Regionals - Victory is Ours

Sunday's Third - Level AA freestyle championship was at least not at 8 p.m. 

I got a massage on site from a vendor in the morning and felt 100x better and half drugged. A massage vendor at a horse show is brilliant.

"hears angel voices"

Hampton enjoyed his own version of massage.

Hampton warmed up great for the test, although was a little more tired. Who can blame him, so was I. But our freestyle went pretty well, he unfortunately stumbled in the extended trot and it took me a minute to rebalance enough to then push again. And he was most definitely more on the forehand than the night before. 

What made this class so awesome was competing side by side with our adventure besties, barn buddy and fellow eventer. She blasted an absolutely badass Taylor Swift freestyle and it was perfect.

Somehow, Hampton barely squeaked by them (like by less than a point) and ....

I know that winning at Regionals is old hat for many people. But I do not ever win things like this and it was so exciting and special, and to have such a good friend in that victory gallop with me was just the best. 

There are a million things I can say to really invalidate this victory, but I am not going to. I am going to celebrate it and own it. Because Hampton deserves that.

Oh you owe extra toll today lady for all the gallop sets
I have done at this show with your ribbons

... and yes, we are going to Finals!

Regionals: 4th Level Freestyle

 

I will just jump the shark with this photo.

***

Our Fourth-level freestyle championship class was at 8 p.m. Saturday night (so actually 9 p.m. our time, the amount of caffeine I had to consume is illegal).

Hampton was unaffected by the late hour and LOVES entertaining indoor arenas that other horses might find to be spooky or a big atmosphere. I had easily one of the best tests OF MY LIFE. He was so responsive and light and just on the money. We rode a clean freestyle and Hampton was at 100% capacity. He could not have given more. The shit-eating grin I had on my face coming out of that arena was mildly embarrassing. I didn't even care what score or place we got.

Some quality competition in this class!
 Great ladies too we had great fun in the victory gallop!

What a horse

"Now you pay toll lady."

When we were confirmed Reserve Champions I thought hell yes, this as as good as it gets. 

But I was wrong.

Road to Regionals: Swift Traffic Cones

 Where did I leave off -

Friday:

We leave bright and early for the trip to St. Louis. Hampton travels great and later in the day we go for a little stretch in one of the outdoor arenas. I am not sure what the magic trick was here but Hampton felt sound ... good even. Very perky and seemed to enjoy the entertainment that bigger shows bring.

Also ... you couldn't miss us.

"Hey do I know that guy over there?" - Hampton, probably

Our bright orange Life of a ShowGirl shirts were a huge hit and joyfully obnoxious. I think we made it through the album two or three times during the haul to the show. haha. #nerds

Barn Swifties!
Eldest Daughter, Baby That's Show Business and Life of a Show Horse

Saturday:

Stall decor!

I decided to ride a random 4-2 test in the morning as a warm up test and basically a schooling because my championship class was not until 8 PM AT NIGHT. I will say I have never ridden 4-2 before and I found it to be really fun! I did have a HUGE goose egg in the left pirouette because Hampton thought I meant halt. I probably stopped moving my hips and he was like ah ok, I shall stop. Soooo we got a 2 and a 3 in that portion of the test. Whoops. But otherwise it was lovely and we earned a 63%+ even with a massive fuck up. Most importantly, Hampton felt great!

Now it was hurry up and wait until night time...

Road to Regionals - "What is that? What IS that?"

Monday before Regionals

Hampton is still quite lame, shuffling around. I call my beloved farrier and send him the video.

Tuesday before Regionals 

9 am: I bring Hampton in from the field, he is still lame. Beloved farrier says he will be there to check the foot around 11. I have to leave because of work.

11 a.m.: Farrier gets to barn, pulls Hampton out of a stall. He texts me "Fixed him." I am like what? Do not joke with me. Did you have to pull the shoe? Farrier says no, your horse is sound. Friend at the barn confirms the horse is sound - maybe 1/5 lame if you stare at him. I am astounded as just hours earlier he was VERY lame.

Wednesday before Regionals

I ride. Hampton feels sound! Feels pretty good!

Thursday

I ride. Hampton feels ... off. Not lame like before, but stiff and short in front. I re-start anxiety spiral. Hampton gets Legend and a full hour of Magnawave during which he appears to slip into a coma haha.

Actual footage of magnawave coma

Friday

I throw the animal on the trailer. 

The Road to Regionals - "oh no. oh no no no no no."

 I took Hampton to the KDA Fall Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park for a spin around the ring in our Second Level Freestyle (I love this freestyle - the music is all Women-Power themed).

Rolex Arena!
Photo by Lisa Dean.

Hampton LOVES the "lower levels*" and cruised around happy as could be. He felt great and we managed a lovely 70% and won the class.

Perfect I thought! Great prep for Regionals!

We were all set to leave on Friday for St. Louis and the Sunday before I bring in the following horse:

The left front was also BLAZING HOT and just a touch of swelling was creeping up into the fetlock. I thought well that's a gnarly abscess. SHIT. Poor Hampton was so painful but the best thing for him was to go back out to the field and hopefully get this monster to pop.

However, my hopes for regionals were quickly fading ....

To be continued.

* - Second Level is in fact NOT easy and I hate using "upper" and "lower" levels because it infers those doing higher levels are somehow better when that is in fact NOT the case.