This past week at True Prospect Farm has been a good one. Emma was getting ready to head down to Florida with Truluck and Woodburn to dressage land for the next month, while the rest of us competed the up-and-coming horses at the Plantation Horse Trials.
It was seriously crazy busy for us on Saturday, but with good help we all pulled it off. I was excited to see Charlie Campbell compete Roosevelt at Charlie’s first event. Charlie did a great job riding Roosevelt, but he is brand new to eventing and got a little lost in the dressage and cross-country. More importantly, Roosevelt went very, very well for him, and I was happy to see the event bring their partnership together.
It made me think back to my first event and what it was like to go cross-country for the first time. The high was better than any drug you could buy. I told Charlie I was jealous of him when we were walking the cross-country together on Friday. He asked why, and I explained that I was jealous of the feeling he was going to experience in his first event.
I rode four horses over the weekend—two for Nina Gardner, one for Beth Battel, and my own new mount Indie. (Beth graciously has helped sponsor this amazing young horse.)
I had a blast kicking the horses around the novice divisions. Riding Indie makes me think of Cooper so much that I can’t even begin to tell you. He won the division posting a 23 in the dressage and jumping around like a champ. Pretty good for his first event.
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I was fifth in the same division aboard Nina Gardner’s mare Catching Melody who I absolutely adore. This mare is so, so sweet. I also had a win on Beth Battel’s mare Thalia. I will move her up to training level at Surefire, because she is ready!
On Sunday I had the pleasure of judging the starter trials at Plantation and had a great time. It was neat to be sitting at the other end of this dressage deal!
This week I’m looking forward to being home and enjoying training the horses. Cambalda came back to the barn on Sunday after his vacation following Jersey Fresh, and he is getting back into the groove. It’s nice to have his little naughty self back!
Hope all is well,
Jennie
