Hello all!
Well the whirlwind of competing and traveling all over the place continued at the American Eventing Championships this weekend. It was a really fun event! Though the weekend had its ups and downs, I have to say that I learned a bit and had a wonderful time!
The drive was quite long, but Emma Ford and I handled it. Dressage went on two days, and all three horses were good. Cooper ended up being a bit fresh and silly but still was lovely. Cambalda did a great job, but he got a bit worried being the last horse in the division and was lonely! He got a little tight and was calling back to the barn. Whiskey Road (owned by Jean Marie Evringham) put in a good effort. I think dressage is physically challenging for this little girl, but she ended up in the top half of the pack of around 45 horses, and I was pleased.
Cross-country went well, but I realized that I have not been slipping my reins on Cooper coming down big drops, and so I keep getting catapulted up his neck on landing. I was really bummed when this happened here, but now I at least know what I am doing wrong after watching videos and looking at pictures. Cooper was amazing though and skipped around. It wasn’t his fault at all.
Cambalda was great and made light of the championship cross-country. I am really proud of him. Whiskey Road got a bit strong, but she was a good girl and quite bold!!!
Show jumping day was wonderful with all three horses laying down double-clean rounds for the following results: Cooper was sixth (out of six), Cambalda won and Whiskey was eighth. I couldn’t be more pleased. I am really upset about my mistake on Cooper, because he was truly wonderful, but this is life and learning in eventing. Amanda Csoltko and Lee Lee Jones did amazingly well in the novice, and I am so happy for both of them!
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On the social side of the event, I had a great time catching up with old friends because this is my original home turf. I got to drive Mark Krause’s BMW M3. He pulled a complete 360 while driving, and I had no clue that was coming—ha ha.
My mom and dad came, and it was awesome to have them there. Nate Chambers dropped me on my head when dipping me on the dance floor in front of the whole party, and I was laughing hysterically. Jo Whitehouse and Nate cut the rug too, and I am providing pictures of that!!!!
Phillip had a big birthday on Sunday and got to go to the U2 concert in Chicago on Saturday night. What an awesome time!
Overall, the AECs were a blast, and I met a ton of awesome kids and people!
Keep riding…
Jen
