Last Day of Eventing Camp: Cross Country

Sorry all, not only was the work trip from hell I got a damn sinus infection to boot. Still not 100 percent in the ears (DAMN 34k feet will get you each way in a plane!) but getting better thanks to a lovely sinus cocktail shot and a script of antibiotics. This sucks. I have od’d on over counter medicine this week almost just to be able to participate in our staff retreat. Not a fun week at all. Also this week has been HOT.

BUT ONTO what was fun a few weeks back. GOOD THING I TOOK NOTES RIGHT?? Get ready this one is a long one. Might want to pour a drink or make some popcorn first.

When I woke up on Thursday I started packing and even hooked up my trailer when I got to Chatt so I was ready to load and GO after we were done. The weather was holding off. We were going to go cross country. I got some stuff loaded then drove golf cart down to watch some things going as I didn’t ride till the 2nd or third group. There were three or four groups around as you drove down the hill.

I got ready and tacked Remus up. Got him all ready to go. We met up with our ladies from the previous day and wandered down the hill. Me on the buckle. Remember this. So everyone started trotting back down the hill. Remus who usually gives zero shits. LOST HIS SHIT. We are going down a steep hill and my horse is trying to whip around, shaking his head and being a total jerk. I thought about it. Sat there for three more seconds and went F it. I am getting off this idiot before he rolls down the hill Teletubbies style and all.

So I hopped off and then tried to lead him down the hill without him losing more of his brains on the way. He was so tight his muzzle was in a knot. I kid you not. He was in a state. I started wondering if I was going to be able to ride him he was that wild. For Remus that is saying a lot. It was not quite Piggate but almost.

Anyway we got down to where my group was and he settled a bit. He also fell in love with that adorable Welsh stallion with the flaxen mane and tail. One person asked how I was going to get on and I was like on a jump. So off we went to find something I could climb aboard. My horse was a bit better but still a bit squirrely so I asked Jodie who was watching if she could hold him. And then I was on my horse and he was okay. He looked around realized that it was cross country and was like oh…we aren’t all being murdered?? My bad. Horses. I swear.

Waylon commented when he saw Remus that Remus certainly looked different cross country. I was like wait five minutes and he will be lazy again. And he was. But so much fun. He started us out just trotting and cantering around. Then we popped over some baby logs. Merance rode her bike down to video for me which is the only reason you have media coming. Thank you again for doing that, Merance.

Remus was pretty good throughout the ride a bit looky but it was a bit humid so he settled well. It is hilly there, reminds me of Fair Hill a bit. So you know us and hills. Yeah he got tired quick. But it was a great lesson. Waylon just worked on each of us and our issues. One lady had been tossed in the mud the day before with her horse so even though she was sore she did a bunch of baby jumps and got over her fear and her horse was so good. The Welsh stallion was a last minute substitute and had only had 25 rides give or take before coming. It was so amazing watching Waylon work with her by not pushing that baby but giving him his time and telling the owner what to do to let him learn how to jump without freaking him out. By the end of the lesson, that pony was jumping like he had been doing it for years. What a star. Everyone did great. It was a good group of people. The young girl with her green mare did great too. We all were laughing and having SO much fun. By the time we got to the water and jumped some more I told Waylon we were done. We still had more time but he agreed we had all done a lot and were ready to be finished.

So we meandered back up and that was it. Camp was over. It was so much fun and I just hope I can swing it and go again next year. I met a great group of people and learned SO MUCH!

Ha these are nothing great. I mean he was so tired and lazy but he tried his heart out. PLEASE NOTE WE DID NOT JUMP only the tiniest jumps. We may have even jumped a few larger jumps for us, this is huge. Also in no particular order. The videos of my fat buckskin 🙂 Enjoy!

Pay attention to this one he almost dumped my ass looking at all the crap in the woods. Damn scaredy cat!

I love/hate my horse. Especially when he acts like that!

But we jumped most of the things and even did water which are hilarious videos. I think I will save those videos for another day. I am tired and need to go to bed. We had a blast. And I literally was on the road by midday heading home. Remus got off at Trinity and was very relieved to be home. He was a star really. I mean he would not be Remus if he didn’t have his moments would he?

Thanks for following along and thanks for being patient (HA!) This one’s for you Leigh!