May has been a fun, low key kind of month. Vernon Tiger and Amanda kicked it off with Vernon's move up to training at MCTA! What a beautiful, fun, big, galloping course! As we knew he would, Vernon cruised around happily and well with in himself. If anything, it was easier for he AND Amanda- training speed is apparently Vernon's easy cruising speed and he and Amanda had no reason to argue about the pace. Work is needed on the dressage, though he was a good boy, performing obediently and accurately, just not brilliant, and his pilot needs to work on her show jumping skills!
On the 17th, Julia and Indi, Kendall and Cass, Jackie and Bomber (pictured right), and Brianne and Rhys all went to the combined test at Loch Moy Farm, home of the fabulous Maryland Horse Trials (www.themarylandhorsetrials.com - we are SO lucky to have such a fantastic venue nearby, and one that offers so many different oppurtunities!). It was a great day, though unseasonably chilly and windy. Jackie rode her "been there, done that" pony, Bomber, in her first show ever. Sticking to her plan to try hard and have fun paid off- Jackie WON!!! We are very proud of her and her fun little pony. Julia and Kendall with their horses both finished second in their divisions, and Brianne, while choosing to just do unjudged show jumping rounds, rode well, learned a few things, and had a great time. It was a fabulous day and we are very proud of all our riders.
The following weekend, Nancy rode her fabulous new little mare, Layla, in their first dressage show together. It was a good, low key outing, lots was learned and fun was had! We can't thank Stephen Bradley enough for convincing us that this little chestnut thoroughbred mare (everything Nancy did NOT want) would be perfect for Nancy. He was right! The little redhead is fabulous.
The month is winding down, and we are gearing up for a very busy June. Rubicon is next week, with Vernon, Zeke, and Alfie all going. This is one of our favorite events and is considered a "can't miss." Following Rubicon is our "home" event, Seneca Valley (a whopping 10 minutes from home!). Quite the crowd will be in attendance there, with Vernon and Zeke at training, Alfie hopefully at novice, and Indi and Cass at beginner novice. After that, on the 20th, we will be climbing the mountain again for the unrecognized horse trials at Loch Moy, were Jackie will be trying her hand at her first horse trial, as well as the newest Faircroft memebers, Anna and Mocha. Tom is also planning on the taking the newly home Sundown for a go at the training course. And to finish off the month, Surefire, with Zeke (training), Cass, Indi (both at beginner novice), Rhys (novice), and Sundown (preliminary). We will all be looking forward to the lazy days of July by the end of it all!!
