Returning to the Blogosphere...

Hey there! Yes, yes...I've been a very delinquent blogger, and my plan is to be MUCH better in this month leading up to FESTIVAL. Rally season is definitely in full swing here in the Capital Region, and non-rally weekends have been filled with my own competitions, judging in other regions, and oh, dressing horses up in wedding costumes! So a recap of what I've been doing:

May 22 was Capital Region's Games Rally, and I was an Assistant HM Judge for my friend Kate Rodney-Cote, a Chief from the Eastern PA Region. This was Kate's third year judging our Games rally, and I always enjoy having her come to our region. She is the CHMJ for Show Jumping at Festival, so if you've qualified and are planning on going to Kentucky for SJ, you will have a GREAT time!

(Left: Grady helps Kate with paperwork at the Capital Games Rally)

The highlight of the rally for me was awarding a special Sportsmanship award to Mackenzie T. of Frederick Pony Club. Mackenzie not only rode on an Advanced team, but helped with equipment in the ring for the Juniors, and THEN managed to keep our slew of Rising Stars competitors fed and on time...all without being asked! Such an amazing young woman, and a well-earned reward!!

The next week was very busy with work and designing bride and groom costumes for horses for the wedding of Pony Club grad John Cook and his new wife, Sara. Pony Club has played a significant role in John and Sara's relationship - shortly after they started dating, Sara shipped out to Kentucky with the Cook family to help with Polocrosse at Festival 2007. Not only did Sara stick around, but she actually started riding and playing Polocrosse herself, and she's learned a lot about Pony Club along the way - we hope to get her in a Horsemaster's program soon!

(Grady celebrates with Mr. and Mrs. Cook on their wedding day!)

(my event horse, Roger Rabbit, models pieces of the horse wedding costumes - the Groom's top hat, the Bride's "Fascinator" [the Cooks ARE English, so I took inspiration from the Royal Wedding!] and yes...that's a garter on a horse! Don't worry - everything had breakaway capabilities!)

Finally, this past weekend, I took the "super pony," Finders Keepers, to the last in a series of three starter horse trials at the beautiful Loch Moy Farm, home of the Maryland Horse Trials. There are 3 recognized horse trials at this facility every year, and they also host a bunch of starter trials. Finders Keepers (aka "Twix") belongs to the Capital Region's RS, and I have been lucky enough to be riding him for over a year. Last year we had great success at Beginner Novice, and this year, the little 14 hh Sport Pony marvel is showing the big horses how it's done at Novice. He was great at all 3 trials, ending up with two 3rds and a 2nd, and third place overall in the Series. Go Little Twix!

(Finders Keepers on his way to a first-place finish in Open Beginner Novice at the Maryland Horse Trials, October 2010...can you tell what my colors are?)

So...yeah...I've been busy, and it will only continue to be crazy from here on out! But I promise to post more often so that you have all the information you need for FESTIVAL!!! :)

Holy Cow...39 days 'til Festival 2011!!