Let the competition begin!
Wednesday marked a busier day for Area VI with the commencement of the jogs, which if you didn’t know is really a giant fashion show for us riders.
Bright and early Brynn and Natalie perfected some final details of their dressage with Dayna, in the arena they will be competing in tomorrow morning. Both horses were very relaxed and looking sharp. Following that the boys had a little beauty parlor session. Michael is not a fan of his baths and the land shark took to biting anyone’s sleeve he could find. Casey on the other hand enjoyed the attention and shines like a copper penny (thanks to Kelly’s miracle Afro Shine).
While the rest of Area VI team were back at the barn making their horses even more beautiful, mentorship program member Ainsleigh and the rest of the "manatees", as the officials describe their mentor children, was privileged enough to walk the cross country courses with the Ground Jury, Technical Delegates, Course Builder, and most importantly course designer David O'Connor. It was super interesting to see the courses from an official's point of view. A unique feature of the courses this year at NAJYRC is the increasing number of frangible obstacles on course-- two on the 1* track and four on the 2* track, including a collapsible ditch and wall! Later DOC took even more time out of his crazy schedule to cart around certain areas of cross country again with the girls, also providing them with a behind the scenes look at one of his taped interviews, and some insight on the media aspect of three day eventing. What a great emphasis he puts on educating the future generation of eventing!
Later in the morning the whole team met up and ventured across the horse park to the well air-conditioned Altech Arena for a brief rider meeting regarding FEI arenas and scheduling. The organizers have really done a terrific job putting on this event and we cannot thank them enough! Chef Laura Powell and coach Dayna stayed for the draw, then Dayna, Brynn, and Natalie headed off to walk their cross-country course. WOW! It is a beautifully designed course (Thank you David O’Connor!), and we cannot wait to be out galloping and jumping on Saturday! And for the first time in NAJYRC history they even get to jump into the Rolex Head of the Lake. Dayna has been kidding with us about pulling an Andrew Nicholson and one handing it in…we shall see, but we're thinking that it might be best to wait a few more years until we return back for Rolex to attempt that stunt.
At lunch we all got the chance to observe some fantastic dressage rides including Mystery Whisper. Pretty cool horse to say the least! Then, the cleaning really began as the jogs drew closer. You would be surprised how many young riders were in the Rolex Arena bathroom battling the humidity with a multitude of cosmetic products in an attempt to return to their normal state. The curling irons, straighteners, and makeup were everywhere. Brynn and Natalie belonged on the cover of a magazine this afternoon, but, the most dapper of them all were Michael and Casey. Both horses jogged very well and were accepted without question. Unfortunately our team member Erika Carson had some bad luck and her horse Celtic Prince was spun. We will miss seeing them run this weekend.
On a lighter note, we have ride times! Natalie and Casey get to beat the heat and go at 9:10 am, while Brynn and Michael go at 1:21 pm. After jogs the horses were able to familiarize themselves in their dressage arena, and they feel ready as ever. Wish them luck!! Coats have been waived due to weather, and although we would love to sport our shadbellys, we are excited to be wearing our new Kerrits show shirts and Professional's Choice pads. Once again thank you to all our sponsors, and for all of the words of encouragement that we have been receiving thus far on our journey. It means more than you know! Fingers crossed for a wonderful day of dressage!
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Wednesday marked a busier day for Area VI with the commencement of the jogs, which if you didn’t know is really a giant fashion show for us riders.
Bright and early Brynn and Natalie perfected some final details of their dressage with Dayna, in the arena they will be competing in tomorrow morning. Both horses were very relaxed and looking sharp. Following that the boys had a little beauty parlor session. Michael is not a fan of his baths and the land shark took to biting anyone’s sleeve he could find. Casey on the other hand enjoyed the attention and shines like a copper penny (thanks to Kelly’s miracle Afro Shine).
While the rest of Area VI team were back at the barn making their horses even more beautiful, mentorship program member Ainsleigh and the rest of the "manatees", as the officials describe their mentor children, was privileged enough to walk the cross country courses with the Ground Jury, Technical Delegates, Course Builder, and most importantly course designer David O'Connor. It was super interesting to see the courses from an official's point of view. A unique feature of the courses this year at NAJYRC is the increasing number of frangible obstacles on course-- two on the 1* track and four on the 2* track, including a collapsible ditch and wall! Later DOC took even more time out of his crazy schedule to cart around certain areas of cross country again with the girls, also providing them with a behind the scenes look at one of his taped interviews, and some insight on the media aspect of three day eventing. What a great emphasis he puts on educating the future generation of eventing!
Later in the morning the whole team met up and ventured across the horse park to the well air-conditioned Altech Arena for a brief rider meeting regarding FEI arenas and scheduling. The organizers have really done a terrific job putting on this event and we cannot thank them enough! Chef Laura Powell and coach Dayna stayed for the draw, then Dayna, Brynn, and Natalie headed off to walk their cross-country course. WOW! It is a beautifully designed course (Thank you David O’Connor!), and we cannot wait to be out galloping and jumping on Saturday! And for the first time in NAJYRC history they even get to jump into the Rolex Head of the Lake. Dayna has been kidding with us about pulling an Andrew Nicholson and one handing it in…we shall see, but we're thinking that it might be best to wait a few more years until we return back for Rolex to attempt that stunt.
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| Getting Ready! |
At lunch we all got the chance to observe some fantastic dressage rides including Mystery Whisper. Pretty cool horse to say the least! Then, the cleaning really began as the jogs drew closer. You would be surprised how many young riders were in the Rolex Arena bathroom battling the humidity with a multitude of cosmetic products in an attempt to return to their normal state. The curling irons, straighteners, and makeup were everywhere. Brynn and Natalie belonged on the cover of a magazine this afternoon, but, the most dapper of them all were Michael and Casey. Both horses jogged very well and were accepted without question. Unfortunately our team member Erika Carson had some bad luck and her horse Celtic Prince was spun. We will miss seeing them run this weekend.
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| We love our Area VI Team! |
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| One of the weekend's cutest moments at the first horse inspection |
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| Kelly, Brynn, and Ainsleigh being models |
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| Brynn showing off at jogs |
On a lighter note, we have ride times! Natalie and Casey get to beat the heat and go at 9:10 am, while Brynn and Michael go at 1:21 pm. After jogs the horses were able to familiarize themselves in their dressage arena, and they feel ready as ever. Wish them luck!! Coats have been waived due to weather, and although we would love to sport our shadbellys, we are excited to be wearing our new Kerrits show shirts and Professional's Choice pads. Once again thank you to all our sponsors, and for all of the words of encouragement that we have been receiving thus far on our journey. It means more than you know! Fingers crossed for a wonderful day of dressage!
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| Natalie (left) and Brynn (right) |
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