October Recap

Okay so anyone who actually reads this (I know some of you do)... I am soooo sorry for the long delay in blogging. The thing is trying to compete at the CCI** level and ride, teach, attend college full time, exc knows how much work it is... but don't be afraid, it is almost over! AHH! So crazy to think I will be graduating from college in May. So a little October/Fairhill recap. 


Fairhill was all exciting, wonderful, and awful at the same time. Murphy did complete his first CCI**, although it was less then perfection. I was quite happy with the dressage considering we had a momentary freak-out before he went in the ring. This included wind gusts of 30 mph and flags rustling and then some rearing and spinning as "spotty" tried to run back to the warmup. The fact I got him in the ring and was able to put in a workman like test was an accomplishment in itself. The cross country course was huge, and looked awesome. We had 4 waters and a bunch of other technical questions. I unfortuently had two stops. One was totally my fault, I should have taken the option at a brush to a corner, but  he was jumping so well, I didn't. This winter will consist of many large fences to skinny turning questions. He tends to overjump and then I loose my line if it is not straight in front of me. I also had another glance off toward the end of the course. I took a little bit longer distance at a large table and then you turned around a tree to a skinny wedge. Murphy has a right drift and combined with him being tired and the longer distance, we jumped right and again missed our line. I thought I rode it quite well considering, but he slammed on breaks in front of the fence. There was no running by it, so It was quite dirty on his part. But I do think Murphy and I learned a lot and I am really excited to come back out in 2011 and improve upon our less then stellar year in 2010. 

So after a very long weekend (luckily the weather was almost perfect), I have been doing nothing but catching up on school, teaching, and riding a bunch of horses to try and pay all those bills associated with a threeday. Oh but don't worry, I have been trying to enjoy my break as well. I have enjoyed watching the Gamecocks beat Alabama and most importantly winning the SEC championship in Florida last Saturday. Jon Holling now owes me a braid job! After 4 years of watching the gamecocks fall apart come November, it was a very sweet success! The students have really been progressing and it has been so much fun to share all my knowledge with them. Bijou is back in work after a little 2 week vacation since I was competing at Fairhill. This next weekend she will run the preliminary at Jumping Branch Farm. I am excited and glad that I have another amazing horse to compete and keep me sharp. 


Anyway I actually need to go do some Finance homework so I can graduate... Here are some pics from our post fairhill party, and Fairhill! Enjoy, until next time.. Smile!