CatchRide

Grand Prix day

As it turns out, there was a lot of hype for not too much excitement over Hurricane Earl in the Hamptons. Granted, it did rain a lot, but the wind was almost nonexistent, so there was no threat of tents blowing down. I skipped showing Saturday anyway though and sent Occra home Friday night, because the rings were still going to be quite soggy on Saturday, so most of Heritage went home. Only the ponies continued showing into the weekend for us. They did great, despite having to show in the schooling rings because the grass was so slippery.
Luckily, Sunday had stunningly beautiful weather for the grand prix, and the field had some time to dry. It was a really fun lunch and class, as always, and Sapphire and McLain Ward were the stars of the day. The incredible duo, amazingly, also brought home the win in that class last year. Sadly, that grand prix marks the end of summer for me every year, though. We left the Hamptons on Monday and I started my junior year of high school on Tuesday. I’m looking forward to a fun year as an upperclassman!
Up next for me… zone 2 Maclay regionals in a couple of weeks!

Last weekend’s Southwest Maclay Regionals started out a little quiet but ended in grand style as my friend and barn mate Molly Braswell took home the prestigious win. And on her 17th birthday! In fact, three of the top four were Quiet Hill clients. The show in Jacksonville was much smaller than I expected and focused entirely on the regionals. Chase Boggio won the Governor’s Cup Friday night, a class meant to be a warmup and ending late into the evening. For the Maclay regionals on Saturday night, the course tested you to ride up for the leave out which caught a few off guard. Molly and Chase were consistent all weekend and didn’t back down under the pressure. I was equally impressed with the smoothness of Abby O’Mara who I’d never watched ride before. She ended up second.

I was there to ride a little and look at colleges but seeing the regionals only made me wish I’d kept riding in equitation. I also took a trip down the road to Ocala, a paradise for horses. The landscape is gently rolling, green fields lined with dark fencing. Trees dripping in Spanish moss dotted the pastures and provided much needed shade in the still hot summer climate. Cows found relief by soaking in ponds and watering holes. The farms were so spread out. I can’t imagine what that land would cost in California, or the water bill to keep it so green. This was my first trip to Florida and I hope one of many in the future.

Molly Braswell wins Maclay Regionals, Zone 3!

Team Quiet Hill - The Best!

Having a little fun in Florida

Quiet Hill Farm, Ocala, FL

It has been a very eventful week here at the Hampton Classic. It all started off Tuesday with the USET class, which went pretty well. Today I rode Occra in the PHA and Medal before doing the jumpers on her, and as it turns out, she made quite a pretty equitation horse! She was also especially good in the speed class we did. Both rounds of the Sam Edelman equitation classic took place today, rather than having the second round Saturday, in anticipation of tomorrow’s weather. Sam Schaefer won with scores of 90 and 92, so congrats to her! It’s always a very fun and exciting class.
I personally was somewhat surprised that the horse show made the decision at midnight last night to keep the show running rather than evacuate. As of right now I’m still scheduled to show tomorrow, but depending on what happens with Hurricane Earl, I may have to scratch. A lot of horses are leaving early because there is so much risk in the bad weather we’re expecting here in Bridgehampton. This weekend is supposed to have good weather again though, so hopefully it will still be beautiful for the grand prix on Sunday.

What do you do with a four-day weekend and sale horses in Florida ready and waiting? You get back on a plane and show in Jacksonville. I’m leaving after school on Thursday and heading to the North Florida Labor Day show. Most people know the event as the Zone 3 Maclay Regionals, the first of the medal finals season. I’m not doing the regionals as I’ve done jumpers for past two+ years and only rode in a couple of Maclay classes this year.  But I’ll show in others and be there to cheer on the Quiet Hill gang in Saturday night’s pressure cooker. I’ll also squeeze in a few college campus visits in the area. Gator Nation here I come!

Home of Gator Nation - University of Florida

The remains of my summer in the East arrived via FedEx yesterday – 7 boxes and duffles packed with everything from breeches to lacrosse sticks. This was just one of the requirements to make my crazy summer of riding work. As a reminder, I rode 20+ horses and went to 7 cities, 5 states and 3 countries in 9 weeks. It involved just a little bit of insanity, from non-horse people perspectives anyways. Many juniors have similar tales such as co-blogger Audrey Keller’s China/HITS/Kentucky jaunt. Here’s some of what we go through:

1. Help support FedEx – we mailed two enormous boxes filled with show coats, breeches, boots, saddle, pads, bridles, rain gear, etc. at a cost of nearly $300. We paid extra for insurance. For the return to California, we shipped 7 separate packages, this time including lacrosse equipment (see previous posts for explanation). Nearly the same costs again. By the way, you can ship directly in duffle bags with zipties securing the zippered compartments.

2. Short term rental car lease – illegally driven by me (under 18 can’t rent). All my mom said when she gave me the keys was, “don’t hit anything.” The 9-week rental, midsized Impala, was $1800. I did ask for a sports car but mom just laughed.

3. Make any lodging work – airbeds (they’re not a leading seller for a reason), college dorms (bring ear plugs if you’re next to the jump crew dorm but beware, they won’t help when the fire alarm is activated at midnight), BYO fan (it came everywhere with me).

4. Put in the hours – before leaving each day, I cleaned my tack and grazed all my horses, even one’s that spooked, spun and had a grand time at my expense. Monday’s (day off) I would arrive to hand walk and graze or take one on a leisurely trail ride. Never say “no” to hacking any horse.

5. Any GPS is better than none – I brought a portable TomTom in my luggage ($179). To rent one was $19/day. It did take me in a few circles but I couldn’t have navigated to Manhattan by myself without it.

6. Be flexible – you can’t keep what you don’t own. I did well on an equitation youngster and then he was sold, gone, shipped off. It didn’t matter that I paid for show or hauling expenses or that I really liked the horse. I wasn’t buying him so I had to move on when he did. The next one was harder for me to ride but I had to try my best. Sometimes it takes more than a class or two to jell. Sometimes that’s all you get.

I’m on my 6th load of laundry. My summer already seems a distant past but one full of great memories and experiences. Tomorrow, senior year of high school begins.

FedEx helps you ride "across" country

I’ve been home for just a few days and the reality of not having a horse is setting in. Yes, it was a blast to ride tons of different horses all summer. Yes, I learned a ton and my riding improved greatly. But here in California, I’m horseless for the first time since age 4. My mom thought I would be burnt out after riding so much back East. Sorry mom, your plan backfired as I’m more eager than ever to ride, but on what? I went to a polo match in Bridgehampton, NY last week and thought about giving that a try, not just because of all the handsome Argentineans riding. It really looked fun and so fast and aggressive. I’m not quite ready to trade in my crop for a mallet. Perhaps one day.

I got back from Kentucky Tuesday after an exhausting two weeks. The Hunterdon cup was a great experience, though due to a late lead change I knew I would not make the test. Saturday and Sunday my jumper, Occra, was fantastic. This week all the ponies are in Kentucky for pony finals! Next week some of the horses from our barn will be in Kentucky for Derby Finals. Kentucky really has a lot going on this year.
As for me, I’m back in New York for a couple of weeks. The next major show we have is the Hampton Classic at the end of August. The Hampton Classic is my favorite show, and I love spending time out there, so I can’t wait for that! In the meantime though it’s nice to have some time for lessons and to relax a little in between shows. This will be the first weekend in more than a month that I’ve been at home the entire time, between China, HITS, and Kentucky! It feels good to take a deep breath.

Kentucky has been super fun so far! Week 1 went pretty well for me over all. My two horses were brought over to my dad’s farm Sunday evening after showing, so they could get turned out Monday and Tuesday morning. The horse show doesn’t offer any turnout, unfortunately. The North American Junior and Young Riders Championship also took place over week 1. It was really fun getting to watch some of the jumper classes, especially since some of my friends took part in it.
Junior hunter finals are Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and a few girls from my barn are competing in that. My favorite addiction of this horse show so far is the smoothie stand, more specifically the chocolate smoothie. I’m up to drinking at least one or two a day now. What will I do without them when I get home! Later today I have the Hunterdon Cup with my equitation horse. That class happens in the new indoor stadium, which is (thankfully) air-conditioned. The weather here has been sweltering. The class should be really exciting, and the 80-something horses in it will make this a very competitive class.