Elk Creek CDE

Elk Creek DAY 1

Despite a short break of gait in dressage, we took first place! It’s a great setup for the next two phases, and the same placing we had two weeks ago in Kentucky. There’s definitely something about Viva that the judges like. In fact, in all four of the CDEs she’s competed in she has yet to be bested in the dressage arena.

Then right on over to the cones arena. We did 30% better than two weeks ago at the Gayla Bluegrass CDE. Unfortunately, 30% better means we took down two balls, not three. Well, to be honest we knocked down one ball. The other one we just plowed over, cone included. Nothing that Viva did wrong – she was a superstar as always – just a turn a little too early on my part coming out of #13. I momentarily mistook the sport for bowling

So that puts us into 4th place heading into the marathon phase tomorrow. Check out our video from cones (thanks Ben!) and watch the untimely demise of Cone 13.

 

 

Elk Creek DAY 2

Today was a much better run on hazards then our first prelim run at Gayla 2 weeks ago. A short hangup in hazard one made the decision to take some of the wider routes easier in the proceeding hazards. The weather was great and it was a fun safe run. Viva seemed to really enjoy herself and is getting amazingly quick and handy in the hazards.

No penalties and we made up some time moving us from 4th after our less than stellar performance in cones to second place for our final placing. Thanks again to Paul Maye for coaching and gatoring, and of course Ben who provided wonderful support and great photos!