A day at LA equestrian center (pic heavy)

    • Gold Top Dog

    A day at LA equestrian center (pic heavy)

    So today I spent some time at the LA equestrian center with my sister and some of her clients.

    Here Is my sister warming up on zanaret ( some of you may remember I posted a while back zanaret's half brother rigoletto passed away) she rode her at prix st george level today. Usually she competes at intermediaire or grand prix on her but my sis has been out for a bit because she gave birth to my neice molly at the end of april. She took third, but a former olympian who is a judge (and like 65) took first because she always takes first (she knows all the judges) and another 60 year old well know trainer took second, so my sis feels like she got first lol with 66.75. [IMG]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pbpangel/IMG_0434.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pbpangel/IMG_0426.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pbpangel/IMG_0373.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pbpangel/IMG_0374.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/pbpangel/IMG_0359.jpg[/IMG]

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    One of her clients Mattie on her horse Zanzibar
    • Gold Top Dog
    This is trisha on her horse jet blue
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    This is Halsie on Riverdance, defending state champion in her level.
    • Gold Top Dog

    Your sister and her horse look wonderful in the pics. The one of the side pass the horse is stepping so strongly sideways the pic makes him look like he is spooking! I know he is not! Just made me giggle. Scores (my understanding) in the 60% range and higher are really good! Congratulations! Do you know the name of the Olympian? That is not a bad thing to be 3rd to that person.

    Years ago we went to a show at the KY Horse Park, and one of my friends at the barn followed Joe Fargis (Olympic Gold team and ind '84) into the ring. I remember my trainer saying to my friend "pay attention you are about to get a riding lesson, it isn't every day you get to follow an Olympian".  Then a few years later myself and two barn mates are warming up for a jumper class, waiting for our trainer. There was only us and one other person in the ring, and I noted to my barn mates that it was "Beezie Madden" they asked who that was. I was shocked that they did not know since they rode jumpers! I said "only the #1 female jumper rider in the WORLD!" sigh

    Nice Pics!
     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Neat pics! I find dressage fascinating - I've never really gotten a chance to get in to it, but some day :) Your sister and her horse look amazing! 

    • Silver

    Dressage is such an elegant sport.  Your sister looks so wonderful and so does her horse.. lovely name too!

    • Gold Top Dog
    Thanks guys :0) The olympian's name was hilda gurney or something like that. I know very little about it to be honest, but I agree it's so beautiful and fun to watch! It's a lot of fun to see people you know doing it lol.
    • Gold Top Dog

    WOW Hilda Gurney!!!!! I would have liked to see her ride too! She is a beautiful rider.

    I love watching upper level dressage. I have also enjoyed my minute moments of brilliance I have gotten out of my own horse. That being said I would never have the patience to take a horse to the upper levels. My favorite dressage class to watch is the "Kur" it is where the horses perform to music. Truly beautiful to watch.

    When you watch someone who knows how to do it, you do not see the rider doing one thing. So incredible, and speaking as a rider so incredibly difficult!
     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Those are awesome pics!!!  I'd love to see Hilda Gurney ride, too.  A few years ago I was at a big dressage show in Raleigh, NC, helping out at a booth for a local organization, and Robert Dover rode into the ring for his test.  You could have heard a pin drop in that arena.  Not a single person moved during his ride; it was like we were all in a trance.  It was amazing.

    I evented when I was younger (middle school through college), so I know how hard dressage is, and am fascinated by those who do it at the upper levels.  It takes so much dedication and training, and the end result is just so gorgeous.