Saturday we got up, had breakfast and left to pick up coach and head to the show grounds to watch warm up. After drawing all our horses for the day, we finished watching warm up. The show started around 9, and the Open over fences riders started the day, as always. I went and got changed so that I could see the horse I drew go over fences a couple times to get an idea of who he was going to be. About an hour later, it was finally my division, Novice Over Fences, Section 3. My round was nothing really to talk about. I did it, didn't fall off, but it could have been better. I placed 5th A couple hours later, the jumps were all put away, the Open and Intermediate riders had ridden their flat class and it was time again for me to ride. This time is was Novice Flat Section 3. Again, nothing super exciting, I really liked the horse I drew. He was really smooth and very easy to stay with, which was good because the judge made us drop our stirrups at the sitting trot and then asked us to canter without stirrups. Coach said I rode the class really well, I just still have a little too much wiggle in my upper body at the canter. I placed 4th. After the rest of the team finished their classes, we took team pic, packed up and headed to dinner. We ate at this little Mexican place with the Canadian team.
Sunday was an early morning. Warm ups started at 7, which meant that we made to get up at 6:00 in order to pick coach up on time and make it to the show grounds. We made it in time, but most of the team needed coffee, fast. We did the same schedule as Saturday. Draw, finish warm up, open and intermediate over fences, then me. I rode in Section 3 over fences, and it was amazing!! I drew a fantastic horse! The course was sort of twisty but not really bad. My first fence was ugly, but I made some really good turns, had a nice trot fence and looked sort of cute over some fences. I won my Sunday over fences class! First IHSA blue ribbon, actually it was the first time I had placed in the top 3 all season. My flat class was ok. Drew a tough horse, had to do jump position at the canter, which was hard on a short necked Morgan. I placed 3rd in my Sunday flat class.
The best part of the weekend was a surprise. Each day they have High Point and Reserve High Point Rider. I was in a 3 way tie for Reserve High Point of the Day. The judge asked each of us 2 questions, and they were hard. One was math, which I suck at and the other was a measuring question, both having to do with strides. I did get both answers right, but I didn't get the ribbon. Which is ok, because I am still really proud of myself for winning my jumping class and being in a tie for Reserve High Point Rider.
I made new friends on the team and made a ton of memories. OH!!! And my jumping round is on YouTube. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YorV-33P68w
Such a great weekend! I can't wait for the next show!!!