HITS Week 4 Summary
September 8, 2008
by Lauri.
I know it took me awhile to get around to this, but we’ve been busy around here. even just one person being away (i.e. Haylie going back to school) makes us have to shuffle to adjust our daily routine, covering her chores and doling out some of the horses she no longer has time to exercise daily.
anyway, HITS Week IV results! Day One was by far Legacy’s best day, in which Derian and I competed in the Level 6 and Level 7 jumpers on Magic and Altara, respectively. Derian and Magic had a bad first round, finishing sixth, but really pulled it together to finish third and first in the second and third rounds. Altara was on the whole time. she’s really learned to focus herself over the past season, and I was thrilled with her attitude during this event! not only was she alert and responsive to my every movement, she has really learned to carry herself well. riding her no longer feels like dragging a half-ton weight around a course; she now works for herself, respecting my authority without waiting for my every signal to make a move. (it’s about time.) we finished first, second, and second to be level Champions… just ahead of the Reserve Champs, Magic and Derian! we’d been hesitating whether to try going at Level 7 this time, and decided to go for it. Altara was beyond ready; Magic was not. once again, Altara was right there; I don’t think she even noticed the jumps were any higher than the last time out; and we took Reserve Champ for that level. I’m really starting to enjoy my girl!
after we went, Mark and Krieger were up for Level 8 jumpers. they’re both still new to this–Krieger obviously had plenty of jumping training before we got him, since he came to us ready to hit the Grand Prix, but we have no idea how much actual competition experience he’s had. and Mark, though he’s an experienced competitor, this is his first Grand Prix mount. they did well, as always; third, second, first, to finish in a a three-way tie with the other two competitors. definitely a fair showing for that pair. unfortunately, on the last day of competition, they just weren’t together, and finished 6th in the Grand Prix.
later in the day, Haylie and Anja took Katja and Kindia out in the Low and High Pony Jumpers. both did fairly well, though neither managed to be a division champion. it’s okay: we’ve learned not to expect consistency with our ponies!
the next day Haylie continued with the jumpers, taking Nostalgia out in the Children’s Jumpers. they also did well, though not fabulously; they are still getting used to one another–Nostalgia is definitely very different from Paradigm and Katja, the horses Haylie grew up on.
on Day Three, Macy and Paradigm showed in the FYGs. they didn’t do anything outstanding in any one class, but they were consistent, and ended up reserve champs for the division. Macy switched horses in time to ride Silverdown in the RWHs, once again showing good consistency for another reserve championship award. yay for Macy and her hunters!
Day Four saw more hunters, with Haylie taking Paradigm in the Children’s. they started out well, winning their first class, then inexplicably lost their flair and finished last in the remaining classes. no comment from Haylie. they did, however, come back in fine form to finish second in the Children’s/Adult Hunter Classic. see, they’ve got it where it counts!
we’re hoping the next hunter/jumper show we compete in will see Legacy with an even bigger crew: we’re looking at a large pony. wanna know a secret? he’s another Arabian!
