Today I woke up wayyyyyyy before daybreak–which is completely against everything I believe in—– in order to take a few horses to a local dressage show at Dancing Horse Farm in Lebanon. Kelli and her “newish”(not Jewish) horse Cavalier were competing today in their first ever dressage show together. Elizabeth and McCrae were getting their last scores posted so that they could be eligible for year end awards.
It just so happened that it was also a “costume dressage show”——also completely against everything I believe in. Kelli went dressed as a basketball referee. Cavalier went dressed as a Cleveland Cavalier. What a great costume! If I weren’t such a loser on the computer….I would post some pics of them on my blog. Elizabeth is a gal after my own heart in the way of costuming. She chose to go as the ever creative “Cross County Rider”, and McCrae was “an event horse”. They looked great in all of their black and orange gear.
Elizabeth and McCrae had a great day together They earned some really good scores, 2 first place ribbons, and a 4th place ribbon. McCrae had a “thoroughbred moment” during his Intro Test and just decided he was too hyper to pay attention (that was the 4th place ribbon). After galloping in the warm-up ring for the next 20 minutes, he came back out to get a 68% in his third and final test. Great job, Elizabeth!
Kelli and Cavalier did a great first ever test together (and Kelli’s first dressage test EVER). The pair earned a 64% in the first test and a blue ribbon. With some more attention to precision in the second test, she and Cavalier earned a 68.5% and another blue ribbon. The pair is ready to move on to training level after just one show at Intro! Kelli also earned the “high point” award for having the highest percentage in the Intro level (juniors and seniors combined). Fantastic job, Kelli!
Overall it was a perfect day for our team. Elizabeth got to work on her warm-up strategy for next weekend (Octoberfest HT) and got 3 good tests in. Kelli got to experience a dressage show before the 2011 show season begins. We got to learn a lot about Cavalier “in Public” (I would by a dozen of him if I could find them) . And I got to hang out and coach some great girls (ladies??).
You guys were awesome! Congratulations on a really good show!
AND—-A big thank you to Sam for showing us how to find the “smaill” arena. We would be lost without you.