We’re here! It’s great! And now we wait.
This is how showing is, with one horse, something I very rarely do. In Wellington I had the rest of the barn to keep myself amused, and at the CDI in Saugerties I went to last fall it was just me caring for Ella, so at least there was barn work to keep me busy. I brought working student Sarah with me to Omaha because I wanted someone with me for the driving, not because I really needed the extra set of hands (but I appreciate it, and Sarah is great, so this is not a complaint!). But it does mean that, between the two of us, we’re done in the barn pretty quick.
So… we wait.
We moved in yesterday, Wednesday, and had a two-hour window during which we could school before the jumper show took over. The stabling area is comfortable and well ventilated, and man oh man do our jumper friends set up fancy tack stall and seating areas, complete with couches and live plants. The ring is awesome, bigger than Las Vegas, with room to actually go almost all the way around it, and I heard a rumor they were trying to make it so you could actually go all the way around. Either way, I won’t be riding in the laps of the first row of spectators, which is nice.
But there are big light boards at eye level, and while they’re stagnant, they did give Ella a moment’s pause. But the Jumbotron above her, with the camera that follows the riders? No problem. The stadium seats, and the noise of a mostly-but-not-completely-empty hall? No worries. The chute between the warm-up and the ring? Nailed it. The warm-up, surrounded by vendors and hustle and bustle? Got it.
The one tiny little tire track in the footing that the arena drags had missed? All kinds of heart failure.
ADVERTISEMENT
It just wasn’t the most amazing ride I’ve ever had. Other than the first moment of noticing THE TIRE TRACK THAT WAS CLEARLY THE MARK OF SATAN, Ella didn’t behave badly. She doesn’t behave badly. She just gets tight, and so for my 30-minute ride, I don’t think she moved her back more than once or twice. And I was proud of myself, because that kind of school would have given me the vapors five years ago. Yesterday I was cool as a cucumber, trusting in my horse.
And of course, when I hopped on her for a few minutes this morning, Thursday, she was a whole ‘nother girl, much looser, still hot but in a fun way, her normal self. We’ll see what happens tonight, of course, when she’s alone in the ring and with—I hope!—a large crowd of spectators. But I’ve done all I can do, and come what may, this is a great experience for both of us.
The jog went smoothly, we had a great rider dinner gathering, and we went to bed. And today, after this morning’s brief school (this time also with Michael’s eyes on me, since he flew in last night, for which I am WILDLY grateful), we’re killing time. I’m here writing this blog, then going to the gym, and then sitting down for a few minutes with the guys who invented this cool computer system that’s going to help streamline the process of calculating the Degree of Difficulty score for our freestyles. (I know I mentioned this yesterday and promised more details, and I’ll promise it again; after my meeting I’ll feel confident writing about it.) I’m eager to understand it better, but even more eager to see it in action tomorrow night.
Tonight is the Grand Prix, which begins at 6:15, so I think Sarah and I are going to kill time by seeing the Omaha Zoo this afternoon, which we’ve heard from multiple sources is supposed to be world class. Fun! There’s also going to be more eating (ugh), and then a lot of going to the gym, because white breeches will keep you humble. And the freestyle starts tomorrow at 4.
Come out and see it!
