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Just when I think that things can't get any better, the final week of October turns out to be fantastic for Agape Dressage. Anna Calek and her trusty steed, Kaibab, traveled to ADA for the State Championships. Anna had only planned a day trip for Saturday but stayed overnight to lead the victory gallop! Anna and Kai capped off a successful first year showing together by winning the Training Level State Championship. Go Loose Lady!
While Anna was in Scottsdale, I journeyed with my horse, Bogotta+/, to Albuquerque for the US Arabian & Half-Arabian National Championships. Robin Ritter and my mom, Ann Alden, came along as support crew. I turned out to be the resident DQ as I was the one to vigorously enforce the "Dressage Riders Only" rule in the warm-up. After having been run-into twice in the space of 10 minutes the day prior to my first ride, I was NOT going to share my warm-up for the actual show day.
Bogotta+/ was awesome for the Prix St. George and we earned an average of 63% to earn Reserve National Champion. I even heard a "Go Loose Lady" from Robin in the stands. This year marked the first time that US Nationals offered Intermediaire 1. Bogotta+/ and I weren't quite as sharp but we held on to win the National Championship with a 61%! The wonderful thing is that this year there was actually an audience at the dressage ring. During the FEI classes, there were at least a few hundred people in attendance.
That evening the Champions and Reserve Champions from 4th-I1 were presented in Tingley Coliseum as part of the final evening's performance. One thing to understand, the final two nights of classes at Nationals are considered "Formal Nights". The judges wear tuxedos and ball gowns, there is a jazz band performing for the audience between classes, the audience dresses up (at least the people who paid for the box seats do), and they actually put down green shavings to make the arena look like it is made of grass. Following the Western Pleasure Championship, Bogotta+/ and I and the 3 other winners were asked to entertain the crowd of about 4000 for 10 minutes with some of our dressage "tricks". None of us had any idea what to do so we faked it! Bogotta+/ was a little nervous in front of the crowd but we did 3- and 2-tempi changes. Another woman did passage and extended trot. Yet another winner did some half-pass zig-zags. The crowd went wild. Their horses don't really do this kind of stuff so it looked pretty cool. At the end, the 4th level winner led out with trot half-passes and we all followed her lead. We then picked up the canter, did a pirouette, and then extended the canter right out of the ring. What a blast!
A debt of gratitude is owed to my mom whose love and support over the years made this possible. Many thanks to my husband, who seems to understand when I leave for days on end. Thanks also to Ellie Stine-Masek who continually helps to improve my education, much to Bogotta's relief. Bogotta+/ would also like to say thank you to Cheryl Casati who always makes him feel better after those hard rides.
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