Belinda and Bonny on the "Road to Kentucky"

Lisa Hossack-Scott, along with her many wonderful volunteers, has put on an absolutely top notch competition here at Saddlewood Equestrian Centre, home of the Ontario Championships.  I, along with WEG Team riders, Belinda Trussell and Bonny Bonnello, are extremely pleased we decided to use this show as a final warm-up before heading to Lexington, Kentucky on September 15th.    

The team horses and riders have been receiving a much deserved rest after their very intense qualifying season both here in North America and Europe.  Now, we are  up our work again and a few of the group are using local shows to bring the horses back into competition form and fitness.  Today’s tests and results were very pleasing to me and proved that these combinations are right where they should be with almost a month to go before the big day arrives for the Grand Prix at the WEG’s.  Both Anton and Pikardi showed lovely piaffe and passage as well as many other strong movements and I loved that Anton is nw receiving no less than a 7 for both extended and collected walk from all judges!  Tomorrow morning we will have both in the Grand Prix Special, come rain or shine ( It’s coming down in buckets now!) and I’m very excited already as I know that both combinations will be fantastic!  Already today, Pikardi received a 68.1% and was second to Anton who earned a 70.4% to win the class with 3 judges ( Lee Tubman, Brenda Minor, and Lorraine MacDonald) officiating.  Despite the weather, the arenas are so well built that there will be no problem with the surface, though I probably need to think about buying an umbrella now. :)  I’ve also enjoyed watching some of the juniors and young horses going today and am looking forward to the exhibitors party this evening.  The Special starts at 7:20am tomorrow morning and then I fly back to Miami so I will report on everything from home later in the afternoon.

Cheers!

RD

Posted: Friday, September 3rd, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized