Tobey Wins the Dressage at Maryland Horse Trials with 30.4!

Cady's Punchline ("Tobey") was a star this past weekend at the unrecognized horse trials at Loch Moy Farm in Adamstown, Maryland. He earned one of his best ever dressage scores in the Novice division (30.4!), and ended up being at the head of the back after that phase! Needless to say, I was pleased as punch - Tobey seems to be getting better and better on the flat, and is really showing off his true potential.

When we arrived at the show, I discovered I only had an hour or so in between my dressage and show jumping... a bit close for comfort, but that's okay since the cross-country course was right across from our trailer spot, and I practically knew the course by heart since I'd ridden it so many times. Plus, I'd be home in time for an afternoon nap and Sunday football!

Even though it was an unrecognized event, there was still a good deal of atmosphere, but Tobey dealt with it like a champ, being much more interested in checking out the fine grazing around our trailer. I knew Tobey was pretty fit, but we hadn't done much schooling on the flat in the past few weeks since I'd been travelling so much, so I wasn't sure how he was going to be in the warm-up. Turns out, I needn't have worried, because he was calm, cool, collected, and very focused...don't you love 6-year-olds?

During the warm-up, I was able to really get him jazzed up a bit and get him swinging along nicely with lots of energy. Luckily, this energy carried over into our test, and I was so, so pleased with how he performed. We picked up lots of 8s, and our only silly moment was when he stopped to poop in front of the judge's box, and I gave him a thump! I was tickled to find out we'd gotten a 30.4, and am very, very optimistic about his future. Who knew Tobey was such a DQ?

One thing I noticed was how many people didn't bother to braid for the horse trials. I got a record low number of braids (7!) on Tobey at 6AM in the freezing darkness that morning, but they were nice and neat, and I thought he looked very well turned out, especially with his lovely clip job and fall dapples. I always like to think that I might get a few brownie points if I go the extra mile and really do a good job with our turn-out...or maybe that's just my inner Pony Clubber speaking.

After the test, I scrambled out of boots, and into my running shoes to go out and walk/jog the cross-country course. True to form, the course looked fabulous and very inviting. In fact, I was actually eyeballing the Training course thinking that looked within our grasp! I'll have to keep that in mind for next spring. The course was very similar to the spring Novice (recognized) event, and looked like it would be a fun little walk (canter) in the park.

Josh was kind enough to get Tobey ready for show jumping while I checked out my course, and I hopped on and headed down to warm-up to pop over a few jumps, knowing he wouldn't need much warm-up after such a brief period between show jumping and dressage.

The warm-up at events can always be a little hectic, especially at the lower levels where there are many newer competitors who aren't always sure of the rules and etiquette, but we survived and he felt good...albeit a little on the lazy side. I knew I'd really have to wake him up when we headed into the ring, especially since it was quite warm (close to 80), and he still felt a little bit sleepy.

Tobey felt quite good once we got in the ring and I took him for a big gallop around the outside to get him coming forward. The course was lovely - very flowing and had a couple of nice combinations. Unfortunately, I didn't wake him up quite enough, and we had a silly rail at the first combination. I blame myself since we cut the corner a bit, and plus I didn't really have him up in front of my leg. Other than that mistake, we had a good round. I think I know where to go from here - jumper shows! I love how quiet and safe Tobey feels, but he needs to learn that when he goes into the ring, it's time to GO! I think some good schooling shows this winter will do the trick.

After the show jumping, we trotted straight over to cross-country. Finally, Tobey seemed awake! Off we went at a casual pace, and hopped easily over the first few. A little too easily - I was thinking, wow, this doesn't seem challenging at all! We're lucky enough to get to go through two water combinations, and he galloped right in - no water issues with this guy. Over ditches and up and down banks, he was pretty much on auto-pilot the whole time. Just point and shoot! He's gotten much more "rateable" the past few months, and I really feel like I can let him cruise around on his own pace, and then sit up, give a little half halt, and prepare for each jump a few strides out. Love these ponies! I was also suffering from an annoying eye infection, so I was forced to wear some (outdated) glasses instead of my usual contact lenses....it was a little nerve-wracking having water splash up on my face and glasses through the water jump, and then trying to wipe it off before the next jump... oh well!

All in all, I was very, very pleased with how Tobey did this past weekend - especially in the dressage phase. I'm still kicking myself for the rail, because without it we would've won...but what're you going to do? Anyway, we still got a good ribbon, and I couldn't have been happier. At this point, I'm convinced that anyone can ride this pony - advanced or beginner, and have a blast. He's honest, safe, fit, healthy, and getting better and better... it's fun to see how much he's grown up in the past few years, and I'm feeling very hopeful about his future.

Also, we saw our good friends Larry & Michelle Robbins at the event with their talented young RID stallion Kilronan's Glenstone, who's in training at Phyllis Dawson's amazing facility at Windchase. The Robbins are very active in the Irish Draught community, and we've been happy to get to know them and their wonderful Irish horses during the past few years. This was "Stoney's" first real event, and of course he ended up tied for first in the Beginner Novice division.

Thanks to Josh for the amazing photos! And a huge thanks for being a helpful groom/driver, especially since he got home late Saturday night from photographing at Fair Hill CCI**/*** up in Maryland.

Next weekend, Josh will be taking Tobey in a combined test at Sandstone Farm, a great little event just a few miles down the road. And hopefully on Sunday we'll head back over to Loch Moy Farm for Josh to school the cross-country course before his first "real" event on Halloween. Busy weeks ahead!

By the way, I'll be posting more photos of Tobey on our Cady O'Daly Facebook Fan Page - check 'em out!

Cheers,
Emily