One Week Left

Neo and I are heading into our last week here in California.

For the past week or so, we have been inundated with a lot of rain. So much so, we moved Neo and Classy (Alisa Wilson's horse) over to a nearby facility that has a covered arena. This was done to ensure both horses stayed fit and trained for our next show: The Dressage Affaire.

We moved the horses to Brookeside Equestrian Center. The movie "National Velvet" starring Elizabeth Taylor was filmed at this facility. We found that ironic with her death last week.

Neo is starting to reach another level of power and self carriage. I'm excited to see how we show this week as the training sessions lately have been really good. Additionally, Neo's coat is growing into a dark liver chestnut color-one which he has never had before.

Then we'll be leaving a week from today to head back home.

Dressage Affaire CDI 3*

We (Neo and I) are starting to feel recovered from our first CDI this past weekend.

Overall, I'm very happy with how Neo went. We got stronger each day of the show and was pleased with how it went. Neo rode better each day and it was a lot of fun really going for it in the freestyle.

We encountered some very stiff competition with a few horses having a legit shot at making the Pan Am Team this year. Additionally, the panel of judges were unmerciful and were not handing out anything-which wasn't a surprise considering the level of this show but that didn't stop any grumbling from the other riders in the stable area. The winning score for both the PSG and the I1 were a high 67 on a horse that was showing Grand Prix last season. To put the scoring in perspective, we scored a high 63% in the freestyle. If I were to ride the same ride at home, it would be about a 70%.

What I got from this show is a better sense of what it takes to ride high performance dressage and then successfully compete at it. Our next CDI is in two weeks. David and I are laying out a plan for us and we'll be in a good spot for when we show at Burbank at the end of the month. I'm confident that you'll see us in the thick of things at that show.

Thank you for all the support and words of encouragement while we have been down here in CA.

Over Due Update

Sorry for the delay in posting an update.

Neo is doing great. We've had some fantastic rides the past week and he is all set up to do well at The Dressage Affaire this weekend.

We trailered in this afternoon. Neo has settled in nicely into his new digs for the weekend. Tomorrow will be the FEI vet check and jog. Neo and I will go through a light school in the competition arena to acclimate to the new environment about mid-day.

Then Friday we will compete in the CDI 3* Prix St Georges; on Saturday the Intermediare I and on Sunday the Intermediare Freestyle.

I'll try my best to keep updates posted on the blog. If I am unable to update via the blog, check my Facebook profile. Or you can follow the scores instantaneously at here.

Thanks for the support.