Thursday, October 17, 2013

Ky is growing on me!

What a great weekend it was - filled with all things horses!  Kentucky Horse Park was host to the Festival of Champions last week and over the weekend - in addition to the Fall KDA Horse Classic, which my daughter competed in.  We were able to watch the US Dressage Team compete Grand Prix on Friday evening - complete with a gorgeous sunset over the Rolex arena (no pics as my husband didn't think about bringing his camera).  We were able to stand ringside and watch the likes of Steffen Peters warm-up - simply amazing and inspiring.

Saturday morning, Alexis competed Second Level Test 1.  She needed one more Second Level score towards her Bronze Medal.  She competed a sale horse from the barn where she interns.  The mare is a Freisian / Tennessee Walking horse cross that Alexis has not spent much time on.



They scored high enough to earn the score she needed for Second Level toward her Bronze.  Just one Third Level score to go and she will have her first medal!  So proud of my daughter!


Saturday night was the Freestyle Grand Prix for the US Equestrian Team and this time, my husband had his camera ready.  We were privileged to get VIP seating and dinner, courtesy of a friend of my daughter who competed in the Brettina Cup Finals and had extra tickets.  Was so fun to enjoy dinner while looking out over the Rolex arena, with the sun setting, and then watch the Freestyles.


Steffen Peters was my favorite, along with the crowd favorite!  And he won :)



Sunday morning dawned with fog laying over KHP - so very pretty!  Sometimes I have to almost pinch myself to believe we live just a 15 minute drive from this awesome facility.  I am so looking forward to competing here with Riva.


On Sunday, we also got to watch Karen of finalchapter-karen compete Second Level with her lovely horse, Hampton.  They were amazing and very photogenic!


My daughter competed the same test on Sunday and a prospective buyer came and watched her ride.  Have not heard if the person is interested.  Anyone out there looking to buy a lovely young dressage horse?  She is for sale :)


Watching all that dressage over the weekend only made me anxious to get out to the barn and work more on First Level.  Plan to compete Training Level Test 3 and First Level Test 1 on November 2nd at the Snowbird Dressage Show at KHP.  Anyone else going?




11 comments:

S. Lauren said...

Congrats to your daughter and the horse she rode is gorgeous! I hope I can reach 2nd level someday. I'm glad you're loving KY. Sounds like there are a lot of great things to do. :-)

Hillary said...

Awesome! I wish I had been able to go up and watch! Glad that you're still loving KY :)

Steph said...

What beautiful pictures! And I'm so glad to see Steffan Peters competing in a helmet!

Kate said...

I think I would love living there. Are there any negatives to the area?

Lauren @ She Moved To Texas said...

Such a pretty place to live so close to!

Karen said...

Lovely photos! Congrats to Alexis on her scores. :)

Anonymous said...

What a fun filled horsey weekend :).

Malin said...

Sounds like an awesome weekend! I can't wait to hear about your experience. You have worked very hard, and I am so thrilled for you!!

Kat said...

KY is pretty special, KHP in particular. Glad you're enjoying it here :-)

Achieve1dream said...

Great photos! Looks like sooo much fun! I can't wait to visit Kentucky someday. :D That's Friesian/TWH mare is gorgeous! I wish I could have another horse lol.

Karley said...

I want to come to KY!! :)