The Live Oak International CDE is the "premier CDE in North America" and once again it lived up to its title. Coming from the cold rainy weather of East TN the warm balmy weather was heaven and my horses enjoyed it and the green grass immensely. I was competing in Intermediate Horse Pairs and was the only entry in my class that didn't have a presentation carriage. Despite this fact, my girls performed well in dressage (looking beautiful I might add) and we were in 1st place after dressage! The next day was marathon and they again performed great taking on the hazards with no problems. They did get tired as it was almost 80 degrees and a long course with some deep footing from rain the night before so we came in 2nd on the marathon and dropped to 2nd place over all. Not bad though for not training in Florida all winter like everyone else! Cones day came really early as our division was the first to go. I went clear but had a few time penalties. This kept me in 2nd place out of our 4 competitors in my class that were all older men:) They all were very nice and did great jobs themselves. I was once again very proud of my girls and to represent mares in general as well as Friesian x Saddlebred crosses.  For all of my show pictures click HERE.

I had lots of great help at this show with Amy navigating for me once again, Erin W. as groom for dressage and cones and John really came through helping with the horses. My mom also went to act as super nanny so Skyler could come with me and he had a great time hanging out at the show and at Barb's house. Her hospitality was so helpful and appreciated by all of us and my horses:) The drive down is long from TN but it is well worth it either to compete or to be a  spectator. You won't be disappointed either way! I will have video clips up soon on my YouTube Channel. This show was also the last leg of the Driving Triple Crown, the National Championships for Singles and Four in Hands and a selection trail for the WEG.

Today was our hunt club's Closing Meet. Yes, it was extremely muddy like the majority of all the hunts this season. I think this was the muddiest hunt season I can remember in the past 21 years of hunting! I rode my mare Isabella and she was perfect and so nice to ride:) John took out Earl Grey, a up incoming hunt horse for his second hunt ever. He rode in the back of first field and just opened a few gates instead of jumping coops, but still got to go fast and enjoy the action. I was so proud of him for keeping up and sliding down the mud hills (that seem to go on forever when its muddy), crossing the ever widening creeks and scrambling up the steep muddy banks. Plus he did all this with no shoes on! I think he is going to do great next hunt season. Erin D. was riding her young hunt horse Taos and jumped their first coop ever today. One of of our ex-MFH Jim S. rode Falstaff and sailed beautifully over the coops and muddy terrain. It was good to see him out again. Well another great day was had by all and now onto show season and trail riding. Until next fall and the fun starts all over again with cub hunting:) Cheers!