This past weekend I broke out of my confinement once again to travel to Connecticut with Suzanne and Tiger. Our mission is their debut competing in a recognized Beginner Novice Horse Trials at Town Hill Farm in Lakeville, CT.
As the trailer rolled up I said hello to Tiger and I hopped in the truck. Tiger neighed a greeting to Nahe and continued to eat his hay.
Our drive was longer than expected so we got there with less time to prepare, but we did it. We parked as close as possible since I had the peg leg. While I groomed and tacked up Suzanne managed to braid Tiger in only 15 minutes. They were good braids, too, and stayed in place for the whole show.
As Suzanne warmed up for dressage I practiced with my lighting on my camera…I’m still such an amateur when it comes to getting my settings just right. The footing was grass, but it was deep and rutty….claylike I believe. They rode their test very well regardless and came out with a 26.5 placing her 5th in her division.
The two hours between dressage and the stadium seemed to fly by. Suzanne walked the mile-long cross-country course while I stayed back with Tiger. He’s grown up so much in the last year. He was completely professional and unphased by anything. He happily stood at the trailer eating his alfalfa. Every so often he’d ask for some water by eyeing his bucket so I’d get up and offer and he’d drink some.
As the pair warmed up in the stadium ring I sat watching the stadium rounds in the shade. I saw some familiar faces and met new ones. Everyone was so incredibly supportive and encouraging about my cast and peg leg.
Suzanne and Tiger were on deck for their round and got my peck on to stand rings-side and watch. The jumps looked big, set at the full 2’7″ but Tiger soared over them all. Stadium has always but tough for him, he often knocks a rail with his lazy hind end but this year they have been doing fantastic. They went clear and I immediately took off to peg my way over to the cross country field while she prepared for the last phase.
The cross country field was huge, but I was able to find a nice spot to stand for visibility and photos without going to the far ends of the earth. At this point I’m exhausted. The peg, although a huge amazing creation that enables me to do all the things, can also be tedious. My left hip was screaming, my knee was aching, my foot was swelling.
We were nervous about whether Tiger would go over the ditch. It was real, and the girls told me it was deep….but it wasn’t wide and had a good ground line. The ditch was #6 on the course. I watched the 2 pair canter out of the start-box, cruise over #1, #2, then I saw him back off a bit. It was far in the distance so I couldn’t see the negotiations but they got through it and kept going out of sight. Turns out he didn’t like the treeline.
I waited patiently as they traveled the first half of the course, hoping they came back toward me to finish it instead of having to retire or being eliminated from the ditch.
I didn’t wait long…they came cantering back and toward the big hedge. I watched them cruise by and out to the back of the other field for the last of the course. They negotiated the water and disappeared out of sight.
The next time I saw the pair they were walking back home. Tiger was white with foamy sweat…quietly walking on a long rein.
A huge smile and thumbs up said they had a fantastic time!
Overall they finished 23 seconds over time making the finish in 9th place. A huge accomplishment for the pair. Their division was very competitive, and I recognized some familiar names. She even competed against Booli Selmayr, an amazing local 5* equestrian I admire.
I hung back for a while so I could watch our friends do their cross country phases. We met the girls at the Elisa Wallace clinic and they’ve been so fun getting to know. I also enjoyed watching Marcia Kulak, another incredible local equestrian that I admire.
One of our friends brought her handsome mustang. Together they cruised around the cross country course bravely. Our other friend was on her 20 year old handsome goofball thoroughbred. Upon the 3,2,1 GO he decided he had to itch his leg…in the start box. They got going but he wanted to go back to the barn, he didn’t put up a strong fight but you can tell that she had to work for it. Once they were going they also cruised around. They both have such good relationships with their horses; it was such a pleasure to see and watch.
Tiger recovered fast, he was tired but his breathing returned to normal before they were even back to the stadium ring. He enjoyed his post workout “protein shake”…a mash with protein and electrolytes while being thoroughly pampered. He was sponged off, and had cooling boots. Before we left he was poulticed and wrapped. He was a happy boy.
On the ride home Suzanne mentioned she was nervous when we arrived. It was admittedly the largest show we’ve been to and she was feeling in over her head. She never showed it and rode like a professional, performing incredibly well under the pressure.
We returned home and I got to see Stanley. I’ve missed riding so much and just seeing him was nice. It’s been hard not driving otherwise I’d visit him often. Unfortunately I only get to see him once a week.
Maybe I’m biased but Tiger is jaw droppingly gorgeous; he’s developed so much since Suzanne began leasing him; living at home I was never able to keep him in such regular work like he is now. Well muscled, mature, and well put together. I sometimes can’t believe I’m lucky enough to have such an incredible horse in my life.
And the same goes with Suzanne; not many people have been there for me like she has and she always goes above and beyond, not because she has to, because she wants to. This weekend my heart was bursting with pride for both of them.
Our next adventure will be in September at Larkin Hill Horse Trials!!!
I can’t wait!
The Green Horseman 
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