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Jul 10, 2012
Call Me Fence Judge
Dear Horse Trial Participant,
I am your Fence Judge. You don't know me but I sit in a chair all day carefully watching each trip across my designated domain. I am that nameless, sometimes faceless person volunteering so that you can have the ride of your life. Treat me well... For without me, the Event does not run...
I, generally, ask for nothing in return... and, sometimes when its too cold, wet, hot or buggy, I find myself wondering why I just spent my Saturday making sure you present yourself correctly at my jump and left the area happy and healthy.
Yeah that happens, yet most of the time, I leave tired, sunburnt and maybe just a bit chapped and dry with a big smile on my face 'cause I had good day watching, participating and loving the fun of a well run Horse Trial...
And, for as many of us that are Eventers doing our version of Community Service, I may be a friend of a friend of a rider who once 8 years ago said, "Sure, that sounds fun". I never realized how that one feeble yes turned into a passion that keeps me coming back year after year.
So when you walk your course - trainer, rider, young, older, family member - a quick glance in my direction, a smile of recognition and although, not really necessary, a thank you goes a long way to help me feel like my service means something to you.
And, when you talk to me and ask me how the jump is riding, rain turns into sun and the world is full of rainbows and rose petals at my feet. I belong and you see me as a part of the team.
I love your enthusiasm... your cheers of "Good Girl!" as you both hit the ground running. Sometimes you may hear my own as you gallop off across the field! I watch your eyes - keen and focused forward, your horse's ears pricked occasionally flicked backwards listening to you and eager to go. So beautiful, so powerful... teamwork and joy...
And when you stop or run out, it leaves me sad 'cause I know how hard you trained to get there right in front of me and I know how far you need to go. You may not know this but we are cheering you on... I want you to win! And, most of all I want you to be able to tell your story to everyone on Monday (Eventing Rule #4) I want my jump to be easy...
I am your Fence Judge - Treat me well! And, maybe, one day you'll come and join me too!
Read more about Suzanne Adams' adventures on her blog: http://confessionsofanaaer.blogspot.com/
Apr 27, 2025
Competitions
The 2025 K3DE Daily: Show Jumping Day
And just like that, it's the final day of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and it's a full one in terms of the schedule. Before moving on to the final phase, competitors in both the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L divisions will have to undergo the final horse inspection at High Hope Lane which will kick off with four-star competitors at 8 a.m. EST and be followed immediately by the five-star contingency.
Apr 26, 2025
Eventing News
Coleman and Off The Record Make Easy Work of Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Cross-Country
When Will Coleman, the overnight leader in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S division at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, walked Derek di Grazia’s cross-country track, he knew time was going to play a major factor in how the results would shake out upon the completion of the second phase.
Apr 26, 2025
Competitions
Martin Comes Close, But Jung Strengthens His Lead at Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L
“I really love riding the horses,” said Michael Jung. “I do it every day— riding the horses, training the horses, going to many, many competitions. I am really into the sport and with horses. I know it can go wrong all the time. So I try to go out, do my best, take care of the horse; if it went wrong, OK. It can happen, now you just be prepared for the next day.”
Apr 26, 2025
Competitions
What Happened Where? 2025 Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L Cross-Country Rewind
The time was tough to make in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S this morning at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and cross-country course designer Derek di Grazia made it just as tough in the CCI5*-L as well with just one rider making the optimum time of 11 minutes and 20 seconds—and somehow managing to do it twice on both of his entries!
