One Shining Moment

My favorite moment happened on cross country after Kelly Prather had her stop at the first cabin in the 8a/b combo. I'd been sitting between the offset cabins and the coffin and for the majority of the day and had witnessed how the coffin had given several riders tough times (including Dorothy Crowell's fall with Radio Flyer). After Kelly's stop, I figured that she would come to the coffin and take the long option on her first attempt. Instead, she came around the turn, put her sight on fence 10, kept her leg on and kebpt Ballinakill Glory moving with energy. They made it nicely over the rail, popped over the ditch, and cleanly jumped the narrow brush. She landed to a huge cheering crowd, shook her head with a smile, patted her mare, and galloped on. It was one of the nicest rides I saw at the coffin all weekend. I'm hoping that, despite the horrendous dressage test and being spun on Sunday, Kelly can take away the memories and great experience she got running around that 4* course.

My absolute favorite memory was standing on XC and running around to see as much of Laine Ashker's ride as possible. Watching her HUGE smile and pats to Anthony Patch after every obstacle was fantastic to see. Seeing her complete this event, let alone have such clean riding in all three phases, was remarkable. I have always been a fan of hers, and after her horrendous fall two years ago I was amazed at her will to come back and ride again, let alone compete at the uppermost level of this sport. She is an inspiration.

Now, I wouldn't say anything except for the promise of a good story. But, I really want to hear that story so here goes.

Unfortunately, my daughter and I didn't attend. We watched it via webcast. My favorite memory is both of us sitting and watching it without moving (seriously) for 5 hrs Saturday (until the connection funked out) and 2 hrs Sunday. She wants me to buy tickets for next year right now, so we don't miss it again. ;-) I think she's hooked on eventing.

Well...I am stealing this photo as a reference for a film I am trying to write about eventing....good enough as a Rolex memory?

Or should I reference back to my own real memories from 2007 - holding Woodsy's horse (Garfield) while trying to graze him after he was withdrawn, and he did handstands while the other horses were galloped. Or having my photo taken with Teddy in his stable (I was a lot taller than him, and he was unimpressed by me...)

Or, from this year, thinking about those at home working the horses of the Aus and NZ riders visiting Rolex 2010...so they can envisage WEG, and come home and ride at the WRWC in Sydney....

Alright, John, I keep telling you my old stories...but it beats working, right?

Ten years ago, when my daughter was just two years old, we were all (husband and five-year-old son, too) at the Maker's Mark water, which involved a hanging log drop into the water (might have been a bounce drop in) and then about five strides through to a big brush jump out. Someone--I can't remember who, but it wasn't one of the big names at the time--came in, and her horse stumbled going into the water. The rider lost both stirrups and got flung out of the saddle onto the horse's neck. For a moment it looked like both were going down. The horse heaved itself up--saw the jump out--threw itself forward and over the jump--rider back in the saddle at this point, but still no stirrups, loose reins, absolutely no control (but, pretty damn good balance). They landed safe on the other side, and in a moment of breathless unbelieving silence from the crowd, my daughter, perched on her daddy's shoulders, shouted, "THANK YOU, HORSEY!" The entire crowd fell apart laughing. It was the perfect comment from such a small girl.

Yesterday said girl and I sat glued to our computer to watch the sj--and then we went out and rode. Glorious.

My favorite Rolex memory of all time was in 2007 when Hannah Sue Burnett and Benny (Keep The Faith) ran. I've known Hannah and her family for almost 24 years now and it was amazing to see someone I'm close to have that experience. I couldn't have been more proud! 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!"

My favorite memory comes from back in the 80's (1986?) when Jimmy Wofford came out of competition retirement to catch ride The Optimist for Karen O'C. Jimmy had gotten a little portly at the time and I'm not sure anyone had too much expectation of him. Regardless, the word around the grounds on Saturday was "It ain't over til the fat boy rides!" And as fate would have it, he went on to win Rolex that year!

I think Keeley may become famous for this picture. Go Bluegrass Pony Club.

Sitting by the start box, watching the horses and riders as the time was counted down. Each was a study in emotion - the feelings of apprehension, excitement, and concentration were so intense they were palpable -- that contrasted with the expressions as they crossed the finished line was just awesome in the true sense of the word.

Watching WFP's dressage warmup. Supple, calm, connected, systematic. It was a real riding lesson.

And FWIW, I think his canter is actually quite nice, John!

I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say one of the best moments from 2010 was watching Steph RB's face as she was coming out of the coffin. She was in the middle of giving her horse a huge pat and the crowd gives her a massive cheer, she looks right over at them with a MASSIVE smile on her face, nods her head in acknowledgement and gallops on...that's awesome.
2:07:46 on the Universal Sports link, and you can see what I am talking about.
Way to live for the moment...
Oh - and GO CANADA!

I also love watching WFP warm up. I always see him start with a nice easy walk/jog somewhere quite away from the chaos of the warm up ring. It seems like a great way to begin your ride, taking a moment to start slowly, gather your thoughts and emotions, and returning with a supple horse and some quiet determination.

It can also be very interesting to watch competitiors at the finish line, or as they leave the arena. I was in tears this year as Lainey finished the cross country course, as was everyone else around me. You could feel the overwhelming emotions from her family and friends, very amazing, and I am glad I Was there.

One last story- Saturday night going to the campground bathroom, only to find it filled with people who were sitting/sleeping there because they thought their tents/campers were going to be blown away!!

Annnnnd. Nigel announcing "I am sorry Oli- about the 350,000 dollars" ouch.

One favorite memory from ROlex I think would have to be Karen's dressage test and then on top of that letting the pony clubber pet Mandiba. And the next would have to be watching Laine Ashker ride stadium. 2 words. spectacular round!!! ON top of that the fact that she can come back from 08 is amazing. SHe rode wonderfully this weekend!!!

This years favorite Rolex moment was watching Kelly Prather storm into the grandstand arena in a hugh trot moments after the very last dressage ride. Earlier she had maybe the worst dressage ride I'd seen in all the years I've attended. The horse had a complete melted down in the atmosphere. Instead of slinking off to lick her wounds the first timer did what the good horseman does and confronted those demons even if it meant doing so in front of the thousands who had yet to rise from their seats.

Second favorite was seeing Allison Springer in a helmet for dressage.

New to Lexington and newer to eventing (even all things horses), I showed up at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2007 to watch the Cross Country portion. And I fell in love with a horse named Teddy. And then I fell in love with eventing. I've back each year since and I can't wait for the WEG!

The start box for me. I don't know if i've watched from there before but the intensity - wow. Don't know which horse it was (I would like to find out) reared, real big twisty rear & there was a omg moment, then just as quickly they were off on course.

My favorite moment has to be walking into a random sponsors tent to make a phone call on Sunday only to find Gina Miles there too, and then just being able to have a nice little chat with an olympic silver medalist. I miss seeing Gina ride, though, and want to see her at Rolex on the back of a horse some time soon!

One of my favorite moments this year was watching Becky on course in the competitors' tent TV. She was having a wonderful round, and everyone in the tent was so supportive of her. "Go Comet go!" "C'mon Becky! YEAH!" you heard from all over the room. Fellow competitors, grooms, officials, USEF personnel, EVERYONE was urging her on. She crossed the finish line to a big cheer and genuine, happy applause. It was well-earned and well-deserved!

I hope my peers respect me as much some day. :) I really love our sport!

I watched KOC talk with the pony clubbers after her dressage, then moving over so one could pet her horse. I also watched after SJ when she and another pink coat got out of their golf cart to pose for pictures with other PCers. My first rolex 5 years ago, I saw DOC do the same thing several times.

While walking the course on Friday, we stumbled onto a coursewalk with Bonnie Mosser, who was kind, knowledgeable, and really concerned for each person there, making each of us feel like the course walk was just for us. What incredible ambassadors we have in our sport!

I don't know Laine Ashker from Adam, but on Saturday I was walking over towards the start at the same time that she was walking her horse back to the barns. No one was around, she didn't realize that anyone was watching, but she was leading her own horse, not leaving him to a groom, and was patting him and telling him what a good boy he was. The look of joy on her face is why we all go out cross country. At the upper levels it seems to get so "professional" at times that it was refreshing to see someone that looked the way I feel after a good go- loving the horse and the sport.

My favorite Rolex memory? Watching Max walk Karen and Teddy around the start box that first year she ran him ....that itty bitty pony with with the great big jump and heart - I have NEVER cried at the start of anything, but even today, the picture of that pony and Karen and Max, with all that was facing them, brings tears to my eyes - long may you run pony boy!!!!!