She rides, I pay » General

MHC Days of Champions

Elizabeth — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:08:18 +0000

We’ve just returned from the Massachusetts Horsemen’s Council Days of Champions held in Northampton, MA. It was a great weekend, aside from the pouring rain. What can I say? Samantha and Mondavi were outstanding. Nerves were running high. Not mine! OK, well, mine and Samantha’s.

Her first class was the Open Equitation 14 and Under. She was in section B. I brought her to the show at 6 a.m. and we walked the course with Mo so he could sample the flowers. (The orange mums are the tastiest). Then I quickly went back to the hotel to check us out and take a shower. I returned 25 minutes later and she was waiting to go into the ring. It was HIGH DRAMA because I had her back number. Oh the SHAME. Oh the DRAMA. THEY WERE HOLDING THE RING. I WAS ONLY GONE FOR 25 MINUTES. HOW DID THEY GET THROUGH AN ENTIRE (A) SECTION CLASS IN 25 MINUTES?

This was not good. Samantha was not happy with me. She said something not nice to me. (I can’t even call this her first teenage moment, because she was right). Then she cantered 2 jumps and kept cantering directly to the ring. Stopped, entered the ring and kept catering and nailed her course. It was perfect. No time for me to even be nervous. Score: 75.50!!!!

I was not immediately forgiven by the girl, but all was well in horse show land. Samantha was 7th in her class and was thrilled to place at this event. She went into the ring to accept her ribbon and pose with Ring Master Edward Nowak (My husband’s disrespectful comment was: “Hurry up and get in there Samantha, the nutcracker is waiting for you and he has to get back to Santa’s workshop.”) My camera was nowhere to be seen due to the previous scramble for the number.

After the 15-17 year olds did their open eq class, the course was set for the Medal Final, and the color left the faces of our three StoneHaven competitors. A one-stride appeared on the end of the ring. Triple oxer, sharp right turn practically into the rail, with about two strides to turn to the one-stride. No time to relax, with another quick turn to a moving five-stride diagonal line turning to another off-the-end fence and another quick turn to a two-stride. A tough course by designer Robert Gage from San Marcus, California.

As the first 20 riders navigated the course, very few made it around clean. It’s tough to go early in a class of 134 riders. Everyone learns the course from your ride, benefits from watching your mistakes. The scores were low, the course unforgiving. Our riders went in the 50s and 70s in the order. Samantha and Kika sat in the stands growing paler with each round they watched, convincing themselves that getting around was next to impossible.

That changed when their barn mate Katie Gray entered the ring. Katie rides an enormous horse named Cortez with a regal appearance and a huge jump. This is a new partnership, and over the past six months Katie has developed a quiet confidence with Cortez that amazes me. He is a huge animal, she is a tiny person. This was Katie’s first indoor final, and at 17, she feels the pressure of a compressed junior career. Her open eq round was not perfect. So I can only imagine the intensity of her thoughts as she entered the ring. Nearby, stood the horse’s previous trainers and hundred of people in the stands.

Katie made it through the first part of the course smoothly. She launched over the large oxer with ease and made the tight turn to the end one-stride look smooth. Her biggest challenge was easing the big man back a bit in the five-stride so that he didn’t get four. A nice approach to the final two-stride and she was done. A beautiful trip. Score: 72!!!!! Not only had Katie ridden a difficult course with accuracy, she had just shown her two younger barn mates what was possible.

Samantha and Kika were next up. After all the waiting, things now moved quickly. Before I knew what was happening, I was wiping the mud off Samantha’s boots and Tara was hosing Mo’s legs and sharing her last bits of wisdom with Samantha. What she had to say made me smile-reassuring, positive, gentle-all intended to remind her that she could and would do this and that she should enjoy it too.There was a smile on Samantha’s face when she went in the ring, rather than the look of terror I expected.

In the ring, she looked beautiful. Tall and elegant, she got every distance she wanted, she got every number she needed-she reached every goal she set for herself. It was two minutes, two minutes, of bliss. She was a little bit surprised by one big distance she asked for that Mo took and was a little bit left behind. But that was the only visible-to-the-mom-eye mistake. Score: 73.50 ! Since whooping is frowned upon at the ring, I did internal whoops. Whoop whoop! She was currently in 26th place. Samantha finished in the top 50, out of 134 riders, a thrill for us at her first final.

Kika rode brilliantly as well. Her course was lovely, her horse Cyber a beautiful, talented young warmblood, from Annie Dotoli and Aster Peter’s fine collection at Tibri. When these two are “on” there is no stopping them! They were “ON.” Kika was focused and determined– her ride belayed the fearful comments she had spouted hours earlier about her ability to get around the course. Score: 78.81 !!!!!!

The top 25 were called back for the second round and Kika made it back. Whoop whoop! Kika had the unenviable position of going first in the second round. Again, she rose to the challenge and navigated a new and difficult course–extremely well–and matched her score of 78.81. Team StoneHaven was giddy. To have a rider in the top 25 was amazing, plus that rider was one of the 38 under the age of 14 ( I was shocked to realize that of the 134 competitors, only 38 were 14 and under).

As I watched round two, several riders had difficultly, again a very difficult course. Kika moved up and up. At the end of the day, she was in the ribbons in 17th place. You could not wipe the smiles off of our faces.

Vermonters in King George’s Court

Elizabeth — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 19:40:41 +0000

Last week, two trainers and one junior rider from our area had the opportunity to ride in a George Morris clinic, held at The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, Nov. 12-14.

Barn mates pooled resources and gifted the clinic to our trainer Tara Valade as her Christmas present. Fox Horn Stables, our friendly neighbors down the road in Charlotte, caught wind of what we were doing and decided to do the same for their trainer Ashley Conway. Junior rider Piper Oren’s parents decided to send her as well. Just like that, three lifelong dreams were about to be realized.

While I was not in attendance, Tara, Ashley and Piper’s parents have shared their experiences so that we can all have a look inside King George’s Court. John Oren’s pictures and quotes tell the story better than I can.

The group left the rolling green mountains of Vermont and eight hours later arrived in the city streets of Buffalo, N.Y.; two young trainers, one teenager, along with parents, family and assorted supporters in tow. They arrived late Thursday night and settled their horses in for the night.

“In my years of riding, what I have is a seat. People spend thousands...millions for a seat...My kingdom for a seat! Your seat is in your bones. A seat can't be bought!"

Our three riders arrived the next morning excited and ready to see the facility in the daylight. What awaited them was an indoor arena that left them in awe. Large, very large and airy. Were they really inside? A white, expansive space, large enough to be sectioned off to include a warm-up area and jumping section. An old airplane hanger? Something close to amazement and perhaps envy touched the Vermonters. Oh, what we could do with an indoor like this! There is nothing comparable in the state.

Registration papers were signed, packets handed out, name tags adorned. Our trainers were delighted to be served breakfast. The staff at The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center rivaled their counterparts at the Four Seasons and the Ritz Carlton in caring for our Vermonters. They were warmly welcomed, every detail planned in advanced, questions answered, well fed, snacks and drinks readily available.

8 a.m. Niceties aside. Time to set the course. It is “suggested” that riders assist. Our gang was ready, learning the George Morris approved method of course design. George speaks, people run. Our trainers took notes, hoping to achieve the same results at home.

Jump pins to the outside. Bottom cups filled first. Poles placed in the cups when they have been assigned and not before. George laid down some basic ground rules the hard way. For instance, when he speaks, no one else does.

Tough, But Fair

For the next three days, our riders gave George 110 percent, and he gave it all right back to them.

We’ve all read about George’s legendary toughness, his penchant for quirky commentary, (“Your ‘Whoa’ sounds like Lady Gaga!”) his legendary resume. But what I was reminded of, hearing about the clinic, was his demand for discipline. Come to the ring prepared—your horse, tack and person neat and clean. Give your best each and every ride. Respect your horse and trainer.

I hate to sound like an old-school parent, but young people need this lesson. It will help them in so many other aspects of their lives!

Tara reiterated this with her thoughts on the experience. “George doesn’t mind if you make mistakes, he minds if you are not trying. If he gives you an exercise, you follow his directions to the letter. He gives truthful critiques. He pushes people to make them better.” She noted that every horse and rider showed improvement by the end of the weekend.

“He was not mean. He was tough, but fair. If you made the exact same mistake twice, watch out. He demands discipline,” she added.

Tara was impressed with George’s stamina. He rode many horses and continued to give instruction over the microphone without ever sounding out of breath, something she’d like to be able to do herself.

A Parent’s Perspective

According to Piper Oren’s mother, her daughter had never before experienced that breed of instructor that utilizes toughness and brutal honesty. For the first two days, Piper emerged unscathed. She even received a few coveted “Very goods,” “Good” and a “She’s got it!” from George—high praise, well-earned.

On the final day, Piper got five in the six-stride line (twice!). George bellowed, “The lights are on, but nobody’s home!” Piper later admitted to doing algebra problems in her head to keep the tears at bay.

Mrs. Oren said of the entire experience, “Personally, as a parent, I was very impressed. It is rare in life when you get to witness true mastery—George Morris is indeed a master of the sport. He’s tough, but honest. Three groups, eight riders in each, and he remembered each person’s name and how they had improved each day.”

On the long ride home, Piper thanked her parents for the opportunity to participate in the clinic. Mom responded, “That, alone, was probably worth the price of admission.”

The dates for next year’s George Morris clinic at The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center are November 11-13, 2011.

Time For Mom To Follow The Horse Show Rules

Elizabeth — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Girl: horse show ready. Mom: Needs some work.

From May through October, I kept a kid and horse entirely presentable and A-rated horse show ready. I dry cleaned show coats, I hand-washed Essex Collection shirts, I removed stains from Tailored Sportsman breeches. I found a hand-me-down pair of ancient tall boots and taught my kid how to polish and nurse them through the season.

The girl learned from her trainer and me never to go into the show ring without an immaculate horse wearing clean tack. The show day was only over when your horse, tack and stall were clean. Wherever we were, Massachusetts, Vermont or New York, the girl was packed and prepared. And so was I. She made it through an entire horse show season without forgetting or losing much of anything. I considered these skills—what she was learning outside of the ring—to be as essential as what she was learning in the ring.

Last week, I learned that while my kid may have picked up some valuable skills this past summer, I apparently, had not.

I was preparing to attend the Association of Bridal Consultants annual conference in Phoenix. I was exhibiting in the trade show as part of my Emily Post job, introducing our wedding invitation partner M. Middleton, and our new line of wedding invitations (Emily Post Wedding) to the bridal consultants. This is an annual conference I’ve attended four or five times in the past, so I knew what to expect and left the preparation to the last minute (mistake No. 1).

Interestingly, I haven’t gone on a business trip since May, an unusually long stretch for me. Which means, no business travel since before horse show season. I packed Friday night for an early Saturday morning departure.

As I looked through my closet, I realized I was missing a few essential items. We’re business casual at Emily Post, and this trip was definitely professional attire. My office attire wardrobe was, um, lacking. And I’d let this situation get away from me. (Could it be that the budget allocation had been going entirely to HORSE SHOWS for the last six months?)

Then I looked in the mirror. Someone needed a haircut. Badly. And some style would help too. Maybe some color—there are quite a few grey hairs peeking out, well, really, I think that patch there qualifies as a grey stripe.

I wrangled together a few semi-presentable outfits from the closet, calling out for a few borrowed items. It wouldn’t be great, but I’d make it work.

When I arrived in Phoenix and unpacked, I realized I’d forgotten make-up and business cards. Yikes! There wasn’t really time for an off campus outing to replenish the make-up so that situation was just ugly. And I don’t even want to talk about the business cards.

Fortunately our booth looked beautiful, and the wedding invitation albums (two collections, named Grace and Style) are truly stunning! It was a whirlwind two days of showing the new offering to hundreds of bridal consultants and stationery store owners. No one mentioned my lack of make-up or the grey stripes in my hair. My colleague from our partner company, Marianne, is the mother of four teenagers, and we enjoyed our long days together.

As I flew home, I reminded myself of a few basic rules that I think all good horsewomen and horse show moms violate from time to time in our quest to provide the best care to our beloved charges:

If you don’t take care of yourself you’re no good to your horse or your kid.
Sometimes to keep up with your career, (and your ability to support those kids and horses) you’ve got to spend money on yourself. That may mean a new suit, updates to your wardrobe, or getting your hair done. For trainers or other equestrian professionals, that may mean special or expensive equipment or clothing.
Education is an excellent investment in your career. Whether it’s a book, course, conference, clinic or just a trip that gives you a different perspective—even little connections and conversations can end up having a big impact on your career.
Take as much care in preparing and packing for yourself as you would for your horse or your kid. Arriving at a horse show or business trip without make-up or business cards stinks. Trust me.

This article first appeared on The Chronicle of the Horse website.

New England Medal Finals: Day One: Adults (41 & Over)

Elizabeth — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:58:55 +0000

Part Two: NEHC Amateur Adult Medal Finals 41 & Over

The second group of amateur adult competitors got underway yesterday afternoon at the New England Equitation Championships in Springfield, Mass., with the NEHC Amateur Adult Medal Finals competition for the riders aged 41 and over.

There were 54 qualifiers in the first round, judged by the same six-judge panel which oversaw the 23-40 year-old competition earlier in the day, and included Ken Krome, Linda Andrisani, Leo Conroy, Peter Lombardo, Ellen Raidt and Danny Robertshaw.

Fifteen riders made it back for a second trip, with the cut-off score set at 73.83. The top fiver riders in order were Amy Cooper, Lynne LaGuardia, Louisa Attenboro, Jenny Schwartz and Tina Furey.

The second round brought dramatic changes in the rankings, with many riders including Jenny Cooper aboard Granini, and Mindy Whitman aboard Writtle, performing well under pressure and scoring significantly higher on their second course. Other riders turned in disappointing trips and fell from their top five slots including Louisa Attenborough aboard Showgirl and Lynne LaGuardia on Debonair.

With little wiggle room between top riders Jenny Schwartz and Amy Cooper a final test was administered. Not as elaborate as the test in the previous class, riders were asked to canter fences 5, 4, 1 and 3, halt, sit trot to the gate and leave the ring at a walk. Both riders performed the test well.

When it was all over, Schwartz was the winner and Cooper was in second.

Top 10 results are listed below:

Rider, Horse, Total combined Score, Rounds 1 & 2

1. Jenny Schwartz, Granini, 165.83
2. Amy Cooper, Spyglass, 163.82
3. Mindy Whitman, Writtle, 157.66
4. Libby Tritschler, Bradley, 157.57
5. Karen Salon, Ludo, 156.99
6. Carolyn Lackey, Milthyme Lambrini, 153.66
7. Julie Petrini, Gambini, 150.49
8. Theresa Bowling, Lockamore Cruise, 145.49
9. Lynne LaGuardia, Debonair, 144.33
10. Louisa Attenborough, Showgirl, 143.66

This article first appeared on The Chronicle of the Horse website.

New England Medal Finals: Day One-Adults (23-40)

Elizabeth — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:55:27 +0000

Part One: NEHC Amateur Adult Medal Finals 23-40-Year-Olds

Yesterday was an exciting start to the 34^th annual New England Equitation Championships. An event with humble beginnings, the organizing committee now boasts that it hosts one of the most prestigious and well-attended equitation finals competitions in the country. With no one arguing otherwise, the four-day competition kicked off with adult equitation finals broken down by two age groups: a 23-40 division and a 41 and over division.

In order to qualify for the finals, amateur adult riders must accumulate 10 points in the NEHC Adult Medal class at member shows during a one-year period and be a member of the New England Horsemen’s Council.

Forty-seven riders competed in the first-round of the 23-40-Year-Olds NEHC Medal Final course designed by Ken Krome. The six-judge panel included Krome, Linda Andrisani, Leo Conroy, Peter Lombardo, Ellen Raidt and Danny Robertshaw.

Fifteen riders made it back for a second trip with the cut-off score set at 75.16. The top 15 came back for Round 2 poised and prepared with nothing more newsworthy than a few pulled rails at a pesky red and white oxer heading toward home that tripped up several horses.

Sean Rogers, aboard Holland Park, who returned for his second trip in sixth place, was excused for crossing over the dotted line in his opening circle, which the crowd found heartbreaking. His first trip scored a 79.33, and he was well positioned for a shot at one of the top slots.

The top four riders each had good second trips with only the No. 2 rider, Berit Barr, aboard El Paso, scoring under an 80, putting her out of contention for a spot in top four. The No. 3 rider, Nicole Nichelmann of Byfield, Mass., aboard Avenue Q, completed Round 2 with a combined score of 169.82. The No. 1 rider, Kara Delaurentis, of Stamford, Conn., aboard Cardino (owned by Jennifer Hinman), had a combined score of 170.16. The only question remaining was would there be any additional testing? The answer was yes. And what a test it was.

The top three riders, which now included Steven Violin, of Lexington, Mass., aboard Sully, were tested. They were asked to enter the ring at a walk. Canter fences 1 and 2 (a diagonal line), trot fence 3, (a rollback turn to the next fences) canter fences 6A and B (one stride), counter canter to fence 7 (the first fence of an outside line), then halt. Canter fence 8 (the out of the outside line) and exit the ring at a walk.

The counter-canter proved to be the most difficult element for all three riders. Steven Violin just picked up the counter-canter at the last stride. Nicole and Delaurentis both had good tests, smooth and accurate. Delaurentis had the cleaner halt between jumps 7 and 8.

When it was all over, Delaurentis was the winner and Nichelmann was in second.

Top 10 results:

Rider, Horse, Total Combined Score, Rounds 1 & 2

1. Kara Delaurentis, Cardino, 170.16
2. Nicole Nichelmann, Avenue Q, 169.82
3. Steven Violin, Sully, 165.33
4. Shay Meisinger, Kiss N’ Tell, 162.75
5. Kelsey Amedeo, London Fog, 161.00
6. Berit Barr, El Paso, 157.99
7. Nicki Hunsicker, Haribo, 157.82
8. Natalie Williams, Carmichael, 156.16
9. Elspeth Roake, Incognito, 155.16
10. Gwynn Ellis, Oasis, 152.99

This article was originally published in the Chronicle of the Horse.

A Horse Girl Through & Through

Elizabeth — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:52:05 +0000

Our former barn manager left a few months ago to have a baby. She’s in her early 20s and has taken to motherhood like me to chocolate.

Less than four weeks postpartum, she made her first appearance at the barn, and we were on her like dirt on a gray mare. All of us barn moms were “oohhing” and “aahhing,” making the necessary comments about beautiful features, long fingers and the eternal mystery of the sweet smell of newborn baby.

The kids in the barn were close on our heels, interested to see what all the fuss was about. Most had never seen such a young infant before and were quickly mesmerized by the sight. It was a joyous occasion, and the new mom swelled with well-deserved pride.

As well-wishers came and went, Julia, a college senior who works at the barn and is a dear friend of new mom, slowly made her way over to say hello. She made polite inquiries regarding mom’s health and congratulations regarding the safe arrival of baby. Julia is incredibly gracious and polite. However, as her gaze lingered on the dear sweet little one, her expression began to sour. Her brow furrowed. The edges of her smile turned slightly south.

The baby squawked. Julia jumped a mile. “What is it doing?!” she yelled. “Why did it do that?!” Mom and I laughed. Baby boy moved and threw his arm out. Julia grabbed her pitchfork. “That thing is freaking me out,” she said. This girl is a cheerleader. She was (partially) raised in the South. She just called someone’s new baby an “it!” I could not have been more shocked if Emily Post herself asked me for a spit cup for her chew.

Now, I understand fear of babies. I was so scared to death of my own first born (the girl), that I cried when people left me alone with her. But Julia is the most together, polite, unflappable 21-year-old I’ve ever encountered. My husband and I adore this kid. And here she was, displaying an irrational fear, unfortunately within sight of my husband, who enjoys nothing more than exploiting one’s weakness for his own enjoyment. And heck, this was good stuff. I could really have some fun with this one.

Hours later, after Julia and I had finished barn chores, husband and I helped her man-handle her 18.1-hand Hanoverian mare (we like to refer to her as “The Giraffe”) who has an irrational fear of having her head touched. Julia wanted to get her forelock braided to get it out of the way before the next day’s horse show. Things went much better than expected, but it still required a very brief stint with a lip chain.

Once it was over, Julia comforted the mare and spoke to her in a very soothing tone. She turned to look at me, and she had a tear in her eye. “I just wish she could understand that I’m not going to hurt her.” The compassion she felt toward this gynormous animal was ………well…it would have been touching, if this wasn’t the same girl who just completely freaked out at the sight of a baby three hours ago! Come on! Husband and I took one look at her and laughed in her face. Hee, hee. Hoo, hoo. I’m still laughing.

Parents, let your daughters grow up to be horse girls. It will keep them away from the babies.

She Rode, I Paid

Elizabeth — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 18:01:49 +0000

Kika and Samantha at the VHJA Finals

It’s Friday, a few days since the official end of my daughter’s show season. The dust has settled, although there’s still some laundry to do, both the horse and human kind, as well as a checkbook in serious need of some balancing and a massive infusion of cash. Equitation finals loom in the near future, but thankfully this year we’ll just be attending as spectators. I’m ready to regroup, recoup and enjoy the memories of an amazing season.

Last weekend’s Vermont Hunter Jumper (VHJA) Finals went very well. The weather held for the most part, with just a few passing showers. You could easily spot the numerous Vermont families that had competed at the Marshall & Sterling Finals the weekend before in Saugerties, N.Y. They looked tired! But they all seemed happy to be back home, competing on our small circuit among friends.

The VHJA Finals show was well run. The year-end ribbons, awards and trophies were dazzling. Beautiful monogrammed scrim sheets, gleaming perpetual trophies, bags of tasty horse treats, the hottest new designs in tall boot socks, beautiful engraved velvet-lined jewelry cases—wow!

Samantha and Mondavi competed in the 2’6”-2’9” open equitation division and the novice medal final on Sunday. Samantha was nervous, knowing that this was her last show of the year and wanting to do well. Mondavi’s owner was there to watch, which meant a lot to me and Samantha.

The flat class was first. I have to admit, in my completely unbiased view, that my girl looked beautiful. In just four months, her poise and confidence has blossomed. Perhaps it’s partly due to the new jacket I broke down and bought in Manchester giving her a boost, but her shoulders looked open, her upper body tall. She moved around the ring knowing just where she was going—a far cry from the kid on the pony last year who, oh, yes, did actually take out the judge in a bareback flat class. She has learned so much this year from Mondavi, a horse like no other, Samantha’s beloved friend and teacher.

As Samantha crossed the ring at the canter, the wing of hair popped out of her helmet. The wing makes its appearance at every horse show. Despite the fact that Mondavi’s owner is the inventor of the One Knot Hairnet, Samantha has not yet learned how to keep all of her hair inside her helmet for an entire horse show. She does not want to take lessons in this art from mother. SO, I am not going there. However, I do make loud noises of frustration when the wing appears. Another horse show mom was standing next to me when these noises involuntarily escaped my lips without my noticing and I think I scared her. Sorry, Chris!

Samantha won the flat class. Ok, yes, I did almost cry a little. When she went in for her over fences round, Michelle and I were huddled close together for warmth. When Michelle admitted to a slight case of nerves I balked. SHE IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE NERVOUS! How can I be nervous if she is nervous? Somehow, we both made it through and Samantha and Mo had a beautiful trip. I do love how invested we both are in this kid and animal—we receive so much joy, from (as one Dad so beautifully put it) “watching kids ride a large farm animal in a big sand box jump over a bunch of sticks.”

The entire weekend was wonderful. With ten riders competing from our barn, there was always someone to watch, help and cheer for. I think our trainer Tara was exhausted by the end of it, but she would never admit it. Everyone returned back to the barn Sunday night exhausted, dirty and happy.

The atmosphere at the show was so positive—so many people worked hard together to put on a great event. There are a good number of our Vermont junior and adult riders preparing for additional finals—The Capital Challenge, Harrisburg and the New England Medal Finals. For those riders, the excitement is just beginning. The rest of us are ready to cheer them on.

We’re installing new flooring this weekend in the barn, amid flood-like conditions. I’ll be reporting back Monday with all the details…

This article first appeared on The Chronicle of the Horse website.

One Horse Show Leads to Another

Elizabeth — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:56:59 +0000

It may be the beginning of the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, but in other news, young Alison MacNamara was competing at the VHJA finals in the advanced beginners division this weekend.

Marshall and Sterling Finals are over. Misty the Mustang and Rachel Buckley did our barn proud. I finally got a chance to talk with Rachel’s mother, Melissa Buckley, on Thursday night, and the emotions were still running high. Melissa said the entire experience was a roller coaster ride of emotions and an experience she’ll never forget. She tried to stay as far away from her daughter and pony as possible, so as to not be accused later of any horse-show-mom related crimes.

It’s Saturday once again, and the rest of the equine world may be focused on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, but hey, it’s also the Vermont Hunter Jumper Association finals people! OK, I can’t do it, you got me. I am rolling on my own dog-haired covered carpet laughing right now at that sentence.

OK, deep breath. I have to go braid five horses in two different locations right now, but to all my COTH friends and my co-bloggers that I just admire from afar who are at and on their way to the World Equestrian Games right now—OMG! You are amazing! I can’t wait to read and hear all about it. You go do it for the U. S. of A!

I’ll be here in Vermont taking care of the Next Generation. Woo Hoo!

This article first appeared on the Chronicle of the Horse website.