As the season closes...

So, I haven't been able to update for a while. I blame part of that on my sheer laziness, and the rest of it on my craziness of lack of time. So Jester has been positively amazing. He has matured so much this past show season, and as it comes for a close with me, I look forward to next year, aiming for the Training Championships and maybe a PT or a Prelim at the end of the year.

Our last show of the season was the Virginia Horse Trials at the Virginia Horse Center on Oct. 31 and Nov 1st. I don't think I've ever had more fun at a horse trial in my entire competing career. Our posse of people left on Thursday morning, arriving at the center Thursday evening( a lovely 8 hour haul). Hacked Jester around that night, went to our RV which was on the grounds, might I add that that was EXTREMELY convenient. Friday, rode Jest in the morning, and let me tell you, he was HIGH AS A KITE. Settled down by the end, to put in some decent dressage work. Did the Gambler's Choice jump school that night. WHAT A BLAST! Did the second class, which was 3'3 to 3'9. Our round was beautiful, I was thrilled with the way Jester was jumping. There was a gray bonus fence, and if you jumped it clean, you got an extra 10 points added to your score. So I thought, "Hey, why not?" So off we went to this larger than the rest gray vertical. It wasn't till I was 2 strides away from the fence, that Brian the announcer, says "the approach...4 foot 1..." I was like "Well, too late to back out now!" Jester sailed over right in stride, but just tapped it behind. I was still extremely proud of him, considering the highest fence he's ever jumped was around 3'4. That day he had also jumped several 3'7 oxers as well.

Saturday, competition day, rode Jester for like 20 min in the morning, making sure he was quiet and loose. Rode dressage around 11, produced a score of a 37.3. I was pretty happy with the test, I didn't have him quite as connected as I would have liked, but overall a decent test for him. He stayed quiet and broke a 40, which we very rarely did this season. Jester positively rocked cross country. Felt like I was riding him around a 4 star. Jumped everything big and brave, jumped things on angles when I told him too, very adjustable. I made a stupid mistake and didn't give Jester a long enough approach to the ditch, so he didn't even see it, and when he did, it was too late for him to jump it. I knew it was my fault, so I just circled back and came to it again, the next time he jumped it beautifully, as I knew he would. Even with the refusal, we finished 15 seconds below optimum. I was so incredibly proud of him. Besides the fact, I felt like I was on top of the world.

Going into show jumping day, we were sitting in 6th. Jester was tired, but he still tried his heart out for me. We had one rail because we were having a bit of a "discussion", but after that the round was perfect. We finished in 6th. I could not have been happier with my little man. We have things to work on before next year, and I am so excited to see what he becomes.

Deb 'n Jester

Waredaca

So just for the record, I think I have the most amazing horse in the entire world. Had so much fun this weekend at Waredaca, and Jester was a SUPERSTAR.

I want to thank all of the Waredaca volunteers and staff for putting the show together. It really was great. We did the Training/Novice division, which I recomend to anyone thinking to move up. So, Jester warmed up for dressage amazingly. Went into the ring and rocked it with a 35.5 putting us behind a 3 way tie for the lead with a score of 35. Stadium was so much fun, its been a while since I've jumped a Training stadium course. We had one rail, but it was just a small error of inexperience. He was an absolute star for everything else. Cross Country was a blast. Clean and fast. Overall great day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuQrWF-2lBA

Flat Lesson Tuesday

So, Jester and I had our flat lesson yesterday afternoon. Might I add that it was freaking HOT. But even so, the little guy was FABULOUS. We worked on some counter canter, and getting him a little more responsive to my seat before doing my test for this weekend. The test was dynamite. Consistent, even, back was soft and supple, and our lengthenings were some of the best we've done. Our canter could have used a little more jump, but that's something I have to work on. Now if only I could keep my leg underneath me a little more when I sit...SIGHH. Oh well, always something to work on. . Ready for Waredaca!

I'd like to thank the COTH for giving me the idea to start one of these. Haha! Now I'll have something else to keep me occupied when I should be working.

Welcome everyone to my fun little blog of Jester and I(and any other horses that seem to come along for the ride). The name On Time Eventing, kind of came as a joke, but ended up sticking really well. My farrier, always calls our barn very slow, because since we have so many horses, a lot of times when we go to pick up horses for him, we are always late. Therefore, the name is kind of ironic. The other part of the name my trainer thought of, and I thought it sounded good. Therefore On Time Eventing was born.

I only own as of right now, one horse, and those of you that are on the chronicle may know him..his name is Jester. I bought him off of the track almost two years ago, and is currently competing at Training level eventing in Area II. I will keep updates for him.

I also ride many of our farm's horses, working with some of the new school horses we get in, depending on their ability level and age, either just work with them a few times and put them right into the lesson program, or work with them for a show season and compete them to give them some show mileage. Welcome to my new blog, and I will update more later, off to class I go!