2018 SLNCHS Final

Melissa and Susan returned from Urgent Care with an arm brace and a shot of steroids.  Melissa’s hand had been hyperextended – all the fingers and the thumb were pulled out of their sockets, but will be fine with a few days of rest.  Of course, the steroid injection has Melissa feeling like a teenager, and unable to rest or sleep!  But she will be able to ride now.

Friday was a terribly late finish by the time we had looked after the horses.  My own horses at home are vacationing in the pasture for the weekend, so I cleaned stalls for the last time until Bart’s return, tended to my poor, invalid Roscoe in his hospital room on the porch – his foot is very painful, though on the mend.  Then,  I collapsed into bed at 11, which is way too late for an old lady!

Saturday morning came soon, and we were off to the show at 6:30, where Bart and Derry were happily waiting for breakfast.

Susan and Melissa, as usual, arrived well before dawn, and Susan had decided to ride only one horse. In the heat, and with fewer than 20 horses in the class, it was just too much for an almost old lady to ride two horses.  So, Teah was warmed up by Melissa, then a leg up for Susan, a couple of warm up jumps, and into the show ring, for a lovely trip around, double clear, and a primary color ribbon (yellow, third!) to confirm that they had made a wise choice!

Melissa and Susan

Jane’s class followed, and Derry was good, but had an unlucky 4 faults.  Bart’s class was next, and he was fabulous, but again an unlucky 4 faults.  It happened early enough in the course, that I picked up the pace and eked out the 2nd fastest 4 fault round, earning a pink ribbon for 5th (and paying back the entry – hooray! we love free mileage in the ring!).  The fastest 4 faulter was Morgan MacAllister on Nina (Negrita).  Morgan is so young I cannot believe she is an “adult”, and so brave she left a stride out of one line (ah, youth!!).  She also events, so “forward riding” is second nature to her.  She and her mother, Tammi (not even close to being an old lady herself), are stabled in our aisle and fun to have around.  Also, Tammi does great videos for all.

Negrita and Morgan on the way to a win in the Low Adult Jumpers on Friday

We went home for an hour or so, then returned to the show with enough time to take our horses for a walk and graze, do chores, and secure a good seat for the Maclay Regionals.  The Maclay Regionals brings top junior riders, and their top trainers, to St. Louis annually, and is a much anticipated event for spectators, too.  The pressure these young riders are under is intense.  We know some of them, and there is always more turmoil behind the scenes than is apparent when they step into the ring.  Several girls were riding horses that were new to them, because of inevitable horse injuries or lameness at the worst possible time.  Some of them are riding in their final year – their last chance at getting to Finals – which adds to the pressure.  I almost need a tranquilizer to watch!  Luckily, Tito’s vodka is a sponsor of the show and was supplying complimentary drinks to nervous parents and friends.

Another young rider we know, Mary Roskens, is very new to the “Big Eq” (3’6″) division.  She was next to last to go in the class, a long and stressful wait (especially for her mother)!   Her young horse handled things remarkably well, and Mary did a great job of finding the jumps.  Unfortunately, her horse jumped like a jumper (a plus in my book!) – way too high and hard.  Still, to make it around such a course with less than 10 Maclay classes under her belt on a green horse, was a commendable feat.  Although she won’t go on to the Finals, she will return next year with a real chance.  There are so many stories behind each of these young riders, I just wish it was possible to get color commentary on them as they go!

Another late night.  We didn’t stay to watch all of the placings, but we hear Alexandra Pielet, who rides with Heritage Farm (Andre Dignelli) was the winner.  No surprise.  One of the best parts of the day was watching the early morning jumper equitation class with the stratospheric quality of horseflesh and riding under Andre’s schooling, and to eavesdrop on his critiques after each of his students rode.

Sunday, the final day, dawned beautiful, but promising to be another hot one.  Susan again rode Teah after a good warm up by Melissa, and had a slick and accurate speed round.  She did not try to go fast, but was efficient and clean and ended the show with her best round (always a goal), and a nice pink 5th place Novice Jumper ribbon as a memento.

Susan adjusts her glasses before her ride on Teah

Jane and Derry also had a speed class, and also put down their best ride of the week – clean and fast, but there were many fast adults, so they, too, earned a pink ribbon.  Derry earned many cookies for a beautiful trip, and a vacation for a couple of days, at least!

Irish Amber (Derry) and Jane – photo by Abbi Stoll

Derry and Jane after a good round – photo by Abbi Stoll

I was cranky, hungry, and nervous waiting for the High Children’s / Adult Classic.  Once I was on, though, Kris managed me well, Harry was on hand to lighten things up, Bart was amazing, and Abbi Stoll took some great pictures.  The course was challenging, and I didn’t execute it perfectly, but we were clean, and advanced to the jump off.  Bart was incredible, jumping out of his skin, but I am an old lady, and had a momentary lapse of focus.  And at the last jump in the jump off, I made a long, weak choice, causing Bart to have 4 faults.  It was definitely my four faults.  But it was so much fun, and Bart was so good, and it was so easy for him, that I cannot complain.  It was a bit disappointing to place 7th, when the money goes to 6th in the Classic, though!  Not free mileage, but very good mileage.  I have become a huge fan of Scott Starnes, the course designer.

We rushed to pack up two weeks of stuff, loaded the horses, and left, getting home in time to turn around and head right back for the $50,000 Grand Prix.  Bart was happy to be home, and Oisin and Stone were very happy to be back in the barn with him.  They were drenched in sweat when I brought them in – it was uncommonly HOT…

Stone is happy

Oisin is complaining! Who left us out for two days!?

There were 17 in the Grand Prix.  It was the same course we rode in the High Classic, with the addition of a third in and out at the end of the course (where we had 11 numbered jumps, 13 efforts, they had 12 and 15).  Of course, their jumps were about twice the height of ours!  The track was not easy.  First to go, Hunter Holloway did go clear, but there were plenty of subsequent problems, including a fall by Hardin Towell, on his first of three horses.  Eventually, there were four clear, so a good jump off.  Hardin won on Carlo, which took some of the pain away, I expect.  Shannon Hicks on Emir was 2nd, with a clean jump off.  Hunter and Casavell were third with a 4 fault jump off, and Caroline McLeese and Caprisio were 4th.  Bravo jumped magnificently, but had 12A down for a four fault first round and 5th place.  It was a pink ribbon day for all my pals!

Shannon Hicks on Emir D

Anyway, it was a fun class to watch, delicious tailgating food and friends in abundance.  A fun show, and I feel very lucky to have ridden, especially after barely being able to spectate last year, with my back troubles.  Each day is a bonus when you are an #oldladyhorseshowing.  Haha!

Terrilee Baxter entertains

Isabella Bleu Baxter rides in the Grand Prix after qualifying for Maclay Finals

I could use a popsicle!!

Life is good again, the herd is complete.

Roscoe is back in his usual place beside my desk and all is well…