Okay so I am sitting here for about the past month trying to get this website up while still running around riding, working, and competing. ITS BEEN CRAZY! But I think I am finally done, and am really excited to start telling you all about my wonderful adventures with the Smurfster and I. You will notice I use many names for my lovely spotted character from Murphy to Smurphy, we all love the spots and the adventures he brings. Which brings me to my first topic of conversation, Maui Jim.


As many of you know, I had the unfortunes of putting my old preliminary partner down after a pasture accident in April of 06. Well as heart broken as I was, I also found my new partner, and im sure Griffy is enjoying his home in the heavens with no more pain. So anyway Murphy has basically been a gift from God and has lived up to every expectation I have had of him, that I never could have done with Griffin. Well this weekend defiantly had it ups and downs. To start with Murphy has felt fantastic. He had his last jump school on Wednesday and I was so happy with the way he felt. Thursday we had an excellent dressage school and with a little help from my friend Sarah, we were able to work on our canter walk transitions which seemed to improve tremendously.  I was very excited laying in my bed Thursday night excited for what was to come. I felt overly prepared and knew my horse and I were on top of our game.


Well Friday the clouds opened up and Noahs Ark came to town in St. Charles, IL. I was very lucky and got to ride in the downpour of it all during dressage. But Murphy was wonderful. I felt I rode the most accurate test in a long time, and Murphy was paying attention to me every step of the way. The test didn't score as well I would have hoped, but I got a 58.2 and was satisfied and had a good idea of what we need to improve upon for Fair Hill this fall. Matt and I walked to CIC** course and I felt confident with the questions on the course but knew the first water would be very difficult. The first water was a hill with a chicken coop on top down the hill into the water bending line to two tooth brush skinnies on  a one stride. So after much discussion with Matt, we had a plan and I was ready to test out my tricks on Saturday.


Into the start box we went after having a wonderful warmup and was so excited. But as I was walking around waiting that minute or so I heard the announcer talking about all the problems at the first water. I talked to Matt and quickly went to plan B which we had discussed earlier Friday. Off we went and Murphy was EXCELLENT over the first seven fences. I was on my first minute marker and he felt like a million bucks. I set him up for the hill and he somewhat back off more the anticipated and he but in a little twist over the coop. I then gathered my reins and unfortunately he never looked unto the first skinny. I took my time making sure I had the appropriate canter and line, but Murphy just didn't understand the question being asked of him and we were eliminated. My biggest concern after much thought of the about the question, was that the horses were reading the brush as a solid part of the skinny. When only 9 people finish cross country of the whole two star, it says something and it was all pretty much at that fence people were having difficulty. At least I was in good company with the other 13 or so people who either retired or where eliminated. 


So anyway now unto plan B. Murphy went out and schooled on Sunday and ended up jumping the advanced water so I think he will be okay, just need to go do some homework. He is going to start preparing for Penny Oaks preliminary in three weeks, as a confidence booster and I then we will evaluate and take it from there.  :)