Today, the team heard its first Star Spangled Banner of the trip! We left the Novotel this morning and made it to the show without complications. The first class was the meter 1.30 power and speed, scheduled to begin at 9:30 am, in which I rode Tusker; Nick rode Belly Button and Malcolm; Jen rode Venturo; Michael rode All Star and Katina; and Karl did not compete. Nick competed aboard Belly Button first, having a very smooth round with just a single rail. This class was a bit different from the average power and speed in the US because, if the horse dropped a rail during the power phase, the rider could still continue on to the speed phase in order to practice. Belly Button is jumping better each class and I'm sure Nick will be winning a lot with her before long! Michael rode All Star next and he had two poles down. I was the next US rider to compete, having a smooth clear with Tusker that was not quite quick enough for the lead and put me into second place. Malcolm, Venturo, and Katina all jumped only a few jumps in the ring in order to warm up for the Grand Prix. The riders' main goals were to work the horses' jumping muscles a little bit and make sure they will not be surprised by the size and formidableness of the grass field when they compete tomorrow.
Tusker's time in the speed phase held out for a third place finish, and I received the first US blue ribbon of the weekend (all the ribbons are blue here...). In the presentation, I was given something much more exciting than a ribbon: champagne! This horse show is primarily sponsored by a champagne company, so the first through third finishers in every class receive champagne bottles as prizes. It seems strange that junior riders can be given champagne for winning here! That may be one of the reasons that so many American juniors dream of competing in Europe...
The US riders' next class was the Grand Prix Qualifier (it is called a qualifier but Young Rider competitors were permitted to show in the Grand Prix whether or not they showed in the Qualifier) and it was the final class of the day. We waited around the show for quite some time, looking in the shops and taking advantage of a free lunch provided to exhibitors in a tent by the ring. Karl's parents and girlfriend, Saer, arrived, as well as Nick's mom. This weekend is somewhat of a family reunion for the team! Michael's mom, grandmother, and brother are all here for the remainder of the trip, and my dad and sister are staying through the weekend.
After many introductions and a relaxing afternoon, the time for the meter 1.40 Grand Prix Qualifier finally rolled around. I rode Karonda, Jen rode Shakira, and Karl rode both Uno and Toby. Karonda was a bit rank and wild, having two silly rails down. Uno also had an unnecessary rail. Toby and Shakira, on the other hand, went beautifully, and Karl and Jen both rode very fast rounds that put them in first and second place, respectively. It was very exciting to hear the Star Spangled Banner played for the first time since we have been in Europe! Karl brought a big silver trophy back to the barn and added a bottle of champagne to our growing collection! Sadly, this was the only class today that did not provide champagne to the second place winner. Jen did not allow this depressing fact to ruin her glory, however, and we had a celebratory dinner at the hotel. Clearly we need to be more adventurous because we are spending far too much time in the hotel restaurant! Everything is looking good for the Grand Prix tomorrow!
No comments:
Post a Comment