Summer 2016!

We’ve been absent far too long from this blog! My only excuse is that with the facebook page, Instagram etc it’s just so easy to keep everyone updated quickly from my phone- and I find it harder to take the time to sit down and type out a blog post on my laptop. It’s something that I, and Benita, want to try and fix since we LOVE reading other rider’s blogs- so we feel we should at least get better at keeping our own up to date. 

After a long absence it’s great to start out with some good news! We took the spring season a bit lightly- we didn’t aim anyone at a spring CCI and instead worked on our horses gaining confidence at they levels without the added pressure of a looming 3 Day. Heading into the Fall season we are looking towards CCI’s and Championships and so are finishing up getting the horses qualified! 

Cedric successfully qualified for a Fall CCI Two Star, if I decide he’s fully ready to do one, at the Horse Park of New Jersey Summer CIC. It was the first time they offered a Summer CIC and the organizers did a great job- the course was fantastic- and somehow the weather gods smiled on us and the footing was superb! Cedric did a nice dressage test, still lots to improve mainly getting him stronger and in a steadier connection but as he’s only 7 I know a lot of this will simply take time- he showjumped a great round just tapping one out. He hasn’t run an Intermediate since April, and has missed some events this summer because of the hard ground so I was a little unsure how he’d take the tough track but he came out of the box and blazed around! He was so brave and honest and just the best! It was quite hilly and I wasn’t in a rush so I let him cruise around and we picked up a handful of time faults but also a 3rd Place Ribbon! I have to say I’m over the moon about him, he’s just the most intelligent creature I’ve ever been around and I feel lucky that he lets me be his person. 

Also at Jersey: 

MTF Cooley Classic, my new guy, jumped great around his 2nd Preliminary start. Clark is such a talented guy we are just working on getting his strength and fitness where it needs to be, very excited about his future!

A Real Cooley (Theo) had a nice, confidence boosting run around the Training level. He’s such a green guy still and can be a little insecure so I’ve decided to drop him back to

Training after each preliminary run just to keep him feeling like he’s invincible! He’s just a little slower to mature mentally, but he is as talented as they come, so taking the extra time will be worth it. So far this approach is proving successful! He’s had great preliminary runs around VAHT and then the very tough Loch Moy I, he’ll be back up to Prelim at Fairhill and after that we will make a decision as to what to run in at the AECs. 

Cooley Daydream continues to impress, this time with Benita aboard! After getting to pilot her around the YEH 5yr class at Loch Moy, where she handily qualified for the Championships this October, as well as to a Win in the Novice level there( qualifying her for the AECs!)- it was a little hard to hand the reins back over to Benita. Benita did a fantastic job giving Daisy a confidence boosting weekend where they were clear in all phases- looking like a move up to Training is in her future! 

Also out to compete at Jersey was our groom Sarah and her horse Appy. Sarah and Appy are putting the finishing touches on their Training level career while eyeing a move up to Preliminary this Fall. Sarah is a fantastic rider and I respect her patience and desire to wait until Appy is fully prepared for the move up- she’s not going to rush through any of the steps. Their dressage and showjumping is improving so much and their cross country is starting to look like a “How To” video! 

None of this would be possible without our amazing Head Groom Laura who keeps all the horses gorgeous and the whole team running smoothly, or Katie T who held the fort down at home while we were away. 

Thank you to our awesome sponsors and supporters, without you none of this would be possible. 

Feeling very thankful for our horses and cautiously optimistic about their fall season- you never know with horses though! Getting ready to cheer the USA on like mad tomorrow as they take to the Rio2016 Olympic Cross Country course! 

till next time- Lucia