We stopped for some coffee on the way to the show grounds and excitedly re-hashed XC day and made predictions for who might win. Mary King had a pretty strong lead with her two horses but I was rooting for Lainey Ashker, whom I've been following for quite a while. She is a true inspiration and a genuinely nice person to boot. We made our way to the show grounds and piled out of the car just as the sun came out...yay! I was so happy.
The sheer size of the ring and the jumps together that greeted us when we entered the stadium were daunting...and we were way up on the balcony looking down at them! The people walking through the ring doing last minute checks looked like toy people compared to the standards with all the colourful poles hanging from them. It was truly a magnificent sight.
We killed some time waiting for the jumping to start by going through all of the vendor's booths again. I checked in with the ECOGOLD crew, as I'd been Facebook-ing (is that even a word?) and Tweeting all weekend for them. I also bought some souvenier t-shirts for myself and a few friends. I really wanted an Ariat zip-up jacket but couldn't justify $100 for it, so I didn't get it.
The deals in the trade fair were kind of unexciting. A lot of things I found I could buy for about the same price, or cheaper, at home. There is currently a large debate going on on the COTH bulletin boards about prices at trade fairs, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, I don't have oodles of extra cash to be spending so I HAVE to find the best deal. Even after the jumping ended when we went back at what was essentially the end of the entire event, trade fair workers were packing merchandise up to ship home instead of marking it down to sell it at the event. I ended up buying nothing at all, except the t-shirts.
Before we knew it, the jumping was starting. We were so excited! We had purchased the most expensive tickets but somehow ended up literally almost at the top of the nosebleed section in the bleachers. :( I wish we had been closer, but I was grateful to have my long lense.
I have about 40 photos from the day. Please do not steal my photos - I spend a lot of money investing in equipment and a lot of time editing and organizing them so that I can share them with you. It is like a punch in the gut to see them posted as other peoples' work or without credit to me.
Meeting Lainey Ashker! One of the highlights of my weekend.
Kelly Prather and Ballinakill Glory were the first to jump. They came in, had a clean round, and made it look easy as pie.
Hamish Cargill and Sandhill’s Tiger, who had a rough round with 24 faults. It was suddenly clear that this was NOT an easy course at all.
Kelly Sult and Hollywood USA
Peter Barry and Kilrodan Abbott
Heather Morris and Slate River
Jessica Hampf and High Society III
Lainey Ashker and Anthony Patch
Lainey Ashker and Anthony Patch, both happy after a great round.
James Alliston and Jumbo’s Jake
Susan Beebee and Prowler
Michael Pollard and Icarus - this horse was really cute.
Missy Ransenhousen and Critical Decision
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Eagle
Olivia Loiacono and Subway
James Alliston and Parker II
Joe Meyer and 19yo Snip
Karen O’Connor and Quintus 54
Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan, who looked exhausted through the whole round.
Kim Severson and Tipperary Liadhnan
Boyd Martin and Remington XXV
Jessica Phoenix and Exploring
Jessica Phoenix and Exploring
Oliver Townend and ODT Sonas Rovatio
Mary King and Fernhill Urco
Mary King and Fernhill Urco
William Fox-Pitt and Neuf Des Coeurs
Hannah Sue Barnett and St. Barth’s
Hannah Sue Barnett and St. Barth’s
Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master
Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville
Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville. Sinead was overcome with emotion after her beautiful round. It was moving to watch!
Clayton Fredericks and Be My Guest
Mary King and King’s Temptress
Mary King and King’s Temptress
King's Temptress and her groom.
Sinead congratulating "Tate" on their third place finish, which is VERY impressive.
Mary King's victory lap.
Mary King with her two horses, whom she placed first and second on, which is a new record for Rolex as it has never happened before.
We drove home yesterday and the drive back was way more painful than the drive to KY. We didn't get stuck in much traffic, but it just seemed to go on forever...and ever...and ever. We were all exhausted and I was so glad to be able to sleep in my own bed last night.
More highlights from the trip coming up.
