In the world of eventing, our country is split into 10 areas. The northeast US (NY,VT,NH,MA,CT,RI) is considered to be “Area 1.” We are so lucky to have a condensed little area, we cry with a mere 1-2 hour drive when other areas must travel 8+ hours to get anywhere. In the entire area, however, we only have one event at the advanced level.
Millbrook attracts competitors from around the country yearly and can bring as many as 400 competitors. Boyd Martin, Phil Dutton (and now his daughter Olivia), Buck Davidson Jr, and others can be seen at these events.
Being new to the sport of eventing I haven’t had the pleasure of attending before, but this year we brought Tiger as a preparatory event before we take on AECs (American Eventing Championships) in Kentucky in 4 weeks.
At GMHA Tiger had some opinions about his stall situation (Qualified) but here he seemed to be right at home. He enjoyed the atmosphere and settled in nicely. We were given portable stalls in tents at the end row closest to the XC track. We could not have asked for better accommodations! End of July tends to be warm so Tiger enjoyed his Ryobi portable fan.
We traveled down Wednesday night. The accommodations for humans is difficult to find and the Air B&Bs are PRICEY. Suzanne found the two of us a lovely little cottage about 15 minutes away. It was clean, cozy, and just what we needed (though finding it at night in the woods was a bit scary at first).
Suzanne and Tiger were not scheduled to ride Thursday, so I had some time to simply sit and relax with a book for a few hours. It was SO relaxing! In the afternoon we watched Kristal, her trainer at Kristal Clear Eventing, complete her novice test. After dressage the pair were 2nd.
Friday was a busy day. Kristal was scheduled for cross country, and both Suzanne and our other friend Crystal were both scheduled for dressage AND cross country.
Kristal’s XC and Suzanne’s Dressage were scheduled only 1 minute apart. There was NO WAY I could see both. The dressage ring was tense, Tiger and Suzy were warming up alongside advanced riders like Buck Davidson Jr, Ema Klugman, and others. Surrounded by long tailcoats they prepared for their Beginner Novice Test.
The dressage was running several minutes ahead so I found a spot alongside G, where the final salute is given. They have become such a beautiful harmonious pair. Tiger has never looked better. They had a couple of blips but they came out with a 26.6 putting them 2nd in their division.
The earliness of dressage followed by a delay on the XC track meant I had time to try getting a shot of Kristal on the course. I abandoned Suzanne (her mom was there to help) and ran to the water complex where I had just seconds to get into place to see the pair come through. They sailed through the area with ease. I later learned they went double clear to keep their 2nd place position.
Around 3:30pm we returned to dressage to cheer on our friend Crystal piloting her horse Dr Pepper in a separate Beginner Novice division. They did very well and despite a few lead changes in the canter came out with a very good score and a 3rd place position.
We then had to get Tiger tacked up and prepared for their cross-country run. The royal blue and white were pristine and ready. I split up and waited on-course to cheer them on, ultimately settling for Jumps 4 and 5 near our stabling.
I was able to see the pair leave the start box (at a far distance I could barely make out their topline). I saw them take jumps 2, come around a corner to a big table at 3. Jump 4 was a rock wall and log next to a scary bush. They took that with ease and approached 5. No problem for them. They cantered away and turned right towards jump 6. This jump threw them off and they picked up a costly refusal. He tried again and had no issues on the second approach. The rest of the course they rode clear and made it inside the time. Overall it was a very good run.
I chose the same spot for Crystal’s cross country. As they approached 4, Fizz didn’t like it and they had a stop. She represented and he reluctantly went over it. For the next couple fences she needed to encourage and reassure him. They made the rest of the course clear and inside time.
Friday was such a busy day. Tiger was given much love and pampering after his cross country run. Pictured below you’ll see him enjoying the love of Suzanne and her mom after having a sponge bath, eating a protein shake (It’s a recovery blend with protein and electrolytes), ice compression boots, and his favorite Ryobi fan.
Saturday was a big day for the competition. The upper levels (prelim, intermediate, and advanced) had ridden dressage Friday and were slated for XC Saturday. A group of friends had booked some tailgating spots. Our friends from Massachusetts came down for the day, and another friend from our farm came to cheer them on.
All three of our team were scheduled to ride stadium rounds.
Kristal was 2nd after cross country, but two unlucky rails landed them 9th in a field of 17. Suzanne was 2nd after dressage, but 13th after dressage, and a double clear stadium round had them finishing 12th in a field of 18. Crystal was 3rd after dressage, 8th after their stop on XC, and a double clear stadium round placed them 7th overall in a field of 18.
Our team rode incredibly well and they achieved personal victories. Suzy and Tiger’s stop on XC was a good learning experience so they can grow and avoid the same mistake in Kentucky.
Saturday wasn’t all competition either. I was able to sneak away a few times to see our tailgating friends and see some of the upper level cross country rides. I enjoyed seeing Buck Davidson on his intermediate ride Sorocaima.
I enjoyed seeing Andrew McConnon and Zachary Brandt again. We met them in Maryland last fall. We saw Tim Bourke, a beautiful colored thoroughbred, and so many other talented riders.
While our trainer left Saturday we decided to stay the extra night. The competitor’s dinner was an odd array of appetizers. There were nachos, wings, pulled pork, pulled chicken, jalapeno poppers. It was ok, but the company was wonderful. I ended up winning the raffle from triple crown which included 5 free bags of feed, a cooler, and other great swag.
On Sunday we watched the upper levels take on stadium. Our MA friends returned and we watched the rounds from the tent. I was sunburnt and blistered. My lips were even blistered (I DID wear sunscreen). We finally enjoyed some food from the food trucks for lunch, saw a few advanced stadium rounds, and started to pack up for our return home.
My first Millbrook Horse Trials was incredible. Not only was I able to be a spectator but I got to be a PART of it all. I’ve come to realize that being an owner is a very rewarding experience and I could not be more proud of my best friend who takes incredible care of Tiger. The pair are a POWER COUPLE and can accomplish anything. They truly are a match made in heaven. They are 100% ready to take on Kentucky and I will be there to groom, support, and help every step of the way.
I leave you now with a person who I have gotten to know over the past couple of competitions and for whom I have really come to admire. Phoebe is a working student and has been helpful every step of the way. I love her attitude, work ethic, and knowledge. She was cleaning tack, and stalls, carrying anything back and forth to the various phases, kept track of everyone’s ride times. She ran from the start box to the finish line at cross country with her backpack in tow (a full half mile away and only 5 minutes to get there through a busy crowd). She’s a blessing and a treasure. Everyone needs a Phoebe!
The Green Horseman 
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