Southern Pines CDE

The Carolina Horse Park looks better each year I come to this show. The stabling is first rate and well laid out, with rubber mats in each stall and good secure metal doors. The area steeplechase was held on the grounds last weekend with thousands of spectators but you wouldn't know it from looking at the grounds. The grass is green and lush with rolling hills. Many areas have been cleared recently adding to the useful space for riding/driving and competing. There are two dressage rings here allowing for all levels to do dressage on Friday. It's so nice to be able to come a bit later and spend less time away from home.

The hazards are well constructed and challenging, with two water obstacles (one for advanced only). This year was a selection trial for ponies and pair horses, the last one in the US. One more in Canada at Bromont and then some in Europe remain during the summer.

We had a good go in dressage, with a more accurate test than at Live Oak, but a little less spark. My goal is the accuracy with the spark, too, a tough balance to find. We scored a 44.37 for first place. US Team coach Michael Freund suggested that we not do the marathon to save wear and tear on Cooper, so we started Section A and then retired so we can do the cones course tomorrow (a rule states that competitors must start each competition to compete in the next one). We will do cones on Sunday for practice. Suzy and Randy elected not to do the marathon as well.

Fran got to navigate on the marathon with Janelle Marshall, who did a great job and is currently in first place in our division. Kudos to Irene Gillis, who is in first place in Preliminary Single Pony going into cones. There was one accident in the first hazard that I saw, which was well handled and horse, driver and navigator seemed to be ok.

The show management did a wonderful job working with the weather forecast and competitors. They changed the marathon schedule during the day on Friday when it was clear that a huge storm would be hitting the area Saturday afternoon. They gave regular reports over the PA system about where and when the storm would hit. A tornado came through about five miles away but the hard rain/lightning/hail held off until everyone was finished and horses and equipment was put away. We all settled somewhere dry and rode out the storm for about 45 minutes, then the sun came out and it was a beautiful day again.

There are big puddles everywhere but with the sandy soil, it should be all gone by the morning. Cones were ready for walking at 4:30. Sunday is supposed to be sunny and warm, a perfect day for cones.