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Jun 10, 2011
The Road To Bromont CCI2*: Part 4
Kristin’s Journey Part 1 | Part 2. Skyeler’s Journey Part 1. At Bromont Part 1
Kristin Carpenter and Skyeler Icke Voss
Yesterday was dressage day – and it was WONDERFUL!!!!!!
I (Kristin) tried some new warm up techniques, which actually involved less warming up and minimal movements, just really getting him to be calm and happy. He was the best ever in the ring. As a matter of fact, he was so calm that I forgot how to ride. I should have done things like put my leg on, but instead I sat a bit stunned and just smiled the whole test. He not only walked, but had a great extended walk and no jigging before the canter. We got a very respectable 65, with a solid test. Next time he is so well behaved I won’t freeze, and hopefully we can break into the 50s. For once Trance wasn’t for sale after dressage.
Skyeler was up against the same dilemma I have, in the sense that we have to win their minds to win the points. Tika stuck to the minimal warm up routine that worked for Trance, and she had the same effects! She was the most rideable she has ever been in the ring, with a slower rhythm and a more relaxed frame. Now that we have Tika’s mind, Skyeler will be able to go in next time and add more sparkle to the test. She got a great score of 53, putting her in the top ten with amazing company.
We were lucky enough to walk the course with Captain Mark Philips yesterday. Skye was nice and calm, all business, while I had mini-nervous breakdowns throughout the walk. I am attaching photos for your viewing pleasure. While many might not think these are big jumps, they will literally be the largest things I have ever (hopefully) jumped. Bromont’s course is always challenging because of the terrain, and the three-star drop they placed on the two star course (headdesk). It is a solid two-star course, and time will be a major factor. Derek doesn’t do dressage courses.
Thanks for all the support and we plan to ride smart and kick hard tomorrow! We will let you know how it goes, for better or worse, and the main thing is to come off safe and sound.
Kristin and Skye
Apr 26, 2025
Competitions
The 2025 K3DE Daily: Cross-Country Day
If you are wanting to get a good parking spot at the Kentucky Horse Park this morning, you better be on your way as early as possible! Cross-country day at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is easily the busiest day the Kentucky Horse Park sees each year, so it's time to grab your coffee and go ensure you get the viewing spot you want for both the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L divisions today.
Apr 25, 2025
Competitions
2025 K3DE Rider Talk: What Are They Saying About Cross-Country?
Riders in both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L are sharing similar sentiments about this year's cross-country courses: course designer Derek di Grazia didn't play around this year. Here is what some of the riders across both divisions had to say about the tracks they will aim to conquer on Saturday.
Apr 25, 2025
Competitions
Off the Record Breaks Records in Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at Defender Kentucky
Off The Record decided not to let Michael Jung be the only record-breaking entry at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this week and delivered a career-best score in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S on Friday morning. He and Will Coleman delivered a test that received a score of 21.8, not only marking a personal best for the horse but also securing their position at the top of the leaderboard going into cross-country tomorrow.
Apr 25, 2025
Competitions
Soaked, but Not Shaken: Boyd Martin Flies the Flag for the U.S. at Defender Kentucky in Second
Boyd Martin and the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Commando 3 were the last pair to go in the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L field on Friday afternoon and were warmly greeted to the bluegrass with an impressive downpour that outshined anything the other horse and rider pairs had to combat throughout the day. But that didn’t stop this pair from putting their best foot forward and impressing the judges enough to earn them a score of 26.0, just 0.2 points ahead of second-place pair Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality.
