And the rain as Saumur gets worse!

I hate to report that the skies opened up today...and really never closed!

Rain pours off the roof at the stables...

We did our best to hunker down for the day an avoid the rain, we failed. I rode with DOC first thing with in the morning, Tali and I were completely soaked. He was a little less settled than yesterday so we decided to ride again this afternoon following the first horse inspection.

Next up for the day was the briefing. Difficult to say exactly what was said, but I think we got the general gist of things. My french certainly hasn't improved enough to determine what was said aside from the English translation given by the show manager extraordinaire Joelle Stafford.

During the briefing was the all important draw. Each nation, 20+ of them, was asked to come down an pick a bottle of sparkling wine with a number on the bottom. This indicated the order in which we would jog. We ended up with number 14, placing us just about an hour into the inspection.

Our view of the briefing and draw

 Following the briefing Michelle and I headed out on the cross country course. I've complied the course below in a collage with the size of the picture roughly indicating the importance/difficulty of each jump or combination. A quick run through with regards to striding etc.

Fence 5: There is basically has no good approach to the first element due to trees and an unjumpable fence. Once at it, the combination is a 2 stride line. The challenge is really getting the first element done, once over the A portion B shouldn't be too much trouble.

Fence 8: You just don't want to miss, it's not terribly tall but the ditch is massive.

Fence 9: This combination should ideally ride in a 3 stride to 3 stride line. Left side of the first, again your approach is restricted, bending then right to the second skinny and more or less straight to the last.

Fence 11: This is off quite a tight turn and again on 3 strides (although my memory might not serve me well, if not 3 then 4 strides, but a decent distance regardless).

Fence 12: Triple brush in the water....this should ride well as long as they see it early enough and you get there with enough energy. It's certainly not one you can just gallop on down to.

Fence 14: I don't remember the striding, but probably 4. The hill is steeper than it looks, it's a blind approach. Luckily for Tali he saw this identical combination 2 weeks ago at Jersey.

Fence 16: 4 strides on a bending line.

Fence 18: The direct line, which is my intention is the corner of the boat bending 4 strides to the corner of the second boat in the water. The A element is quite vertical, so make sure it gets done well! The option is the white to the second boat backwards.

Fence 21: This is a slightly long 3 stride, but should ride normal after a long gallop around the track.

Fences 23 and 24: The hill after 23 is significant again the photos don't do it justice. It's a bending line to 24 AB which is a bounce then 3 strides to the C element. I expect this should ride well, but will require you're still on your A game.

Fences 25-27: With all of the rain this was nearly a water to water, with a bounce in the middle. I'm glad I practiced some bounces last week!

Fence 29: Possibly the most important fence of all!

I'm very happy with the course. I think it suits Tali well, again not to minimize it's difficulty. If you're off your line at any of these combinations or fail to get their eye on the next element soon enough you'll absolutely have trouble! 

Click on the image below to enlarge, or right click to save and view on your desktop.

The day continued with the horse inspection. The rain continued to fall with some intermittent lightning. After our first time up and back on the strip I was asked to represent, but alas all was clear and we've officially begun!

My dressage test will be at roughly 2:30 on Friday, which is just about ideal for us. I can't wait! Tomorrow we plan to start with a lesson at 8:30. We're going to make a quick trip over to the Cadre Noir de Saumur at 10:30 then back to the show grounds to walk the cross country again!

More details tomorrow.

-D

Don't forget to get your copy of 'The Riding Horse Repair Manual' by clicking the cover image below!

Tali's Rolex Dressage

I'm not sure I can put exactly into words how proud and excited I am following Tali's test yesterday at Rolex. He was a little tense as we entered the arena, which was exactly what we expected. Just as we had hoped he continued to improve throughout the test. Amazingly, he finished up the day sitting in 3rd place!

The USEF Network has posted the video online, click here to view.

In the best of all worlds I had hoped that we would have had a day like yesterday. I can't stop thinking about how great Tali's future will be, we're just scratching the surface of our potential. I have to again thank Larry and Amelia Ross for their support in our partnership with Tali. Without their help I certainly would not in this position!

So just as we had planned and mentioned in previous the previous blog, I will be withdrawing from Rolex here to reroute to Saumur CCI*** in France in a month's time. I have to thank both Land Rover as well as all of the private donors who have made the USEF travel grant possible. It's an incredible opportunity, and based on Tali's performance yesterday I can't wait!

If you are at Rolex this year, please join us for a course walk today, Friday at 4:30 meeting at the start box. Also I'll be at the following both signing my new book as well as autographs:

Ecogold 11:45
Pony Club Games 12:15
Bit of Britain 1:15
CWD Saddles 4:00

Tomorrows details still to come!

Plans from Rolex to Saumur CCI*** and beyond...

Tali at the Fork CIC*** photo thanks to Samantha Clark

Due on our wedding day was the Land Rover USEF grant application for the Saumur CCI***. Submitting the application brought back some bitter sweet memories of my first trip overseas with Running Order to Boekelo some years back. I found myself thinking about how lucky I am to have this opportunity for a second time. Running Order was such a spectacular horse and will always hold a special place in our hearts, his halter still hangs in our tack room today. With certainty I can say Tali has benefited from my experience, that's the beauty of equestrian sport. The moment you stop learning you stop progressing, it's so important to enjoy the process.

I have to thank Larry and Amelia Ross who have been partners with Tali and me for some time, without their support I would not be here today. I have been incredibly pleased with Tali's results to date. Knowing that no event this spring is the end game I've been mindful of his fitness, soundness and conditions at each competition. To me it makes no sense to run his legs off on XC for a blue ribbon or prize money if it sacrifices his future. That said he's been exceptional, but with definite room for further improvement! I'm still working out how to make the most of his talents. He is inherently a tricky horse, in my experience all the good ones are!

I've made a concerted effort to enter shows or events which offer the greatest atmosphere to improve his ability to cope with exciting, large environments. He is well on his way and has continued to get better with each outing, but this is an ongoing process.

So where to we go from here? I had heard through the grapevine that we would receive final word of the Land Rover/USEF grant following the Fork's CIC***. So why Saumur? I'm not focused soley on the WEG's this year or frankly any particular championship for that matter. That said, I want more than anything to be named to US teams in the future. I'm convinced that if my process is sound I will be able to develop partnerships with my horses which will result in future successes. If I do what I think is best for my horses and myself those team spots will come. Amazingly Tali has only been at advanced since Millbrook and run only one CCI*** (Fair Hill International) where he finished 4th. While qualified and entered at Rolex, I'd jump at the chance to run one more 3* on foreign soil. This would offer the best of all worlds. Strange, charged atmosphere and the complexity of the XC should not be overbearing and should allow for the best chance for sucess. Building confidence and consistency is my main goal at this point in his career.

Last week I received the email from Joanie Morris delivering the great news that I was a recipient of the Land Rover grant! For me it's a humbling experience receiving validation of a lifetime of efforts and the past six years with Tali. I am incredibly thankful both to Land Rover as well as the countless individual donors who have afforded me this opportunity. It's a great feeling knowing you have the backing of so many, I hope you all can share this experience with me.

So what about my Rolex entry? I am still going to still attend this year for the Dressage phase being that there is no other place in this hemisphere to gain exposure on the world stage. Tali and I will no doubt come away from the experience stronger, more resilient and better prepared for Jersey, Saumur and beyond. This is an invaluable opportunity!

This next week will be a continuation of our chaotic past few weeks where we're finalizing our move to Apex, NC. We have been back and forth between the new farm and Aiken more times than I'd like to count. We'll remain in Aiken through Saturday where Eli (owned by Mike Rubin) and I are jumping in the $25k Grand Prix in town. Katie and Jess are also competing at Sporting Days, when both compeitions wrap up we'll pack up for one last time and head to NC! We're planning to depart for Rolex early Tuesday morning giving us enough time to take Tali for a hack in the afternoon around the park.

Check back for updates throughout the week!

-D