Preview Show Day 3

“It’s not enough to learn how to ride, you must also learn how to fall.” —Mexican proverb

Both Jane and I spent a productive morning at home getting mowing done before the predicted rain.  The rain was initially predicted for Thursday, but we got lucky and it did hold off all day today, so at least our grass is tidy.  The flowers are hoping for rain…

We loaded Derry and Bart at noon and headed back for some more #oldladieshorseshowing at the NEC.  Our classes were scheduled to start around 3 PM, so we had time to bike to Starbucks for caffeine – and to build fitness.

Our good, new friend, Louise, came to watch us show today.  Louise is technically an old lady (she is so glamorous, though, she doesn’t look like an old lady)!   She has just taken up riding within the past year – she rides at Great Griffin Farm and is already jumping!   Anyway, she has not seen us show, and has been looking forward to it all year.  Louise was also in Michigan last week, which added to the fun.  There was not really any extra pressure having her there.  Jane and I were nervous, like we always are.

Today began the classes that count – the High Adult Jumpers (1.10 meter).  This particular show hosts the Zone 7 Equitation Finals Class on Sunday, so there will be no jumper classes, and two classes were scheduled for this afternoon, instead of the usual one each day.  There was a Table II, 2b class with a jump off, and a Table II, 2.1 Speed class.  Classes were “back to back” – the judge held open cards for both classes, so we could do the two classes one right after the other, without taking a break.  Kris had Bart and me early in the order, and Derry and Jane at the end of the class.  Rules have changed, and now with “back to back” jumper classes like this, the course for the speed class must be the same as the first round course in the jump off class.   There are advantages and disadvantages to that, but “it is what it is” – a new rule that I didn’t know about, so I learned something new, anyway…

Bart was ready for action, as usual…

I tacked up and got on, and then Kris had a hunter to prepare in the other ring, so there was a long wait, moving me down in the order.  We had hoped to video each other, but because the scheduling changed, Jane went to get on Derry while I was warming up.  Bottom line – no pictures today, which is a shame, since I actually wore my coat.

We have learned that Scott Starnes, the course designer, sets a lot of bending lines.  It seems to be a signature of his style.  Jane HATES bending lines, and today, every line was a bending line (six strides was the number of the day).  Bart was GREAT – but luck was no longer with us.  I over covered the second bending six stride line, and got a little too deep – 4 faults.  Then we had to go right back in for the Speed class and I screwed up the first inside turn, adding a stride and causing 4 faults.  However, Bart was amazing the rest of the way, and finished with the second fastest 4 fault round.  He covered the lines easily, jumped really well, and felt energetic and confident.  Both rides were a blast.

I rushed Bart back to the stall so that I could watch Jane, but by the time I returned, she had already done her first class.  Apparently, it did NOT go well.  Kris said she almost fell!  In the second bending six stride line, Derry went a little wide, and Jane asked her to leave the ground on six strides, when she probably should have chipped in seven.  Yikes!  Kris could not believe it – they crashed through the oxer, and Jane just picked up her reins and continued on, jumping around easily over the rest of the course!  So she, too had a four fault round, but, as we say, Jane’s was an “expensive four faults” (as opposed to a “cheap rail” – a pole that falls with just a light touch).

In the Speed class, they jumped a nice first fence, but had a big miss at the second jump.  Derry sort of clambered over, with Jane up her neck, and poor Jane landed in front of the saddle.  Derry cantered a few more strides, and then Jane fell off!  Ouch!!  The new footing is a lot harder than the old dirt.  Louise was quite traumatized watching all of this, but Jane took the walk of shame out of the ring, then remounted and jumped a few jumps to rebuild confidence.  She set a good example of getting back on the horse.  At our age, every fall is traumatic, and being able to get back up is a victory.  Jane says she can tell she fell off, but she thinks she is fine, if somewhat bruised and battered.

Results – Bart was 7th and Derry 8th in the first class – contiguous ribbons, hooray! even if not primary colors.  And Bart was 5th in the Speed class.

Tomorrow, Derry will regroup in the Low Adult Jumpers.  On we go!

Meanwhile, back at home where the grass is short, our doggie houseguests have settled in well.  Little Weebles is learning to be a farm dog…

And Ruby is wearing her “luggage tag” and joyfully joined Harry on his run this morning…

My new phone arrived and is up and running.  Goodbye to the very trusty old one, which had survived an inadvertent swim in Lake Michigan only to fall to the slate floor…

Bart and Derry are home and out for a night of wet, Irish weather, which we hope will refresh them for tomorrow’s final class…