Post by dana on Feb 15, 2007 20:18:15 GMT -5
DAY ONE
Welcome to Horizon's Training Level Three Day Event! We've got eleven talented starters here today, all ready to strut their stuff in the dressage ring. The warm-up ring has been bustling with sunrise-lungers and the first few competitors since around 5:45AM. Now at 8:00, we're ready to begin. Competitors will be performing USEF Training Test B. Only one ring is running today, making it easier for spectators to see every second of the action.
First to go was Rockin' The Boat and Ethan Williams*, representing our host today, Horizon Equestrian Center. This pair put in a solid test, but it lacked a certain element of style. Rockin' The Boat seemed distracted during the stretch, and never quite regained the shape he had before. Later, Ethan* mentioned that his painted trakehner is still a bit green and he was satisfied with the performance.
Next in was Bold As Brass, ridden by Rachael of Redwood Park. The mare's gleaming chestnut coat and immaculate turnout immediately caught the judges' eyes. Rachael's especially accurate and subtle application of aids earned this pair a high mark in the 'rider' section on the score sheet, and Bold As Brass remained attentive throughout the test. Both canter-trot transitions were a just a tad delayed, but this litte hiccup was nearly unnoticable.
Another colored warmblood entered next; Roman Holiday, ridden by Maya Kenedy and representing Camelot Canada. The pair rode an accurate test, but Roman Holiday became strong during the lenghtened canters and had a slight issue returning to the working canter. Maya kept her cool, though, and they were barely penalized. Their freewalk was one of the best of the day.
Southern Grace, ridden by Kevin Jones* of Horizon Equestrian Center, were the next to go. The American Warmblood mare displayed dazzling lengthenings, which were highly rewarded by the judges. Kevin* worked very well with his partner, and their connection was obvious to everyone.
Next to go was Illusion Of Silence, ridden by Phoenix of White Lotus Farm. The lengthened canters were a struggle for Illusion Of Silence, who let out a few playful bucks during the movement. The level of submission was slightly below that of the other competitors, which unfortunately landed them lower in the standings.
Flames Of Obsession and Geoff King, representing Rewood Park, were the next competitors. The uniquely-colored buckskin sabino thoroughbred prompted whispers from spectators, and it was clear that this pair has potential. However, their movements just weren't up to par today and Flames Of Obsession had trouble with downward transitions (someone wants to get out on cross-country!)
Following them was September Sky and Rachel Ellis* of Horizon Equestrian Center. This pair put in a beautiful test, and Rachel* was very pleased considering she's only been working with this stallion for a few weeks! Transitions were letter-perfect, and September Sky's floaty trot really won over the judges.
Next was Rhiannon and Pavel Karov*, the second pair from Camelot Canada. The buckskin mare demonstrated fabulous collection and attentiveness to the rider's aids, but the pair was penalized for a distracted halt at the end of the test. That small mistake was easily outweighted by Rhiannon's accuracy, however.
From Diamond Elite Farms, HEC Reminiscent Raider and Paul McCoy* were the next to go. The pair rode a solid test, but there was room for improvement in many movements and their performance just wasn't as spectacular as some of the others we'd seen. Their stretch was a bit lacking, but an all-around decent test will land them in the middle of the standings.
The final pair from Horizon Equestrian Center, Trendsetter and Dana, were next in. This loud-colored stallion is the newest addition to HEC's eventing team, and has history as a showjumper. They rode a test similar to HEC Reminiscent Raider and Paul McCoy -- solid, but not spectacular.
Our last competitors were Flame Thrower and Bronwyn Hafton*. The beautiful chestnut sabino mare never really found a rythym, and Bronwyn* had a tough time getting her to settle in and pay attention. Bronwyn* rode well, but seemed dissapointed with Flame Thrower's performance.
Overall, the judges were very impressed with the quality of riding demonstrated today. Dressage was finished by noon, leaving plenty of time for competitors to walk the daunting cross-country that awaited them tomorrow!
Stadings After Dressage
*Note that these are NOT the final results.
1st - Southern Grace - Kevin Jones* - 33.2
2nd - September Sky - Rachel Ellis* - 34.6
3rd - Bold As Brass - Rachael - 35.0
4th - Rhiannon - Pavel Karov* - 36.0
5th - Roman Holiday - Maya Kenedy - 36.4
6th - HEC Reminiscent Raider - Paul McCoy* - 37.9
7th - Trendsetter - Dana - 39.8
8th - Rockin' The Boat - Ethan Williams* - 40.4
9th - Flame Thrower - Bronwyn Hafton* - 42.2
10th - Flames Of Obsession - Geoff King* - 44.0
11th - Illusion Of Silence - Phoenix - 44.2
Welcome to Horizon's Training Level Three Day Event! We've got eleven talented starters here today, all ready to strut their stuff in the dressage ring. The warm-up ring has been bustling with sunrise-lungers and the first few competitors since around 5:45AM. Now at 8:00, we're ready to begin. Competitors will be performing USEF Training Test B. Only one ring is running today, making it easier for spectators to see every second of the action.
First to go was Rockin' The Boat and Ethan Williams*, representing our host today, Horizon Equestrian Center. This pair put in a solid test, but it lacked a certain element of style. Rockin' The Boat seemed distracted during the stretch, and never quite regained the shape he had before. Later, Ethan* mentioned that his painted trakehner is still a bit green and he was satisfied with the performance.
Next in was Bold As Brass, ridden by Rachael of Redwood Park. The mare's gleaming chestnut coat and immaculate turnout immediately caught the judges' eyes. Rachael's especially accurate and subtle application of aids earned this pair a high mark in the 'rider' section on the score sheet, and Bold As Brass remained attentive throughout the test. Both canter-trot transitions were a just a tad delayed, but this litte hiccup was nearly unnoticable.
Another colored warmblood entered next; Roman Holiday, ridden by Maya Kenedy and representing Camelot Canada. The pair rode an accurate test, but Roman Holiday became strong during the lenghtened canters and had a slight issue returning to the working canter. Maya kept her cool, though, and they were barely penalized. Their freewalk was one of the best of the day.
Southern Grace, ridden by Kevin Jones* of Horizon Equestrian Center, were the next to go. The American Warmblood mare displayed dazzling lengthenings, which were highly rewarded by the judges. Kevin* worked very well with his partner, and their connection was obvious to everyone.
Next to go was Illusion Of Silence, ridden by Phoenix of White Lotus Farm. The lengthened canters were a struggle for Illusion Of Silence, who let out a few playful bucks during the movement. The level of submission was slightly below that of the other competitors, which unfortunately landed them lower in the standings.
Flames Of Obsession and Geoff King, representing Rewood Park, were the next competitors. The uniquely-colored buckskin sabino thoroughbred prompted whispers from spectators, and it was clear that this pair has potential. However, their movements just weren't up to par today and Flames Of Obsession had trouble with downward transitions (someone wants to get out on cross-country!)
Following them was September Sky and Rachel Ellis* of Horizon Equestrian Center. This pair put in a beautiful test, and Rachel* was very pleased considering she's only been working with this stallion for a few weeks! Transitions were letter-perfect, and September Sky's floaty trot really won over the judges.
Next was Rhiannon and Pavel Karov*, the second pair from Camelot Canada. The buckskin mare demonstrated fabulous collection and attentiveness to the rider's aids, but the pair was penalized for a distracted halt at the end of the test. That small mistake was easily outweighted by Rhiannon's accuracy, however.
From Diamond Elite Farms, HEC Reminiscent Raider and Paul McCoy* were the next to go. The pair rode a solid test, but there was room for improvement in many movements and their performance just wasn't as spectacular as some of the others we'd seen. Their stretch was a bit lacking, but an all-around decent test will land them in the middle of the standings.
The final pair from Horizon Equestrian Center, Trendsetter and Dana, were next in. This loud-colored stallion is the newest addition to HEC's eventing team, and has history as a showjumper. They rode a test similar to HEC Reminiscent Raider and Paul McCoy -- solid, but not spectacular.
Our last competitors were Flame Thrower and Bronwyn Hafton*. The beautiful chestnut sabino mare never really found a rythym, and Bronwyn* had a tough time getting her to settle in and pay attention. Bronwyn* rode well, but seemed dissapointed with Flame Thrower's performance.
Overall, the judges were very impressed with the quality of riding demonstrated today. Dressage was finished by noon, leaving plenty of time for competitors to walk the daunting cross-country that awaited them tomorrow!
Stadings After Dressage
*Note that these are NOT the final results.
1st - Southern Grace - Kevin Jones* - 33.2
2nd - September Sky - Rachel Ellis* - 34.6
3rd - Bold As Brass - Rachael - 35.0
4th - Rhiannon - Pavel Karov* - 36.0
5th - Roman Holiday - Maya Kenedy - 36.4
6th - HEC Reminiscent Raider - Paul McCoy* - 37.9
7th - Trendsetter - Dana - 39.8
8th - Rockin' The Boat - Ethan Williams* - 40.4
9th - Flame Thrower - Bronwyn Hafton* - 42.2
10th - Flames Of Obsession - Geoff King* - 44.0
11th - Illusion Of Silence - Phoenix - 44.2