October Show

Finally-- the moment of truth ! Saturday- we loaded up the horses and took off for the show in Chester, Vermont. Not without some last minute anxieties and changes.

OYY Pal's Job came up terribly lame with an abscess on Monday. Oh no-- poor Job and poor Sara. After all the work she has put in riding him and preparing herself and her mount. Fortunately, I had decided to buy OYY Sweet Bee back from the Brogna's in MA. They made the decision to upgrade to a larger gelding for Denise. They had purchased Sweet Bee for their son, Louis, who did not follow through with an interest in riding. Denise chose a nice Curly from Lisa Wytiaz in Georgia for herself. Top O' The Hill Farm benefited from her decision in re-acquiring Sweet Bee. The fellow who hauled Denise's new mount from Georgia was nice enough to make a last minute change in his delivery schedule and Sweet Bee arrived in Vermont at 1:30 am Thursday. Just in time for Sara to ride her Thursday and Friday to ready themselves for the show on Saturday. We had rain for days with blustery November type weather-- too squishy to ride in the big arena so the girls schooled in the indoor.

After some last minute checks-- do we have everyone's girths, helmets, gloves, hairnets?? We arrived on the grounds to find out-- we are parked right near the duck pond !! Thank goodness, the horses did not react to the waterfowl at all.

Our ride times were one right after the other.. warm ups were in the indoor- the dressage arena was in the outdoor area. Zoe on WR Winter Dancer in the indoor pictured here--

Jennie and OYY Elektra-- Sara and OYY Sweet Bee

Great--- the dressage area is adjacent to the cows !! The duck pond was not enough of an obstacle ??





The horses and the girls did great-- a lot of work for 2 minutes in the ring, but worth it and has inspired new goals for us all.

Sweet Bee and Sara won second place with a 70.5% score. First place was 71%.. so she did very well for herself.

OYY Elektra and Jen scored a 69%. Elektra drifted outside the arena and stomped on the rope, their circle was a bit small -- other than that she did great. Jen and Elektra received third place.



Dancer was perfect until she entered the actual dressage arena and suddenly decided she needed to call to her imaginary friend. Zoe, I know, was furious with her, but kept her cool and kept her going. The judges were impressed how even though she was calling, Dancer did not stop or hesitate and got some good points on her balance, impulsion and smoothness.. but low points on her (to quote the judges) "inobedience" (Is that even a word ?) . She did score well with a 65% though and went away with fifth place. The judges commented how Zoe needed to take Dancer out more often by herself-- Dancer goes out alone nearly every time she is worked .. so who knows why she behaved like such a buffoon ?? Here she is with her nose out, calling away.



it was a great day-- Top O' The Hill Farm is proud of the horses and the riders. Lots of commitment and dedication on the part of all involved to get ready and do well.

Enjoy your day ~