[Feliche]

Hi guys! Last weekend were the Grass Ridge Horse Trials in Sonoita, AZ. I'd have told you sooner but school's been crazy

Anyway, as some may know...Feilche and I have been eventing for one year, and had never completed an event before. Well...looks like third time was a charm

I'll say firstly that this is the nicest event I've ever been to. The facilities are great, the people were SO nice, the jumps were really fancy, and the place is absoutely beautiful. Here's an example...the landscape varies but this is the gist of it.


See that windmill? There's a really nice water complex right near it. One of the riders *I know him! He ate dinner with us! He's called Gunter* was on a little grey mare at prelim, and she was so tired that her knees buckled on the landing in it, and both of them dove headlong into the water. Crazy guy got up, checked his horse *TD was right there luckily!* and went on...and rode his novice horse...with a broken wrist. Yeaaap...that's what I call "Cowboying up".

My only, ONLY complaint would be that they made the intermediate CT horses do their dressage in a small arena. That's not really fair. But I digress

This was my first recognised and first out of state show. Feliche was wonderful. I must tell a few little stories about two other "firsts". 1, it was my first time braiding my myself Actually, my first time braiding at all. I've always gotten friends to do it for me I actually thought I did an okay job for never having done it before...never even tried. HGS, I got the instructions from THIS forum!! Yaay. I have a picture here. They kind of look like little dead things hanging from a skewer...but ah well. They weren't as bad as in this picture...sorry...it was dark so I had to have the flash! He looks like a deamon :P

So naturally, since he was braided I had to, for the very FIRST time, put on a slinky.

A black slinky.

On a black horse.

By myself.

In the dark.

I had no idea was I was doing and he's never had one on before, and it was a royal mess, or would have been...but Feliche was an absolute SAINT. I kid you not, but dumbell stood completely still through the whole process, straps, inside out nylon, lack of ability to breathe, fingers-in-eyes and all. I was rediculously proud of him :P

Then came the competition days of course! Here are the videos.

Dressage:

YouTube - Feliche Grass Ridge 2007 Dressage

(arg it cut off the music at the end! Annoying haha)
I'd say it was a half decent test. Apparently the dressage judge didn't agree...she thought it was a whole decent test I'd never gotten an 8 before...it's kind of funny that the first time I get an 8, I get like 6 of em. :P I was pretty happy with it...in fact my knees buckled when I saw my score! Hehe...Yvonne says it was 3rd highest out of the whole competitions' 90 riders. It's kind of our forte as far as the sport goes though so I was really pleased.

SJ:

YouTube - Feliche Grass Ridge 2007 SJ

Ugh. That's all I can say besides my meek little excuse...at the refusal...I was trying to bump up his front end in a last frantic effort...which naturally made it a billion times worse. Lesson learned! At least I only got 10 penalties.

XC

YouTube - Feliche Grass Ridge 2007 XC

(If you don't like obnoxious Irish music, please mute your computer now :P) Poor dude was dead tired. 5 hours in the trailer, 3 days or riding, and now I'm asking him to gallop over fences. And did he ever Not one refusal. Well he did stop at the water but then walked in, and it didn't count because the flags were across the pond so it wouldn't have counted if he'd turned away even. A nice lady told me this when I was walking the course. At the "scary" fence that a TON of horses refused (Feliche took it first time when we were schooling...it's a big mission style wall and I find it inviting) I lost a stirrup because I found out at the last moment that I was on my shortest hole and it wasn't enough! :S And the next fence? A freaky one I've never taken before. What did Feliche do as I yelled a moderately loud obscenity and fre.aking out? He balanced up, cocked an ear, and slowed down..."Everything okay up there?" as soon as I told him yes..."Okay, let's go". Bump bump bump 3-4 strides RIDGHT over the new, big fence!! GOOD BOY!! Didn't get that on tape though cause mum lost me. Oh well. She's a loyal, important, and fairly decent filmer Esp for someone who can't see worth a darn.

I need to work on posture...in general. And my thighs. Ick.

So anyway, the 10 faults only bumped us back to third, and the riders ahead of me both got refusals on that adobe wall. Which I guess makes this not only my first finish...but my first...well...first!

Absolutely unbelievable! I was and am thrilled and excited. I haad to look at the board 2-3 times to make sure I wasn't reading wrong. All I wanted was to complete the horse trials and have a good time, and look what happened!! We've qualified for BN Area X Championships...which are actually in my home town next month! What a leg up

So...yeaaaup...he's gettin' there Thanks for watching.

-Megan

[Kissitgoodbye]

LOVE all the music by the way! NICE job though!

[zorse]

Good job!
What state are you in? It's DRY!
I've noticed with xc in the States, the courses always seem to be on a track, like mowed in the grass. I guess there must not be very many jumps forgotten if they're sitting right in front of you, lol. Here in BC, our events are in big fields/forests where you weave around all over the place. One event I went to before, it was like 80% in the trees and there were trails zig zagging around every which way. It was a bit confusing and you really had to memorize where to turn or you'd go way off somewhere else. Lol!

[Feliche]

Haha!! We're in southern New Mexico, which is in the dryest desert in the US. This HT was in Arizona. Yes, at the events I've been to, most of the paths are decently marked...well I mean it's in kind of a track. It loops around anyways, even if there isn't actually a "path". But this one was! I think the open feild jumping sounds SO fun. I'd try that any day Ohh and drag hunting! Yay!

Well at Watermelon, it was still a loop, but there was no path. And yet, one of my friends DID forget a jump! It it kind of funny but it was REALLY sad then because his horse was perfect and did everything wonderfully, and they would have nabbed first Oh well! Live an learn...I'm sure it improved his memory.

[idlewild]

Megs, you already know that I think you're awesome, but I'll say it again.
YOU AND FELICHE ROCK MY SOCKS!!!!

Way to go girl! And Feechee looks fan-ta-bu-lous!!!
(and those braids don't look half that bad... trust me, I've seen way worse )

[Huntseat]

I need a little help here.. I'm thoroughly confused, so please tell me WHICH half of your dressage test was less than decent? I just can't find it!

FANTASTIC job! I'm so excited for you two. Sure does feel good, hmm?

[TheNoviceRider]

Good job! You look GREAT!!!
Eventing looks like soooo much fun it is seriously my dream to do it one day!

[jeda_horse]

Originally Posted by zorse

Good job!
What state are you in? It's DRY!
I've noticed with xc in the States, the courses always seem to be on a track, like mowed in the grass. I guess there must not be very many jumps forgotten if they're sitting right in front of you, lol. Here in BC, our events are in big fields/forests where you weave around all over the place. One event I went to before, it was like 80% in the trees and there were trails zig zagging around every which way. It was a bit confusing and you really had to memorize where to turn or you'd go way off somewhere else. Lol!

I agree lol. Our XC courses weeve through thick bush, with trails everywhere, onto different properties etc. Certainly not cut into a big feild like that haha

Your dressage test looks great! Just so rythmic and smooth. *dreams of having a nice relaxed horse like Feechee *

You both did a GREAT job in all 3 disciplins. You should be very very proud of you both

[JKetsche]

Congratulations! You're also qualified for the AECs in September of next year. That's fantastic!

[I LUV BESS]

ahhhh!!! Well done you!! you did brilliant!! i love your boy! riverman says well done to