World Champion Rider Hunter Week

It has been a very busy week, but I will never complain about my job.

This past week was filled with top riders competing for the blue ribbons in the most competitive classes since the start of season. World Champion Rider Hunter Week highlighted the Hunter riders, allowing them to ride in the International Ring all week. Most riders had been in the large arena before, but for some, it was a new experience.

Victoria Colvin and Inclusive

Riders who were champion or reserve in the 3'6" divisions or higher competed Saturday night in the Hunter Spectacular. Tory Colvin, who had qualified both in her divisions and from being last year's victor, reclaimed her title aboard Inclusive. The 15-year-old is surely on her way to being a respected professional in and out of the show ring. On Sunday, the 3' and the 3'3" horses competed in the Peggy Cone Memorial Classic and the WCRH Classic. Sheila Motley and Praise led the victory gallop in the Peggy Cone Classic and Tina Allen and French Kiss won the Hunter Classic.

Sheila Motley and Praise

It was a great learning experience to be able to watch the best horses compete and see what the riders do and how they ride and train their mounts. Long days in the sun, working on my tan I might add, being able to talk and interview riders after their rounds. I have gained so much insight into rounds and how the top riders think. Hopefully I can use some of that this weekend when I get to step into the show ring. Just a schooling show at The Ridge, but still. I get to put on my show clothes and my tall boots and show my stuff.

Yesterday we had a cookout at Kendall's parents and it was so nice to be able to hang out and have fun outside of the office and outside of office related events. Swimming, cooking out, and playing beer pong on the porch is not something I would normally be doing at the end of February, but it is something I could get used to.

The week has just begun and is already in full swing. The USHJA Zone 4 Free Clinic was today at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The learning continued as Cynthia Hankins conducted the clinics. She is a student of George Morris and has competed all over the globe. She is currently an R-judge and focused her clinic on the basics of riding.

 

“Position and stability is everything. If you’re in a correct position and know the basics, you can do pretty much everything. If you can understand line, pace and balance on a horse, track and strides, knowing the horse’s strides; As long as you can do that, you can do any course,” explained Hankins. 

The week continues with two dinners and the Nations Cup. Halfway through season and it's hard to believe that I am halfway done with the unbelievable opportunity. 

I do miss my pony though, especially since he is hurt. He came in lame from the field the other day and either has laminitis or an abscess, might have Lyme's again, and misses me. Thankfully I have the best mom who is going to take care of him twice a day since I am too far away. Get better soon George!