It was a rollercoaster weekend at Young Rider’s Benefit Horse Trials in Chehalis, WA. Highs included the insane temperature -- well into the 90s on Friday and Saturday with no shade to speak of. The show had some technical issues such as repeatedly running out of water, but like my friend Sarah Lorenz said as we carried water buckets together, “This is what Eventing is all about!”
A big highlight was winning a competitive Open Training division aboard Pip. She was foot perfect throughout the weekend, finishing on her dressage score, 25.5, her best to date! My 5 year old Townmouse was super through Dressage and showjumping on Saturday, and warmed up great for cross country, but decided he didn’t want to play anymore out on the XC course and just stopped going for a disappointing Elimination. Perhaps the heat was getting to him late in the afternoon, or maybe it was just green-ness and immaturity. Luckily the show offered XC schooling after, so we did go back out in the heat to finish up our round and end on a positive note.
Horse show friends Sarah George (riding Eva Lucia to a 4th place finish), Sarah Lorenz (riding Zuara to a 2nd place finish, right behind Pip!) and Devin Robel (riding Storm Watch to a 2nd place finish in OP) all finished on Qualifying scores, and Polly Kranick on her own Wellspring Ariaden finished in the top 10 in her division.
I always complain about the heat at this show, but I keep coming back year after year, Thank you Area VII Young Riders for hosting us again. Townmouse and Pip will finish up the Season at Area VII Championships at Aspen Farm in September, and after this weekend I am definitely ready for the cooler weather to come rolling in...
