Fairhill Recognized Novice -- May 19th

Coming off the heels of his nosebleed issues and forced break, Scout came back into work hardly missing a beat and felt ready to tackle Fairhill. Unfortunately, the weather turned into a summer swamp the weekend of the event which definitely had an impact on a horse who had recently had some unintentional time off.

Dressage:

Not exaggerating about the dust! 

I'm just going to say for the record, that I don't love the dressage warm-up at Fairhill -- it's a tiny little bowl that's super dusty and if even one horse is acting up it gets really chaotic real fast. Scout came to the warmup flat-footed as usual but was definitely dull. The heat and humidity were certainly a factor, as was his recent time off -- so he lacked his usual spark. Nora did a super job livening him up a bit before they headed into the ring and I really feel like she got every last point out of him that she could for the day. It was a nice, obedient test, but was missing some oomph.

That's more like it

<3

Starting to get the free walk finally

He's happy that's over, hahaha!

Despite his lack of enthusiasm, they still squeaked out a 31.90 -- A score I was pleased with, but in a division of all professionals, it put him in 8th after dressage. Overall, I was really pleased with his work ethic to go in the ring and get it all done. He never quits, and that is such an admirable quality in a horse.

And the thing I love (and hate) about eventing and the various division breakdowns, is that if he was in Open Novice B, he would have won his division (though the other two groups at much wider margins for dressage scores) -- very interesting!

After a break and a bit of a cool down, it was time tog et ready for stadium and xc. At Fairhill, this requires a long solo hack through the woods to the other side of the property (which can take some getting used to for greenies), there's also a stream to cross on the way! Unfortunately, SJ was running 45 mins behind and poor Scout had to stand around in the heat for over an hour waiting. We did complain to the officials, who told us that they had no way of letting anyone know (which is funny, because LOUD SPEAKERS) -- but I'll take every experience as a teaching opportunity and it was good practice in standing around and waiting his turn.

Ready to jump things

The long wait gave me time to watch a ton of horses go and Iw as really pleased with the course. They had expanded the space allotted and the course rode best on a big galloping stride, right up Scout's alley!

Being the best at waiting

There were a few combinations that I was concerned about, but nothing seemed out of the realm for a recognized event. I think the trickiest part of the course was the first few fences, a massive oxer with a dogleg left to vertical, and hairpin left turn away from the in-gate.

Scout felt like it was best to give the first fence PLENTY of space, just in case. 

The second fence came up quick, and he jumped it a bit green, but left the rails up (this fence caught quite a few riders).

On to the big combination on a course...

I believe this was a 4 stride to 2 stride

I thought he might get a backward coming into these, but they made him sit back and think, which led to him jumping them cleanly.

The second related distance on course, nailing it -- even if a little green still

Better through the out of the combination

And even though it was a galloping course, it had plenty of twists and turns to keep you thinking about balance and momentum. He had one unlucky rail at the skinny fence on course, but he jumped everything with a much-improved maturity and technique.

Last fence on course -- cleared it!!!!

I didn't get to walk XC this time, but it had a half coffin, water and a bank combo. He literally ate up the course, cruising around like it was a walk in the park! A beautiful double clear to add to his record and he came off the course feeling like a million bucks! And while he didn't look like he was going that fast, Nora said that at the second to last fence she realized she was over a minute under the time and had to rate him in order not to get penalties -- he just really covers the ground SO much!

So thankful for Nora and her whole team for bringing out the best in my young horse. I feel so lucky to have found her and Scout just adores her too! I'm so very proud of his attitude and continuing progress. It's really amazing watching this young horse blossom and develop.

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!!!

Upgrade -- a PSA about XC vests

With show season just around the corner, I decided to take inventory of all my stuff to purge and replace. I'm not a tack hoarder by any means, so I put a bunch of my stuff up for sale on Facebook and went through the rest of my gear to see what needed to be replaced.

Since I haven't done any xc riding in at least a year and a half -- I tried on my xc vest to see if it actually still fit me... it does, barely (as in, I kinda need assistance to get it zipped -- thanks a lot boobs). However, when I was looking through the labels on it something struck me... The tag that says when it was manufactured. It was stamped 2012 (October). Which got me thinking -- do XC vests have an expiration date?

Fell off this goon, more times than needed, thanks Rodney Powell for keeping me safe

It seems to be common knowledge that helmets should be replaced... Immediately in the case of a fall or being dropped but after 5 years of USE (according to most manufacturers) -- only a rider knows how they have maintained their gear, and some manufacturers go by the 2000 hours of use rule, so someone who rides for many hours every day may need to replace theirs earlier. I think if you keep your helmet in a trailer or your car, you may need to consider how the materials respond to temperature extremes and take that into account for its lifespan. And as with all tack and gear, periodically checking for damage and decay is a good idea too.

So I took my question to the masses and the response was VERY interesting (and varied):

So, I was left scratching my head a bit. There was even a comment from a GP dressage rider who also events at Training level that just read, "I did not know xc vests could expire." And while I am left thinking some of it IS a marketing thing to ensure constant sales over a period of time, I'm certain that there are research and studies that show how the materials hold up over time. After all, they have to pass a series of testing to receive a stamp from ASTM/SEI... and furthermore for Beta 3 validation.

While my vest is in visually very good condition, based on the manufacturers recommendation it should be replaced (most go by how many years the item was used, not based on the manufacture stamp) -- I believe my vest was purchased in 2013, which still means it should be replaced, even though I haven't worn it in at least a year or longer.

I knew right away I wanted another Beta 3 vest as that's what I had before and I love how safe it felt. I dunno about you guys but I get real nervous watching people go xc in those flimsy Tipperary's. I was really pleased when I discovered that after 5 years they have redesigned the Rodney Powell's to keep up with the growing trend of having a high level of safety, with breathability and flexibility throughout the design. The new one is definitely designed more like the Airoware, and looks to be much more streamlined.

Old design

New and improved

When I was originally searching for a xc vest I had a hell of a time finding something that fit the front of my body but that didn't come down so far in the back that it impeded me in the saddle. At one point Charles Owen was going to custom make one by piecing together a front from one size and a back from another size. That felt like a whole lot of trouble for the price point. So I researched vests that were designed with shorter back panels which led me to Rodney Powell in the first place. I like the material inside the vest which as your body heats up it conforms even further to the shape of your body, making it feel very custom made.

The only problem with this brand is that they are VERY scarce in the US and the new design is nearly impossible to find anywhere! I was so super excited when I realized they made the new design in grey, that I went on a mad search everywhere for it, to no avail. Sold out or back-ordered everywhere! *I guess that's a good sign!

Thankfully, my brother lives in London and this morning I sent him an email titled "Wanna go on a wild goose chase for me?" and just like that, he sends me a screenshot of an order confirmation!!!! What a guy! He said he found it for wayyyy less expensive than it's even advertised online for possibly due to the VAT upcharges a lot of companies have to apply in their pricing structure.

So it'll be in my hands in a few weeks, well ahead of any xc with Scout (who come home in less than two weeks)-- and I'm eager to give it a more thorough review.

This simple purchase really got me thinking though about how we (riders as a whole) view our gear and our expectations of its longevity and guarantee of safety. I really wish the USEA was more strict about the requirements for xc vests in competitions, (currently, they only have to be ASTM/SEI certified, not Beta 3) and that they held riders competing to a higher standard also.

So what say you bloggers? Do you hold to the standards with your helmets and vests? DO you have opinions either way? I'm so curious!