start of the season = success

I'm happy to say that the start of this season has so far gone well for not only myself but also my students. Last weekend Katie and Mia started off the show season up here in New Jersey by making their debut as a team at Bit O' Woods Dressage and Combine Training test.  All in all the show went super with Katie placing 2nd in beginner novice test A with 37 penalty points (63% dressage), 3rd in beginner novice test B with 31 penalty points (69% dressage), and jumping two clear rounds at starter and beginner novice level.  Even though Katie was nervous she was able to pull off two really beautiful tests and gain a huge learning experience. 

This weekend kicked off the beginning of the hunter/jumper season with Christa and Surprise making their debut at OnCourse in the beginner hunter and pleasure division.  Needless to say they really pulled off a great show.  With every jump course in the beginner hunter division they improved drastically and their flat class was flawless.  In the pleasure they were against some stiff competition and held their own racking up a few 2nd and 3rds and missing pleasure by one ribbon.  I couldn't be happier with how they showed and performed.  The only thing I can't stand about these kinds of shows is how political it all seems.  Maybe we can convince Christa and Surprise to dabble in some eventing or combine training this season as well ;) .

It's really a nice learning experience to watch these kids show and see how they react to the stress and situations that are presented to them.  I feel like when I watch them I see little bits of myself with the worry and sometimes being too hard on themselves.  It is a learning experience for all of us I suppose, but definitely one I want to and need to have.  So here's hoping to the rest of the season being as successful as these two, with more ribbons, smiles, and laughs.

PS: Congrats to Sinead and Tate for winning the Advanced division at Southern Pines this weekend! Looks like their start of the season is successful too!