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Area V show season officially began with the spruced up Meadowcreek HT this past weekend. We have always loved this show but the new owners have put a lot of effort into revamping the entire place and it shows! It was such a beautiful weekend and everything was so new and the grass was so green...great weekend to horse show!

As usual with the first show of the season, there were some highs and some lows. Half of the gang was gone on spring break but the others represented. In Training level, Lauren Hoover and Joey won the dressage, had a decent SJ round, and then went double clean on XC only to forget the finish flags and get eliminated. In Novice, Hannah Louis and Atticus showed improvement in their dressage but weren't rewarded for it, went clean on XC and SJ to finish strong. Erica Beadle and Patrick were second after dressage, went clean on XC with some time, and clean in SJ to finish 9th. Carly Cooper also improved her dressage but was not rewarded either and were going strong on XC until they were eliminated at the large drop bank. Martha Thomas and Shawn finished in 4th on their dressage score of 28!! Bethany Quine had terrible luck with the train which interrupted both their dressage and XC round but she managed to make the most out of both, finishing with just some time penalties added to her dressage test at her first event with Lea Dearing's, Ghazi Osbourne. 

In the BN, Cathy Jennings had an improved dressage test, one misunderstanding at the ditch on XC, and then unfortunately jumped the wrong jump in SJ. My new superstar horse, Belafonte D' Avalon, won his first event at BN, leading from dressage with his score of 30 and both double clean jumping rounds.

Kelly Carter completed her first event with her mare, High Moon, who I competed some in Aiken. She had a good dressage test, one stop on XC, and a clean SJ to finish in 6th place in the Starter division. Maria Granello campaigned Jan Dilepsy's Achilles to a 5th place finish in the Starter division in their first event together. Maria won the dressage but was awarded a stop at fence 8 on XC. We didn't feel that the stop really occurred but sometimes it's hard to protest. As my wise mother once told me, "Sometimes you get lucky, and sometimes you get unlucky, but it all evens out so ride your best and go with the flow." Wise lady, that Becky Brown. 

All in all, everyone rode great and we are really looking forward to Texas Rose HT in two weeks where the rest of the group will be joining us!!

Times flies when you're having fun!

SPORTING DAYS-RECOGNIZED
Susannah stayed through the week last week and competed at Full Gallop I and Sporting Days on Saturday. Katie flew in on Friday to compete March for the first time at Sporting Days. After a rough-ish start in the dressage ring, both girls put in well-ridden albeit slightly forward SJ rounds followed by double clean XC rounds. Katie finished 7th and Susannah finished 10th. It's amazing the level of competition out here. What would easily put you in the ribbons in Texas just ins't quite good enough out here...which is exactly why we come! Both girls handled the new surroundings, new level, new horses, and new format(one day) with style. 

Beth is really coming along with her progress on Strider. Teaching a young horse is never easy and sometimes you have to sacrifice your score for the education of the horse. After a better, but unappreciated, dressage test, she had 1 rail and a stop on XC. Much was learned and certainly will help for the future. 

Luna is really coming along. After a tough go at Full Gallop(trakheners are scarrrrry), she dropped her dressage score by 8 points and went double clear in SJ and XC to finish 4th.

SPORTING DAYS-UNRECOGNIZED
Goooooo Harry!! Sporting Days held an unrecognized CT on Sunday, the day after their recognized show, and it was Harry's turn. For future reference, his nicknames are, but not limited to, Senor Hot Stuff, Studly, Mr. Pony, Stinky Pony, Harry Pony, etc. etc.- just so you know who we are talking about. Anyways, Harry was entered in the BN CT and he did not disappoint. After winning the dressage with a 28.5(best of both divisions), he did two very good SJ rounds. In his first round, he had a few green moments but came back and jumped everything perfect and without hesitation. While he's been here, he has also been XC schooling alot. I can't wait to debut him at recognized shows with the intent of qualifying him for Novice at the AEC's. 

FULL GALLOP
Gold star of the day goes to Bethany...she was able to see the bigger picture of using Sporting Days as a needed learning experience and it paid off by placing 3rd at Full Gallop and qualifying herself for the AEC's at Novice. She got a 36 in dressage and went double clean in both jumping phases.

Due to Luna's bad experience with the trakhener, we decided to take it easy and just do a combined test at this show to prepare her for Pine Top this weekend. After placing 2nd after dressage she went double clean in SJ. All the comments from the dressage judges have been very positive- listing her as "athletic" and "full of potential." I'm excited to finish this trip strong and had over the reins to her owner, Kelly Carter. The mare is so smart and has learned a ton. Really exciting.

Viv had a rare but off day today. Last week, following Tuesday's sad events, she really fended for herself and it showed in all phases but the cross country. Today, I was her partner again- scoring a 36 in dressage and dropping only 1 rail in a very difficult SJ course. XC proved to be more demanding and after a few turning problems we called it a day early on and will regroup for Pine Top this weekend. You can't win them all and Viv's confidence is her biggest asset; I aim to preserve it.

That's all for now. Friday we leave for Pine Top in GA with all the horses except Harry showing and will make our way home from there. Looking forward to seeing everyone!!

On January 21st and 22nd, we were lucky enough to have the all-mighty God of eventing, Jimmy Wofford come to Buckbranch! People came from hours away to audit, and ride in the two day clinic, which featured stadium jumping. Here is a recap of both days!


Day 1: Riders arrived as early as 6 o’clock in the morning preparing for Jimmy to come. All the horses were spotless, and I have never seen more sparkling clean tack in my entire life! Everyone was dressed to impress and looked very respectful, because Jimmy firmly believes that your presentation says just as much about your riding as your actual riding does. At about 7:30, before our short Q & A with Jimmy, a group of both auditors and riders went to sit outside in the picnic area. It was a little chilly, but everybody could only grin and bear it. When Jimmy arrived, we were told to “Just act normal.” The session lasted about an hour, with people asking questions that would help them with their horses, position, etc. Thirty minutes later, Group 1 tacked up and was ready for their first day of the clinic, Gymnastics. Each group had eight people, and was two hours long. Group 2 was next, finishing the day with Group 3. Jimmy gave great instruction and individualized it very well according to the rider. Once your lesson was finished, most people would go jump crew for the next group. Not only was it fun, but you would have a front seat for auditing, which also is a big help to improving your own riding. After everyone was done, it was back to tack cleaning and making your horse look absolutely spotless for the second day of the clinic. 




Day 2: Everyone arrived early again for the second day of the clinic, featuring courses. Group 1, 2, and 3 were right on schedule and having a great time! The courses were fun, yet tricky, and the dressage circles in between each line of fences really helped the horses settle down, because like yesterday, it was cold! A ton of people got pictures with Jimmy before he left, but below are pics of some of the Buck Branch gang from the clinic. I think I speak for all when we say a huge thank you to Jimmy for coming and we hope that he’ll come back soon!