Thursday, November 25, 2010

Dads white trash turkey



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

Turkey Day Thoughts...

Driving up to Rochester last weekend to teach a clinic I found myself reflecting on 2010, not that it's over yet. I'm flying down tomorrow morning to ride a few horses at Pine Top in Ga for Shanon Baker, so Sunday the eventing season will officially close for me.

While driving through some less fortunate areas of western NY, I nearly found my self feeling guilty. It really is a crazy life I'm able to lead, I was driving my little BMW up to teach a bunch of people who to ride their horses better. There are much bigger problems which need to be addressed.

Funny how things happen, but I would have never guessed I'd be in the position 5 or 10 years ago. I'm very lucky to have such a great support staff without which I wouldn't be here. From the girls, well girl and guy, at the moment (Meg and Conor) to the best farrier in the world, and occasional Bacon foster mom Sudie....the list goes on to our vets (Running S Equine), hay guys lead by Scott Clucas, all of my sponsors (click to see all of them here, we've got a few more who will be added to this list shortly) Of course last but not least is the fabulous supporters/owners who allow me the privilege of working with the best group of horses of any rider out there.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday...and don't worry about that diet tonight :)

Monday, November 8, 2010

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Round 2

Tali was good today...finished up on a very tough course with 2 down finishing in 7th. I can't wait until next year. Ebay a great experience for all of the horses. Their not going to see this kind of atmosphere again until Rolex.

-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

GP following the indoor eventing



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

Tali Intently watching



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

Autograph Signing



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

Friday, November 5, 2010

The Hotel...not to shabby...



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

Hahaha...milking on TV...didn't see where that was going...



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

...



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

Cows?



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

Trade Fair



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

The arena



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

Warm up



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

Same ring



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

From the second floor barn looking down on the practice ring



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Unloading



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

The insanity begins at the royal...



-D

Doug Payne
DPEquestrian LLC
PO Box 179
Pottersville, NJ 07979
908.399.9112
DPEquestrian.com

Monday, November 1, 2010

Virginia HT Wrap Up

As always VHT was a great event. Brian and Penny Ross put on a great show. It was a very busy weekend for us with 7 horses competing. Tali, Simon and Slick all in prelim. Reggie and Cordonelli in training. PJ and Vigil in novice. Kristin also brought Tom down for her second novice with him.

The weekend started with all the prelim boys dressage on Friday. It is seeming to be old hat, but Tali came away with the lead. It's funny, he's actually still quite green and I'm never certain exactly how well we're going to do. I was in even more doubt as I was trotting around the ring before entering. Twice he heard something behind him, or saw something and bolted. I was impressed, the further into the test we got the better and better he became.

Simon was next in, he's always impressed me with his athleticism but within the past week its all starting to fall into place. His trot has quickly become his strongest gait. Give him the winter and I think he might be giving Tali a run for his money. He didn't score as well as I had hoped, but like I said wait for next year!

Slick was the last of the Friday dressage rides. He had the unfortunate luck of being in one of the rings on the top of the hill. He tried very hard and pulled off a respectable test. Hes not setting the world on fire yet, but remember its only his 3rd prelim.

Friday night at Va is always a good time. They put on a benefit jumping competition in the massive indoor. It's a great opportunity especially for the green horses to get in the ring and get used to the atmosphere. It's also a plus that you can win some money! Slick finishes up second behind Holly in the big class. My Mom ended up winning the smaller one.

Saturday was very busy, the little guys starting up with dressage and the big guys with XC. The most notable part of sat, aside from the great jumping prelim horses was with PJ's dressage. We were nearly finished with our test, in the last canter circle. Out of no where the horse in the ring next to us decides to try to jump out of the ring. From the sounds of it, it didn't go well. Before I knew it we were bolting down the long side. PJ still finished up with a 33.5 or so but it could have been much better without a doubt! All of the horses finished very strong. Aside from Slick's 1 rail, they all finished on their dressage scores.

Sunday finished up the event. The results finished up as follows:
Prelim:
Tali 1st
Simon 5th

Training:
Cordonelli 3rd
Reggie 2nd

Novice:
PJ 4th
Virgil 3rd
Kristin also finished 7th on Tom

There was also a team competition occurring. The team of Tali, my Mom, Sister and Matt won out of the 26 total teams. My second team of Simon, Tara, Kathy and Larry finished up in 3rd...pretty damn good weekend!

This Thursday we're heading up to Toronto for the Royal Winter Fair's Indoor Eventing Competition. It's unlike anything I'd seen before. The helmet cam is coming along so check back next week for video...it'll be a hell of a trip without a doubt!

http://royalfair.org/indoor-eventing