So, every show is a learning experience and the Katydid CDE was no exception.
I learned that O. likes to trailer forwards and not backwards, I learned how to braid, I learned what not to do and what to do in the vet box, I learned how fast O. really can move out and what a willing heart she has, and most of all we learned we shouldn't make excuses for what we aren't and to just keep working toward making things what they can be and to not take it all so seriously and just have fun.
The trip started out with a bang as O. bashed the trailer for the first 6 hours of the trip to Aiken. Steam was coming out of the trailer when we stopped at lights and intersections because she was so worked up. 6 hours gives one time to think about what O is trying to say with her foot and I finally decided I couldn't translate and climbed into the seat of my carriage in the trailer to watch her as we went down the road. One of the things I switched before I got into the trailer with her was how she was riding. I moved her from facing primarily backwards to forwards and that proved to be the message she was desparately trying to send me. She barely moved the rest of the trip...both on the way down and returning. I also put a stop to a horrific whining noise made by a piece of vibrating metal that almost sent me into a kicking and pawing state in the 20 minutes or so I rode with her. Trailers are loud, banging things and it's really surprising that more horses don't flip us the bird when we ask them to jump in and ride in one for hours on end. We finally made it to Aiken in one piece about 5 on Wednesday.
On Thursday TJ and I took O. out for a drive and she was pretty much one unhappy horse. Little of the drive went well and after an attempt at a fight I decided to bow out and hope for the best on Friday which was the right thing to do. She was much calmer (so was I probably) and we had a really wonderful warm-up with encouragement and great pointers from Sherri Lower. O. and I are just starting to learn what it takes to become round and we had moments where I was so thrilled with our progress. I must have unknowingly started to get nervous right before we went in and things started to fall apart and we ended up with a 76, but it was our best test yet in a lot of ways so I was pretty happy.
Sitting in 7th out of 9 at the start of the marathon day, I had high hopes of moving up a bit as I knew she could be quick in the obstacles. Unfortunately missing a turn on section A put us off course at least 2K and in our attempt to make up time one of the judges in the vet box was concerned about Odessa and it was suggested that we retire. My horse's best interest is always foremost and because I don't have a lot of experience on how horses react to intense work, I agreed. Reflecting on the whole scene later though, things just didn't make complete sense. Her temp never went over 103.3 and her respiration and temp was down to normal (40/101) within a short period of time. Note to self...time everything including the 10 minute vet check. There are many new "notes to self" about what do differently at the next CDE as a result of what I learned on Saturday. I went through a couple of waves of upset, frustrated, bummed out but ultimately decided that everything happens for a reason and to just let it go. I have no doubt that the judge was only concerned for my horse and I can't be upset for anyone over that.
We were able to drive the cones phase and wow she was wired...probaby as a result of the quick pace we maintained Saturday on Section A. She barreled through the course much too quickly and we had three balls down but no time penalties. I should have really slowed her down and been more accurate but I still don't know exactly how fast I need to go to make the times. We will get better with experience.
I love the driving community because everyone is so generous. Many, many thanks to all of the people that helped us throughout the weekend.
Fred and Rachel were both the only entries in their divisions so they took home blue ribbons. Good job to Fred, TJ, Rachel, Amy and John for all of your hard work.
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