Here are a few videos of Cady's Goldkeeper from the October Maryland Horse Trials. At the event, Keeper and Alicia Daily were 2nd in the competitive Open Novice division, finishing on their dressage score of 30.4. Contact us for more information on Keeper!
many business opportunities to me in order to help me out. We have had so many great times and so many memories from racking our brains trying to find a solution to a problem with a horse to weekend long shows that were so much fun.
A couple weeks ago, after a great run at Loch Moy, Emily said, "At this point, I'm convinced that anyone can ride this pony," referring to Cady's Punchline, better known as Tobey. She went on, "Advanced or beginner, you'll have a blast. He's honest, safe, fit, healthy, and getting better and better."
Needless to say, I was nervous. Memories of my first surf meet came to mind. But this time, I wasn't paddling out on my own. As Tobey and I made our rounds and got acquainted with the venue, I felt at ease. I could relax and concentrate on riding. He, of course, was infinitely more relaxed than I was, which certainly helped me.
As we exited the arena, I felt like I'd already taken a huge step forward thanks to Tobey's consistent and easy way of going. And he brought the same priceless attitude to show jumping.
When we stood outside the ring waiting for our round, Tobey turned his head and looked at me as if too say, "This is nothing. Just tell me which ones to jump and I'll do it."
A week later, on Halloween Sunday, Tobey took me through my first horse trials experience at Waredaca in Maryland. I'm proud to say we finished on our dressage score, which, surprisingly, was improved from the weekend before at Sandstone.
We ended up burning about 2 hours standing on the side of highway 340 with a flat trailer tire. I'm convinced that had I tried to change the tire myself, we would have missed the show completely, and that would have been the best-case scenario. This is where U.S. Rider came in. They found a great mobile mechanic for us, on a Sunday mind you, who had us back on our why to arrive at Waredaca with about 20 minutes before my ride. Tobey stepped off the trailer ready to go, as if nothing had ever gone wrong.
I, on the other had, was more than nervous. I was downright frazzled. If I could barely relax, how could I expect my horse to relax? Well, he did. Mr. Steady Eddie took me in that arena and put up with my fidgeting. We earned a 37 this time, which I graciously accepted, given the circumstances. But I know we both have so much more potential when everything finally aligns.
Now I felt great! I was ready for my first full cross-country experience! The feeling I remember most was when the steward counted down, "three, two, one, go!" and Tobey came forward out of that box so forward and in front of my leg, just waiting for me to tell him where to go and what to jump.
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.) 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...
Penny Ross ordered up the perfect weather for the Virginia Horse Trials this weekend. We really enjoyed the fun and festivities, and we mostly enjoyed horses that ran well. Keeper was on her game for everything in the Area 2 Novice Championship division, and laid down a 30.0 in a crowded group of scores. She must have liked it, because she decided to keep that one and finish on it for a fourth place ribbon and a victory lap, too. Keeper was showing a much more mature shape in her dressage test as I decided to sit all the trot this time, and the judge seemed to like it, too. Cross-country was scheduled for late Saturday, but there was plenty in reserve for that. We hadn't jumped or galloped all week, simply worked on our dressage. So she was ready for a run, and she was tired of the stall, and maybe thought she could find her way home, too. Anyway, she scooted around the course, pretty much dragging me everywhere, not blinking at any of the questions. Then we added a circle at the end because we were so early, even at 400 mpm and big hills to boot. She's finally got that uphill gallop where she is balanced for each jump and can jump them from any distance without much interference from me. It was quite a thrill!
The show jumping was scheduled for last on Sunday, so we did a lot of waiting and waiting, and since it was reverse order of standing, more waiting, more dry mouth, and more visual runthroughs of the course. And then it was over, we were clean and I couldn't remember anything about the round. Yeah and whew! We even got a cool neck ribbon, saddle pad, and a victory lap.
-Alicia Daily
We're busily preparing for the Virginia HT-- last minute travel food, silver polish, chiropractic adjustments. Keeper is getting lots of napping time in, and the flax seed is finally producing a shine and dapple. We decided to simply do light dressage workouts and save the jumping for the show. I've lowered my stirrups, hoping it'll encourage me to sit taller and keep my shoulders back. I'm very excited that she is in the championship division for Area 2.
We enjoyed a clinic with Jimmy Wofford at Sunrise Farm last week. We was adamant that we would "get' our distances, even though Keeper was hanging behind my leg. We achieved our goals and finished well on a "sloppy track"... and he told a story of a fellow saying , "if you want to have your horse jump like a pony, you have to ride like a child!" So I guess my elbows etc got the job done. He's very respectful of Connemaras and their crosses. After my last clinic on Mikey, he said, "that's a nice toy you have there."
My good friend and rider Kristen Laluna is leaving me for greener pastures in Charlotte after this show. I will be lonely without her. She rode my guys all winter while I was injured, and she learned how to drive the rig so she could get me home from Md, and graciously gave me my horses back as I recovered my legs. This weekend she'll give Dawn's Sunrise his first recognized Training run. Sunny used to be my ride, but OTTBs are a bit much for me in my advanced years. He belongs to Steve and Billie Bryant, and needs a home. Got my fingers crossed.
