Well after the Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities (aka eating a lot) its time to move half of the team south to the warmer climate of Aiken, South Carolina. Here we escape the snow and ice rain and are greeted by sand and sunshine. I'm not sure who enjoyed arriving more: the horses, the dogs or the working students (esp Australian, Rhiannon)!
Rhiannon Bosma cross country schooling
I've been here now for four years and it's really interesting to see the differences between the horses who have travelled South and the 'Northeners'. The 'snowbirds' (as the fair weather Northeners are called) LOVE the sand and immediately sink to their knees upon arrival and roll. And roll. And roll. And roll! The dogs roll and roll! And the humans quickly unpack and settle the horses to head into town for a quick bite of Mexican food at the famous event rider haunt, Maria's. Here you'll find everyone who's anyone in American eventing, Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Will Coleman, Doug Payne … the list goes one. Not sure what Maria's does for income over summer but I digress...
Heading out cross country schooling on a baby
The first events don't start until next weekend so to get my eye in and to jump the horses over non fixed obstacles (i.e. doesn't matter if I see a long one to an oxer that would fit a bus), I always use a show jumping competition in town for some practice. This year Buckharo and I won the 1.20 m class and were secone in the 1.15 m. On Charmer I placed third in the 1.1 5 m. Collection Pass and I competed in the Welcome Stakes where we were fifth, then the mini prix where we also featured very well in the prize money!
Cole and I in the Mini Prix
In America the show jumping competitions are quite a bit more ‘full on’ than at home. The show itself has a PAID staff of at least 35, ranging from the formidable entries ladies to the rather handsome in gate guys. They also have stable guys, guys to water the arena, guys to drag, guys to set the jumps and of course guys to sit in the office on a walkie talkie to manage it all! Thus my entry fees for this 'quiet show to get my eye in' are upwards of the $1800 range for five classes! Thankfully the prize money goes a long way to compensating it. And on a final note if anyone knows the handsome in gate guy and can get me a date, I'll pay you a $50 finders fee!
Kate
