July 2020 Spring Gulch H.T.

This day was truly amazing especially this being her first event! Lola and I gained so much confidence competing at Beginner Novice at Spring Gulch in Parker, Colorado.

I came to this event thinking not high expectations, would be crazy in dressage and out of order in the jumping; it also did not help she got loose from the trailer in the first 10 minutes of being there. But Lola knew exactly what I wanted by giving me a strong dressage test and staying focused throughout the XC course and show jumping. We ended up 5th overall in a Beginner Novice division with all adults and several professional riders.

Dressage:

I remember walking down to dressage warmup and thinking,"Well this ought to be interesting." And it certainly was! She started off distracted and tense, but as we continued warmup, she became loose and floaty. I was so surprised and relieved that I kept waiting and waiting to be nervous as I was trotting around the dressage ring, but nothing ever came. And for the first time ever at a rated event, I was actually having a fun time in the dressage ring, and not stressed at all!

She was a little rocky in the beginning coming down centerline, but as we went through the test she got so much more relaxed. We had a strong test, from having a strong canter to a square halt at the end! We ended up in 6th after dressage with a 33.3, and let me tell you I was ecstatic, especially after that being her very first ever dressage test!

Show Jumping:

Now, when I got to Show Jumping warmup, I was so pumped and excited (especially since the jumping phases are my favorite), I had my red, white, and blue on and was ready to go! The course was really uniquely designed with an oxer for the first jump, a combo that started with an oxer, and several tight turns to oxers! I was thinking when I was walking, I really will have to sit her back on her hind-end and bring her back quickly after every jump. Which, after some stadium rounds at home, she was not coming back to me the way I would have to here...

However, Lola knew exactly what she needed to do! She listened to my every cue without hesitation, and gave me a solid round. Even though we knocked a rail, I was so proud and happy of my round because let me tell you, this round was the best round I have ever ridden at a show, and Lola has ever done too!

Cross Country:

When I walked over to to XC after my show jumping round I knew I had to look up and keep my leg on. We also had a speed of 300 mpm, which is slow for Beginner Novice, so I knew we had to go steady and slow to avoid speed faults. As we trotted out of the start box, I knew she would do great! And she did nothing but that, by sailing over every jumps and keeping a steady pace the whole time! We had 7 seconds left after our course, so I was happy about that as well!

As I crossed that finish line, I could not help but smile! We had put forth great rides! This was her first event ever; first dressage test, first XC round, and first stadium course. She was so extremely brave and confident the whole time! We ended up placing 5th from a division of 16 with all grown-ups and professional riders! And to be honest I wasn't even expecting to place, nor was I really trying to. I mean, yes, I was trying to ride the best I could, but I just wanted her to have a good experience, and she definitely did!

I want to give God all the glory for this amazing horse and that I get to ride her! Along with even being able to compete in this event after all the unfortunate things that happened before this.

To you and all things be the glory! Amen