Belated end of summer update.

the last few weeks have been spent prepping for the Carolina B testing in Aiken at the beautiful Jumping Branch Farm. Four Carolina girls went for the rating.
In the last THREE DAYS, the lameness problems hit. It was sad, that's all I can say. These young women have worked so hard all summer for this and it all fell apart on them at the bitter end. Boo.
However, they have a lot to be proud of.
Arielle Ostrov was so totally ready. Her flat sections went great, with complements for both her tactfulness on her horse as well as an extremely effective switch ride.
She trotted out for the Grid section and Pheobe was lame! In the preceeding weeks, Arielle had offered horses to fellow Pony Clubbers in need of a horse and here her girl was off. Her mare Darla was there and did flat with Sammi Jo Majors, so off they ran to get her. After the Grid, Darla was worn out. Sammi had passed nicely with Darla on the flat but was not able to ride the switch horse to the examiners satisfaction. So, Sammi stepped up and let Arielle ride HER horse for the course work.
These are the moments that make PC so worthwhile. Did this end happily ever after? No. Arielle tried her heart out but could not figure out Bailey over a maximun course in a 1 minute warm up. Another " Does Not Meet Standard". Boo, again.
Megan Cullen had problem after problem with her horses this summer. Arielle offered two horses, but they were too big for Megan. At the LAST MINUTE plan "D" went into affect, take my horse Lina for the flat and jump Finess. Lina is a very pleasant, but not naturally talented horse. There is a reason she is not doing third level, folks.
Megan could not produce what the examiners wanted, because Lina couldn't do it. Boo yet again.
Jessie Kirpatrick's jumping horse was kicked monday night. No, really. Five days before the rating. After much panic stricken activity, Jessie was offered the Hoffman's wonderful mare Sassy. Jessie brought her up thursday to jump, then went home and jumped every horse in her barn. Jessie passed the flat, the switch, the longeing..... but not quite there over fences. After the course work, Sassy was done. Jessie stayed to set fences, a classy act.
I was very proud of all of them.
Hopefully, next time will be the outcome they all deserve.