A Day of Firsts

One of my favorite things about horses is that the new adventures and experiences never stop coming. We are always presented with new "firsts," and that makes the sport forever exciting.

Last Sunday, June 17th, brought many new "firsts." It was my first trip to the Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials in Poolesville, Maryland. I have competed across much of the country, but this was my first trip to this lovely event practically in our back yard (just up around the Beltway of Washington, DC). The event was well-run and smooth, and I always enjoy going to the local events to see a new generation of eventing fans learning and competing. The ground was in remarkably good shape considering the lack of rain this summer in this part of the country.

Perhaps most importantly, Seneca was the first event for my new horse Rufus. He is turning in to a lovely young event horse, and I was so pleased with his performance. Rufus turned in an obedient dressage test to score 39.5, seventh out of fifteen horses. He was a little spooky and inexperienced in the show jumping, causing one rail to fall. Next was cross country. We trotted out of the start box to the first jump. Rufus pricked his ears when he saw it and continued to canter around the course confidently and easily (minus a rather dramatic leap half way across the water obstacle!). We finished in 8th place, and I couldn't be more happy with Rufus' debut.

I also had some special visitors at Seneca experiencing their first horse trials. The first was Dr. Tom Tweeten, PhD of EquiScentials Horse Care Products. Dr. Tweeten spent four days in Virginia learning about this particular discipline of equestrian activity. He delivered a lecture about his horse care products and grooming methods on Friday evening, and I think we got him "hooked" on the sport on Sunday. The Keffer Family, with whom I live, also came to cheer on Rufus at Seneca. An avid fox hunting family, Mr. Keffer and the kids, May, Abby and Griffin, watched the event in preparation for their own first event in two weeks. It's an exciting and busy time here, and I'm loving introducing new people (and horses!) to the sport.

This coming weekend is the Surefire Horse Trials just up the road in Purcellville, VA. It will be Rufus' first novice! I'll report back after that!