My road to the AEC this year started off with a suspensory injury to my horse Brio and a back injury for myself. I was hoping that this would be the year that I qualify, and me and my daughter would be able to ride and compete together at the AEC, but as fate has it, I will be her groom and will be enjoying every moment cheering my daughter Madeline and her faithful stead Carson, aka "Hope to star" in this spectacular event.
After a few months off, I was able to compete at my first full event at Fairhill over the weekend finishing in an honorable eighth place in the Open division. So, I will aim again for next year and I am sure I will be riding but not competing in the same division as my talented daughter Madeline and Carson.
As far as my daughter goes, Madeline and Carson have had a tremendous year with a new trainer, Molly Rosin, and her wonderful Havarah Team. She has exploded into the eventing world in the Junior Open Training division qualifying early on in the year and her riding skills continue to improve at every event. Madeline and Carson make a great impression on everyone that watches them at every event because she is only 12 and Carson is 17 and she is a tiny little rider on a 16h "very" flea bitten gray TB.This weekend they are competing at Waredaca horse trials. This is one of Madeline’s favorite places to compete. Her first event last October at Waredaca she placed third in the Junior Open Novice division and her last event in June at Waredaca she placed second in the Open Training division, who knows maybe she will get that first place this weekend. Since she is already qualified, I am sure this weekend is going to be a great weekend since there is no pressure other than just finishing and having a great time doing it. Stay tuned for results and we will keep you up to date on her training progress for the AEC.
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