In my last blog I spoke out about the selection process, which is a pretty sticky thing to get involved with. However, I am very confident in our Active Riders Committee. I think our country will end up with a good coach regardless of the upset of the process.
The past week has been a strange one for me. One week ago I had a young horse slip and fall cross-country schooling while I was in Aiken. I did a pretty good job breaking my collarbone, which is a pretty normal injury in horse sports. Though it really hurt the first two days, after the surgery I had on Friday I’m feeling quite a bit better and am completely off painkillers. It definitely puts a few things on hold. I have to say a big thank you to Phillip, who literally held my hand while waiting for the ambulance; to Lillian Heard and a very pregnant Lizzie Olmstead, who were at the ER as soon as I got there; and to the Wildasins for taking care of me and taking me to and from surgery.
When you break yourself you have the awesome task of figuring out what to do with the horses you are in charge of. I think I have a good plan as to getting back in action. Walkabout will compete at Red Hills this weekend in the two-star with Phillip.
Cambalda will be on a break for the next couple weeks keeping things mellow until I am back. Ping is doing another three-star this spring, and the most important thing for me is to keep him sound, save his legs and get back in action. There are a lot of events leading up to Bromont, and Ping tends to be a horse that does well when he doesn’t run too many events. Last spring he went to Jersey Fresh off of two horse trials and one CIC, so I think he will be just fine.
Mark and Phillip are very supportive of this plan. Indie is show jumping this week with JF Gagne in Aiken and will probably be ridden by Lillian or Phillip at Pine Top. I am hoping to ride Ping at least by The Fork and possibly Southern Pines, but we will see.
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Ryan Wood is doing an amazing job on the other young horses as always.
Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive, and I hope everyone is good and safe at Red Hills this weekend. I am at home currently due to a post op appointment I have tomorrow.
Jennie
