Modern Eventing

Andrea has put together a wonderful post on Modern Eventing on her blog.

Please read it.  Think about it.  Discuss it.  When need smart minds and loud voices right now.

Rolex Fever

Ok, what self-respecting eventer doesn't have Rolex Fever???

As jaded and embittered as I am about the whole "sport in crisis", I still look forward to Rolex. I am not so lucky as to get to actually *go* to Rolex, but I still subscribe to the online broadcasts (if nothing else, to vote with my dollar that online coverage of equestrian events is a Good Thing).

Like everyone else on the planet, I am rooting for Jennifer and The Good Witch.



But this year is special, because not only will I be cheering from the relative safety and comfort of my couch, but I will be hosting the Horse Radio Network's LIVE coverage of Rolex on this blog. The Horse Radio Network publishes several excellent podcasts, of which I am also a subscriber, and I am happy to promote them getting more listeners. Again, any intelligent horse news is a Good Thing.

I don't make a penny off of hosting their LIVE coverage, just blogging karma I suppose. Also, please note that they will not have live video, since NBC owns the rights to that, but they will have lots of content related to bios, commentary, pictures, and interviews.

Sounds good, where do you go to see said Horse Radio Network coverage? I will post their widget on the home page of this blog starting Tuesday night. My usual blog entries will follow below it. I know it's hard to imagine anything more exciting than watching The Good Witch totally rock Rolex, but Brego and I have our own little show going on next weekend.

Anyone Can Event!

Completely random thought for today:

Have you ever see Ratatouille? It's a great little animated film about a rat who wants to be a chef.  He idolizes a dead French chef who wrote a book called "Anyone Can Cook".  Anyway, it gushes with Pixar goodness (second only to WALL-E, in my mind).  The rat's arch nemesis is a food critic who insists that [insert condescending tone] "No, not just anyone can cook."  Of course, in the end, the critic is won over, but he has a great character arc in which he makes a stunning realization:

When the dead French chef said "Anyone can cook", he did not mean that "Everyone can be a Five-Star chef", but that a "Five-star chef can come from anywhere".

In no small way, that is the motto of this blog.  If only I could make a wildly successful animated film about Brego!

But anyway, I don't believe that every horse can be a great eventer.  But I believe a great eventer can come from anywhere, showing talent despite the typical "profile".  People should remove the scales from their eyes and stop the "breed" chasing and just look at raw talent, no matter how pudgy the packaging.

We're talking about adult ammy standards here, not Olympic talent.  You know, the horse for the 98% of riders out there.

Completely objectively (*cough* *cough*), Brego has talent.  He is not as talented as some, but he is more talented than most.  And I am exceedingly lucky to know him, I take no credit for his talent.  It's his and his alone.  My neighbor cum trainer is a wonderful and kind woman, but we've not ridden for her yet so she has just seen Brego standing around in a field.  And he does not exactly ooze talent just standing there, scratching his butt on a tree.  So, even though she tries to hide it, she's very skeptical when I talk about him as a dressage horse, or as a jumper.  She's stuck in the "breed trap".

No matter what sport you perform, or even no sport at all, try to frame your mind that "Anyone can _________!" The next big Five-Star chef may just be scratching his butt in your pasture right now.

Three Cheers for The Brego

The Brego was great today at our combined training schooling show at Echo Ridge Farms. This was a big test because it would be our first cross country round over a course he had not previously schooled. At all previous shows, I had been able to get to the course in advance and show him around. Another element of concern is that a lot of the cross country elements were brightly painted, which is not something we have schooled before. We tend to go au natural.

The morning was a little rushed because it took longer to walk the beginner novice course than expected (read: the course was LONG). The course consisted of 15 fences and it started, derby style, over fences in a field but then quickly wound its way through a forest. And thanks to buckets of rain the last two days, the forest trails were very wet and slick. The farm had tried their best to put down shavings and shore up the footing, but I knew it would be rough going. Since this was just a schooling show and the track was not timed, I decided to trot most of the forest work and only canter over the fences.

As I said, I did not have as much dressage warmup as I would like. Brego was very stiff and looky, taking in all the sights and sounds. I had a lot of trouble getting him to relax and soften, which is evident in the test. He would be working nicely and then suddenly stare off far into the distance and resist the bend. Such is a show atmosphere. I tried to stay calm and soft, but I did stiffen through warmup. About halfway through my test, we finally relaxed and we managed to get a really nice right canter. Overall, I am pretty pleased with the test. It was not as soft as our schooling at home, but much improved since the last show. The judge agreed, and awarded us with a 68% or 32 penalty points, which was the highest score at the entire show.

Then came cross country. The derby style course was very technical, not in fence height, but in terrain and footing. Everything was wet and slick and the hills were definitely a factor. It took awhile to get Brego warmed up to the course, but by fences 6A and 6B, we were cruising. It was around that time that I sat back and rested on my minor accomplishments and we promptly took a rail at fence 7. It was completely my fault. But then I shifted back into high gear for the rest of the course and we went around as well as could be expected. The footing was so bad up one hill that Brego was cantering in place, he could not get enough traction and slid with each step. The mud was the thick oozy kind where there is no purchase to be had. I trotted most of the forest trails but as I approached one coop, I knew I was in trouble. I could see the skid marks from the horses before me as they tried to jump the coop at the bottom of a steep hill. Since I kept Brego pretty slow down the hill, I thought he would be fine, but he still slid into the base as he tried to jump. He made it over, but took the coop with him. I checked him up to feel him out but he just wanted to power up the opposite hill. He felt really good so I let us continue and he jumped the nice maxed out flower box at the end.

All in all, he was awesome. The rail was my fault and Brego was a trooper on the rest of the course. Although I was pretty upset about the footing, Brego did not seem traumatized and finished strong. This is a real milestone for us because he had not schooled any part of the course before. He started pretty iffy, sucking back (although never looky), but as soon as he figured out we were "on course" he really rose to the challenge. I think he is starting to "get" cross country and how it's a big gallop and jumping fences even if they look strange. I mean, there was one fence painted like a cow!

Even with the rail, our dressage score kept us in first place. I am so proud of Brego. He performed so well, especially considering the heat and humidity.

Combined Training Schooling Show from Eventing Percheron on Vimeo.

I am excited to get back to some basics over the next few weeks in preparation for the big show on August 17th. I am going to continue with our dressage work, longe lessons, shorten my stirrups in jumping and get more training.

Many thanks to the two generous ladies who helped out at the showing. They were awesome groom/photographers/moral support/fan club members!

First Three Phase

Today was a big day for The Brego and I. We headed over to New Hampshire to participate in our first real three phase schooling event. We had been to a schooling event last year, but we were decidedly non competitive, trotting the entire xc course.

Today we were actually going to compete, or at least complete the event. Things didn't go as well as hoped, but they certainly went fair enough with Brego and I winning a fifth place ribbon and earning reasonable scores.

In dressage we scored 42 penalty points which amounts to a 58%, our lowest score ever. The test was not really that bad, it was accurate and obedient, but Brego was definitely hot and completely over the whole dressage thing and so we both performed poorly. The more I tried to push him forward, the worse my position got, and the worse he did as well. The judge, to say the least, was unimpressed. In fact, she couldn't manage to find a single positive thing to say about us, either verbally after the test or on the score sheet. Other horses, in inverted frames, who broke from the canter during the test scored higher than us. Such is life in the dressage world, but it definitely set the tone for the rest of the day.

Cross country was the phase I was most concerned about, since Brego tends to be very looky and slow. By the time we were set to enter the start box, it was very hot and humid. I knew I would have trouble getting Brego going, so I wore my nubbin spurs. Boy, did he listen to those! We came out of the start box with his usual lethargy but after a few good kicks, he was off to the races and stayed in front of my leg the rest of the ride. He jumped everything very well, in stride and without hesitation. He was a complete machine on course. I was so proud of him.

Last fence on cross country

Stadium jumping was 15 minutes after cross country. I made the mistake of dismounting and loosening his girth to let him recover from cross country while my wonderful family sponged him off. Usually the loosening of the girth is his sign that his job is done. And that's pretty much how he acted during stadium: What, I have to work again?? He knocked down all three of his warm up jumps and the round itself was sticky and ugly. To add insult to injury, there was a rolltop on course, which we have not schooled since the ill-fated refusal at the hunter trials, so I over rode it and we got a rotten distance. The good news is that he jumped it fine, but then proceeded to knock down fence 6 off a bad turn. We made it through the rest of the course without too much trouble, but it was not a great round.

The distance to the rolltop was my fault, and the subsequent falling back was not fun

So we ended the show with 4 jumping faults in stadium for a total penalty of 46 points, which was good enough for 5th (out of 12, four horses were eliminated).

The good:
Brego got all his leads, both on cross country and in stadium. As the first show where we had to do all three phases in one day, it was a pretty big success. We did not get eliminated, and even though he was tired and fell asleep at the wheel during stadium, he jumped well. We were well prepared, neither one of us was overfaced. In fact, I thought cross country was a little ho hum, even though he rode very well. In fact, Brego was a little too relaxed at the show, and needed a LOT of work to get him going.

Which leads me to... The bad:
Man, Brego was very nonplussed about the whole thing and used the dressage test (and hence my inability to beat the crap out of him) to just drift farther behind my leg. I did pop him a couple of times during the test, but the damage was done. The judge was very unkind about our performance.

Watching the videos, my riding is pretty poor. My leg is vertical (mostly), but I am so toed out that sometimes my toes rotate past 90 degrees, if that's possible. I don't actually realize I am doing it over the jump, so I don't even know how I can bend that way. Also, my hands were pretty bad, lots of elbows out. And of course, driving Brego around makes my position all squatty and gross. It's a total bummer because I want to be proud of us, but I just expect more from us. Brego can definitely perform a better dressage test, he does it most days of the week at home. And all the work I have been doing on my position jumping was seemingly forgotten when I needed it most. It's pretty frustrating. I want to ride better so badly, and I take lessons and practice all the time. But somehow, I can never put it together when I need it.

Anyway, it's good to get the first show out of the way and I feel like neither one of us are a danger to ourselves on course. But I also realize I have a tremendous amount of work to do before the big show August 17th if I don't want to be wasting my efforts. A 42 in dressage is not great and at my level, everyone goes double clear so I can't get rails in stadium. Not that I am out to win, but I feel some level of pressure to perform well to prove Brego and I can be eventers. Sure there were Thoroughbreds flipping out and getting eliminated, but that's expected. Show up with a draft and you better have done your homework to be taken seriously. Or maybe that's just all my perception...

Milestone

Today is July 1. Not only is it the beginning of another fabulous month in New England, it just so happens that it is also the opening date for our First Ever Recognized Event.

The entry form has been filled out for a month. If you think I didn't drop that puppy off at the post office at 6 am this morning, then you are just plan silly.

The event in question is the August 17th Horse Trials at Kingsbury Hill. There's still plenty of time to add some polish before then, otherwise I just might throw up from nerves.

Here's a little poem I like to read to get inspired to go do crazy things:

George Gray

By Edgar Lee Masters

I have studied many times
The marble which was chiseled for me-
A boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor.
In truth it pictures not my destination
But my life.
For love was offered me and I shrank from its disillusionment;
Sorrow knocked at my door, but I was afraid;
Ambition called to me, but I dreaded the chances.
Yet all the while I hungered for meaning in my life.
And now I know that we must lift the sail
And catch the winds of destiny
Wherever they drive the boat.
To put meaning in one’s life may end in madness,
But life without meaning is torture
Of restlessness and vague desire-
It is a boat longing for the sea, and yet afraid.

Now that is a little melodramatic for a horse event, no? But in a way, this horse eventing thing has changed my life. I decided to try to event my Percheron in March of 2007. That was 16 months ago. Sixteen months of work to get to this point, our first beginner novice recognized event. Two date, that is 8 dressage lessons, 4 jumping lessons, 4 cross country schoolings, 3 clinics, 2 hunter trials, 1 hunter show, and approximately 256 different rides. Plus, I moved halfway across the country to pursue a better (eventing) horse scene, uprooting my family, selling my home, changing jobs.

As an aside, that may sound like few lessons, but I had already been riding all my life. Even the lowest levels of eventing are not an entry-level sport, as I have learned.

Through it all, the only constant was my horse. My big, silly horse. These experiences are precious to me.

(Gosh, after that build up, cross your fingers that I get in!!)

Yes

Yes, yes, and more yes:

Joint Letter from USEF President David O’Connor and USEA President Kevin Baumgardner

Quote:

We are proposing today that within the U.S. the following five initiatives be put into effect:

1. If a horse has a rotational fall, horse and rider are suspended from competing for three or six months
2. If a horse has a rotational fall, horse and rider lose their qualification at the level at which they are competing.
3. If a rider falls off on the course they are eliminated.
4. Open oxers on courses at every level are made frangible.
5. If a horse falls related to a jump both horse and rider are suspended from competing for one month.

I would like to add some additional constraints:
6. If a horse falls related to a jump twice in a six month period of time, both lose their qualification to ride at the level at which they are competing.
7. In order to move up, both horse and rider must complete a recognized event with no jumping penalties on cross country.

Number 6 is because if you are having horse falls regularly, you need to move down. Period. And number 7 is because not all the horses who fall have a history of falling, but have a history of not going clear in other, lower-level events. We have enough events (sorry Area V folks) for you to get that clear round before moving up. Practice until it happens.

Now that should curb the cowboyism that people saw at Rolex. If people have a rotational fall as an "accident" and not human error, then tough. Sit out and learn your lesson. Now let's start the discussion on the format. The Long format might be officially dead, but don't pretend it doesn't have an impact.

I promise to get back to more Brego-tastic posts soon. Jumping training is getting started and conditioning will soon follow...

The Dressage Percheron?

I have talked about this before, and I try to keep this blog upbeat and focused on the horse instead of the greater sport. But I am honestly a little out of sorts about the recent tragedies at Rolex. Two more amazing animals destroyed and one brave rider fighting for her life. And we call this a sport?

Badminton next weekend. I am going to sit that one out. Too many deaths last year.

I have read the public comment from upper level riders. I have read the comments from Captain Mark Philips. I call bullshit. Too many deaths to say they are all freak accidents. And for those saying we need tighter qualification requirements, some of our best are falling, not just the overfaced ammies.

I makes me ill to think about how little accountability or responsibility is being taken in this sport. Notice I did not say blame, just own up to the fact that there is a problem. And whether we want to own up to this or not, the deaths really picked up with the demise of the short format. The long format really weeded out the "almost ready" from the "damn sure we're ready and in peak fitness". A horse even at 90% fitness might not be able to squeak that extra 2 inches you need to clear the table when you blow it. Or have the mental focus to contend with corner after technical corner. And when you are moving that fast, over jumps that large, those 2 inches just might save your life.

I have said it before, and I will say it again. The sport Brego and I are playing in has little resemblance to the uber elite upper level riders and competitions. It's so different that people at that level don't fear mortality, I suppose. I just want a sport that encourages me to be a better all around rider with a little adrenaline kick now and then. Hunters in the US is a caricature of foxhunting, and eventing is turning into a caricature of its own.

There's no point to this post, just anger and frustration. The whole world wants to not accept responsibility for the very real crisis we, as a people, are in. It seems eventing literally imploding is just a symptom.

In other news, the rice rationing is really going to impact the fancy rice bran I feed Brego. Bad day.

Eyes Wide Open

EDITED: The context of this post is extrapolated from the discussion and work of others online. Specifically, the compiled list of eventing fatalities was referenced from a discussion thread on the Chronicle of the Horse Forums. All references to the list should include the original citation. Please also note that this post was originally uploaded 11/24/2007 and considerable discussion and energies have taken place by all interested parties. The information contained within it should be considered dated.

I haven't ridden since the last dressage show, letting both Brego and myself unwind. I have been using my "riding" time to study up on the cerebral aspects of the sport, read some interesting dressage books, and generally try to enrich my knowledge of horses.

But then I saw this thread of Chronicle of the Horse announcing Eleanor's death. There's been a lot of discussion on the event forum there about the deaths this year during competitions. Although I tend to consider upper-level eventing and what Brego and I do as different sports, 11 deaths in a year is seriously sobering.

What is going on? Is it the demise of the long format, the infusion of of warmbloods, more technical courses? In this post, someone details what they have found researching.

A list of eventing deaths from August 2006 - November 2007:

Sherelle Duke (IRE), 28, 08/20/06, Brockenhurst (UK), Advanced HT, rotational fall, horse fell on rider, head injuries

Mia Eriksson (USA), 17, 11/04/06, Galway Downs, CCI**, Fence #19, rotational fall, horse fell on rider, ruptured aorta

Kim Hyung Chil (KOR), 47, 12/07/06, Doha, Asian Games CCI*, Fence #8, table (1.08m in height), rotational fall, horse fell on rider’s head and upper body

Amanda Bader (USA), 32, 02/17/07, Ocala, Preliminary HT, Fence #13, table, rotational fall, horse fell on rider, head/neck injuries

Amelie Cohen (FRA), 30, 03/11/07, Fontainebleau, Novice, Fence #7, rotational fall, horse fell on rider

Jo-Anne Williams (UK), 34, 04/18/07 Sapey ODE, Novice, Fence #8, ‘bench-style obstacle’, horse somersaulted, rider thrown clear, displaced aorta (inoperable), also reported as head injury

Julie Silly (FRA), 17, 05/05/07, Novice HT, Jardy, ‘straightforward fence’, rotational fall, horse fell on rider

Elin Stalberg (SWE), 19, 07/21/07, Bollnas, CCI** or CIC**, 3rd last fence, corner, rotational fall, horse fell on rider

Tina Richter-Vietor (GER) , 32, 08/04/07 , CIC** Schenefeld , Fence #2, ‘easy-type’ fence, rotational fall, horse somersaulted and rider ‘catapulted out of saddle’, broken neck

Anke Wolfe (GER), 40, 08/15/07, Neu-Wulmsdorf, Novice HT, final fence, rotational fall, horse fell on rider

Maia Boutanos (FRA), 29, 09/01/07, Moulin-Coulandon, Novice HT, Fence #5b, ‘fall of horse and rider’, ‘obstacle not fixed’ according to regulations

Eleanor Brennan (UK), 20, 11/17/07, Ocala CCI**, Fence #18, table, rotational fall, horse fell on rider, head and chest injuries

(Note: in this list, the European Novice is the equivalent of our Prelim level)

The killer is rotational falls, at speed, over Prelim or higher fences which cause horses to land on the rider's head and chest. Rotational falls occur at the lower levels, up past 3' or so, but the speed is not as big of a factor and the rider is thrown clear or the horse lands on the legs and pelvis. And of course, the table fence, which killed Eleanor, is strikingly present in the list.

A lot people want answers, and of course, I want the USEA to address it, or at least admit there is a problem. Eleven deaths all due to a similar fall is not a statistical abnormality. While I do not believe we can lay the blame solely at the demise of the long format, there is a certain amount of fallout from the way courses are built today. I think Denny Emerson said it best in his post on Chronicle of the Horse:

There will be some rule maven on here who can correct me if I`m wrong, but I`m pretty sure that the speeds of 520 for prel, 550 for int, and 570 for adv have been the same since I started eventing in 1962.
But the x-c courses are very different than "back when."
Nobody who has been really "in the sport" for say, 15-20 years, will argue that many, if not most x-c courses have become much more technical.
This past summer someone was describing some advanced track they`d just watched as being like "a three mile Hickstead Jumping Derby over solid obstacles."
But the way horses generally get faults in jumping derbies is by having the rails fall down, not the horses.
As horses have to be slowed down and set up to negotiate technical questions, it then stands to reason that, in order to make time, the riders will "book" at the fairly straightforward ones.
Even our very greatest, Bruce, Mark Todd, Blyth Tait, have missed and had crashing falls, so what chance does a mere mortal have to always get the right distance on a horse that is "flying low" at high speeds, often tired, to make the time?
Sure, you say, the rider doesn`t have to make the time, he/she can slow down and ride better distances from better balance, but good eventers are first and foremost competitive people who want to do well.
I know, partly because I am one, and because I`ve spent the last 45 years in close proximity to thousands of them.
So if we are determined that we want more technical xc courses, and it seems we do, then I think our speeds may well be outmoded.
Heck, we`ve already done away with the heart of "speed and endurance", why not go the rest of the way and try lowering speeds by, lets say, 20 meters a minute, to 500, 530, and 550 for the 3 upper levels?
It might not be the answer, but at this point, we better try something, probably a number of somethings, if we want this sport to survive.
The way it`s going now has got to change, and fast, or some outside entity will change it for us, which might not be the worst thing in the world if we are found to be unable to police our own sport for the wellbeing of its participants.
I am way past thinking "It`s just an accident, and accidents will happen."
Not like this, not this many, no way.

For many reasons, I have capped Brego's competitive jumping height at 3'. I will not ask him to compete higher than Novice in eventing. But after reading about the upper levels of the sport, and I am not even going to start talking about horse deaths which is a much larger number, I think I might cap myself as well. Everyone told me at my first eventing clinic that I would outgrow Brego's abilities and need to get a proper eventer. Well, what if I don't want to outgrow them? Three foot solid fences is still looking pretty big to me and we have so much to learn to even get to that level of competition. By the time we get there, eventing may not even exist in its current form, having been sanitized into jumping derbies + high level dressage by the public outcry.

I don't have any answers. The only comfort I have is that I trust my horse, and I know we can be partners for the foreseeable future, with no pressure to move up to where the consequences of a mistake are too grim. Everybody be safe out there.

Discretion is the Better Part of Valor

Brego went to his first ever show this weekend and competed in all three phases of combined training. It was a very big thing to ask of a horse who has been in serious training for a few months, but he always seems so sensible, so I knew he would do well.

And overall, he did very well. We arrived Friday night, so he spent two nights in a strange place. It was his first ever dressage test, jumping course, and cross country course. It was my first ever dressage test, jumping course, and cross country course. Surprisingly, he was the second youngest horse at the entire show. Greenie mistakes were made by both of us, but I would have to say that Brego out performed me on Saturday for dressage and jumping. And it was my turn to pick up the slack when he finally had enough before our cross country round on Sunday.

Our dressage test went pretty well. It was not the best ride we've ever done, but considering the show environment, and the scary judge in the pavilion at C, he certainly put in a reasonable test. We scored a 44 (or 56% for dressage aficionados). The judge's comments were very fair and constructive with an overwhelming theme of Brego being on the forehand. I was happy with both the test and with the comment sheet. It was so wonderful to read what the judge was thinking.

The jumping round was a little crazy. There was no schooling in the ring before hand so we were coming in cold. Brego sucked back from fence 1 and then I cut the corner to fence 2. We sort of started to hit our stride for fence 3 and 4. I thought fence 5 was well setup, but Brego boggled it, or at least, he disagreed. He did an impressive series of flying lead changes before fence 6 (too bad it wasn't dressage) and ended up with a hard rub from his hind legs. The pole stayed up though. After fence 7, I started to feel pretty ill. Five fences was the longest course I had jumped so far and I was beyond done with this adventure. Which explains why Brego had to save my butt on fence 8 and 9. I took him to the outside for fence 10 and then, once again, completely stopped riding for the final fence 11 and Brego managed to squeak over it at a 45 degree angle or something. So much for setting them up for him. He really showed his class and honesty to be given such a poor ride and still come out clean. Especially since this was the first time he had ever been asked to do something like this before. He got lots of pets and scratches and cookies. He was the hero of the day.

And then there was Sunday.

Midway through warmup for cross country, Brego decided he was about done with the show. His buddy was calling him from the parking area. He was tired, undoubtedly sore, and just sick of jumping over things. He exploded without warning into a big buck-and-fart and half hearted bolt across the arena. One trainer commented to me that she felt the earth move. Har dee har har. A pulley rein brought him back and we continued our warmup until he tried it again, with less enthusiasm, but enough to spook me. Finally as we were exiting the warmup area to go on course, he went completely behind the bit and just started pulling me where ever he wanted to go, jigging, spinning, snorting fire, etc.

In case you haven't noticed, he's a big and strong horse and I admit, he scared me. He's generally very good natured, but when he pitches a fit, I feel ill equipped to affect a positive outcome. To this point, all his problems are rider problems. If something is wrong, I fix myself and we go on our way. But this was a horse problem. He was done and he knew how to get out of my hands. Of course, I did not wear gloves and my reins were slick with sweat so I felt even more uncomfortable. Oh, and the girl on course ahead of me had about 4 refusals at every fence so Brego got to watch a horse galloped hard and then punished at the fences with a frenzy of kicking and hitting and it added to his already elevated energy. Thanks, crazy girl!

We made it out on course though, but I decided to throw out my carefully constructed and gorgeous game plan and trot the course. I could give him no opportunity to get away from me, especially since the path headed for the trailer during two parts of the course. And cantering him out by himself when he had already proven that he was in no mood to humor me was a recipe for a Very Bad Learning Experience.

So much to everyone's utter boredom, I trotted most of the course. I even walked one part to regroup before turning towards the barn. Of course, super jumper Brego cared not at all about trotting the itty bitty fences. The only fence he looked hard at was the first one I attempted to canter with him, and my position was so weak that he had every excuse to suck back.

Let's just say it was a learning experience.

Things I learned:

1. A 1500 lb horse that goes behind the bit and lugs forward does not have a good set of brakes. You are riding a runaway freight truck at that point.
2. Brego, in all his wisdom and patience, is a green horse and is entitled to green moments.
3. Riding a jumper course is completely different than a hunter course. That is, it requires some input on the part of the rider. This rule is also known as "Thanks for saving my butt, Brego".
4. Even rubber reins are slick when your palms sweat because your horse tried to kill you in warmup.
5. You always ride in spurs, even when you think your horse has energy, because they are a tool to keep him from dropping behind your leg, and behind the bit, and lugging you like a runaway freight truck.
6. Brego doesn't need a lot of warmup to perform, but he is fitter than he acts, so too much warmup is better than too little.
7. Brego is a very honest jumper and he tries very hard, he's just green (and his rider is, too).
8. Eventing is only for the brave. It's not supposed to be fun yet, right?
9. We, as a team, are not ready for a recognized event, but we're on the right track.

So I am going to pass on the November 10th Pine Hill show and start going recognized next spring. We need miles and I need serious lessons. We ended up finishing on our dressage score (because there were no time faults on xc) which was more than I had hoped for. And ending up 3rd (even out of three) on a 44 is no small feat. We were only 3 points behind the leader. It was just a rough ride for both of us and I think we can only go up from here!




The videos are somewhat embarrassing, but they are an accurate representation of where we are in our training, so I posted them:

• Dressage Test - Beginner Novice Test A
• Jumping Test - 2'6"
• XC Test - Slowest BN round ever

Countdown Begins...

Indian Creek Farms has published their September schooling show bill and Brego's entry went in today. So in a month's time, Brego will be making his Beginner Novice debut. It's a schooling show and not USEA-rated, so the pressure is off and it will be just one big positive experience and learning opportunity. I am so excited to see how he does on a real course.

I am also very appreciative to Indian Creek Farms for providing such a lovely facility for a schooling show so close to my home barn. Many thanks!

Anyway, I have decided to start him back into jumping slightly early in prep for the mid-September show. I will start free jumping him in a couple of weeks and then school a couple times a week over fences until the show. His fitness over a full course is of some concern since the heat has made us both super lazy. The bright note is that his dressage continues to improve every ride (now that his rider has lessened her interference with him). But the most important thing is that he competes safely and happily in accordance with his ability. I anticipate a lot of trotting through cross country and definitely simple changes through jumping.

I've got show nerves already!

Dog Days of Summer

August has arrived and with it: Sun and Heat. I am thrilled about the Sun because at least it's not raining (as much). But the heat can be severe and I have to be careful and not overwork Brego. He tends to run hot, being a big-muscled and dark-colored horse, so I have to be even more vigilant.

Luckily, I have plenty to do which does not involve canter sets or other wind conditioning programs, which are on hold at least for this month due to the heat. I had decided after our last successful cross-country schooling in July that I would not jump Brego again until I had spent some time on dressage and getting him stronger and more balanced. I want him to learn to jump correctly, using his back, and not just canter over fences as they get larger. So far so good, the plan is working.

Since my last dressage lesson, I have had two excellent rides working on Brego moving off my leg and being balanced in shoulder-fore. It's really crazy how fast he learns because when he stands around with that droopy lip, he really doesn't look all that smart. Each ride, however, brings progress... noticeable progress, so I think he's really smarter than he looks!

Anyway, I intend to "stay the course" with nothing but flatwork for August (with more dressage lessons scheduled) and then reintroduce jumping using a free jump chute in early September. I hope to get him balanced and fit enough so that he can free jump up to 3'. Then, I want to be schooling 2'9" with me in the saddle regularly with him before we attempt our first Beginner Novice event (max jump height for Beginner Novice is 2'7").

And speaking of showing, Indian Creek has not posted their September schooling show schedule yet, but I hope to go to one of their schooling shows before tackling a recognized USEA show. I need to know we will not get Eliminated before I shell out the entry fees for the big time. After my next dressage lesson, I also want to try for a small dressage schooling show just to get some miles on Brego. He's been camping, schooling, and some play-day type shows, but he needs to get used to the hustle and bustle of a real show, especially if I expect him to listen to me enough to canter a 20m circle!

But it hasn't been all work... my Dad stopped by for a visit last weekend and Brego got lots of deserved attention. My dad has been taking me to lessons since I was five years old and has always been part of my horsey life. Although he doesn't quite understand why I would ever want to jump Brego, he is at least starting to admit that he's handsome! Progress!

A Brief History

On the few occasions when I have been lucky enough to rub shoulders with other eventers, and the topic of my chosen mount comes up, I can honestly say that I have never been laughed at. People are really very gracious.

They sort of pause, look my horse up and down, and say, "He's a what?"

I answer, "A Percheron. You know, kind of like a Clydesdale, but without the beer."

Another pause.

"And you're eventing him?"

I reply, "That's the plan."

And then it happens. They ask the same question I ask myself almost every week as we work on fitness, and lightness, and not plodding around a course.

"Why?"

Why, indeed. The short answer is: 'Cause he's there. He's my horse, the only one I have. And I am fond of him and not really eager to replace him for my eventing fancy when I haven't even gone to a single Horse Trial, yet.

I originally bought Brego to be a back-country trail horse. I needed a horse that could carry me, a 30lb solid western saddle, and about 60 lbs of gear all day in rough terrain and quiet enough to stand picketed all night. You add everything up, and I needed a horse that weighed in about 1500 lb. I like the Percheron breed because it tends to be lighter than the other heavy drafts like Belgians. They are not so far removed from their "war horse" days. So I went out and found the cheapest young gelding I could find, knowing that all he would have to do is walk down a trail and stand quietly. Ha! I obviously had no idea where we would end up.

I ended up boarding at an eventing barn and immediately saw how it was different from the hunter show world I left behind. Up to that point I thought eventers were the "crazy ones" who jumped solid fences. Once I got to understand the sport though, I fell in love with it. I saw a small horse jumping logs in a field and I thought, well I wonder if Brego could do that. To my surprise, my trail horse could! I got lucky with Brego, no doubt about it. And now I feel compelled to see how much we can do.

The long answer to "why eventing?" is that I think the horse has some athleticism and talent and the sport of eventing is primed to take advantage of it. He will never be a rock star at anything, but I don't need a rock star. I need a horse who is "quality" and who will be my one horse for the next 20+ years. I need him to have many skills because I like to do many things. I am not so well off that I can have a specialist breed of horse for every occasion, so Brego has to try to wear many hats. He's pretty game for most fun and he seems to be liking the jumping. It has really improved his confidence in everyday matters. He tackles problems better on the trail. What little flat work I have done to make him more obedient has made a difference even camping overnight. In short, he just needs to be "used" and interacted with and he soaks everything up like a sponge.

I think it reflects not only on Brego's quality but on the quality of the "Combined Training" sport as a whole. It's a sport dedicated to producing the best of an individual horse. Off-the-track-Thoroughbreds, cow ponies, even drafts can play the game, because the game is so geared towards an individual's best, not some quantitative measure. Sure it would be great to win, but the majority of eventers aren't in it for the ribbons, and I am not holding my breath... It's a sport that welcomes all as long as you are committed to working hard and doing well by your horse.

Let's list all the sports I could not take Brego into, regardless of his talent, because of his breed/confirmation:

1. Barrel Racing
2. Track Racing
3. Pacers
4. SaddleSeat
   
5. Hunters
6. Endurance
7. Reining
8. Western Pleasure (Just the thought of him trying to do the gaits makes me laugh)
   

So.. I could do some sort of driving, although Brego hates driving. I could probably do well at Competitive Trail Riding. And I might have fun at the very lowest levels of Dressage (with obligatory tail extension). Or I could do a sport like eventing where you don't have to be a specialist (at the lower levels anyway), you can be a generalist and the people are kind and you will learn something. And really, that's what I want. I want Brego to be a generalist. I want him to be the kind of horse I can put any type of saddle on, and go spend a day and have it be pleasant. I want to be able to swim him bareback, overnight with him in the mountains, follow the hounds, move the cows, explore the world, or race down a country road. And eventing is the one sport I have found where everything you do in preparation for the sport (legging up, sets, dressage, grids, etc), makes your horse better for all around fun. None of it is "for showing only". It encourages the generalist. Or, better put, it encourages the all-around sport horse.

So although I don't think US Eventing had Brego in mind when they drafted their Statement of Principles, he embodies a lot of what makes eventing great. And that makes me love the game even more.

Area V Adult Summer Camp

I was recently asked to write up my experiences at the Adult Summer Camp for Area V. I have included it below for grins.

Attending the Adult Summer Camp for Area V was the very best introduction to eventing I could imagine. I already knew some about horses, coming from a hunter background, but learning about eventing was like seeing a whole new world open up. Rainey Andrews was tremendously generous with her time, effortlessly shifting her attention from rank beginners to some truly great horse and rider combos. She even offered more sessions during her free time so people could soak up all of her immense information. Max Corcoran stepped right into her role as clinician with all the grace and expertise she uses daily at her job as head groom for Karen O' Conner. In additional to teaching the students about conditioning programs, she spent endless time covering the more mundane but very important topics of braiding, wrapping, feed, supplements, turnout and (everyone's favorite) tail pulling.

The Summer Camp was hosted at one of the most amazing facilities in area V, Cedar Creek Farms. Most students' jaws dropped when they saw their work and play accommodations for the four short days of the camp. The immaculately groomed farm included a airy covered arena with PA system, schooling Trakehner and ditch in front of the cobblestone aisled barn, and more distinct cross country schooling areas than I could count from the complimentary ATVs we got to play with. Perhaps event better than the farm were the meals, which included excellent fresh food with plentiful lounging beverages. It was the best vacation resort, er, eventing facility I have ever seen.

In addition to the excellent instruction, the students got to participate in some of the finer aspects of living in Mabank, Texas. Students were treated to waking up at a lakefront property complete with wave runners. They even got to celebrate the clinic with a surf and turf meal at the local country club, all courtesy of Allison Freeman, our most gracious host. Allison tirelessly looked after all of her guests, even providing special accommodations for myself and my friend when her mare fell sick. She provided the rest of the students with free use of her ranch, equipment, beverages and perhaps most entertaining, her excellent wit and humor which was never in short supply. She succeeded in making everyone feel like an honored guest instead of just a clinic student.

In short, the clinic farm surpassed my wildest hopes and showed me just how hard eventers work and play. I cannot wait until Allison hosts another summer camp and I hope I am first in line when she does.

Brego earns his stripes, er, chevrons!

My new eventing skull cap cover from Sipp Silks came in Brego's colors: Royal Blue and Baby Blue. A soon to be eventing Percheron needs to look as stylish as possible! I've got the helmet cover, matching polo shirts, and some electrical tape for his boots. Now I just need to get a snazzy jumping pad, perhaps royal blue with baby blue piping.

Brego will be charming the ladies sporting his new threads at his next event... sometime after summer in the Heart of Texas.

First Cross Country Schooling

I took Brego down to San Antonio on July 7, 2007 for his first time to school cross country. There is a great farm called Indian Creek Farm which has a gorgeous cross country field, a large dressage arena, and two jumping arenas. For a very reasonable fee, you can trailer in an school in any of the facilities for the day.

Since this was Brego's first time, my goal was to simply "go clean". I wanted to see how he would respond to new fences and a new layout. Since he has only been jumping seriously since March, I am concerned that anything new will throw off this steadily improving confidence.

In addition to jumping cleanly, I was hoping to introduce him to water and to a bank. I did not necessarily intend to school him, but just let him check it out and see what he thought. Maybe he would process it a little and next time we came down, he would school them. Little did I know that my little adolescent Percheron was maturing into a very brave and confident boy!

I started in the lower jumping arena and worked on my departure from low fences. Through my own poor training in the past, I taught him that after a fence, he gets praise and the ability to stop cantering. This makes performing a whole course a little bit difficult when after each fence he says "Can I stop? How about now, can I stop now?". So we did a couple of low verticals and a small wall and worked on finishing the canter at the other side of the arena. He did surprisingly well!

Encouraged, I moved out to the cross country field. We went first to the water complex since it was a very warm day. He walked right in so we ended up schooling. Here is his first ever trot down a bank, into water, and jump out of the water. He is a bit awkward but absolutely so brave!

I then schooled some small logs to see if he would jump funny obstacles without getting a peak at them first. I don't think he ever peaked at them as he cruised right over them.

We finished up with the bank complex. I was a bit intimidated because, deep down, I sometimes question his athleticism and ability to haul his enormous draft butt over fences. Now he needed to jump up about 2'6" onto a grassy bank. Oh, and not kill me. He did just fine at the canter!

So encouraged, we tried to go down the bank. I let him trot up and held my leg and to my surprise he just jumped right off.

I think he's trying to tell me something... I think he loves eventing!




More Pictures Here