Friday, September 29, 2017

MDHT Fall Starter #1: Stadium

Following dressage, I had about 90 minutes before my scheduled stadium round. I untacked Grif, gave him a drink, and tossed him on the trailer with hay. Emma and I grabbed drinks and snacks and headed out to see the stadium course and walk cross country.

The stadium course was simple and very similar to what we'd jumped 10 days prior at Twilight. I had faith that my worries about not remembering my course wouldn't come to fruition on this day.

Following our XC walk, we returned to the trailer to get Grif and I dressed for our jumping phases. Emma took this time to surprise me with a gift from her and Austen. Emma had alluded to a "surprise" in the days leading up to the event, but I never guessed the magnitude of this surprise!

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I was first handed a card that read:

We're all so proud of you for doing the thing with Griffin. You work so hard, and that dedication shows in Griffin and your performances. 
Knowing you're too damn practical to buy things like this for yourself, we chipped in to get you guys looking just as professional as you perform and train. Hope everything fits and you like it!

As I finished reading, chuckling inwardly about the public damning of my practicality, I looked up at Emma with a questioning look and was handed a navy blue PRI XC saddle pad (the color I dreamed of putting Grif and I in one day once we'd proven ourselves a little within the sport of eventing) and Isabel's old XC boots!

Color me SHOCKED...and immediately floored with gratitude for the incredible generosity  friendship displayed. Tears sprang to my eyes a bit, but I blinked them back and then proceeded to hug Emma in thanks about 3 times in a span of 2 minutes. And because that wasn't enough - THANK YOU, again, Emma & Austen. <3

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And so, Grif was quickly outfitted in his new duds and I donned my matching blue sunshirt and we headed off to warm up!

Warm up for jumping was chaotic at best when I arrived. It wasn't the busiest, but those who were present were not doing a great job of navigating around in a courteous manner. Fortunately, Emma rescued Grif and I and helped us make the best of a crazy (for us) situation. I suspect traffic of riding around other people will continue to be a harder task than the actual jumping or dressage for us for awhile. Grif handled everything beautifully though, which made me very proud.


With Emma's guidance, we practiced each jump a time or two on each lead, the main bobbles occurring when I would hesitate due to traffic. Traffic aside, warm-up went smoothly and Griffin perked up from his typical dressage stupor.

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The schedule was running ahead, so with no major concerns to focus on in warm-up, we headed right on up to the stadium course.

Grif and I watched the round ahead of us - a zoomy little pony absolutely tearing it up! - and then headed in for our own round.

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To me, the whole round felt a lot scrappier than our stadium round at Twilight. I knew we were burying ourselves at the base of the fences more than necessary and I felt like my riding went to pot. However, we got through the round clear!


I called to Emma as we exited the arena, "Scrappy!!" Because that's how it felt, clear, but scrappy as hell. Emma noted that I did a good job staying out of Griffin's way so he could accomplish the task at hand. She also helped clear up some concepts for re: developing my eye for distances. Despite having read and heard much on the subject, the way Emma worded the same information was in such a way that it finally "clicked" in my head. I've been implementing several of her recommendations in the weeks since this event and am really pleased with the improvements!

Overall, I felt good about the stadium course. Grif had another positive experience of doing the thing and at this point, that is what matters the most. I was grateful I could guarantee a positive experience for him despite feeling that I was having an off day. As we headed back down for a quick XC warmup, I tried to muster my own mental game up to snuff so I could be there for Grif through the next phase...

19 comments:

  1. i can't get over how sharp you guys looked! Grif definitely made it look easy and didn't seem the least bit concerned about all those wild and noisy wayward kiddos on their ponies lol. the warm up rings can definitely be the most stressful part of showing, that's for sure! luckily Grif seemed to do so well in the environment!

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    1. Oh man. Yes. He picks up my slack majorly in warm-up hahaha. Maybe I'll be as chill one day.

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  2. I think that was a totally fine round! Not foot perfect but you do a really good job of keeping your body back and waiting for him at the base. It helps him do his job, for sure, and that's what it's really about.

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    1. It definitely gets easier as he becomes more confirmed in the job - helping him find security knowing he's doing well is my main focus for now.

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  3. Aww, that was so nice of Emma and Austen! You guys look great!

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  4. You have done so well with Grif and it is only the beginning. The stars are the limit for you two.

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    1. That's the most exciting part. I love that this is just the start!

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  5. Emma and Austen are THE BEST. Seriously. The best of internet friends!!! You guys looked solid and you do such a great job of committing to getting over the fence even if you aren't sure where you're going to take off! Can't wait to read about XC! :D

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    1. You mean I should know where I'm gonna take off?! lol! jk...yeah, we'll have more accuracy with time. Time and miles, time and miles!

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  6. I thought you guys looked just fine! You're out there doing the thing. Good job! Can't wait to hear about xc!

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    1. We ARE doing the thing and I'm so happy for that. It's a huge step.

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  7. Aww barn friends are the best. <3 So happy for you!

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  8. That is such a sweet gift from your friends. You and Grif look great :)

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  9. Wow, you guys got better and better as the round went on. I love how balanced you are and how you stay out of his way.

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    1. We may not be perfect, but at least we can find balance in our imperfections lol

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  10. yay you guys that round was fine!! Stop being so hard on yourself!! You guys rock! (Love that emma and austen gave you gifts)!! :) great group of people!!

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