The weekend was an incredible experience both for Odessa and me.  We competed in the Prelim Single Horse division and while we didn't win, we learned a lot, made improvements, and had a great time.  Coming from behind after a less than great dressage performance, we finished in 5th place just .33 points behind 4th.

As I am fairly new to driving and haven't experienced all of the transitions that the sport has gone through since it's inception,  I have often wondered how the walk section came about and why it has such a significant impact on a horse's success in CDEs.  In my experience as both a navigator and driver at all levels of competition, very few competitors seem to breeze through the walk section.

On Monday Ocho (heifer) calved a week early and had an 83lb bull calf waiting for us when we got home.  Since I am so observant, I didn't even notice that the calf I saw standing by the fence when I pulled in wasn't Rita's but actually Ocho's.  Woops. I am not a good cow mom.  We are relieved that she calved without any problems and mom and baby are both doing well.  Pictures will be posted as soon as it stops raining.

As of Tuesday morning, there is a new little face at the farm.  A healthy, 94lb bull calf (AKA Freo) out of Rita was born mid morning on Tuesday.  He's a pretty cute and curious little guy.  I am pretty sure he would walk up to me if mom didn't snort a warning not to.  He likes to run and run and run and then crash for a nap.  It's a hard life.

The crew traveled to the Hoosier Horse Park on Labor Day weekend for the Indiana CDE.  It was a huge show with over 70 competitors.  Fred and TJ showed in the Prelim Horse Pairs division and Erin and Rachel in the Single Horse.

The weekend was full of interesting challenges.

This weekend was Odessa's 2nd horse show, 2nd time in a dressage arena, 2nd time to see a cones course of any sort and 2nd time in obstacles.  It was her first time to show at prelim and she was great.