Selected as "spotlight rider" for Horse Radio Network WEG program!

BIG EXCITING NEWS ALERT!

The Horse Radio Network has selected yours truly as a "spotlight rider" for their World Equestrian Games program. They will be follow one rider from each discipline in their quest to compete in the 2010 WEG. I had my first interview last week and although I was nervous, I can say it was really fun talking to "Glenn the Geek" and Samantha Clark. They were very easy to talk to and I look forward to my next interview. They will be following us for the next 16 months and will interview me every 8 weeks. I will post every time there is a new interview so stay tuned. In the mean time I suggest you check out their website and listen in to their other programs! You can find my interview here.

Charles Owen helmets ROCK!!!

I have had a Charles Owen GR8 helmet for the past 18 months and LOVE it. It is the most comfortable and attractive helmet I've ever had. AND it protects my noggin!

Lets face it, helmets are ugly and hard to fit and uncomfortable at times. I was not a helmet wearer until the GR8. Now I'm like a walking billboard. I have received compliments on this helmet since the day I started wearing it and the latest compliment came from little miss Holly Bergay back in Chicago while we were there for champs. For the Para Dressage we are required to wear a helmet for show so I'm pleased to announce that the good folks over at Charles Owen have sent both me and Holly two pretty new GR8's for show! AWESOME!! Now I can beat the crap out of my everyday GR8 and not have to worry about making it pretty when we go to shows like say National Championships. And now Holly too can become a walking billboard. I'll make her take a pic of herself and then I post a side-by-side of the two of us in our new matching helmets. And did I say that we are also working on a "lend-a-hand" pas de duex? More to come on that in the next few months...

In the mean time, THANK YOU CHARLES OWEN! You guys rock in the helmet department!

Diane & Fred

I need to post a few thank you's. First, I want to thank Diane Kernodle with Center Stage Musical Freestyles. Diane has been a lifesaver for producing a freestyle for Andy within two weeks of Lamplight. Diane has been fantastic as far as selecting suitable music for both MP and Andy and has gone the distance with arranging the appropriate choreography for each horse. She has been invaluable with her advice and expertise and I always get compliments on our music! Thank you Diane!

Next I would like to thank Fred Massie who owns Freds Pony Express. Fred transported Andy from CA to Il and was fantastic to work with. He stayed in constant communication and took top notch care of Andy. His rig is beautiful, very horse friendly and large enough to make an 18hh horse comfy. Andy arrived in top shape and was hot to trot upon return. It was like he hadn't even been in a trailer for 4 days! I will definitely use Fred in the future and will highly recommend him to anyone wanting to ship their horse long distance. Thank you Fred!

Videos from Lamplight are up!

Here you go:

Day 1 - Team Test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epW21_NrqnE

Day 2 - Individual Test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-7LR6xUEnU

Day 3 - Freestyle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TkC7QEqlAg

Judge away.....

My spirits are back up and I have lots of exciting news which I will post about later in the week. Trying to get caught up!

What next?

Where to start. Well, the tests could have been better and my scores couldn't have been worse. Andy felt better each day, but the scores barely improved. The judges said they liked him and liked me but they didn't like a petite rider on a big horse. Compatibility was a major factor at this show.

What do I have to say?

First the obvious truth: I'm very disappointed and my confidence has taken a major blow. I can take low scores and own up to mistakes, but I experienced things this past week that I won't write about but definitely have me questioning my future involvement in this program.

Second: I'm moving on and am going to set a personal goal of 68% for the next CPEDI. Or at least that is what I will be training for now knowing what I know. I'll be back out in the show ring within the next three weeks.


Third: My team has been AWESOME. Starting with Andy. Sunday was our 14th ride, his 5th dressage show and his third time riding these tests. He has been very tolerant and professional considering. Next comes Steve and Nancy for everything they have done for me, even though they couldn't be here they wanted me to take their horse half-way across the country. There are very few words that I can use to express my gratitude towards Steve and Nancy, they are very special people. Then there is Ellen, who is out here on her own as my coach. She has been so positive and supportive and is now as enlightened as I am. My parents and Scott have also been here being their usual selves, funny, informative and just great people all around. My dad and Scott have been great grooms! Finally I want to be sure to thank Steffen Peters for the advice, feedback, video review and general support he has given to date. I'm looking forward to our upcoming training sessions. And I can't forget all of my friends and family who have backed us from the beginning. Thank you.

Here's to moving onward and upward! Videos and pics coming soon...

Andys on the road home and so are we. About to get on the plane now. Very interesting experience which I will blog about later. Lots to say and lots of pictures

Its raining and blowing here. Ick! Team Test did not go so great. Got a 56. Hoping today will go better, the test is more interesting. Andy might think so too!