Back in Action

Soo I am thinking I am back on track and back in action! The ponies were wonderful this past weekend at Hunter Oaks and I finally feel like my riding is back to where it was prior to some of the misfortunes of the past 6 months. But, if you would have asked me last Wednesday, there was no way I was riding this past weekend at Hunter Oaks. For a couple days my neck my really bothering me. Tuesday night I was out to dinner with some horsey friends when I finally lost it and decided it was time to seek medical attention. My chiropractor told me I have "tortalcolis" or something like that. He wouldn't give me the full name and told me not to google it. Wonder what I would have found?

Anyway so after 3 drs. appointments and lots of ice and drugs later, I decided I would have to run both horses. Friday was eventful as it always is. I had to change not one but two tires in 100 degree plus weather... ewew...
Finally got to the beautiful farm and heading directly out to walk XC. This is the first year Hunter Oaks ran a preliminary and I thought it was a great course with enough fair questions with some nice galloping fences as well.  Both ponies got a viewing of the grounds and a light dressage school at 9 pm. It was a late night to say the least.

Up at 5:00 at braiding horses. I walked the cross country course again and my wonderful groom Nicollete helped me get Murphy and Shadow ready for dressage. Both horses put in beautiful tests. Murphy scored a 36 which is his lowest score to date at Intermidate and I was very happy because the places where we usually get 7 and 8's were not up to par so I know there is so much more room for improvment. Shadow (Erin Melloy's Catch me if You Can) was doing his 1st novice and put in a very solid test moving him into 2nd. Murphy was perfect on cross country reconfiriming that he is ready to be going Intermediate and on his way to putting in a solid performance at the 2star this fall. All the prelim riders had problems cross country, no one had a clean round. There were 3 clean rounds in the IP. Most of the problems occured at the water. We jumped a large duck three stride bending line to a long drop into BLUE water and then a s turn to a skinny wedge out. I think most of the issues occured with the skinny out of the water and riders not holding their lines. Shadow was also very good cross country. I had a great ride on him at area IV yr's camp with Sinead Halpin and so I was able to take a lot of the forward thinking riding over with him as well. Besides looking hard at the BLUE water (did I mention it was really blue) the pony was great. He is so much fun to ride and I am so happy I have been given the opportunity to help Erin this summer.

So Sunday morning I was sitting in 1st in the IP and 2nd with Shadow going into Showjumping... where my demons tend to come out. Well finally I feel like my hard work is paying off. Murphy jumped the best he has jumped in a very long time. He had the first rail down in the course but I  am attributing that too not having the right canter yet. The course was set in a hilly, shady area under some trees so it was quite a challenge. Murphy was so adjustable and I was able to keep riding the entire course. We have been jumping him in a hackamore and he is completely different and is holding his shape over the fences. I am really excitied to keep moving in this direction. Shadow was also great in showjumping. He did spoke a bit at the planks under some of the fences, but man that pony can jump! He was great and jumped a clean round to hold on to his 2nd place. I was so pleased with both horses and I really couldn't have asked for better preformances from either of them.

These nexts weeks are a bit crazy for me, I will be back in Columbia, SC to move into my new house then it is off to YR's to watch some of my friends compete. Area IV what?? Too bad I am to old to be riding :( I have faith though that we will represent well and best of luck to everyone riding. Until next time happy riding and hug your ponies  :)