Friday, June 02, 2006

The past couple of weeks have been very tough! As I had mentioned, the "balancing act" between school and riding can be quite a task. I missed a lot of school in order to go to Devon, have a couple of tests to make up, and, to top it off, I have the SAT this weekend, YIKES! The pressure is intense, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The 2006 Devon Horse Show went very well. The way Whimsey behaved in and out of the show ring was another indication that he was back in the game.

The Dixon Oval rides on a fast track because of its size, shape, and footing. For example, you walk a line in what would be seven normal strides in any other sand ring, but then it turns out to ride a little easy in six. Many riders struggled with the first class on Thursday, which was the USET (most shows begin with a less challenging first class). The jumping phase went first which allowed everyone to get a feel for the ring. Devon being such a famous show along with the difficulty of the courses wreaked havoc on some of the young rider's nerves.

Thanks to everyone for their concern on my status after my fall. I almost reached a year without falling off! Let me tell you, I didn't think it would happen at Devon but that's just show jumping. Marga, owned by the Beacon Hill Partners, is one of the most amazing animals I have ever ridden, and the only horse I've been privileged to show for a year at the junior jumper level. The jumps in the classic were high junior jumper height (level 8). I was having one of the best rounds of my life; it was smooth and organized, and she hadn't rubbed a single fence. With three jumps to go, I mismeasured the line and was to blame for the mishap. Although I fell off, I gained the experience of two solid rounds for myself and Marga at the high junior jumper height. It's learning experiences such as these that make me eager and excited to get out there and do it again with the new knowledge I have acquired.

8 Comments:

At Sat Jun 03, 03:43:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

why dont you do the grand prix's like brianne? are you not good enough?

 
At Sat Jun 03, 05:37:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know if the comment before me was meant to be on the rude side or if it just came off that way.
There is more to being a great rider than doing the Grands Prix. Maria, you are proof positive of that. So many people, myself included, look up to you because you are so versitile.

 
At Sun Jun 04, 12:43:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

wow! that was a little rude! (the first comment) Maria i have a question...are you going to upperville? thanks **Julie**

 
At Sun Jun 04, 11:34:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What do you think it takes to be a sucessful rider on the circut? Locally (I live around the Devon horse show grounds) usually the top notch riders are the ones who put out the most money in the sport. Is it the same up and down the coast? If you don't have the money to put out can you still be sucessful?
-Amb

 
At Thu Jun 08, 01:33:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So much of showing can be a "mental issue". The training you receive at home builds your skills and therefore your confidence. The experience of simply doing many horse shows can help to squelch the nerves. However, I am NOT necessarily looking for the perspective of a nervous/afraid/tentative rider here, but rather one who simply feels the pressure to perform well (a big show like Devon, Regionals, last junior year, etc.).

Would you share what you and your trainers do to help you with the "mental" aspect of showing?

 
At Tue Jun 13, 06:13:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Maria try to comment more often its nice to hear from someone at the "A" shows ... bye
****AgNiE*****

 
At Tue Jun 13, 06:16:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yea Mareia you should def. comment it was so cool when you did it like every day...but i guess your just too busy to check in ! i hope you dont fall of at your next horse show...i did not get to see your fall last time because i live in Idaho and im not allowed to travel on a plane by my self becasue im on 10...but soon i will be able to...ok i guess i will hope to read your blog soon!!!
^^Maya

 
At Tue Jun 13, 06:42:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is the first time I have ever read your blog Maria so it was defiantly a joy to read. I got the impression that you have never owned a horse beside Whimsey correct? But you have ridden other people’s horses. That’s exactly me also. I’ve never owned a horse of my own so I ride other peoples horses for them. I'm good enough but my parents just don’t have that kind of money. You give me hope that some day I will be able to get my own horse and make it to the top of junior equitation riding. Thanks!
-Alexandria

 

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