Thursday, October 24, 2013

A Day to Remember

A novice-level competitor at the Oct 12 USEA-recognized CBF HT. Photo by Suzanne Adams


In many ways, our annual fall recognized horse trials is like a wedding: you spend months preparing every detail—from the guest list and food vendor, to the decorations and schedule of events. Then one day the guests arrive, everyone jumps around having a wonderful time, and before you know it you’re searching desperately for scissors so you can cut the trash cans down from the fenceline and eating decorative apples out of the fruit stand jump. Okay, maybe most people’s weddings don’t end exactly that way, but in many ways our horse trials is even better because we get to do it again every year! 

I can’t say another word about the horse trials without thanking each and every one of our wonderful volunteers. It says a lot about eventers that they are willing to get up early (in some cases, in the dark), spend the day in less-than-ideal-weather, and still have smiles on their faces at the end of the day. So, to each and every one of you, THANK YOU. It’s trite but true—we couldn’t do it without you. 

Many thanks also to our wonderful sponsors: Nutramax/Cosequin, Bayer Healthcare, Champlain Valley Equipment, Mayo Industries, Platinum Performance, Windy-Lo Nursery, Patterson Veterinary, and USEA Area I. We're lucky to have the support of such dedicated partners!

The weather could have been better, but it also could have been worse (technically, it didn’t rain). Whenever I heard anyone whining about it I said, “We’re eventers! We’re supposed to be tough.” Or, “This is bracing English weather!” As a native of sub-Saharan Area II, I’d prefer overcast to blazing sunshine any day, especially if the footing is good.

Speaking of footing, I am allowed to brag because I wasn’t among the legions of people from CBF and Mayo Industries that have been slaving away on our new arenas for the past several months. The footing in them was awesome. It’s hard to believe that just a few weeks ago these areas were still coming into being. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to be out in our large outdoor jumping arena and look over to the right to see three horses flatting in the large arena that will be the Renate Lansburgh Arena and two in the small arena just above it. All I can say is that this place is feeling big time and there’s a lot more to come.

Since I mentioned it, I’ll close with another word on the Renate Lansburgh Arena. As I wrote in my last post, we decided to dedicate this new space to one of our closest friends and colleagues. Although the arena is complete, we are still hoping to meet our goal of raising enough funds to cover the cost of it. If you have already donated, thank you. We are so grateful. If you’re still interested in donating and haven’t done so, please click over to our sponsorship page.

Now, I’ll leave you with some wonderful photos from our resident photographer Lauren Murphy, our wonderful friend Suzanne Adams, and even a couple by me. For official event photographs, please check out Amanda Sylvia’s webpage. She got some great shots!

You can find the full results from the horse trials here (you really don’t need me for that).

Until next time,
Casy

PS Actually, “next time” is on Sunday (10/27), when we’re hosting our unrecognized Halloween horse trials. I could really use some volunteers, so give me a shout at boarders@coursebrookfarm.com if you think you can help. You’ll get an amazing longsleeved t-shirt and the opportunity to see our very own Matt Mayo (aka Costume King) dressed as a... well, you’ll just have to find out!

PPS We know you love us, but it’s even nicer if you like us on Facebook.

CBF co-resident instructor Erika Hendricks is seriously into decorating show jumps

Decorating show jumps the day before the show. Big thanks to Windy Lo for the plants!

Admiring our handiwork

The CBF plank

Calm before the storm: quiet and fall-like the day before the event

CBF co-resident instructor Stephie Baer walks the course with a student. Photo by Lauren Murphy

Erika on the move. Photo by Lauren Murphy

Co-organizer Nici Hornblower gives a spectator a lift. Photo by Lauren Murphy

Nici adjusts jumps between divisions. Photo by Lauren Murphy

Jump crew in action. Photo by Lauren Murphy

CBF's Zoe Michas and her horse Carmen in the novice division. Photo by Lauren Murphy

View of the show jumping arena. Photo by Lauren Murphy

Photo by Lauren Murphy

CBF volunteers extraordinaire Rica and Kathy. Photo by Suzanne Adams

The core team: Nici Hornblower, Sharon Cora, and Erika Hendricks. Photo by Suzanne Adams

Zoe and Carmen on cross country. Photo by Suzanne Adams

Volunteer coordinator Janet Sinclair collecting xc score sheets. Photo by Suzanne Adams

A competitor on cross country. Photo by Suzanne Adams