sneak peek: we did the thing!!!!

We did it!!!!! Isabel and I had our redemption at Jenny Camp this weekend - and it was so very sweet :) 

hanging out with Isabel's cousin* right after crossing the finish line

In true equestrian blogger fashion I'll probably stretch this event into a couple posts - but figured you'd want the good stuff right off the bat: we finished with a number, not a letter. And our number was goooood. 

Dressage was a new personal best for us, and we managed to move up the rankings even after incurring penalty points in stadium. We pulled a respectable 3rd place overall, and 4th in dressage (this event awards dressage ribbons through 6th place). 

Plus we were the high point MCTA members in the division, so I got a pretty silver engraved MCTA picture frame in addition to my 3rd place prize of a thermos. They also took my picture with this silver plate thing-y, but I'm not sure if that means my name gets added to it or I just get put on some roster? Not sure, except that it will count toward year-end points somehow. 

this silver tag - hard tho it may be to see here - was another unexpected good luck charm and is among the things i have to write about

Anyways, I need to stop myself now or I'll keep writing and writing (lots I want to share!) but in reality I'm so very very tired and sunburnt and kinda burnt out in general after having my spirits mildly deflated by running over a screw when I parked at home - thus completely deflating (and killing) my tire. But honestly that's not really enough to dampen my mood. I'm pretty happy right now :)

It was a great day and the weather ultimately cooperated. Plus I had a phenomenal "groom" with me. Isabel was her usual rock star self and I couldn't have asked for any more!

*About Isabel's cousin: not quite sure that's exactly the right term, but that horse and Isabel are related and very likely spent time together as babies. That horse was owned by the woman I ran into jump judging at MCTA a couple weeks ago. She was volunteering as an outrider at the finish line for cross country and I immediately recognized the horse - how could you miss the resemblance?!? 

Isabel's sire is Admiral, who was sired by the same horse as this 'cousin': Enzio, who was by Aazrak, Ann McKay's exceptional stallion who provided the foundation for her breeding program. How very cool for them to meet again!