Gearing up for our last show of the year: dressage-cross country-stadium.
Spanish Mustang at Steepleview Horse Trials
By Jennifer Klitzke
Nearly 130 horses competed at the 2013 Steepleview Horse Trials held Labor Day weekend in Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, and Training levels. Each of horse/rider team competed in three phases: Dressage, Cross Country and Stadium jumping. This was Indian’s Legend (Indy), my Spanish Mustang’s first recognized show and my first three phase event.
Dressage was the first phase and boy-oh-boy was it hot! Ninety-three degrees with humidity. The judge graciously waved coats, but I toughed it out for the camera. Indy and I were in first place after the dressage phase.
Next we had an hour to change into our cross country attire and prepare for the second phase. The goal was to negotiate and jump twelve stationary obstacles along rolling hills, woods, and water in five-and-a-half minutes without double refusals or falling off. Indy hesitated the first obstacle but I nudged him on and he jumped it in slow motion. The next fence he refused and I prodded him over, then Indy exuberantly galloped down the hill. I just prayed to God that he didn’t stumble! Thankfully, God answered that prayer. We completed the course with two refusals, a time fault, and slipped into third place.
Stadium jumping was the final phase and held the next day. It was nearly 30 degrees cooler than the first day. The goal was to jump all fences clean and in order within the allotted time. Several of the two foot fences were double oxers. Indy jumped the course clean without refusals. We would have made time if I didn’t lose my stirrup, but we managed to maintain our third place standing. Not only that, but our team took second place in the team challenge. We came home with the most beautiful ribbons I have ever seen, winnings that paid most of the entry fees, a few more friends, and lifetime memories to replace lifetime dreams.
A huge “thank you” to Steepleview Farm for opening their scenic and well equipped facility, for instructor Len Danielson who gave us the coaching and encouragement to give cross country a try, for the hundreds of friendly people who participated and spectated the event, and for the show organizers and volunteers who made it possible. I will never forget this milestone for as long as I live.
Steepleview Horse Trial Photo gallery>
Spanish Mustang: Dressage Phase
Spanish Mustang: Cross Country Phase
Spanish Mustang: Stadium Phase
Spanish Mustang at Rocking R
By Jennifer Klitzke
Perfect weather, no bugs, and friendly fans cheered me and my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend (Indy) at the Rocking R Farm schooling show held August 4, 2013. This show was our first time competing at cross country. Beginning with seven standard fences in the hunter course ranging from two feet to two feet, three inches, we made our way out to the jumping field over logs, flower boxes, culverts, ditches, banks, and benches. It was one of the most exhilarating rides of my life! I felt like I was riding the fantasy in my mind that has replayed for 20 years when I had longed to ride cross country but was too afraid to give it a try.
Well, my Spanish Mustang Indy has changed all that for me. He seems to enjoy the cross country as much as I do. We placed second of six horse/rider teams.
In addition to the cross country, we rode two hunter courses. Our form is improving each time, as long as I can remember to keep my weight back so that Indy can jump up from under me instead of falling onto the forehand.
Despite Indy having one refusal in the first course, knocking down two rails in the second course. and my grandma memory having trouble memorizing the three courses, we placed third of six in each hunter course.
A huge “thank you” to Rocking R Farm for opening up their wonderful dressage arenas, hunt course, and cross country course and a “thank you” to all of the friendly volunteers who help make this show possible. Thank you also to my saintly husband who gave up a pristine day of golf to capture these videos. What a wonderful man!
Video: Spanish Mustang riding cross country over fences
Video: Spanish Mustang two foot hunter course
Video: Spanish Mustang two-foot-three-inches hunter course
Spanish Mustang at Steepleview
By Jennifer Klitzke
Steepleview Cross-Country Schooling Days, my trusty Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend, and coach Len Danielson of North Run Farm helped me reach one of my lifelong dreams! I have always aspired to be an event rider, but paralyzing fear had held me back.
Twenty-five years ago I fell off a few too many times which resulted in debilitating panic attacks any time I felt out of control on a horse. The fear crippled me so much that I could only ride in a 20-meter circle at a walk going to the left in an indoor arena on a calm day with no distraction. That’s when I faced a cross roads: quit riding horses, the very thing I loved most, or face the fear in hopes of overcoming it. The latter won out as I pressed on for over two decades. And praise God, irrational fear no longer controls my life! And it helps to have a bold and sensible horse like Indy.
Indy and I had the best possible summer weather for Steepleview Schooling Days. About a dozen cross-country coaches donated their time on Friday-Sunday, July 19-20,2013 to instruct dozens of riders from starting to advanced levels. Len Danielson of North Run Farm coached Indy and I along with three other riders and their horses. We rotated around Steepleview’s superior cross country course through rolling hills and forest over obstacles, ditches, banks, and water obstacles. Had I been given a preview of what we would be encountering, I probably would have chickened out. But I trusted Len that he wouldn’t over face me or my horse and I am so happy we did it!
We warmed up by cantering up and down hills and jumping over cross rails and then a vertical before moving to fixed obstacles like logs, tree trunks, banks, ditches, and water structures. I loved it all! No doubt Indy’s favorite was the water. It was a nice way to cool off after a couple hours of riding.
At the end of our two-hour session, Coach Danielson looked at Indy and said, “Now that’s what I call an all-terraine vehicle. I love his attitude!”
A special “thank you” to my little friend Andrea for taking video of our special day!
Video: My Spanish Mustang at Steepleview