Octoberfest Success!

We met my only goals over the weekend at the Octoberfest show in Edinburgh:

1)  Stay on board Riva
2)  Once in the dressage test arena, remain there thru the end of the test
3)  Try and relax, enjoy, and have fun

And there were bonuses - I met fellow blogger Amy from Slow and Steady and Karen from Contact.  So fun to get to meet these ladies and see their fab horses compete.

Back up to Thursday night, pre-show weekend.  Husband and I were witnesses (ie Man of Honor and Matron of Honor) for friends of ours wedding - yes...on a Thursday night!  Very sweet ceremony in a minister's church office - they are planning a large reception party this winter.  So - I was not able to go out and ride Riva.  Daughter, Lex, decided to go out and ride her.  Lex calls to report Riva is about to lose a rear shoe - hanging on by one lone nail.  Ok....so we know this shoe will be somewhere in her field on Friday and the other shoe must be pulled before we can head to Edinburgh on Friday.  Not a huge problem - husband is very skilled in shoe removal by now! 

Friday evening.  Arrive at barn - load all our stuff while husband works his magic on Riva's remaining back shoe.  Riva walks right on to the trailer for me on the first try - what a good girl!  We make it to Edinburgh as the sun is going down.  Gotta love October shows when us working people can't get to the show grounds while there is still daylight.  Locate our stall and get the Diva settled.  Daughter is determined to get on and ride her a bit, since she had not rode Riva all week.  Ok...it is dark by now!  My baby can not possibily be ridden in the dark...apparently, she can.  She spooked a number of times - mainly jumped and stood very still and tall.  But daughter perserved and got in a decent ride. 

Saturday morning.  Arrive at a very dark, windy, cold 6:30 am to get the day started.  Lex's show time was 8:54 and mine 11:18.  After Miss Riva had breakfast, I took her to the warm up arena to lunge.  She was pretty excited - several other horses were lunging....mostly leaping, bucking, calling, running at top speed...so husband got to take over lunging, as Riva quickly made me dizzy.  Lex got on to warm up about 30 minutes before her test time.  Riva took awhile to settle - she tried a few bolts on Lex and a few little bucks.  After she figured Lex meant business, she got with the routine.

Intro Test C - Lex and Riva.  I read for Lex-I have read tests for Lex many times, but never while my Riva was in the ring.  For whatever reason, this made me very nervous.  I was so scared I was going to lose my place and screw up Lex's test.  I held it together and made it thru.  I really couldn't watch except to see what move they were on to keep my place.  So glad we have video!  Lex was smiling at the end, so I knew she was happy with Riva.  They scored a 55.5% which earned a 3rd place!  One of the judge's comments was that Riva has a lot of potential.

Intro Test B - myself and Riva.  I warmed up for 30 minutes prior to test time, which I could have shortened to 15-20 minutes.  Riva was great for about half the warm up then started getting a bit fussy.  I ended up letting her stand for a bit before going in the ring so as not to irritate her.  We showed in the lower ring , which was a different location than Lex and Riva.  We had not been in that arena since we were there in the Spring.  Riva did not seem bothered by this - you have to go down a slight hill to enter.  She marched right in and got to work.  I felt like I should have had Riva more forward and watching the video confirms this.  We scored a 55.625% and also earned a 3rd place.  Hey - we are consistant!  The judge commented that she is a cutie and to start working on getting Riva in a frame.

(Video to Come!  Technical difficulties in loading) 

After our tests and getting some lunch, we headed over to watch some combined test jumping.  We made it just to time to watch Amy of Slow and Steady compete her beginner novice course - they did awesome!  We decided to load up and head home - Sunday was move Lex to her new working student position home day.

Busy but fun weekend - last show of the season for us.  I know we have lots of work to keep us busy this winter.  First on the agenda is a saddle fitting with the County saddle rep this Friday, yeah!  I listed my Kieffer on Tack Trader if anyone is interested in a medium tree, 18" seat, comfortable dressage saddle.  I actually am hoping the County rep will approve the fit of a fellow boarder's Fushion County that she has for sale.  I rode Riva in it and think it fits her well,  That would save some $$$'s.  After I get a saddle that fits her, resuming dressage lessons is next on the list.

Riva has had many stops and starts this past year.  I finally feel like we are on the right track with diagnosing and correcting her club foot and knee issues.  With a saddle that fits, lessons, and fingers crossed - keeping her sound - I feel the goals I have in mind for next year are achievable.  But I will save the goals for another post!

Lex and Riva right before competing

Kelly and Riva after competing