Socks' and Tribute's Fork Report

Socks (owned by Wendy and Fred Luce) secured his first Preliminary win last weekend at the Fork horse trials. Not to be outdone Tribute (owned by Kristen Burgers and Doug) also won, this his 3rd Prelim and his 3rd consecutive win.

Along with the winners, Tali (owned by the Ross' and Doug) finished 3rd in the Intermediate and Gunnar (owned by Nicole Carolan) 2nd in the Training. Hughie (owned by Kristin Michaloski) jumped very well in his 2nd Prelim just outside of the ribbons.

Running Order finished up his last full run before Rolex. For a full detailed report listen to the DPE blog by clicking here. If you haven't yet download instacast, it should be next on your list!

We the rare open training slot opening at the end of the month. If your horse has yet to reach his potential or is still needing that tune up his is a great opportunity. Email or give me a call for details.

Rivertown Lad on his way to finish on a 26.5 this weekend at the Fork - Photo by Kate Samuels

We have a quiet week ahead before heading with a trailer and a half full to Fair Hill International horse trials. This will be Leo and Simon's first event for the year. Along with the new comers, all of the Fork horses will be out again. Running Order will be doing a combined test prepping him for Rolex the following week. It is still a bit surreal saying that...but hopefully it too will become normal soon!

My final Rolex blog is posted here on the Rolex website.

We are now finally back in NJ. Aiken was great, but I couldn't be happier to be back home. The horses are out on grass and relaxing in the spring sunshine. Not a whole lot to complain about.

Southern Pines, Podcast #13 and more...

Socks aka Rivertown Lad owned by Fred and Wendy Luce on his way to a 4th Place in Prelim

Southern Pines went just about as well as anyone could want. All 5 of our horses finished in the top 6 of their divisions. They are just about fit enough for me to be comfortable running for time on XC so watch out at the Fork in 2 weeks!

The 13th podcast is live with much more detail here: http://www.dpequestrian.com/podcast/podcast.xml

For those who haven't yet downloaded instacast or other Podcast downloader for their iPhone or Droid it's a must, all of the new episodes will instantly be available on your phone as they become live!

We're heading down to Atlanta tomorrow to brush up on our show jumping. Courage will be joining for the 1.40m welcome and the Grand Prix on Saturday. Check back for photos and a report.

-D

Red Hills Day 2

Cross country day was exciting...as it always is! After all that is the main appeal of this sport. There really isn't anything much like it.

I was planning to do another podcast recap (yesterday's dressage recap is here), but my bandwidth is being sucked up in an attempt to upload Running Order's helmet cam from today. It is an exciting one. I was nearly knocked out by his head when his hind end slipped out on a bending line during the last combination. Turns out, my good friend Michael Pollard had a horse fall in the same location from slipping as well. So keep your fingers crossed, with some luck it will be online tonight.

The day started off well. I was nervous this morning, the unknown is never settling. Hughie set off on his second prelim course ever. Red Hills is unlink nearly every other event we see throughout the year. The spectator attendance is probably second only to Rolex. This is invaluable expereince for younger horses, although it does make for a few sketchy moments. Hughie grew up as we progressed around the course.

For the first 10 or so fences he was more interested in the surroundings than the jumps at hand. This was unsettling at the time, but he quickly realized this might not be the best strategy. He got better and better as we continued and he finished up very, very well. He is a better horse because of this round, without a doubt! He was 8 seconds over the time, and finished up in 4th. Not bad for a 6 yr old!

Running Order was next up. This was his first XC round of the year. 'Skinny' is a very careful horse, with a massive stride, so a course like this is a great opportunity for him. There were various striding options throughout the course, and he answered each one like a pro!

Like Hughie we had a few fences I'd like to do over, but overall he was much, much better than years past. Fair Hill CCI3*'s xc last year was a turning point. I think I've figured out the missing link that was holding us back. Today he was very quick to adjust, and was excellent in responding from the bobble at the 2nd to last. When I say bobble, I'm glad I came away without a concussion. It was a bending 4 stride line, and he came through like a champion, until his hind end gave out. This sent his hind quarters out to the side, and his poll directly into my head! All of this about 1 stride out from the 'B' element. He recovered very well and finished up strong. I did not go for time, so we dropped from 2nd to 3rd, but I really couldn't be happier.

Tali was the last out. As I mentioned in the podcast, I'm looking to qualify him for the Jersey Fresh CCI** in May. This CIC** is the remaining component I'm missing. He is an XC machine! He galloped around it as if it were child's play. We did have one hairy moment at the last water where we got in wrong to the hut in the water itself. We climbed all over it, but he continued as if nothing had happened. Ultimately, that's what you need. A horse that will not be flustered, and will be more determined after an hiccup. He is that horse! He finished up with some time as well and currently sits in 10th. All is looking good for tomorrow, so keep your fingers crossed!

-D

The Prodigy dominates Sporting Days!

Our competition at sporting days started out on Friday with the advanced combined test for Running Order and Trevor. This was a great prep for RO leading up to Red Hills next weekend. Both horses continue to get better with each outing. Both jumped clean show jumping rounds on a difficult course. They finished up Friday 1st and 2nd places!

Socks' 2nd Place Prelim Show Jumping

The Prodigy (aka Tribute aka Royal Tribute owned by myself and Kristen Burgers) continues to live up to his name. Tribute finished up last year winning the YEH-5 finals and now his first Preliminary. He started the day off well with a 27 in dressage. His flat work keeps improving, especially following what I hope was his last growth spurt. He continues to get stronger and stronger with each day.

His jumping is improving as well. He jumped a clear show jumping and XC. I am very lucky to be riding such a nice horse!

Socks (aka Rivertown Lad owned by Wendy Luce) was out in the Prelim as well. He too just keeps getting better and better. I'd have to say his been pretty damn consistent! He finished up this weekend in 2nd. Socks had a 30 leading into the jumping phases and only added .4 time penalties on XC. He is a pleasure to jump, very quick on his feet with tons of power. He's defiantly making a name for himself, which should make his sale an easy one! If you or anyone you know is looking give me a call or email for more info.

Max (aka Don't Look Down owned by John Evers) went out this morning in the Novice. I've got to say, Max might be the tallest horse I've ever ridden. We forgot our measuring stick in NJ, but I'd guess he's at least 18.2 hh. He is still green and is down in Aiken with us to gain some invaluable experience.  He started off very well with a 32 in dressage. He too didn't add a point to his score throughout the day. He's a very genuine horse with a bright future ahead of him. Max finished up in 4th as the day wound up.

Landis was the last to go for the weekend. He is owned by Shanon Baker and Steve Day and might be one of the most exciting young horses I've ridden in a while. He was in the Tadpole division, I'm not sure where he ended up when the day finished up, but he didn't add anything to his dressage score. Keep an eye on him...he's one to watch!

We're heading to PSJ on Wed and then Red Hills on Thursday. Tali will be in the CIC**, RO in the Advanced and Hughie in the prelim. Update coming soon!

-D

Back in Aiken after a great week at HITS!

Courage - 3rd Place - 10k HITS Prix - Jump off (Photo by Bill Wertman)

We headed down to Ocala late on Tuesday. It was a quick turn around from Pine Top and I wanted to make sure to get all of them ridden before leaving. We arrived down in Ocala around 11:30 that night at Bruce Davidson's place where the horses were to be stabled. It was a huge relief to have the temperatures finally on the rise after the weekend!

Wednesday was our first day of showing. We were at the barn by 6am to make sure we made it to the show with enough time to finish entering and be ready for our first class. Courage, owned by Sycamore Station LLC, was first up in the $2,500 Brookledge Welcome Stakes. I've been working hard to make corrections from a few weeks prior. After watching the videos over and over I realized I needed to be slightly more patient especially at the verticals not to push him through the top rail. I also needed to keep him a little bit sharper overall. All of the work paid off! He was one of a handful of double clear rounds finishing in 8th!

Llama, owned by Rosie DiMola, jumped a great round in the level 4's (3'9") just following Courage's class. He finished up in 6th. This little horse has a ton of potential and is so careful I can't wait to see where he'll end up in the coming years!

Courage - 3rd Place - 10k HITS Prix - First Round (Photo by Bill Wertman)

Friday brought Courage to the 10k HITS Prix (1.45m - 4'9") He was 18th to go out of the 27 showing. There was only 1 double clear as I entered the ring. Courage was a little green at points but jumped very, very well. It was a much more technical course than Wednesday or 2 weeks prior. He responded with class and finished leaving all of the rails in place! Upon completion of the class there was 1 more double clear placing us in 3rd!

It was a very exciting result and a huge step in gaining confidence for the future.

Llama and I then headed over to the $1,000 FarmVet Level 5 class where he jumped around like a star. This was his 2nd time competing in the 4' class and he too finished double clear and in 5th! He is without a doubt a talent for the future. He'll be out again soon at PSJ's March Madness in Aiken.

We have a quiet weekend with Pine Top Advanced weekend on the horizon.

The jumpers head to Ocala and Tribute dominates Pine Top!

Courage - 8th Place Brookledge Welcome Stakes - 1.40m

Courage, Llama, Larry and Running Order all made the trip down to Ocala last night. Courage jumped great today in the $2,500 Brookledge Welcome stakes. He jumped double clear, finishing 8th.

Llama also jumped very very well he finished up 6th in the level 4's (3'9"). Larry also jumped well. I just did some light flat with Running Order over at Bruce's today with more to come later in the week.

The latest podcast is up, it was recorded on our trip down last night. It covers Pine Top from last weekend, incidentally Tali was a star, Farley finished 8th, Socks 4th, Tribute 1st (who was up by 9pts after dressage!) and Hughie rocked his first prelim! The link to #10 is here.

The photo pic of the week goes to Hughie, click here to view.

I wish I could get some video up real time, but internet on the road has been difficult especially when it's all in HD. I'll get some up on Saturday when we return to Aiken. 

All I can say is hopefully this warm weather keeps up. In the upcoming week we have Pine Top Advanced horse trials. Running Order will be out as well as Tali and Hughie. I think there might be one or two more, but without a schedule in front of me I'm lost!

Check back Friday for results from the rest of HITS.

Courage's GP Helmet Cam!

Podcast #8 is required listening...Michelle's singing is stunning!

Courage - $15k 1.40m Mini Prix - HITS Ocala

This week we have results from HITS and the upcoming USEF training sessions, but Michelle absolutely steals the show!

The iTunes link is here. If that doesn't work or you would like to subscribe to the DPE podcast with an app like Instacast the podcast link is as follows: http://dpequestrian.com/podcast/podcast.xml

Regarding Instacast...I wrote an article a few weeks back which went live today on HJU it details a number of apps and tech tips which make the day both more productive and entertaining!

Rolex is coming!

I was lucky enough to be asked if I'd be interested in writing a blog leading up to Rolex this spring. The first of four parts has just gone live on Rolex's website. The link is found here.

HITS Ocala...so far so good!

It's been a busy few days. It all kicked off on Wednesday. We started at Sporting Days dressage and CT. Gus did 2nd level 1 and 2 scoring 61% and 65%. It was a solid start for the year for Gus. I also rode Shanon Baker's Landis and Farley Davidson. Landis is a very exciting young horse who has the upper levels in his sights! This was his first show jumping off the farm. We ended up trotting half of the course but what a jumper!

Melanie brought Larry along as well, he had a hiccup in the first round but made great strides in the second. Farley jumped very well also. As soon as we finished up. I headed back to the barn to switch horses and head down to Ocala.

With us to Ocala came Larry, Courage and Llama. They've taken HITS Ocala by storm. Larry finished 4th in the level 4's and 6th in the level 5's yesterday. Llama finished 2nd this morning in the level 5's.

Courage jumped like a rock star as seen below in the $15k 1.40m Mini Prix. He finished up on 6th. We're sticking around until Sunday for the $25k Grand Prix.

Unfortunately, I have limited Internet access down here. I'll try to get a video up as soon as possible.

Check back soon for updates!

-D

** We also have a working student position open for the winter in Aiken, come down and enjoy the sun for the winter! If you are interested send a resume and video to jess@dpequestrian.com **

Check out HJU today!

Click here to view

Podcast #6 is Live

In this episode we cover a number of results from the past week. Some good and some not so much! We also cover the final installment of Running Order's profile as well as the professional portion of my career.

Click Here to Listen!

We're exausted, but the truck is here!

 

The last 72 hours have been crazy. As I had mentioned in the Podcast, we left around 2 pm on Monday to head back to NJ. That trip is a long one, we arrived making good time around 1:30 am. Promptly woke up to get all of the loose ends tied up. Turns out getting insurance for this truck was a challenge to say the least, one that took me until about 2 pm Tuesday afternoon. Once that was all set, Jess, my Dad and I headed up to the dealership to finish the deal.

We arrived at the Freightliner dealer with no troubles, and signed my life away. I did have one minor panic attack when the salesman informed me that the policy I finally found was not sufficient. Luckily, after a quick call to the insurance agent all was well and good.

Then off to the DMV. I'm not sure if this is a worldwide problem, or just one specific to the US. It is not an enviable place be, not a model of efficiency by any means. They know the power is in their hands. You just hope that the agent is not going to try to be a hero and give you a hard time. We got lucky, this might be a record being that we only spent 30 minutes!

Sounds like that should be enough for a day, but I still needed to sell my pickup. I had spoke to some wholesalers in NYC about buying it. Over the phone it sounded like no problem. Funny enough my dad who was following us wanted to make sure it wasn't a problem as well. He too called and was told bring it in. So 40 minutes later, just before closing we arrived. It's a tight fit to get in the door. I think the building was designed for honda's rather than a dually pick up.

"It's too big, we can't do anything with this..." is the first thing we hear. I'm thinking to myself what the @#%^ !! Long story short we drove into NYC for nothing. Back out to NJ we go...

We all met my Mom for dinner and then back to the barn. A few weeks back there were a few things we forgot and a few that simply couldn't fit. Kristin is heading down today and is going to grab those as well as a few more jumps on her trip to Aiken.

Wednesday morning came bright and early. We had to be at the Newark airport for a 7:30 flight meaning we left my place at 5:15 am. We met up at my parents place and my dad once again played chauffeur. We then flew to Atlanta and onto Gainesville, FL to meet the former owner of the truck. Luckily he lived just a few minutes north of the airport. We hopped into the truck and headed North to Aiken!

On our way back, I got a call from my Dad who had actually just sold the pickup. What a relief! Looks as if we have everything sorted.

I'll get some better pics posted soon, but these will give you an idea. I still need to spend a day or two setting up all of the cameras that are in the trailer etc...

I want to add special thanks to Larry and Amelia Ross and Kristen Burgers for their extraordinary help.

-D

Podcast #5 is up...

 Courage's Mini-Prix, YR days with Jimmy Wofford, Running Order and more... Click here to listen.

Courage Finishes 3rd at the PSJ $10k Mini-Prix