More Virginia Horse Trials Updates - Dawn's Sunrise Takes 2nd in First Training!

I enjoyed a weekend of coaching, as well as riding, as we watched Kristen LaLuna ride her sendoff on Sunny---"Dawn's Sunrise", who belongs to Stephen Bryant. This was a first Training level run for both horse and rider but both hung in there and finished in 2nd. Poor Kris was nursing an injury, not the least of which was her pride, but she gutted it out. Dressage was fine, if a little painful, and after a small mistake flowed nicely (don't tell her the difference between first and second... less than a dressage mistake, I think.)

(Left: Kris & Sunny competing at a local horse trial this fall.)

Cross-country went by fast and was perfect and exciting to watch. Woosh in to the water, that was one worry, after the worry of going straight down into the hollow, and then home over a huge trakehner... lots of air time on that one. Stadium was a lovely surprise in being clean and clear. So she moves up two spots with that round and is happy to pin that ribbon over her bed...

...in her new apartment in Charlotte, North Carolina where she now resides...far away from the Cady O'Daly farm. So I for one will be quite lonely here without her. She rode my horses all winter when I was hurt. She trained up the young ones, and started some babies, and they are all great now. She got up early and traveled with me and gave up lots of her time to go to lots of shows. She learned how to drive the truck and trailer so she could drive me home from Maryland HT at all hours of the dark. She's been a good friend .. and now I, sniff, have empty nest again. Love you Kris!

-Alicia Daily