The CW Event Team competed at Surefire Farm last weekend before heading to O’Connor Camp. It was great to see Jan Bynny looking so well for the event held at her farm. Surefire was beautiful and they hosted a wonderful event. I really like the one-day format. The horse trial was well organized and Simba was done competing and Amanda had the trailer packed up and the horses ready to head to camp by noon on Sunday.
My Groom, Amanda Volle, had a great weekend on her horse, Lucky Teddy. Amanda and Teddy were tied for 1st after dressage in the OI. The ground was very hard and although the arated, going slow was the word for the day so a few time faults on XC dropped the pair down but they still had a great 4th place finish for the weekend.
Simba and I had a lesson with Karen on Friday before the competition started. At the horse trial Simba was obedient in the OP on the somewhat hard ground in the grass dressage ring. I however, am mostly pleased with how very brave he was on cross- country. There were many questions on this well designed course. Several horses had issues at the water complex but luckily no one told Simba because he jumped bravely into the water and skipped across the coffin later in the course. We had two uncharacteristic rails in the grass show jumping arena but he is jumping around the fences much better.
Gointoseattle and Ready for April acted like very big boys this weekend in the Novice Division. The grass dressage and Show Jumping were new to these two but they both continue to improve in the canter. I am mostly please at how willingly they jumped around the cross- country.
Amanda and I just returned home from O’Connor camp. The participants were as wonderful as always. I love being a part of this camp experience. Everyone always leaves camp with so many tools to add to their tool boxes. We are home until Monday July 12th when the whole family and grooms load up to head to Rebecca Farm in Montana. Schedule your lessons early. The fall season is quickly approaching.
Until then, Keep Kicking.
The CW Event Team just finished up the two week Country Heir Hunter Jumper Show at the Kentucky Horse Park. The horses were great and the gymnastics I have been working on with Frank Conway were beneficial to me and my horses at the show.
Forli jumped really well. I am extremely pleased with how quiet and focused he has become. I think he has really found his niche in the show jumping. His classic style and flashy look makes him stand out. He is for sale. Call for an appointment to try him. You won’t be disappointed.
Simba did the Medium and High Schooling Jumpers quite successfully at KHP. He has become stronger and is really powering off the ground and around the fences. I am having a great time furthering his education.
Many of you have asked me my opinion of the Point2 Air Vest. I just purchased one for myself and believe in the product. I had one inflated on me and I felt very protected and my neck was stable. I know they are costly but I encourage all of you to look into making this purchase for your own safety. One ride in the ambulance will cost you more than this vest. I have a few recommendations for you if you decide to make this purchase. 1. If you have two jump saddles and plan to use your Point2 Air Vest with both saddles, buy the extra strap that you attach your rip cord to. Switching these out can be difficult and time consuming. 2. Purchase at least one extra canister to have on hand and keep a reserve canister on-hand at all times.
Please visit www.point-two.co.uk/ for ordering information. Also, when ordering please mention my name as they are trying to keep up with the number of professionals’ students that are ordering the vests. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
The CW Event Team leaves Thursday for Surefire Horse Trials and straight from there we head to O’Connor Camp for a week. We will be returning home the first weekend in July. Continue to check my calendar for updates. Pay attention to the little things that will paint the entire picture. Until next time, keep kicking!
The CW Event Team just finished up a busy Memorial Day weekend at May Daze Horse Trials at the Kentucky Horse Park. It was great to see everyone out showing. I rode five horses this weekend so I was really busy and apologize I did not have time to visit much.
I rode two horses in the Novice Horse division. Going to Seattle finished 14th in the division on a 48.5 and Ready for April finished 11th with a 47.0. I was happy with the performance both of these greener horses had this weekend as they both moved up a level.
In the Open Novice division I rode, Quite a Lady, (owned by Jane Beshear), and she was phenomenal! She finished on her dressage score of a 27.8 and in first place!!
In the Open Training division I rode, Action Now and Maggie. Action finished 12th at his first time at this level. He was good in his dressage and jumped a beautiful clear round in the show jumping. He also was clear x-c but incurred a few time faults as I showed him the water before asking him to jump over the log in to it. He has been a bit looky there and I wanted to insure success. It worked very well as he jumped very bravely in after knowing exactly where he was going! Maggie jumped around the show jumping but unfortunately had a heal grab so I decided it best to withdraw her for XC on Sat.
I will be in and out of town over the next few weeks teaching clinics and such so please check my calendar and schedule your lessons! Right now there is a little lull in the horse trial schedule so let’s get some homework done and make sure those tools are in your tool box before your next horse trial!
We have several new pictures posted throughout the web page! When you have time, check them out!
Until next time, keep kicking!
CW
The CW Event Team just returned from a very successful weekend at the Virginia Horse Trials.
I only took Ready for April but had several students competing so I stayed very busy. Ready was more obedient in dressage than he has been in the past but I am most impressed with how well he jumped around the show jumping course in the large coliseum. That atmosphere can really rattle some horses but he jumped around there like a champ! He finished 6th overall for the weekend on his dressage score of a 39.5.
It was a fun weekend and it seems all my students are reaping the rewards of their hard work. I will be competing and coaching at Maydaze next weekend. Make sure you schedule your lessons and check the farm answering machine for course walk times.
The CW Event Team has been very busy the past few weeks. After returning home from the CCI 1* with Simba in Florida, I was busy helping the O’Connor Event Team at Rolex. That week is always very busy for me and this year was no exception.
Almost as soon as Rolex came to an end, I was on a plane to Texas for my continueing education that is required to stay current for my course designing license. We were on the go the entire time I was there. It was held at Greenwood Farm in Weatherford, TX and it was a super event….may put it on the schedule for next year!
I returned home for a week before heading back to Houston, TX to teach a clinic at Cornerstone Farm in Conroe. It was a fun weekend. I really enjoy meeting new people and helping them move forward with their riding. I was able to provide them with several additional tools for their toolboxes.
On Thursday the CW Event Team will head to the Virginia Horse Trials and CCI 1*. I am only taking Ready, but will be coaching many of my students there. I know it will be a fun weekend!
Maydaze is quickly approaching so be sure to schedule your lessons. I will record course walk times on the answering machine at the barn closer to the event so please be sure to call and check when your course walk is.
Check back for updates from Virginia and until then….., Keep Kicking!