Blogger Jennie Brannigan

I had an interesting week down in Wellington, Fla., for my winter vacation, and I have to say that although it was a very horsey vacation, I think it was the best break I’ve yet to have.

Well, the season has come to its end, and everyone is writing about the year they’ve had in Eventingland. This time last year I was on Cloud 9 after the season that Cambalda had!

Even though there were more lows thrown into the mix this year, there’s been a lot more growth for me this season. With the addition of Arianna and Jackie to the team, life has become so much less stressful for me, and I know my horses are in tip-top shape. They give me so much more time to focus on the riding and teaching now that I really trust that they know the program and my horses.

Well, a lot has happened since I wrote my last blog! The end of the season is fast approaching, and there have been some exciting happenings at TPF and for the Brannigan eventing team.

One of the most exciting things is the addition of No Objection to my upper level line-up, and I’m thrilled to have the ride on this amazing horse. Nina and Tim Gardner, who are the most amazing supporters, are the proud new owners of “Ben” (AKA No Objection), and I was thrilled when he ended on his dressage score at Chattahoochee Hills to come third in the CCI** there. 

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive in the loss of my grandfather. All the kind words really mean a lot to me, and I am so lucky to have so many amazing people that have been so supportive.

Though it was good to go home and see my family and friends (who are like family to me), it was nice to come back home and get back into the swing of the program at TPF— that’s really what makes me feel the best.

I seem to find myself in front of a computer when something upsets me, and I’ve found that writing this blog has, ironically, helped me through some highs and lows. So today I just wanted to take a moment to write about a person who has been an amazing role model in my life. To be honest with you, without his support, I surely wouldn’t have the riding career on which I have started to embark.

Well, it was an interesting weekend at the Plantation Field Horse Trials in our hometown of Unionville, Pa. I had a down but also had some good ups as well.

I took an unfortunate fall in the preliminary division on a young horse doing his first event at that level. The coffin caught us out when I was trying to ride him pretty aggressively to get the job done.

The ups and downs of horses are very well known by all the people who participate in any equestrian sport, and I must admit that in the past two weeks I’ve experienced yet again another quick high and a much quicker low.

Well, another Richland Park has come and gone, and as usual, this venue never disappoints... Between the amazing weather, good parties and the horses running so well, it was really a awesome weekend.

Richland is always a fun event for me, since it draws my friends from the West Coast as well, and I really miss them and enjoy getting to spend time with them. And I was so pleased to have Cambalda back in action this weekend. I can breathe a bit of a sigh of relief at how eager and confident he was out on cross-country.