With the recent events in the past few days I figured it would be nice to post a little remembrance. A few days ago our sport lost a great up and coming horse, Get Smart who was ridden by Lisa Marie Fergusson. Last night we also lost what seems to be a lovely lady, Lesley Long. While I did not know "Smartie" nor Lisa or even Lesley but the matter of the fact is we lost something that had an impact on all of us. Smartie was a phenomenal horse. He proved that by winning Jersey this year and then going on to finish 4th at his FIRST CCI3*. He seemed like he was an absolute fantastic, dream horse. I am so so sorry for Lisa...I can't imagine having to deal with this. Lisa seems like a very strong woman, so I have no doubt that she will push through this extremely tough time and go on and live her dream, just as Smartie would want her too. I did not know Lesley, but she also seemed like a wonderful wonderful lady. Hearing stories about her seems I can tell she was an amazing horsewoman. I send my thoughts and prayers to her family and may she live in remembrance. Please refer to eventingnation.com if you would like additional information and stories on Smartie and Lesley.
When you think times are tough...just remember they could be worse.
R.I.P
Lesley Long unknown-2011
Smart Move 2004-2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Another Year, Another Season
I figure with how much is going on in my life I should start a blog....so here it is. Along with a recap of the 2011 and some exciting news!!
2011. Wow. It's been quite the year. It's hard to think that I started out 2011 not being able to ride due to my arm. Even harder to believe that I couldn't actually ride a horse until February. And then my shoulder gave me a run for my money testing how long I could last while in movement on the horse and then of course there was the few months of PT. And by few I mean like 6. But spring came quick and my debut back to competing at a CT went superbly well and placed 4th! Then onto my first event back...an Unrec just to get things moving. DOUBLE CLEAR! Finishing 4th again! Recognized event season came and went...falls, smiles, and lessons learned all came out. Instead of just going on and on and writing a little re cap for each event and boring everyone half to death, I'll just do a little good&highlights/bad list
THE GOOD+HIGHLIGHTS
-Out of 8 recognized Events this year I finished all but one double clear XC. (my unrec was clear too!)
- In just 2 shows I accomplished my goal of a dressage score in the 30's!
- Scored a score in the 30's twice!
-I got much much better with timing on XC
-Double Clear at MDHT
-That Dorito was absolutely perfect 98% of the time
-Tara Equestrian Xtreme Week
-Karen O'Connor telling me I'm a good rider. And I wasn't even riding at the time I was seeing her.
-Stephen Bradley clinic
-Clinic from Hannah Sue Burnett which led to a lesson down in Middleburg!!
-Getting permission to go Training Level (ultimately decided to hold off for next season)
There is so much more....boy it's hard to write about yourself! :) Anyways, Dorito has been awesome this season. He's really stepped up to the plate and our 5 year's of work finally really started to show. At every event this year, had it not been for my mess ups, we would have been in the ribbons every time. This year has been amazing and extremely educational!!
now for the bad...
THE BAD
-My show jumping....
Where I shine is out on XC and unfortunately this season I would get in the ring and have a jump or two where I just wasn't on. I would have liked to have had some more double clears this season but I know I need to work quite hard on my show jumping :) AKA practice sitting there looking pretty and letting Dorito do his thang!
-My Marlborough SJ. Not the most picture perfect...but hey I got around!
-Falling off at MDHT I. Buttttt it wasn't entirely my fault nor Dorito's. Most of it was because of the footing
Honestly, most of "the bad" is all on me. As I said earlier Dorito has been almost picture perfect every time. I really had a fantastic 2011 season and can't thank everyone that helped me get here enough. You know who you are!!
Now for the big announcement!!!
*Drum Roll, Please!!!*
I am going to be a working student for Emily Beshear this Summer!! I have been down to meet and visit with her and her farm is GORGEOUS. She is so nice and I got to meet the lovely Jaclyn Burke who was kind enough to put me up on two of her horses! She even let me ride her precious 2* horse, Murphy (Chance of flurries), out for a hack! Needless to say 2012 cannot come quick enough!!
keep checking back for more insanity.
Until Next Time!
McKenna and the super pony
2011. Wow. It's been quite the year. It's hard to think that I started out 2011 not being able to ride due to my arm. Even harder to believe that I couldn't actually ride a horse until February. And then my shoulder gave me a run for my money testing how long I could last while in movement on the horse and then of course there was the few months of PT. And by few I mean like 6. But spring came quick and my debut back to competing at a CT went superbly well and placed 4th! Then onto my first event back...an Unrec just to get things moving. DOUBLE CLEAR! Finishing 4th again! Recognized event season came and went...falls, smiles, and lessons learned all came out. Instead of just going on and on and writing a little re cap for each event and boring everyone half to death, I'll just do a little good&highlights/bad list
THE GOOD+HIGHLIGHTS
-Out of 8 recognized Events this year I finished all but one double clear XC. (my unrec was clear too!)
- In just 2 shows I accomplished my goal of a dressage score in the 30's!
- Scored a score in the 30's twice!
-I got much much better with timing on XC
-Double Clear at MDHT
-That Dorito was absolutely perfect 98% of the time
-Tara Equestrian Xtreme Week
-Karen O'Connor telling me I'm a good rider. And I wasn't even riding at the time I was seeing her.
-Stephen Bradley clinic
-Clinic from Hannah Sue Burnett which led to a lesson down in Middleburg!!
-Getting permission to go Training Level (ultimately decided to hold off for next season)
There is so much more....boy it's hard to write about yourself! :) Anyways, Dorito has been awesome this season. He's really stepped up to the plate and our 5 year's of work finally really started to show. At every event this year, had it not been for my mess ups, we would have been in the ribbons every time. This year has been amazing and extremely educational!!
now for the bad...
THE BAD
-My show jumping....
Where I shine is out on XC and unfortunately this season I would get in the ring and have a jump or two where I just wasn't on. I would have liked to have had some more double clears this season but I know I need to work quite hard on my show jumping :) AKA practice sitting there looking pretty and letting Dorito do his thang!
-My Marlborough SJ. Not the most picture perfect...but hey I got around!
-Falling off at MDHT I. Buttttt it wasn't entirely my fault nor Dorito's. Most of it was because of the footing
Honestly, most of "the bad" is all on me. As I said earlier Dorito has been almost picture perfect every time. I really had a fantastic 2011 season and can't thank everyone that helped me get here enough. You know who you are!!
Now for the big announcement!!!
*Drum Roll, Please!!!*
I am going to be a working student for Emily Beshear this Summer!! I have been down to meet and visit with her and her farm is GORGEOUS. She is so nice and I got to meet the lovely Jaclyn Burke who was kind enough to put me up on two of her horses! She even let me ride her precious 2* horse, Murphy (Chance of flurries), out for a hack! Needless to say 2012 cannot come quick enough!!
keep checking back for more insanity.
Until Next Time!
McKenna and the super pony
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