't even meet until Friday! Catherine is a writer who also happens to be a horsewoman. She wanted to do an article on CDE's and had hoped to get someone to let her ride on the back step; my regular 'gator couldn't make it to the event so a new partnership was born. Catherine took the job seriously. She attended the volunteer briefing clinic the week before. She signed up for the Navigator 101 clinic offered at the HDT. And she asked lots of questions. She did a super job and I'd be delighted to have her team with us again :) Catherine was very positive and upbeat and I think she might've gotten hooked on driving after we flew though the first hazard <VBG> It was a rush! You can see the smile on her face in the photos. Thank you Catherine! I don't know what publication her article will be in but I'll sure let everyone know when it comes out. I'm sure it will be a good one ;)

Cheers!

Pat and the Polish Driving Ponies!

[CapturinYerRide]

And to let you know, all of the pics are now posted:
http://hoofclix.smugmug.com/FENCE/792920

( I do have a few out of place that I will move, but if you see any pics in your gallery that aren't yours, let me know..)

Also a reminder that we did video all of the dressage. There was a flyer in your show packet to let you all know the deal.

And from my point of view the whole weekend was a blast. Already looking forward to next year.

[Ashemont]

Oh yes! And the video is a bargain at $30! I can't wait to get mine and finally see all of my mistakes for myself :no: :uhoh: The photographer deserves a huge pat on the back as he not only got many, many shots of all phases of the competition, but he also managed to get good pictures in the covered arena - a feat not many can match!

And I do need to commend the organizers, staff and volunteers. This was a very well-run event with a huge emphasis on FUN :D The learning clinics - CDE 101 and Navigator 101 - were well-attended and a great idea to further the growth of our sport. Tom Bowers did a super job! An accommodating Secretary, Margo Savage, and a smiling organizer, Price Story, made everyone feel welcome. And of course the officials, Hardy Zanke and Penny Nicely, simply could not have been more kind or positive :yes:

This is definitely THE event for anyone who wants to give CDE a try, bring out a new horse, move up a level, gain some experience or just have one hecka've good time!

[Jetiki]

It was a fantastic weekend. Pat is was great to finally meet you, your ponies are lovely. Midget and I had a blast, learned a lot. I know which gate in cones you were referring to and it was odd, I almost hit it myself. Midget and I won the VSE Training division, we also had the best dressage score of the VSE's. I am looking forward to the next event, it will be fun. The VSE's were well represented with 5 singles, 1 tandem, 1 pair and 2, 4 in Hands. We were last to go for the singles in Dressage and first out on Marathon, we got our dressage and cones done just before it started raining. It was raining and had been raining when we went out for the marathon at 8:15am. We don't mind though, thats what they make synthetic harness for right? I did leave her tail tied up though so her white tail wouldn't be black with mud. All the competitors I thought were friendly and nice and there were plenty of volunteers and easy to find if you needed one. We stayed for a lesson with Hardy on Monday, I learned a lot there. I do have some serious homework to do but we will get there.

Karen and Midget

[Ashemont]

Karen,

Great to meet you too! I also met another COTHer whose handle eludes me (darn CRS!) but it's always a great treat to have someone come up and look at me and say "Ashemont?" :D

Your dressage was really good! That's where we need the most work - but it's definitely coming :) I didn't even expect my ponies to be competitive this year. They are sure surprising me!

We had a lesson with Hardy on Sunday, after the awards. In spite of us all getting soaked it was well worth the time and money. I actually learned to drive with my left hand (Thomas!) The way Hardy demonstrated and explained it was easy and I actually did a couple of decent figure eights :D :yes: Beyond that he also showed how to drive my ponies better - although he did admit that Maggie went better for me than for him :lol: I wish we could've stayed to watch all of the lessons on Monday but Joe was tired and we had to get home. I could not believe there was no charge for auditing! What a great opportunity that so many missed as Hardy is that rare person who can not only DO but also can TEACH.

Hope to see more COTHer's at the fall events or The National Drive. We're done competing for the summer. Time to put Phoenix together with Mehru and try my hand at driving horses. It will be like going from a Ferrari to a Mack Truck I'm afraid :uhoh:

[Jetiki]

Yes, Hardy was very good. I didn't get to stay and watch all the lessons on Sunday I had to go home. He taught me how to hold the reins in my left hand so I can use my whip more effectively to fix my horse's tracking up and bending issues. I also learned that my whip is too long, ugh. It was great though. He told me part of her behind the verticle issues were me, I am holding too tight. We will get there, its all a learning process.


Karen

[Ashemont]

Wow! I got my DVD of our dressage test today! Not only is this incredible service but the footage is super! Very few photographers/videographers can produce such quality when shooting in a covered arena. Kudos to HoofClix.com :D :yes:

[ponydraft]

Hi Ashmont, I met you at the awards ceremony. My new handle is Pairaperches but the old one keeps calling me ponydraft.
Either way nice to meet you. This was my first venture into an ADS recognized event. All the "old CDE pros" like you make this look much easier than it actually is!

I had a difficult day on Sat getting eliminated with the first step into the dressage ring for having 1 too many grooms. Didn't realize that was an absolute rule not a suggested courtesy! Oh well, after nearly crying in front of the judge I pulled myself together. Cones was worse as my young team was too hot and plowed through several cones....laughter was heard in the stands....

Bad first CDE so far. On Sunday with the optimism of a new day, and having eaten my troubles away with pizza the night before, I decided I could redeem myself in the marathon. I drove the course like it was just another drive through the woods at home and actually heard a "wow!" from one of the hazard judges as they watched my nimble team of percherons do a 360 through a little slot. Made my day; no... made my weekend!

Truly there is a lot to learn to be a true competitor in a CDE. I have got the first scary CDE under my belt, my first elimination out of the way, and have already marked my calendar for Pinetree in the fall.

Count me addicted!

[Ashemont]

Well hi! I remember meeting you but you were afoot and I couldn't place you with your pair. Yep, they sure looked hot to me. And that's a LOT of horsepower! But a very, very attractive pair :)

I didn't know you couldn't have 3 with a pair either, so don't feel bad. And I am certainly not an "old CDE pro" by any means! My left pony has been doing this for only 1-1/2 years; my right pony has barely been broken for 8 months! This was their first 'away' event together and only their 2nd recognized one.

As you saw the hands go up at the awards ceremony, you could see that we've all had the big E. I think it's a rite of passage :lol: So you've got that out of the way. Look forward to seeing you at Pinetree! You'll have to come over and join us for dinner one night - my hubby is a great cook :yes:

[Cartfall]

:cool::cool:Congratulations, Pat!!:cool::cool::cool:

You have really come a long way in a relative short time. So glad to hear you are having fun with too.

Looker sends a carrot to each of your ponies. m:lol:

Sounds like it was a great event. One of these years I might be able to make the National Drive. Think they will ever put it on in the summer:no:
October just doesn;t work for me and my job. :no::cry:

:cool::cool:Congrats Karen:cool::cool:

Glad to hear you are doing well with your mnis!!! It sounds like i was a lot of fun for you!!!

:D:D Congrats to Pony Draft for going and continuing on!!! :D

Be proud of yourself for completing inspite of an elimination. There are so many little rules that can catch you in CDEs. I drove 12 hours to Southern Pines 2 years ago and eliminated myself because after getting lost we cantered within the last 500 m (this is in Prelim) and that is a little known rule. Not allowed to canter--only walk or trot in the last 500 meters. In fact the TD had to go look up the rule to make sure of it.

So look at it that you have done one now and you know a little bit more. Your young ponies will mature and your team (you, the ponies and gator) will come together. Time is your friend.

I have been doing this for almost 4 years at the ADS level and god knows before that in schooling shows, and we still are learning--in fact we have gone backwards to long lines and lunging to do better. It will come, just give yourself and your ponies a little room.

Wish we could have come, but dollars are short these days. I have to choose the ones here in Florida to do.

[pricestory]

Many thanks to everyone for the wonderful reports. It really was a great event, even if I do say so myself.
Mark, the photographer was wonderful as always. We had much better coverage than many of the large events.
Our volunteers turned out in mass and all did their jobs beautifully. We are lucky to have so much help.
Hardy and Penny were a blast to work with. It is a shame they are so far away and air fare is so expensive.
I didn't get to go to Tom's clinics but all the reports were wonderful and we had no accidents so folks were listening.
And Margo as secretary is the best ever. Sure makes me look good.
Thanks for coming and tell your friends. We loved having everyone.

[Ashemont]

Price, you do deserve a HUGE pat on the back! As you said, you got good people to work with you and then sat back and let them do their jobs. But I also saw you EVERYWHERE and never without a smile :)

I hope everyone has sent in their evaluation forms (I did!) to let the ADS know how good an event can be in spite of uncooperative weather :D

THANK YOU!!!!