It was quite the weekend at the 2010 Jersey Fresh spring three-day for me as well as everyone at True Prospect Farm. I have to say it was one of my best goes at that event. I am so incredibly thrilled with Cambalda and also for everyone in our barn. In addition to winning the CCI**, “Ping” won best conditioned, and his owner, Nina Gardner, took home the owner’s award.
Phillip and Truluck won the CIC***, and Phillip’s student Peter Barry, who came all the way from Canada, finished second. I think Peter was quite pleased with his weekend, and I am sure he will have a good summer and fall with this horse as well.
Jan Byyny’s Inmidair, who is one of my favorite advanced horses, jumped around the CCI*** track incredibly well and then logged one of only three double-clear show jumping rounds to take second in the CCI***. I am so happy for Jan because there is no question in anyone’s mind that JR is a serious horse for the future.
Ping was lovely in the dressage, and I was pleased with how much progress he has made this spring. Phillip warmed me up, and I cannot tell you how good he is on the ground. The thing that’s great about Phillip’s help is he really knows what the judges want to see in the ring and helps you get every point out of the test you can.
Unfortunately, I was not so on top of things and walked at the wrong marker in the test, which ultimately cost me the lead in the dressage. My good friend Jimmy Alliston won the dressage though on India McEvoy’s horse Jake, and though I am a very competitive person, I must say I was happy for him because he is a fantastic rider.
Cross-country was a bit of a different story for a lot of people on Saturday. Ping went out and really jumped and galloped well for me. I felt as though I had less preparation than a lot of the other horses this spring due to the fact that Ping was rehabbing from his knee injury last fall, so I went out with the mindset to know my minute markers and to let up on him if I thought he needed it.
I did let up on him for the fourth and fifth minute markers, but it was only because he was covering the ground so well. Aside from me riding too forward into the coffin, Ping put in a truly lovely round to be one of a handful of double clears that day, which moved him into the lead. Nina Gardner and her husband Tim were there, and it was such a fun day. The Dutton family came out too, and Lee Lee, who has become a little sister to me, made the day that much better.
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Sunday proved to be a good track, and although Ping was a little feisty in the jog, he came out of the cross-country phase well and ended up logging in a double-clear to seal the deal. He jumped quite well. I have things to work on, but I was very happy with him. I then tore up the polocrosse with fellow PRO member Doug Payne, and it was pretty much one of the best times I have ever had…
The weekend was quite good, but it did make me continue to wish Cooper was here. I am so lucky to have such a talented horse to come right on the heels of him. My good friend Lillian Heard finished sixth in the CCI*** on her horse Share Option and put in two lovely jumping rounds both Saturday and Sunday. With Whitey only being 8, I am sure this is a serious horse for the future.
Hope everyone is well,
Jennie
