Another horse show with friends
Finksburg, MD
In a repeat performance, this weekend our little group went back to Full Moon Farm for another horse show. This time the two split and competed in separate divisions. It was kind of a crazy, busy day but tons of fun. There wasn’t a moment to rest until both were completed all three phases. I had to hustle from one spot to another so I didn’t miss anything. Loved it. Too bad this will probably be the last show of the year for us (as a group). Now, next year, I might actually be competing, so I’ll have to give up my photographer position. Oh well. It will be worth it!
Baby Beginner – Novice Horse
Bo, a Thoroughbred gelding, taking on baby beginner during his second show.
Dressage
Stadium Jumping
A clear round!!! Yayee, Bo!!
Cross Country
Elementary – Novice Horse
The training project takes to the show stage yet again.
Dressage
Stadium Jumping
Made it through clear
Cross Country
Today’s Flickr set: show photos
A pipe opener with friends
Finksburg, MD
Two of my friends are in the process of training horses with the intent to sell and decided it’s about time to get the two some show experience. So, tagging along as a groom/photographer, I spent the day at today’s Full Moon piper opener. It was actually a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to next weekend when I get to repeat the feat. Both pairs did very well.
Elementary Cross Country Course
They started with individual runs through the small, enclosed elementary cross country course and both finished with no problem.
Baby Beginner Cross Country Course
They chose to tackle the next course together, but only for fun, which it was. Imagine, Luna, the pony, out running and at times leading the way over jumps for the the big grey Thoroughbred. Good times.
Today’s Flickr set: eventing photos
Day 2: 2009 Fair Hill Cross Country
As the second half of my equestrian weekend, I made my third annual trip to the 21st Annual Fair Hill Festival in the Country. A friend and I have made a tradition of watching the event’s cross country phase, which has been a lot of fun. I’ve anxiously awaited this year’s completion, as the past two, 2007 and 2008, were a blast.
Unfortunately, the weather did not hold up for the event. Unlike the two previous years, today was miserable. It was cold and wet. We did still drag ourselves out for part of the day, despite the less than desirable conditions, however missed a big portion of the two-start competition.
On a fun note, I did fashion a small ‘raincoat’ for my camera. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. I used two plastic zip-lock bags and some clear packaging tape. I felt a little ridiculous doing it, but I wasn’t taking a chance with one of my most prized processions. I’d rather look silly than ruin my camera. But, turns out, I wasn’t the only one.
USEF CCI** Fall Championship of Eventing – Cross Country
So, it turned out that we missed the two-star event completely, so no pictures from this part. Had the weather been more agreeable I would have been out there for the duration, but oh well. Maybe next year.
USEF CCI*** Fall Championship of Eventing – Cross Country
We trekked around the course once, then camped out at Jump 20, the Spring House Water, for the remained the day. It was just too cold and hard to walk around in the mud.
Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville in the Dansko Village, over a cottage
Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Port Authority at the Fish Tanks
Heather Morris and Slate River at the Cherry Tree Brush
Katie Ruppel and Sir Donovan at the Spring House Water
Boyd Martin and Remington XXV at the Spring House Water
Overall, the progression of the day felt slow. Because of the course conditions, a number of riders withdrew before starting or retired on the course. Those who did compete rode slower and much more cautiously, with almost every pair finishing over the allowed time. Not that I blame them, but, it resulted in a lot of lolls in the action.
Despite that, there were a number of great rides. Very few finished with any jump faults. As for those pictured, Sinead Halpin, aboard 11-year-old bay Selle Francais gelding, Manoir de Carneville, finished with only 10.80 times faults. They finished the entire competition ranked fifth overall. The Canadian pair Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Port Authority, an 11-year-old bay Selle Francais/Thoroughbred gelding, completed the course with only 10 time faults, eventually placing 12th overall. Slate River, an 11-year-old black Oldenburg mare, and Heather Morris eventually placed 11th after completing the cross country course with 16.80 time faults. The 7-year-old chestnut Irish Sport Horse gelding, Sir Donovan and rider Katie Ruppel added 39.60 times faults to their score in cross country and finished 30th. Aussie native Boyd Martin finished with 18 time faults in cross country aboard Remington XXV, a 13-year-old bay Hanoverian gelding. Martin won the three-star championship aboard his mount Neville Bardos, the only pair to finish the cross country course with a double clear.
Olympians
Karen O’Connor on Mandiba
Phillip Dutton on Kheops Du Quesnay
Two US Olympians competed this year. Karen O’Connor rode two horses, one in each division. She’s a three-time US Olympic Eventing team member. She earned team medals both in the 1996 Altanta Games (Silver) and the 2000 Sydney Games (Bronze). She also competed in the 2008 Beijing Games, with Mandiba, a 9-year-old bay Thoroughbred gelding. The pair accumulated 15.60 time faults on the day and eventually finished tied for second.
Phillip Dutton, a four-time Olympian, competed on the US team at the 2008 Beijing Games along side O’Connor. He also represented Australia in the previous three Games, 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney, and 2004 Athens, winning two team Golds. Dutton and 11-year-old bay Selle Francais gelding, Kheops du Quesnay, finished with only 4.00 time faults and eventually tied for second overall.
Overall, I still had a great day. My friend and I had fun, despite the conditions. We didn’t get to see as much as we had the past two years and my pictures didn’t turn out as well, but I’m glad we went. I’m certainly looking forward to next year. In addition to our annual Fair Hill trip, we’ve also made plans to go to the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Should be a fun Fall!!!
Today’s Flickr set: event photos
Day 1: 2009 Penn National Speed Jumping
Harrisburg, PA
Like last year, I dedicated this weekend to advanced level equestrian events, starting with an evening at the 64th Annual Penn National Horse Show. The main event of the ten-day show is tomorrow, the Jumping Grand Prix, but I already have plans, so I gladly settled for tonight’s events.
Note: The competition was in an indoor arena with very poor light. It was difficult to take pictures, however I still tried. Most turned out rather blurry, but decent enough that I’m willing to share them.
Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur Owner Jumper Classic – Time First Jump Off
Paige Johnson and Chiron S
The first event of the evening was an amateur jump off. Four pairs made it through the first round with clear scores, pitting them against each other in the final jump off. Paige Johnson and her mount Chiron S eventually won after clearing the final in 36.768 seconds.
Misc Events
Budweiser Clydesdale East Coast Hitch
Rhonda Mutt’s Combined Driving Team
In between the two jumping events, the Budweiser Hitch and a Combined Driving competition filled the space. We strolled around to see the vendors for a part of the intermission, but I catch some of it. Rhonda Mutt and her pair won the driving competition.
North American League Open Jumper Speed Final
McLain Ward and Goldika 559
The big event for the night was the NAL Open Jumper Speed Final. Twenty-four riders competed, including US Olympic Equestrian, McLain Ward. Ward, a two-time Olympic Team Gold Medalist, completed tonight’s course clear in 58.359 seconds on Goldika for the win. The next fasted clear run on the night was more than a second behind than his showing.
I actually think last year’s pictured turned out better, generally speaking, which isn’t a good sign. Perhaps, I should have reviewed my notes on my camera settings, instead of just winging it again. Oh well, I’ll try again later. Shooting Indoor activities is still a work in progress for me.
This evening’s Flickr set: show pics
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