Team Wind Chase was the first to drive the new FEI Pony Team Test 8C in Competition in the USA.
We arrived early on Tuesday morning to start our weeks work at the Florida Horsepark with our coach, Peter Tischer. It was super to have such a talented team driver school my ponies and offer encouragement- we could do it!
On Thursday Peter warmed the ponies up before dressage, they felt super! As we entered the ring, the ponies came to life! I think they knew this was another big milestone for team Wind Chase. A few glitches during the test, but overall a good experience on our first outing in the Advanced Division. That evening we walked and walked Hazards, carefully planning our routes, considering options and where the biggest challenges would lie.
We were invited by Michael Freund to take part in the cones clinic on Friday. Michael always sets up a demanding training course. At first we really struggled with several of the elements, but overall we finished with a better understanding of what we need to work on. A deep breath, and a smile, good ponies :)
Saturday morning arrived with beautiful sunshine. After our breakfast of champions, Team Wind Chase headed out in the early afternoon. Section A was quite bumpy but the ponies managed to stay quiet and soft in my hands. With a bit of encoragement, the walk section was made in Advanced time with no penalties. Ponies went on and cleared the vet checks with ease. Our training had paid off. All of the ponies were in good shape. Section E and its 6 Hazards drove well, except Hazard one, we struggled with a zig zag turn and the wheelers got stuck on a post. We quickly got ourselves dislodged and on again. The water complex was wide open, and ponies proved pulling the extra weight of a FEI marathon carriage was no problem! Top stepper, Evi did a fantastic job on the top step, keeping us looking ahead.
A foggy Sunday morning start, but the cones course revealed itself as the sun came up. We had not driven a full Advanced cones course in competition, the time is faster and the cones set even narrower. It started with a zig-zag, then we needed to remember and negotiate 19 additional sets of cones and keep speed! Peter had worked with us in the warm-up reassuring us of the pace. My heart was pounding as we entered the ring. Drivind calmly through the first combination and forward on ...somewhere around cone 17, I realized we were going to make the time and now it was time to go for it! Smiling ear to ear, we raced across the finish, in time, with just one ball down.
We had succesfully completed our first Advanced Event! Whooo Hoo! So Proud of the Ponies! Thanks to Peter, Evi, Pat, Herb, Lisa and Randy. Thanks to all of our Sponsors who keep Team Wind Chase looking and feeling their best!
With plenty of Homework to do we look forward to Live Oak International!