This past Sunday was our combined test, and it was a fantastic event. I saw many new faces (okay, almost every face is new to me), and it looked like everyone was having a great time. I even dipped my toe into the horse show pool, and rode the training level eventing test B on Ami, but didn’t jump as I’ve been slacking on that front for the past few months. The show jumping courses, designed by our own Erika Hawkes, rode well and it’s a credit to her that every level from pre-elementary to preliminary was challenging, yet appropriate to the level.
A big thank you is due to our tireless organizers, Laura Chandra and Erika, as well as to Matt, who seemed to be everywhere at once.
A number of CBF boarders were in force as volunteers, including Karen Whitney, who looked a little frazzled midmorning when it came to tallying scores and handing out ribbons, but that’s why we love her: she’s a perfectionist! Janet Menn was dressage judge Kari Allen’s scribe, and it was encouraging to see her smiling face as I rode down center line.
Linda York (aka Tift’s Mom) was on hand on Saturday to set up, and Janet Sinclair and Nadine Pellegrini deserve big kudos for sitting out on the grassy knoll in the sun and judging the show jumping. Susan Mann was an excellent dressage ring steward, and I heard her patiently explain several times that yes, the dressage ring was up the hill and behind the pool.
The big headline of the day was the fact that two CBF riders took home blue ribbons. Kendra Elliston rode her paint mare Dash in the beginner novice division, and despite a momentary lapse in dressage (Remember, Kendra, there are two twenty meter trot circles in the test!), won her division handily, and would have won best turned out—if there was such a thing—for getting Dash’s white parts so clean. If only we weren’t losing her to Gettysburg College in the fall.
Annette MacDonald riding her thoroughbred mare Delicate Detail (“Della” to her friends) also won their novice division. It should be mentioned that she and Della recently completed their first recognized horse trials together at Valinor Horse Trials a few weeks ago. They are definitely on a roll, and we expect to see great things from this pair.
On the horizon is the Jim Wofford clinic on July 24th and 25th. I can’t say enough about this man. If you don’t believe me, check out his blog: http://jimwofford.blogspot.com/. His writing is just about as good as his riding. If you’re interested in the clinic, e-mail Laura at info@coursebrookfarm.com, or go to www.coursebrookfarm.com and look for the headline about the clinic.
Stay tuned for some fashion shots of the new CBF polos, caps, fleeces, and jacket (although there is only one of those, and Laura is never going to take it off!).
--Casy
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