War Horse with a side kick

May 31st WallE, Iris, Guy and I headed to Southern Pines. We took Friday off to ensure that we had plenty of time to get to Carolina Horse Park (even if the truck broke down). Upon packing the trailer/truck we realized that Guy forgot his bag, we ended up taking the trailer downtown York, SC and pulling right up to his house. He jumped out, grabbed his bag, pet Bella (his dog) and we were on our way. 

We made it to the horse park right before lunch time. We unloaded the horse trailer and parked the trailer in a camp spot. I rode both Iris and WallE. Both were well behaved and pleasant. I was surprised and happy at WallE's behavior away from Iris - He was doing his job and not acting foolish. 

 Guy and I headed back to the campsite to set everything up and walk the cross country course. That night we took cold cowboy showers in the back of the trailer with the water hose and fell asleep quickly. Unfortunately our neighbors arrived at midnight and made lots of noise while backing their trailer up, letting their dogs use the restroom and getting everything set up. Around 1am we fell back asleep, but did not sleep well the remainder of the night. 

I got up around 6am and headed to feed/clean stalls/check on the horses. Avary arrived, we got our packets from the show office and then we headed out to school Iris. Guy was recruited to walk Cross Country with Laura and some other riders, so we split up for the morning. 

Iris and Avary had a few good jumps and a few jumps that were rushed. Iris was braved and jumped everything Avary asked of her. 

When we returned it was WallE's turn to go Cross Country. We went to the warm up area where he was a delight. We watched Laura school another horse and we watched another rider fall and their horse leave them in the dust. I took this time to remind WallE that if I fall off, he is to stand there and wait for me to get up. 

Finally we were ready to school the course. Since WallE and I had been running recognized events at the Starter level, we opted to school the Beginner Novice side of cross country. WallE was very pleasant over the first two jumps, but refused the third. He continued on, jumping most jumps, but refusing one here or there. The beginner novice jumps are a little bigger than starter and he really does NOT like the Bench Jumps with pine straw. However, we continued on and I was was pleased with him. On a fence before the water, WallE refused and I was not ready. I came off to the side and rolled out of the way. WallE, like the good horse he is, just stood there and waited for me to get back on. 

After the fall, I was a bit more conservative on our approach and he did really well. Laura even had us jump a few Novice fences. I opted not to do the show jump school and took WallE back to the barn. We all rested that afternoon and went to bed early. 

The next day WallE's dressage went well, he was pretty consistent and we ended with a great score. Avary and Iris had a beautiful dressage test that was very relaxed. 

When it was WallE's turn to show jump, he refused the first jump. Even though he went over it without circling, he took a step back which resulted in a refusal. He went clear the rest of the show jump and cross country. We ended third, but if we had not had the refusal we would have been first. 

Avary and Iris had a speedy show jump round and settled into a nice pace on Cross Country. They had a few time faults, but came across the finish line all smiles.

On the way home it poured down rain and in the middle of the drive Guy's parents called. His dog (Bella) had been hit by a car. We deviated our route slightly to go through Rock Hill and say good bye. 

The horses were well behaved in the vet parking lot, but were happy to complete the last leg of their journey and be turned out into their pasture at the farm. A good weekend for the equestrian with a sad return home.