United States Eventing Association

The Road to Rolex 2012: Who is that masked person?

I made a deal with my surgeon following my accident in December when he told me I couldn't ride for four months. (see my last blog post for useventing for that tale!) I promised him I would wear a protective face mask like they do in the NBA if I could ride much earlier. Explaining that I had a very important competition to do, Rolex, I had to get training asap. A deal was struck, or he just plain gave up after my vigorous and informed negotiating, and I have a plexiglass face mask from Jeremy at www.customfacemasks.com! Just like Kobe Bryant!

Now one thing about this face mask is it makes me almost unrecognizable. People who I have known for years walk right by me and give me a perplexed look. I have to explain who it is and why I am wearing such a thing. I have abbreviated the tale greatly otherwise I would never get anything done. I explain that I am lucky to be alive, am healing at an exceptional rate, my fake teeth are coming soon (I hope!), and that this wonderful and strange mask lets me do what I love to do, ride and compete.

Another thing about the mask is it seems to have super powers!!! Either that or what I have been needing was a good solid kick in the head!! We kicked off 2012 at Rocking Horse this past weekend with a bang with a 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th (should have been 3rd but I set my watch incorrectly for xc, bummer)! Everyone behaved in their dressage tests, big plus. All show jumped clear, bigger plus. All went clear and not the kind of clear like "Thank goodness we made it" but the kind of clear like "That was so easy and fun!". Huge plus. They all dropped down levels as they had lots of time off and I wasn't sure how I was going to do physically. I did just fine! YAY!!! Put the fences UP!

So we made it out of the driveway onto the road to Rolex 2012! Let the journey begin!