Plantation Field Recognized Event -- Open Novice (April 14th)

Chill warm ups lead to lots of drool:)

*Get ready for a ton of photos!!!!

If you been to Plantation before you're (hopefully) gonna think my illustration is hilarious. But I need it to help describe how the venue is in a class above most as far as events go. They run recognized and start trials there but I'd consider it one of the tougher venues in Area 2 for many reasons.

Basically to scale:)

It's built into the Chester County hillside and is basically a big hill with a proper arena up top, xc on one side and trailer parking on the other side. They alternate SJ and dressage in the main arena and either way you're kind screwed because whatever doesn't take place in the main arena has to happen on VERY sketchy grass on the side of the hill (near the trailers). For young horses or inexperienced riders (or both) Plantation is a BIG ask. I'll call it the great equalizer.

OH, they have snacks here? Okay then.

Scout has xc schooled there exactly one time (they offer a single xc schooling day per year) -- and was almost a full year since he's seen that big hill or been around that kind of atmosphere. The entries were stacked across the divisions and since he had to be entered in the ON division, I decided to forget about the scoreboard and hope for a great outing in all three phases.

Heading up the big hill to dressage

Dressage:

Scout had the earliest time in his division which I knew would work against us, but (again) I really didn't care about that. What I did care about was that he walked flat-footed with gusto up the hill and away from the trailers. The warm-up was fairly quiet, and I was stunned watching just how fluid and obedient he was being.

Hard to be upset when they warm up like this

Completely obsessed with this pic. The background looks like a painted backdrop!

Swoon!

They scored a 34.5 which put them in 3rd in their group and in the top 5 or so across the division. Obviously, I expected a big difference between a schooling show and a recognized event in terms of the dressage scoring. I would say as a guide you can tack 10 points on to whatever you might score at a schooling show. Scout's test was relaxed, obedient and accurate... but he lacks mileage in the sandbox and loses points in typical spots, like reaching down during the free walk and a little more OOPMH in his gaits. The judge liked him and has some nice comments about him overall.

<3<3<3

the walk isn't all bad:)

Obviously not square, but atta boy

Stadium: 

He waited patiently for his trailer buddy to go fancy prance and we got him ready for show jumping. The SJ warm-up was much kinder than the actual course itself which was wedged into the base of the hill and had gotten completely torn up from the upper divisions the day before when it poured. Regardless, he warmed up beautifully... jumping from a nice open stride. The only problem was that the Sj course did not allow for that kind of stride at all.

Oh Scout

That's more like it. This was coming off a nice turn where he got a great distance to the 2 stride

This jumped quite well for him but gave many others some trouble -- it's hard to tell but it's going downhill.

Early in the course, looking quite green.

Overall I think he had 2-3 rails down, which were simply green. The scope isn't the issue, but adjusting is stride is still challenging. His half-half is fairly confirmed and when he listens, he's able to wait and really push over the fences and that's when he jumps best (no shock there). They left the ring knowing exactly the kind of homework they need to work on. I think SJ will always be his hardest phase until he really figures things out with those long legs!

Cross country:

The course walked pretty fair for the level. My apple watch documented 11 floors of elevation gain throughout and the course designer used the terrain pretty thoughtfully. I wouldn't call Plantation a move-up course, but I don't think it was unfair either. There were a few combinations but no ditch.

This jump was a real problem on course*

Up bank to upright

Go through water and over white jump in the background

Another big ass table type jump

This was a nice size for the level on a  bit of an uphill approach. A nice final fence on course.

!!!!!

Pretty standard for the level

This looked MASSIVE to me!

Scout walked up the big hill one more time to warm up for xc and his little face at the top of the hill was SO cute.

FINALLY XC!

He was pumped. Warmed up over a few jumps and headed to the start box. The weather had a turned a bit over the course of the day and not only was it super foggy, but a light rain had started. He jumped the first two fences great and came up the hill to the jump with the fake brush on top, took a peek and then slid into the base. I honestly thought he was going to jump it from a standstill, but she regrouped him, picked up a canter and he popped right over. Again, it wasn't naughty but I think when he went to take a look at the fence he lost his grip on the slick grass (he's only shod up front). Once he was over that he locked on to everything else and jumped around SO boldly gaining confidence with every jump. He's really going to be a XC machine. He finished the course hardly blowing at all and even with the stop he came in right at the optimum time. When I met them at the finish and walked back down the hill Nora was smiling ear to ear. She said, "he's going to do everything you want him to do... he's got such an amazing brain... and I can still have fun at the higher levels." What a super vote of confidence for the young kid!

**hopefully, I'll have xc pics to add here soon -- I just need to coordinate with the photographer**

It's easy to forget that this was his second event ever. He handled everything with such maturity and eagerness. He stayed happy and forward throughout the whole day and better yet, he came off the three phases like he just ran around Kentucky. He literally strutted back to the trailer. While there were green moments, I never thought he felt over-faced or that we were asking anything beyond his skill or fitness level.

And while the scoreboard doesn't reflect what he learned from the day, I couldn't have been happier of how he handled each phase and as a much more seasoned horse at the end of the day. Onward and upward to the next!!!

Job perks

Those of you that know me in real life know that I spent half of last year nannying for the Davidsons -- the job was exactly what I was looking for after finishing up my stint as the world's oldest working student. I wanted a job that would keep me around horses, working with kids and being creative. A mutual friend of the Davidsons (and someone we sold a horse to) put us in touch and the rest is history! I got to spend an amazing 5-6 months nannying the coolest kid and being around incredible event horses everyday (and I'll be starting back up with them after they return from Ocala this year). I wasn't really sure what to expect in the early days but I thought I'd highlight some of the amazing job perks I was lucky enough to encounter along the way.

Oh ya know... just keeping it real casual watching Andrea jump a young one (that's Bruce Sr. on the right)

I'll never forget the first day I met Bruce Sr. I was playing with Aubrey at the barn and he pulled up in his car and rolled down the window and with a big smile said, "Hi, you must be Niamh, I'm POP POP". I was internally (*i know who you are*) and attempted to tell him who I was and that I had a horse (*but also forget I just said that*). I had no experience with anyone in the family until I started watching their daughter which I think helped the process of getting to know everyone as a family vs. equestrians. But that didn't leave me a bit star-struck at times. I was surrounded by greatness, and it was hard not to be inspired constantly. 

The whole thing felt very surreal. 

Like the morning that I was told I should come to the barn that day because Erik Duvander was in town teaching and if I wanted to, I could come watch. Um, yes please...

Erik getting his exercises ready for the morning rides (*that little baby on the left became my obsession last summer)

Or getting to spend hours upon hours with the man, the myth, the legend...

Returns from conditioning gallop to cool out with his grand daughter -- talk about adorable

He's everything I imagined... intimidating, articulate, funny, kind, a consummate equestrian (through and through), gracious and generous with his time and knowledge. And even though I felt like such a peon around him, we had many fantastic conversations ranging from breeding lines and training young horses, to funny client stories and quirky horse characteristics and all the while he never made me feel like anything less than another person who loved horses. 

As part of my job working for them I also took lots of pictures and video for social media purposes, which started small and wound up leading to some pretty cool shoots. This year I'm hoping we'll get to do more of this and I've been stock piling ideas:)

For Charles Owen, Heritage, and I LOVE MY HORSE.BIZ

Perri's Leather reached out to me to a lifestyle shoot with both Buck and Andrea and wanted to include Aubrey too. This also happened to coincide with the busiest part of eventing season so nailing a time down with the three of them and a vendor was quite a challenge! The people from Perri's couldn't have been easier to work with and were extremely patient with a hyper 2.5 year old running amok the whole time. 

The one and only Erroll Gobey

Aubrey got to pick out her own halter for Prize (it has owls on it!!!)

<3<3<3

He was such a ham the whole time -- Andrea is undeniably photogenic

Walking up the picturesque driveway at Chesterland

I was dying to have a chance to photograph some of their big time horses, so when they asked if I would be interested in making portraits of all their client owned horses I jumped at the opportunity. Emily was kind enough to come assist me for the day, as it was going to be extremely tough to snag a working student away for the afternoon. I have to laugh about that day though because the working students saw the two of us (both in summer street clothes) and said something along the lines of, "You know these are fit, advanced horses... right?"  To be sure, most of them were getting ready for Plantation *** -- but I knew I had the right person helping me out:)

I couldn't post any of these until after Christmas, but I LOVE how they turned out!

Prim (Escariz Du Rona), Bobby, Sam (Mr. Poppers), Archie Rocks, Carlevo, Sean (Copper Beach), Erroll Gobey, & Archie

Each and everyone of them were so fun to work with. I've spent quite a bit of time with Andrea's competition horses (Prim and Sam) and I'm obsessed with both of them. Sam (Mr. Popper's) has this larger than life personality and he looks like a stuffed pony. All of Buck's horses are just professional athletes... it was like they knew what to do as soon as they were in position, rocking poses and pouring on the charm. Sean (Copper Beach) was coming back from a vacation, so he was a little fuzzy and feral, but he really started to pose when he heard the shutter. I can't to see some of the owners this summer and see how they liked their portraits!

As our time together was coming to a close and they were getting ready to head south we toyed with the idea of doing a little family photo shoot before they left. The timing proved extremely tricky as Buck was running at Fair Hill with multiple horses (and coaching) and they were leaving directly from the event! So I made myself available by attending the event everyday with camera in tow in case we found a hour of time to grab everyone and take some pics. So after show jumping wrapped up, we asked Buck (as he was heading to his press conference) if he wanted to do pics and we were delighted when he enthusiastically said YES! So while they were literally packing up the last of their stuff to head south I whisked them away to a very glamorous spot behind the temporary stabling tents (!!!) -- where we were gifted with the most stunning fall light.

<3

Could they be more perfect?

Sweetest family ever!

A perfect way to bookend our summer together!

I never thought in a million years that I'd have this kind of opportunity -- and it feels like a dream come true to be able to combine all of the things I love so much. A horse adjacent job with the ability to be creative and have enough flexibility in my schedule to give my horse the time and dedication he deserves -- it's a win-win for sure. I'm looking forward to their return this spring and resuming my role with their daughter and I hope to have Scout making regular appearances over at Chesterland too!

A moment in time

"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything."

 -- Aaron Siskind

The girl with the straight line smile

For as long as I can remember, I've been behind a camera. It's a safe place for me. I'm uncomfortable being the center of attention, or really having any sort of focus on myself. I've loved the experience of being a photographer, of being allowed the opportunity to tell the stories of others through images. It's a gift, and one that I take very seriously. And in my whole lifetime, I can count on one hand the amount of photos taken of me that I've liked, that showed me as my true self, as a person I recognized when I looked at the images. Being on the other side of the lens creates an uneasiness in me that is hard to shake, a feeling like I need to perform or be someone I'm not. It usually leaves me feeling awkward and uncomfortable which results in images akin to a deer in headlights.

So when Britt came up from NC for Fair Hill, I got the wild idea to schedule a photo session for Scout and I. After looking through her work, I thought she just might be able to put me at ease on the other side of the lens and capture our young, but blossoming relationship.

From the moment we met, Britt felt like an old friend. I had completely forgotten in my haste of trying to shoehorn in a photo shoot with her that I was scheduled for my first shift of PM duties at the new farm. So as she arrived I was running around (hair and makeup done) in barn clothes like a crazy person. Luckily being a fellow horse woman, she totally understood and was quite patient as I finished up. We started off with a black background shot of Scout in the barn aisle:

!!!! The ear floofs kill me

Britt captured Scout's personality so well with this shot! Sweet and inquisitive and generally quite handsome. He was not the easiest horse to distract (he didn't care about the All Ears App, or the squeaky toys we were using), but he was very interested in what I was doing out of frame trying to get his ears up!

We wandered around the farm finding the sun (which had been hiding for a solid week before Britt arrived) and we were rewarded with the most gorgeous late afternoon light. We started off with just Scout and I having a quiet moment in front of the camera.

Golden hour perfection

A sweet moment

Why is he so big (and butt high -- stop growing Scout)?

Britt and I were busy gushing about the light when my bf showed up to join the shoot. I was feeling quite relaxed at this point by some sort of magic Britt was sprinkling on us, but having him there made the whole thing that much more special. He's got a wonderful energy that animals (and humans) react noticeably to. 

The horse whisperer at work

<3

A quick outfit change and he headed off to explore more of the property.  Scout was an absolute superstar about everything we threw at him, wandering around the farm without a care in the world. There was plenty for him to get worried about with Halloween decorations everywhere, minis, and farm equipment, but he just walked flat-footed, curiously following me.

Scout was not happy that I made him walk through this giant field without the opportunity to graze:)

So happy

Sigh, these two:)

This farm is so picturesque!

And as with baby horses, Scout did eventually tire of our antics but none of his naughty behavior was a shock to either Britt or I. We gave him plenty of breaks to graze (FINALLY) and Britt took time to shoot images without Scout so I could relax too. Her careful curating of everyone involved in the shoot resulted in images where everyone looks at ease, happy and in their element. 

And mostly, it's about what's happening in the moment that counts

I'm obsessed with this image

Fun fact about the image with the willow tree... Scout's little OTTB timer had gone off and he was just about done with our shenanigans which resulted in him using his head as a wrecking ball to get me to stop making him stand still. I'm sure there were hilarious outtakes from this, mainly me swatting at him angrily as he nearly knocked me over. I mean, I get it, he's young and we were definitely pushing his patience, but there's no excuse for rude behavior! Having a horse person as your photographer really helps in these moments as she's not likely to bat an eye and the exchange between horse and owner!

Final shot of the day, squeaking out every last second of the amazing light

Britt was able to do something remarkable that day. She captured me in the most natural way. None of the photos look forced or posed, my smile is genuine (this from a girl with chronic resting bitch face), and the moments captured are truly magical. 

But what Britt revealed to me with this shoot was something much bigger than just beautiful images. You see, I've been a photographer most of my life. I've captured the lives of people in so many moments of their lives... whether it's been their wedding day, or just a quite moment between a person and their animal and I've never fully appreciated what a gift I was giving them. Because I was able to freeze a moment in time for them, where they felt or looked their best, where they were happiest and most joyful... a quiet moment in time that could never be explained in words. So when Britt showed me these images, I was overwhelmed with emotion and I sobbed with joy that she was able to "see" me the way that I see myself, she able to visualize the love I have for Scout and Travis. I've been doing that for such a long time and I had no idea of the impact on the people I've photographed. These little time capsules we call photographs become etched in our minds and become memories that allow those fleeting moments in front of the lens to carry on for years and years. 

These memories, these moments mean the world to me. Thank you Britt!