Featured Rider - Kyle Carter |
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Kyle Carter (Part 2 of a 4 Part Series)
Parker and Five Ring Stables Students Off to a Successful 2008 Start
'Well, here I go writing the second installment at the last minute, or after the last minute, somewhere I am very familiar! Parker has been out to his first event of the year which was Rocking Horse Winter II, and I could not have been happier with his weekend. Our dressage score didn't reflect Parker's willingness on the day, for which I take full responsibility. I have to admit I was shocked at how soft and fluid Parker warmed up as just the day before our flat school was similar to dancing in hip 
waders! As I enjoyed my lovely horse so much in the warm up, I seemed to forget to school the movements of the test. The showjumping was fun and Parker went great. Our first stadium round in the hackamore bridle yielded a clear round that had him in 4th place going out to cross country. The getting out to cross country was probably the most difficult part of the day. Apparently we were working some yet untried dressage moves for the last two minutes before going out of the start box. I did see a few people get up and run to avoid a very excited but undirected Parker. He was very worked up, and has only behaved worse one other time at the AEC's where he actually went sideways down a barn aisle there. I took the course at Rocking Horse very slow in the hope that with a couple of quiet runs he will settle back into his routine.
waders! As I enjoyed my lovely horse so much in the warm up, I seemed to forget to school the movements of the test. The showjumping was fun and Parker went great. Our first stadium round in the hackamore bridle yielded a clear round that had him in 4th place going out to cross country. The getting out to cross country was probably the most difficult part of the day. Apparently we were working some yet untried dressage moves for the last two minutes before going out of the start box. I did see a few people get up and run to avoid a very excited but undirected Parker. He was very worked up, and has only behaved worse one other time at the AEC's where he actually went sideways down a barn aisle there. I took the course at Rocking Horse very slow in the hope that with a couple of quiet runs he will settle back into his routine.Five Ring Stables (the name of mine and Jen's farm) has been very busy this spring at the shows already with some great results by our horses and students. Some highlights being wins by our barn manager, Courtney Olmstead and student Erin Hoverson in the prelim divisions at Ocala Winter I. We also had a very successful weekend at Ocala Winter II with Courtney again winning the Prelim and two other students, Emily Renfroe and Tyler Frey winning their respective prelim divisions, plus Emily winning an open training division as well! We also had several students with very good placings.
Parker's stablemates went to the first Advanced horse trial of the year at Rocking
Horse with 'Right About Now' (aka Binky) finishing second. This was a bit of a surprise due to my lack of effort to do more than a slow gallop on cross country, feeling that it is a little early in the year to be running for time!! After falling behind after showjumping, we decided not to run 'Hot Night' (aka Montana) on cross country and have shifted the ride on him to Jen. She will take over competing him now and I feel like it should be a good match! The next month is going to be big with competitions at both Pine Top Farm and Red Hills CIC*** coming up plus another Canadian Team Training session to help get us 'ready to shine'! We also have supplies arriving from some of our sponsors, Mountain Horse Footwear and Veredus Horse boots, that will make it seem like Christmas in February! I used both of these products at the Pan American Games and feel like they will be great to use in our barn. Our horses are probably more excited by the Purina sponsorship, as it is delivered in feed every week!
I hope everyone is having a great spring season and if not, maybe you guys should travel south next winter, cause times a wastin'!!'