This past weekend was a weekend of fun at the Hermitage Classic HDT in Goshen, KY. As this was an inaugural event for Hermitage Farm, huge efforts were made to put on an awesome show.
Rain threatened to put a damper on the weekend, 
and despite significant concerns over rain soaked footing in some of the obstacles and predicaments of more heavy rain Saturday and Sunday, I thought the weather could have been much worse. The drizzle on dressage day didn't seem to bother Odessa and she put in the best dressage test of the day out of 32 competitors with a 48.67. Our cones started out well, but we had a steering issue at 12 and smashed it.
The owner of Hermitage Farm Steve Wilson likes things big and bold and the marathon was no exception. 
Live music, hillside catered tailgating, fancy cars, and obstacles with a big wow factor provided great entertainment for the spectators. A lot of thought was put into the marathon layout and I think this event will only get bigger and better with time.
Rain and newly installed obstacles really put into question the safety of the footing at the bridge and water. 
The bridge layout had a lot of roll to it and during our initial scouting on Friday, we were sinking and slipping with every step. The water had newly installed class I sand on pretty steep banks and it took very little weight to cause the sand to give significantly. Newly worked dirt and the water depth were also a concern on the water. But the weather cooperated, and by Saturday afternoon the footing had dried out enough to feel that the obstacle was mostly safe. I chose longer routes on both obstacles to try and keep Odessa from slipping.
The first obstacle was the bridge and unfortunately Odessa refused on our first pass, but went up on the second. The other obstacles went pretty well minus some turning refusals which we need to get figured out. She has never turned well and 
despite her three refusals we did a lot more tight turns than we have in the past so I was happy with her overall performance. The balks did knock us down into second place though. The deep footing on the first two obstacles, me not training with enough weight, and having to really push it to make our times made for a very tired Odessa by the end of the marathon.
So it was a fun weekend, the heavy rain held off, and I don't believe anyone got hurt. Thanks again to all of the organizers, sponsors and volunteers that made it happen!
More Hermitage HDT photos
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