Passing the Torch...

I'd like to encourage everyone interested in following the 2010 NAJYRC (Junior Equestrian Olympics) this year to follow Jessie's teammate's blog...Heather Beachem is writing about the experiences of Region 3!

Heather's blog can be found at:

http://bigheartsmallhorse.blogspot.com/

Third Time's a Charm?

This was a pivotal year for Jess.  She and Coda have worked really hard on the Young Rider tests but between the demands of Senior Year, applications to colleges and graduation, things didn’t start to really come together for them until the end of the qualifying season.

And the hard work paid off.  They have qualified and will be on the NAJYRC Region 3 Team…Jess’ 3^rd showing!  The girls on her team are very strong and talented riders, although two of them are new to the competition.  Both Heather Beachem, 21 years old, and a barn mate of Jess’s, and Erica Marino, 20 from Alabama, are attending their first NAJYRC.  Bryn Cahill, 18 and from Florida, was a part of the 2008 Junior Region 3 Team.

Even before they were sure they would make the team, the girls have been busy securing sponsorships.  Part of this process also involves making decisions about the clothing that will be worn…you want to look like you are a team.  Part of it is also acting like your fellow teammates are on your team.  Dressage is not a team sport, but making it so helps the participants to connect and recognize their common goals.  I remember the first time Jess rode on a team in 2007, it was really hard to be friends with your competition.  But over the years I think she has learned that it is a good thing to be friends with her fellow riders.  It isn’t always easy when you are riding against each other, but, in fact, they are some of the few people who can empathize with your experiences on a horse!  And, being on a team doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to be friends, but it does mean that you have to be supportive of each other and work to promote your region by having a positive attitude. 

This is also going to be Jess’ last time at the NAJYRC because in the fall she will be attending The University of the South:  Sewanee.  She is going to hang up her dressage boots and hopefully don some chaps for the Sewanee Hunter Jumper Team.  We’ll see!  So, this Championship is a little bittersweet.  We will find Coda a new rider and Jess will go to College and things will be different in our world.

It's a Whole New Test

Jess and Coda attended the Good Horseman Foundation’s Three Horsemen Dressage Show recently in Conyers, Georgia.  Although it “doesn’t count” for the Festival of Champions or North American Junior and Young Rider Championships qualifying scores, it was a good opportunity for Jess and Coda to get some show practice at the Young Rider’s level.

The warm up, prior to the test, was wild!  We were all unsure if it was the excitement of being at a show, or the warmer weather, or maybe, just Coda being Coda…but he was very, very fresh!  In their first test, the Young Rider team, Jess scored a 72.895%!  They have NEVER scored so high before.  And, it wasn’t a perfect test, either.  They missed their last “4” and Coda had a “bonus” change in his entry.  The Extended Canter was described as “a brave effort” by the judge…they went for it!  But you can make a few mistakes like that when you get 8’s on your shoulder-ins and half passes and 8’s and 9’s on canter pirouettes (co-efficient, no less)! 

The next day Coda was still a Fresh Mess!  The Individual Test didn’t go as well with Jess scoring a 61%.  Jess was disappointed, especially after having such a strong showing the day before.  But, that’s what it’s like at a horse show riding a “hot” horse…some days are fabulous and others aren’t.

Jess’s barn-mate and friend from Top Hat, Heather Beacham, is also vying for a spot at both Championships as a Young Rider.  Heather is 21, so this is her last year to qualify.  Her horse, “Puff” is an adorable chestnut…much smaller than Coda, but they could definitely do a Pas de Deux!  Heather was very stressed her first day and it showed…she and Puff were “stiff”.  But the next day, she was so relaxed and that translated into a different partnership for the test.  Heather and Puff scored a 68% and everyone was thrilled for them!

Part of competing with your friends is sometimes being beat by them…and sometimes beating them.  But, I think the benefit of this experience is that these young women learn to be there for each other…learning to juggle a range of emotions and do so being completely genuine. 

The lessons my daughter is learning from showing and loving horses, being a part of the world of Dressage, is something that can’t be replicated anywhere else, definitely not in any classroom.  Where else can a young woman, a teenager, really, sit atop a 1500-pound animal and know that anything is possible; this is a new day, a new test, and a new opportunity to be their best together?

The First Show on the Road to Young Riders (2010)

The Wellington Classic is Jess’s first CDI as a Young Rider. I decided, rather than write a narrative about our adventures since yesterday morning at 7:20 a.m., I’d write my Top Ten List…

What I love about horse shows…and what I’ll remember (So Far) about this one…

1.     1.  driving 10 hours with 2 horses through crazy windy conditions…with one horse snapping his halter and the other’s halter not even being “leashed”

2.     2,  stopping on the side of the road with cars and trucks whizzing by at 70 mph while we crawl into the trailer to put on a new halter (thank God for back ups) and “leash” the other one

3.     3.  our horse friends who run out of gas with 20 minutes before they arrive at the overnight barn (Love ya, Laura and Heather!)

4.     4.  the exhausting process of unloading the trailer and setting up the stalls and tack rooms (with a cart with flat tires…)

5.     5.  the emotional upheaval during schooling and before the jog

6.     6.  drama…lots of drama

7.     7.  waiting for the ride times…especially the 8:20 a.m. slot

8.     8.  dinner celebrating #52 with a friend who is far from her family on her birthday (Love you, Kathy!)

9.     9.  getting pulled over by the police because Wellington has crazy medians and we can’t figure out how to get out of the shopping center going the right direction (SO much fun, Jody and Kathy!!!)

10. 10.  Dedication, commitment, sacrifice, optimism, support, LOVE….PASSION!

Officially a Young Rider

Today I mailed all the paperwork to the USDF…Jess is officially a Young Rider! 

This past weekend Jess rode in a clinic with Axel Steiner and the change in her was evident.  She is no longer a Junior rider…she is a young woman ready for new challenges.  So Monday morning I went to the USDF website, downloaded all the forms to fill out to declare her a Young Rider and got to work.  It isn’t a simple task…there are lots of forms and lots of numbers (USDF, USEF, FEI, Passport).  Then there’s making sure the horse’s passport is current and all the shots and Coggins are up to date.  And picking the shows (who are the judges, are they CDI’s or not, how far away are they) to attend and finding their prize lists on the web can sometimes be a frustrating endeavor!  Jess ordered herself a new Shad Belly…I have no idea what that cost!  And we worked on writing her bio.  Seeing all my daughter’s accomplishments put down in writing took my breath away…and solidified how truly ready she is for this new test of her riding ability. 

Jess and Karen have choreographed her freestyle and we’ve chosen a new company to put it together for us.  Selecting the music isn’t as straight-forward…Jess took advantage of having the time with Mr. Steiner and asked him for some guidelines when selecting music.  He was very helpful…especially in making it clear what was not appropriate.  Next week I will video her riding the test and mail it off with our ideas for the music.  She won’t worry about riding the freestyle until April.

For now, Jess’s sights are set on February in Wellington, Florida.  We’ll be trailering down with her horse, Coda, for her first show as a Young Rider.  It’s a CDI…with tough but fair judges…and lots of great competition!

The Road to Young Riders

This weekend my daughter rode her first Prix St. Georges at the Good Horseman Dressage Show in Conyers, GA.  Although she has been learning and practicing the new movements off and on this past year, since returning from the NAJYRC in July, she and Karen have really focused on perfecting them.

One thing I have learned as a "Show Mom" is that there is no such thing as "perfection" in a dressage test.  However, this weekend, Jess had a high and a low in her first PSG performances.
  

On Saturday, she rode down the center line, halted and saluted.  The test was incredible...every thing she and Karen knew she was capable of.  Almost perfection!

On Sunday, riding for Axel Steiner, she went in to the warm up a little too early and both Jess and Coda seemed tired when they rode their test.  It wasn't effortless.  Not perfection...

This show "didn't count" towards qualifying for Young Riders.  It was a practice run and Jess learned what she is capable of in the ring with this test.  She was also reminded that nothing comes easy and you always have to give your all and be your best to get the scores you want.

I'm excited for Jess and Coda as they embark on this journey and I'm especially proud that they put so much into making their dreams come true. Good things come to those who work hard...

Footnotes

Update on Megan Davis:

In spite of an incredibly scary fall from her horse during her Freestyle on Saturday, Megan is going to be fine. She split her lip and it required some stitches to repair and her face was sore and swollen, but NO broken bones! We are all so grateful that Megan is fine! Thanks to everyone for thinking good thoughts!

Immediately after the Junior Freestyle on Sunday, the awards ceremony was held for the top 10 girls. Afterwards, the grooms (ME!) had to take the horses from the riders and take them back to the barn as the Medals ceremony was to be held immediately afterwards. I have never walked Coda back to any barn let alone a 15 minute walk to THIS barn. I was very intimidated...and I chickened out...Thankfully, Sarah Crosier (a Junior rider from Atlanta who was there as Ellen Wall's groom) came to my rescue and walked him back with me. I was lucky to get Coda untacked, sponged off, watered, fed and make it back to the Arena before the Closing medals ceremony began! Whew!

It was a fantastic event with our girls linking arms and synchronizing their march up the podium to receive their Silver Team medal. As soon as the ceremony was over at 7 p.m. trailers were hitched, horses loaded and folks headed for home. It was an emotionally exhausting day so we chose to stay one more night and get an early start for home on Monday. We were at the barn by 6 and on our way by 6:30. It was an easy drive back to Atlanta and as we pulled into Top Hat Dressage Coda was greeted by all his barn mates! It was a great Welcome Home!

What's next? I think Jess will probably do the Regional Championships so she can ride her Freestyle without any technical glitches...and then I think she and Karen will get started on schooling for the Young Rider tests. After three years of Juniors, Jess is ready for a new challenge. So in 2010, Jess will graduate from High School, there will be a new group of riders vying for a spot on the Junior Team and a new group of riders vying for a spot on the Young Rider team. Wish us luck in our new adventure!

What do you do when the music stops?

Crazy day...the ride times kept changing...1:40 to 3:40 to 5: 40 to 4:40...it kinda messes with you. The riders are braiding, grooming and for a few, warming up when the times change again.

There is so much that goes into the Freestyle ride...choreographed by the trainer and rider, it is a chance to show your personality through your music selection. The "test" is practiced until the movements sync with specific aspects of the music. It is creative and fun. At least it is supposed to be.

Jess and Coda entered the ring and rode down the center line. It was perfect! Everything was going amazingly well...high scores. Then, the music started to do something strange...it was almost like someone was turning the volume up and down. Technical difficulties...was it the CD or the sound system or the CD player...who knows? All I know is that my amazing daughter switched off the music she was hearing over the speakers and "danced to the music in her head". She rode her entire freestyle...flawlessly...to music only she could hear. And it was magnificent. I cried, as did Karen, for the failure of the CD...but later, when I really thought about what Jess did in the ring, I wanted to cry because I am so incredibly proud of her ability to overcome something so difficult and unnerving and still put in such a fabulous performance scoring a 66.75 and placing 7th.

All the riders this week at the NAJYRC deserve to be recognized for the achievement of making it here...they also need to be recognized for what it took to compete here. Nerves of steel...

Terrifying moments...

The Young Riders were nearly done with their Freestyle tests when Megan Davis was bucked off her horse in the middle of her test. She was taken away by ambulance. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Ellen Wall braiding Tivo

Jess and Coda (In the Test!!!)

Individual Accomplishments

After an hour delay because of severe thunderstorms early this morning, the sun finally came out, the puddles mostly dried and the temperature started to soar. It got hot! And the Junior Individual tests were under way.

An hour delay doesn't seem like a big deal, but when you are already at the barn getting your horse groomed, braided and your "head in the game", it can be a little unnerving...but, ultimately it means more time to sit around and wait for your ride time.

Three of the four Junior Riders scores qualified them to be in the Freestyle on Sunday. Only the Top 15 get to Show. Ellen Wall placed 11th, Jess placed 9th and Lauren Knopp was awarded the Silver Medal for her Individual Test! A super showing by all our Region 3 girls!

The girls are physically and emotionally exhausted at this point in the competition and today was tough. They were competing against each other. And all of them wanted to be the winner.

Tomorrow it will happen again. Although, each girl's freestyle is choreographed by them (and their trainers), the music often reflects their likes and personality and it is just plain, downright, FUN! They are all competing for a medal...Gold, Silver or Bronze...but this time they are judged on a number of required movements, their music, originality and the execution of the choreography.

It is a huge accomplishment to be in the Top 15 and get to ride the Freestyle. This competition started with 36 Riders and the field has now narrowed to 15...what an honor!

Photos from the YR Individual Awards Ceremony

Mary Cameron Rollins and Rose Noir 2

Individual Young Rider Gold Medalist

"MC" during the National Anthem

The Victory Gallup!

Everyone is tired. It is day 5 for us...not enough sleep, lots of emotion, some drama, riding, mucking, late nights and early mornings and right about now is when all that hard work starts to get to you.

The Juniors schooled at nine while the first Region 3 Young Rider was putting in her individual test at 9:15. Caroline Roffman received an impressive 65.421% and was followed by Amanda Stearns at noon, who scored a 63.053%. At exactly 12:08 p.m. Mary Cameron Rollins rode down the centerline and put in a gorgeous, elegant, impressive ride and was rewarded by the judges with a 70.263%!!! The stands erupted into applause and the huge smile and tears on MC's face showed she was thrilled with her performance! Mom, Jo Hyer, Trainer, Patrick Burssens and boyfriend, Werner couldn't have been more proud!

Both Mary Cameron and Caroline qualified to ride their Freestyles! Unfortunately, Amanda was 16th and the Top 15 riders advance to the Freestyle.

Tomorrow the Juniors ride their Individual tests and are going for the Individual Medals: Gold, Silver and Bronze. Although the girls are still a team, they are also now competitors...a very weird place to be. They will be supportive of each other, as they have been all week, but will hope their ride will be the winning ride.

My wish is that all of the Region 3 girls have their best rides of the week and come out of the ring knowing they did their best...regardless of how they place...

Junior Individual Ride Times:

7:54 Kati Dagge

11:29 Jessica Deimler

11:58 Lauren Knopp

12:22 Ellen Wall

Photos from Team Test (Silver Medal)

Heading to the Awards Ceremony

The Junior Team

The Awards

Hamming it up...

Leaping for Joy!

...and one more time!

Region 3 Juniors win the Silver Medal!!!!!

They did it! Our region 3 girls started the day off with Ellen Wall and her horse, Tvuari, at 7:30 this morning riding in the very first time slot of the day! She had nerves of steel and put in a pretty terrific ride earning a 64.342. Next up was Kati Dagge and it was probably the most difficult ride she has ever had. Her beautiful stallion, Dream of Love, spooked repeatedly...but she did a wonderful job of getting him through the test and didn't get eliminated. Unfortunately her score reflected the difficulties she had and would end up being the team's drop score. Jess went down the center line at 10:25 this morning with a very tight Coda, but put in a very solid ride with a score of 62.811. Our final rider for the team, Lauren Knopp, had her turn in the ring with Rho Dance and also had a very solid ride. Her score of 63.459 secured the girls a spot in the medals... but we wouldn't know until nearly an hour and a half later when the remaining Junior riders completed their rides! Finally, back in the barn awaiting the news from our Chef, Sue Bender, we got the call! The girls got the Silver medal behind the Canadian team!!!! There was tons of hooting and hollering and hugs and woo-hoo's! Now we had to get the horses tacked back up for the awards ceremony and back to the arena in 15 minutes...Everyone kicked into high gear and each horse had a posse' of folks putting on their polos, saddle pads, saddles, and finally the bridles. The girls quickly wiped down their boots and put back on their show hats and jackets. In a flash, the four girls were mounted and walking off together towards the Main Arena...the moms and dads left behind, all incredibly proud and in awe of their girls and trainer's accomplishments.

Excitement and terror...those two words pretty much sum up the Awards Ceremony. Everything went smoothly, as it usually does, until the victory lap. Coda started jumping around and rearing and backing up and we were all absolutely terrified for Jess. She was so strong and focused and tried so hard to get him under control, but it just wasn't working. Finally, she took him out of the ring, but he was already spooled up and still a little crazy. Karen ran over to Jess from the stands in her flip flops to grab him, but she didn't get there until Jess had taken Coda out. Jess and Coda made it back to the barn safely with the other girls and their mounts, but it really shook us all up quite a bit. That was the last victory lap Jess will ever do on Coda...

Back in the stalls the horses went and off the girls went to be interviewed, leaving the "posse" to once again untack the horses and get them watered and give them hay. I think the horses were as exhausted as the parents, trainers and grooms!

I can't think of any other way to explain how I feel...kinda surreal and totally magical. Did my kid really win a Silver Medal in Dressage at the NAJYRC?

Other than supporting Jess with trailering, our time and financial resources, this accomplishment is something she did solely with the commitment of time, talent and love of her trainer, Karen Lipp. Karen is an amazing woman and an even more amazing rider and trainer.

But, there are lots of other people who have supported Jess in this goal including all of her barn friends at Top Hat Dressage in Canton, GA (Christi, Lori, Kayce, Kris, Sydney, Lara, Melody, Alyssa, Rick, Cathy, Elizabeth, Michelle, Heather, Jessica, Sarah, Carol, Anne...Heather, our barn manager and Jose, our assistant barn manager), our farrier, Andy Snell and our vets, Dr. Nash and Dr. Patterson, in addition to all our friends and family (near and far). To get to the NAJYRC you have to have a village helping you to achieve your goals. And, it helped a lot that our girls were truly a team today...supportive, affectionate, encouraging and above all good sports!

It ain't over! Saturday Jess will compete for an Individual medal and hopefully, she will place to ride her Freestyle on Sunday. But, for tonight, we are going back for a Pizza Party and to celebrate a super day at the Kentucky Horse Park!

Photographs from the Young Rider Team Test

Photos from Tuesday

Young Riders (McKenzie, MC, Amanda and Caroline) before the jog.

Junior, Lauren Knopp and Rho Dance

Katrin Dagge and Dream of Love

Ellen Wall and Tvuari

Jess and Coda (Ragtime V)

Kati, Jess, Ellen and Lauren

The Region 3 Young Riders and their biggest cheerleaders...Moms!

The Juniors...Kati, Jess, Lauren and Ellen

Region 3 Young Riders are Victorious and take the Bronze Medal!

Sometimes you don't know what you are capable of doing until you do it. Amanda Stearns, the first rider for the Region 3 Young Riders had probably one of the best rides of her young career. She scored an impressive 67.316! I was talking to her mom after the awards ceremony and learned that Amanda is off to Elon University in North Carolina right after the Championships and she isn't taking her horse with her. The Championships are the last time Amanda and Reva will be a team...what a wonderful way to end your career together...a Bronze medal! Of course, there's still the Individual test and hopefully, the Freestyle! Mary Cameron Rollins and Rose Noir had a wonderful ride, today, also scoring 66.474. Both McKenzie Jenkins (60.737) and Caroline Roffman (60.526) had difficult rides today, but their scores helped lift the team into the Bronze Medal! Yay, Region 3 Young Riders!

The day started off with overcast skies and the Juniors schooling time was 8 a.m. Luckily, the rain held out until after they rode. Then, slowly, the rain began to intensify until by the time we left after the awards ceremony, it was absolutely pouring. Most of the Young Riders had to do their tests in the rain, because, although the stadium seating is covered, the ring is not. Everyone and every thing is soaked! Deja vous...Gladstone!

Kati, Jess, Ellen and Lauren have spent the day hanging out together and leading the cheering section in the stands for Region 3. It was wonderful to see them all together supporting their Young Riders. They were soooooo loud, the Young Riders each looked up into the stands and waved to them after their rides!

Shortly, we'll be heading back to the barn to get ready for the Opening Ceremonies...

Me and Karen! I exist!