Collection Pass aka Little Cole

Rolex is fast approaching and I thought I would share the story of how I came across my 2014 entry, Collection Pass. It was actually the brilliant idea of Robert Taylor (Taylormade farm, Damascus) that I go and see a horse down the road. I was fairly new to the US, and Robert. Robert was fairly unclear on the details of the horse: he was either a good prospect, had done some eventing, or some fox hunting or something. He had actually mentioned him to me Several months earlier but at that point the owner was not ready to part with him. The horse sounded intriguing enough, so I waited for Robert to give me the okay to contact the owners. That call, came late one Halloween afternoon, as I had plans for the evening I almost did not go to see the horse. As with any professional rider, the lure of seeing a new horse always wins out. Robert had told me that I would have to take my own tack, as his owners ( Rege Dvorsky and Jeanne Leone) were not riders and would not have anything I could use. So it was with very low expectations (and several apologetic messages to the social side of my evening ) that I arrived to see this horse that "may or may not have evented". Happily the horse I found was a nice type and seemed very well taken care of, so I chucked my saddle and bridle on and looked for a place to try him. When I asked Rege where the best place to ride was, he indicated towards some trails. It seemed like a good idea so I pointed Cole's nose down one and cantered. He seemed to do that alright so I turned around and cantered back.  He seemed to do that alright too! So we raided Rege's garage for something to jump and all I could find were pet carriers . So I set them up on the trail. Without batting an eyelid Cole jumped them both ways. Good nature, good type, good canter, I was sold! Rege kindly agreed to my suggestion of a weeks trial to see how he was in an actual ring, which would also give me a chance to look up his record and get some history on him. During this week I came to know Rege and Jeanne and they made the decision to take him off the market and remain as the owners. Also during that week, I learned a lot more about Cole's history, he had in fact evented, he was sourced by Kelley Williams of A Bit Better Farm in Maryland who initially trained and evented him. She's since told me he was very nearly sold as a hunter in Canada, but that fell through thank goodness! Kelley then sold him to Rege for local event rider and owner of A Deck Above Farm, Kristin Parris.

As a race horse he was not particularly successful,  being given the sack after only 6 starts. When looking closely at his record its easy to see why, in 5 of the 6 starts he was last, in his 6th start he was second last, only beating home a horse that broke down half way around.

Cole is your quintessential American thoroughbred in that he's very athletic, sure footed, and most importantly comes to work every day giving his 110% effort. Where he differs from other thoroughbreds though is his laid back nature. On Sunday he can run around an advanced, and on Monday he can go trail riding with a 10 year old kid (which he has done!). He doesn't understand or think that he is particularly good, he is certainly not one of those bullet proof horses. For me this has taken some getting used to, as I have always ridden very bold and gregarious horses, Cole is certainly not gregarious! In the time I have known him now, I learnt that while he is honest and brave, I do have to hold his hand and he generally will take the lead from me. If he knew that he was an advanced horse about to take on a 4 star, he would probably go to the corner of his stall and cry, but I think the same would happen if we told him he was at training level and going to a training three day! I strongly believe he thinks he's still at novice level, so we keep telling him he's just going to a novice championship, " Don't worry boy,the jumps won't be any bigger than what your used to! There will just be more people watching!" If he were a guy he would be a valuable player on the football team, but not the star, and he would always be up for a drink at the pub!

Now with just over a week to go, we're taking it day by day with his training and fitness. Wish us luck, and give him a cheer as we go around! Just not too loud! This weekend, as he missed his run at The Fork, I ran him around the Intermediate at Plantation. Now to keep us both sound for another week and a half!

Cole's first comp with me was show jumping in Raleigh, NC.

Plantation Fields as a 1 star horse. Photo: Amy Dragoo.

Bromont as a 2 star horse. Photo: Lauren Sumner.

Winning Middleburg Intermediate 2013.

Southern Pines as a 3 star horse. Photo: Brant Gamma.

I'm so sorry and only sad.

Some weekends I'm just happy to get home. The Fork was one of those. On Wednesday, as I was supposed to leave, Cole suffered a bruise that left him 3 legged lame. To say I was I was upset was an understatement. To have your horse go lame 3 weeks out from the jog at Rolex is heart stopping. My immediate concern was for his welfare. Obviously I had to scratch him from The Fork. Then at night as I was laying in bed, I thought of the risks I'd taken this year to get Cole to Rolex and Liberty to Saumur, and wondered if I had just been foolhardy and over the top. Many of the risks had been of an extreme nature and everything had go to plan, no mistakes. Remember the polo helmet and competing with my broken jaw still wired shut?  And just as it seemed as tho we may pull it off, this happens. Bugger. So the next morning Bucky, Liberty and I head off to The Fork, already a little on the under excited side of things (well I was under excited, I can't say Libery was, he's ALWAYS excited!). Both horses tried very hard in the dressage and showjumping and it was Bucky who found himself in a position to win. But somehow for the whole weekend I was fixated with the idea of getting home to a sound Cole and being able to get in a vital gallop that he missed. By Sunday morning, as I was walking my courses for the final time, I was beside myself with a feeling that I just had to get home and do it myself. Rhiannon is more than capable of galloping (and often does) however my feelings were so strong that called Beth (owner of Bucky) and Adrienne (active owner in Liberty) to get their input. Of course they both said it was my call and to come home if that's what I was feeling. This was particularly great of Beth as we would have won even if we were a little over time cross country. So with a feeling of melancholy I packed my stuff and headed home only to find out 10 minutes down the road that fellow competitor Will Coleman had lost his World Games hopeful and great partner, Conair, following a fall on the cross country. I have seen Joey, as he was called in the barn, at all of the shows Will competed him at since he was imported from England last year. I can only describe their partnership as epic, poetic and inspirational. One only had to spend any time around them to see the mutual connection and love for each other they had. Not to mention the desire for thrill that both horse and rider possess must possess to compete at this level. This came after the loss of Powderhound the day before at the same show. 'Carlos' was imported from Australia and, at 15, I had known him since he was 3 or 4. His death came as a shock as he had made the same journey as me and was one of the kindest, sweetest horses you could imagine.

The loss of a (or several) horse/s to a professional is part of the business. However, as a professional, they are your life blood and hold the key to all your hopes and dreams. Plus they keep you safe in this fairly risky sport. And as a rider you think that you can always protect them and keep the out of harms way. You can't. And that hurts. A lot.

So this time I don't have any photos of my horses jumping incredible obstacles at high speed. I just have a heavy heart and sense of loss for the two great horses who left us not to mention my roommates boss, Dickie Small (legendary MD race trainer, google him). I am happy to have brought the horses under my charge home safe, sound and willing to fight another day. Even if they are mad that they were dragged all the way to Charlotte, NC and dragged all the way home, without getting to do the cross country. I'll take the angry and feisty horses over the coming home without one. They'll live. And I am sad. For a lot of people.

This weekend I feel only an emptiness and subdued fortune. And, yes, Cole is sound and galloped with me today. I would've given anything to know that on Wednesday. Today I was just happy to see his face, reagardless of how his legs where feeling.

To the organisers of The Fork: Thank you for making such an incredible event and being so amazing to the riders. It is one of my favourite events and I'll be back next year without a doubt. I know that you're feeing the same pain as the rest of us, and I also know that every rider there is totally behind you and will be back given the chance.

This weekend I was happy to be home.

Pine Top Advanced

I love starting the season at Pine Top, it always gives the horses such a great feel. This weekend was no different. After having surgery on my broken jaw just 7 weeks ago, and only getting it unwired last week, I was not quite sure how things would go. Add to that an ice storm, an earthquake and no electricity for 5 days, it wasn't an ideal preparation! But it couldn't have gone better. Liberty (C Liberty Syndicate) gave me a super round in his first advanced. After finishing last year battling Lymes disease, Cole (R Dvorsky) is back on form with one of the loveliest xc rounds I've ever had on him. He also produced a really nice clear sj round. Bucky (B Sokohl) was another lovely round. After show jumping clear he made the cross country feel much easier than a green intermediate horse should. Ever consistent Charmer also jumped clear to finish 5th. 4 lovely clears on 4 lovely horses? I'll take it!! My only real moment of worry was actually a very bizarre experience whereby I found myself jumping A) a push bike and B) a person! As I was first on course they clearly didn't realise they were resting against a jump, and I couldn't see them until I was 1 stride away. I would loved to have seen that face as we jumped clean over them!!  Priceless! 

Going forward I feel as tho I'm lacking a bit of fitness, but I'm super happy with how quickly I got my eye back in with only 2 weeks of riding and a couple of jump sessions. I'm very lucky the Boyd and Phillip had the time to keep them jumping for me and that Rhiannon did such a lovely job of schooling them on the flat and getting them fit. Tomorrow I'm riding with George Morris, then back to MD to teach for 2 days. 

I also attended the Eventing Gala Dan Clasing, Liv Stringer and Rhiannon Bosma which was loads of fun. It's always good to have and shower and get dressed up for a change! 

Pine Top 1 and more.

After competing at Pine Top on the weekend I flew back to DC to teach my second Winter Clinic and, most excitingly, GET MY WIRES OFF! I cannot wait to be able to eat again! Since December last year I haven't been able to eat, cough, sneeze or talk. To say I've been imagining my first meal would be somewhat if an understatement! If this were to go on much longer I'd probably have to check into some type of food obsession clinic to help with my constant cravings! When Dr Gutenberg worked his surgical magic he certainly meant for the wires to stay put. Believe me when I say I've tried everything to loosen or remove them. Except of course cutting them as I would have a difficult time explaining that to the Doc! An 'accidental' removal on the other hand..... I have my first meal all set: it'll be with Beth Sokohl at Tower Oaks on Rockville. I'll order the Pan Fried Rainbow Trout with mashed potato which I'll finish off with the chocolate mousse from their dessert menu. I have also planned my lessons to finish at 7pm, 15 mins to change, 25 mins to drive, 5 mins to seat. If I cut straight to the chase I will be tasting my first meal of the YEAR by 7:55!

The center of my dreams for the past month and a half...

Pine Top was my first competition of 2014, I have missed some of the season but not too much. Originally I was planning to ride Cole (R Dvorsky) and Liberty ( P McCuan, A Wisenberg) in the intermediate, Bucky (B Sokohl) in the prelim and Charmer (B Sokohl)  in the training. With my injury I thought it prudent to drop them all (except Charmer) down a level and make a couple of rider changes. Boyd Martin graciously and generously took the reins of Liberty with Rhiannon capably piloted Bucky. I chose to a combined test on Cole (no Xc). He did a super show jump round for me. 

Obviously riding cross country with ones jaw wired so tightly shut that you can't even sneeze is not ideal. It's quite amazing in just which ways you move your jaw when you're galloping and jumping... I started riding only 4 days ago, so I was a but out of practice to start with. And I hadn't even SEEN a Xc jump since October last year. So it was very carefully that I set out and very quietly and cleanly did we jump. Charmer was super and looks great for Pine Top 2 in a fortnight. I did make one addition to my safety gear, a borrowed polo helmet with full face guard! For my non horsey, or eventing, readers, it's like wearing a football helmet on Centre Court at Wimbledon, not particularly customary! I figured it would protect my face in the event of a fall. There is no way I want to do the wired jaw thing again! 

Look closely at the helmet....

Next I have Paradise on Friday followed by Pine Top Advanced the next weekend. I look forward to bringing you updates from there. 

Another view of the helmet. Thanks Dom for the picture. 

Kate. 

Winter 1

Aiken training is well underway with all the horses getting off to a great start. They have all had a good gallop on the sand, which is way better than the mud in Md. Boyd jumped Cole, Liberty, Bucky and Charmer on Saturday with all of them going well. Due to Liberty's rather expressive nature, and habit of triallling his own made up movements (most of them involving rapid changes of direction) in the warm up, Boyd will ride him at Pine Top 1. My jaw is feeling fantastic but I'm trying to be intelligent about how much pressure I put on it. I will ride Cole and Charmer. Rhiannon has the honour of riding Beth's Bucky. Everything going well I'll be back in full swing for Pine Top 2. 

Bucky enjoying the sun and sand. 

The down time, while unplanned, has been very productive. One area of my performance which I have been wanting to address for some time now is my physical strength. Being a smaller person and having sustained a few decent injuries, I'm finding there are areas of my body that let me down here and there. I've now been able to get into the gym and target those weaknesses which feels pretty good. As long as I'm conscious of keeping my head pretty still, none of the exercises impact my jaw. I'm now on the home straight with the wires being removed on the 11th of February. The screws come out a few weeks later, but they can stay for a while as long as I can eat and talk again! I've already planned my first meal. It'll be fish and potatoes! I'm dying for a steak but I'm picking my battles, I have a feeling that my mind with be willing but my mouth won't be.....! 

One of the sales horses 'Bella' schooling with Rhiannon. 

Don't forget to 'like' my Facebook fan page for daily updates. Until next time, stay warm or cool, depending on which country you're in! 

Kate. 

This year I'm starting my year with the Chinese New Year!

A little facial remodeling.... The wires are attached the screws 3 or 4 places around my mouth. 

2014 didn't really get off the the start I was hoping. Instead of intensive training in Florida I I was in surgery to repair a broken jaw I suffered on New Year's Eve! No, there is no wild story to explain it, I was riding a students horse in a lesson... Said horse bucked whereupon the side of my head connected with his neck resulting in a broken jaw and a concussion. I did however manage to stay on! Not wanting to waste time waiting for the local ambulance to turn up (fine service, just takes a while) Kaleigh drove me to the nearest emergency room where Rhiannon waited with me for the next 6 hours. Stabilised and discharged with heavy pain killers I was advised to use my own surgeon to repair the damage. So fix it he did by wiring it shut, giving me a straw and telling me to cancel all my dinner reservations for the next 6-8 weeks! Bugger! As you could probably imagine I was Not. Happy. Jan. (Australian reference, google it). No talking, no eating, no riding. That rules out my 3 favourite activities! The upside for everyone else, particularly Rhiannon, is that there are more horses to ride and less of my singing in the barn. I hope no one catches on that it's good when the boss is injured... There's an upside for me too. When I'm visiting Australia for Christmas one of my goals is to eat as much as I possibly can in a 10 day period. Which is then added to the thanksgiving feast from a couple of weeks earlier. So invariably I'm on a diet as of Boxing Day! Normally it's a chore and quite annoying, this year it's a cinch! I may have discovered the most effective diet yet... I do feel as tho I got off lightly tho, yet another reminder that one never knows what's around the corner, particularly when you ride horses for a living. 

As with any injury the challenge is to try to let it not impede the show schedule. My goal is to still maintain almost my entire winter season, only missing a couple of shows. The first few are with babies, so Rhiannon will get to ride them. Phillip has been jumping some of the upper level horses, so they should be ready to go when I am.

Thanks to my brother, my mum was able to make it over for the surgery recovery to make sure I took the right medications in the right order. 

The first load of horses is settling into Aiken, the rest will join them on Friday. 

My owners and supports have been incredibly understanding, for that I thank you. I'll be back on in no time and bringing home the ribbons. 

Quality time with my two best friends and my computer. 

 

Bucky at Middleburg

Photo: GRC Photo

After over 30 000 miles in travel I wrapped up my 2013 competition year at VAHT. And as I'm addicted to Sugar Free Red Bull, I'd hate to think just how much taurine I've ingested in that time! I like to take this time of the year to reflect and make improvements for the next year. Somewhere near the top of that list is to give up Red Bull and to change the thought process that tells me that because it's sugar free it must be healthy... Also on that list is to join a gym (who knew there were so many options!) to strengthen my problematic right knee. And rather than making them 'new year' resolutions I like to implement them straight away so that I'm already in a new habit before the holidays hit and my motivation sinks! Plus there are the endless loose ends to tie up eg: resewing the buttons on my show coats, repairing my show boots, fixing the Velcro on my xc vest, order more show breeches etc etc.

 

Cole winning Middleburg Horse Trials

Photo: GRC Photo

On a whole I was very happy with the first half of my year and felt as tho all the horses were on super form. We were largely able to maintain that form into the Fall although there were a couple blips that I would've been happy to have avoided. In 2014 I'm looking to bring on some new horsey faces to add to my already super team, so keep an eye out for those!

 

Liberty at Fair Hill 2 star

Photo: Tami Beauchamp Tritapoe