Fit and Sound
Author: Emily Daily
Part 3 – Preparing for Your First Three-Day Event
by Ashley Adams, with Amber Heintzberger
As you map out your competition calendar leading up to your first three-day event, It make sure that you are aware of all opening dates and closing dates. Enter the events you want to compete in and be sure to look over the new dressage tests: learn them, know them, love them.
By now you should already have checked your equipment and made plans to buy or borrow anything you need. Understand that you will need to have extra equipment for the three day: you will need a few extra pieces of tack to have at the cross-country warm up with you, like an extra bridle, stirrup leather and girth in case anything breaks at the last minute.
Eventing Nation has been on a roll this past week posting articles with amazing tips and interesting stories. Be sure to head over to EventingNation.com to see all of their great posts. Here are some of our favorites:
The latest issue of Eventing USA 2.0 is up and running! You can find it here:
http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/EventingUSA/
In this issue: USEA President Kevin Baumgardner writes this issue’s editorial; reflections and review from the 2009 Annual Meeting and Convention; the Training Three-Day: The Perfect Step-Up; lessons learned from a first-time breeding experience; selecting the perfect stallion for your perfect mare; and learning to communicate in and out of the saddle.
by Ashley Adams with Amber Heintzberger
* Talking with coach to make sure the plan is appropriate; i.e. limited back-to-back shows, with at least a weekend or two off before the big event
* Meeting with the vet to get a baseline of soundness and possible issues
* Dr. Keith Brady of Old Dominion Equine www.olddominionequine.com explains why this is important. “You want to see your horse at the best he/she can feel physically and start from there. Often times, after a break when the horse’s body has recovered from the past season or event is the best time to do this. In other words, you do not want to be reactive to a situation that comes up– you want to be proactive to help your horse stay comfortable and perform to his/her optimal level.”
(Left: Vaunted (“Vaughn”) listens patiently to Ashley’s fitness plan for the week ahead: trot, flat, jump, trot, gallop, flat.)
There are only a few days left in the USEA Endowment Trust pledge to match donations made to the USEA Cardiovascular Study! The drive has already raised $16,035, we are less than $10,000 away from our goal! “To see how much the cardiovascular study means to our riders, owners, and vets is so encouraging and meaningful,” said Kyra Stuart, former USEA President and member of the USEA Endowment Trust. “The results of the study, when forthcoming, will hopefully contribute so much to our sport and many other equine endeavors as well.” Want to learn more about the USEA Cardiovascular Study? Watch the video of Dr. Catherine Kohn’s presentation at the Annual Meeting. This pledge drive ends on January 31,2010, so please download your donation forms and send them in today!
Well, technically Lesley Grant-Law, Leslie’s multi-talented wife, is writing Leslie’s blog of his preparation for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event with Beatrice and Guy Rey-Herme’s Fleeceworks Mystere du Val. But what a great read this is – kudos to Lesley and Leslie for juggling their incredibly busy schedules (and carefully juggling their two-month old son Liam!) and sharing this special journey with the eventing community. After Leslie and “Bean’s” incredible season last year, culminating with USEA Horse of the Year honors, they have a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talents at America’s four-star this spring. The Laws are two of the hardest working, friendliest, and talented people in our sport… I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I do!
(Left: Leslie & “Bean” on their way to winning the 2009 Advanced class at the AEC.)
Think you know the real Phillip Dutton? Think again. Courtney Young, of Three Days Three Ways blog, asks the acclaimed Aussie thought-provoking questions about his horses (past and present), safety issues in the sport, and how he’s managed the nearly-impossible feat of being the top USEA rider for the past eleven years (“Consistency is the name of the game.”)
Read on!
When I was a horse crazy twelve-year-old, I stumbled upon Jimmy Wofford’s blog about the Sydney Olympic Games. Trying to find any information I could about the equestrian sports at the Olympics, I relished every word and snippet of information Jimmy wrote. From that day on I was a bona-fide member of the Jimmy Wofford fan club.
(Above Left: Jimmy Wofford deep in discussion with Bella over what a pretty girl she is. K. Kennedy photo.)
Bonnie Mosser joins this week’s Eventing Radio Show episode to talk about her plans for the season, and Karen O’Connor explains the Instructors Certification Program. Plus, Ashley Adams makes her debut on the show as guest co-host. Take a listen… Read the rest of this entry »
by Ashley Adams with Amber Heintzberger
Ashley Adams is assistant trainer to Bonnie Mosser at Point Above Farm. They have just left Charlottesville, VA to spend the winter training and competing in Aiken, SC. Ashley, who previously worked for Kim Severson and then Holly Hepp, often assists riders in learning the ropes as they prepare for their first three-day event. She will share her advice in a series of installments as she prepares her own horse Vaunted for the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in April.
Ashley says: What I’m doing right now is looking at the calendar, planning the three-day I want to go to – Rolex - and working backwards from there. If you want to do a three-day, that’s a good way to start: look at the overall time frame and decide if you can fit in the number of events that you and your horse need to get prepared.
(Left: Ashley Adams and Vaunted competing at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4*. Amber Heintzberger photo)
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