Dressage Day- NAJYRC Kentucky 2014

What a day!  Today was dressage day the stress level was definitely high.  Everybody dealt with the atmosphere like a pro!

 Elle and Pacino were first in the ring at 7:40  and had a few hiccups but held it together for a strong finish of 61.2.  Next was Kaylawna and Metro and they’re ride was GORGEOUS!  She finished with a 45.6 to win the dressage phase!  

Lulu was next and she took to the ring like she owned it!  Maize was strong and confident throughout the entire test and she pulled a 50.0 to tie herself in 6^th position.  After that we all enjoyed some lunch provided by the Kentucky Horse Park and walked our horses in our beautiful white Professional Choice brushing boots!  

We are so thankful to all of our supporters and know we could not make this journey run as smoothly without them. 

After our little break, Kiera  and X entered the very large and intimidating Rolex Stadium for her dressage test.  X was a big excited about the atmosphere but she handled it beautifully and finished on a score of 60.2.  After Kiera we went back to the barn for a bit of cleaning.  

We mucked the stalls, raked the barn aisle, cleaning out the tack stalls and polished up our tack.  Once everything was shiny and new, we headed back down to the stadium to watch Kate and Tessa take on the Rolex Rings.  Tessa was also a bit overwhelmed with her surroundings but they held it together to finish on a 59.6.

We all walked our cross country course again to get a better lay of the land and then went back to the barns to support Alex and Tiki for their CCI** premiere.  They were wonderful and she finished on a score of 56.3 and is currently sitting in 5^th.  They are a great pair!

Overall it was a high-pressure day and the turnout was nothing but positive.  We could not be prouder of everyone and all they have accomplished so far.  Thank you to our coach, Hawley Bennett, and our Chef, Lauren Billys!  We couldn’t do it without them!  Now onto cross country!

      It's been quit a journey to get everyone here but everyone is happy and healthy!
The horses arrived yesterday afternoon and luckily we got everything unloaded and the horses settled in before the storm hit us. What's a trip to Kentucky without thunderstorms.....right? All of the horses traveled great which is fantastic. After all of them were settled in we went back to the house to eat a great meal the Carter family provided! I can't believe the difference in BBQ from California to Kentucky. The food was great!
Kiera Carter, Elle de Recat, Kate Lathrop, Lulu Shamberg and myself are representing Area VI in the 1* and
Alex Willoughby is our 2* rider. The best experience so far has been getting to know everyone and their families. Becoming a tight knit family in a way and bringing us all together for one cause.......to represent our Area and make them proud!!
Today is Monday before the biggest competition of our lives. We have been anxious to get on the horses and take them out on a walk hack around the Rolex Kentucky Horse Park. Here is a picture of all of us in our matching Professional's Choice brushing boots! It is so cool that we have been supported by several companies helping us here at Championships.
We were all tempted to gallop in the big grass polo fields we had passed but that probably wouldn't have ended well, so we continued to walk enjoying how beautiful the horse park really is. I couldn't think of a better opportunity than being able to ride where so many other amazing professionals have competed. It is a real privilege to be here.
Later we went back to the house to have another meal prepared by the Lathrop family which was delicious. Hawley Bennett-Awad our coach, Lauren Billy's our Chef d'Quipe, and our grooms Madison Temkin, Blair Paul, & Mia Slaughter flew in tonight and joined us for dinner which was fun!
Tomorrow is opening ceremony and the golf cart race so watch out to the other areas !! #westcoastisthebestcoast