United States Eventing Association

The Road To Rolex Part 4: Heather Gillette

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

This adventure to Rolex has been a very interesting one with many unexpected events. I try to be prepared for everything and leave very little to chance if I can help it. Preparation and organization is the name of the game. If only it was that easy.

I have to tell you that after this past week I am seriously considering changing my 'catch and release' policy when it comes to all things creepy and crawly. As you may know, Questie and I didn't run cross country at the Fork because he was stung by a wasp in the eyelid. Thankfully, all is well with that now.

Things got very exciting for me this week as I was bitten by a brown recluse spider in North Carolina last weekend. I put myself on SMZ's and drove home with 6 horses on Monday. On Tuesday I grew a bit concerned as things were not looking like they were going in the right direction. So off to the doctor I went worrying that I may be in trouble and in danger of not being able to ride because of a little 8 legged menance. The doctor looked at me and said I should be good in 2-3 weeks. I explained that my time frame was a bit narrower than that and it was VERY important that I get better a.s.a.p.!

You know it is bad when the nurse walks in and apologizes to you before doing anything. 4 shots later, some serious anti-biotics and with some painkillers in hand I left the doctor's office.feeling like a pin cushion. I was hopeful that we had a great plan to get me back in the tack and able to train as Rolex is not far away. I have been to the doctor's every other day and things look okay. It is going about as well as we can hope for at this point.

Needless to say it has been a long week. Questie looks great and feels even better. They were calling him Brad Pitt at the vet's office! Right now all systems are go for him. (that sound you hear is me feverishly knocking on wood.) I was able to do his hill sprints this past weekend and they went well. He was more than happy to turn the afterburners on and have a good blow out.

The coming week is filled with lots of 'lasts'. The last dressage lesson, last farrier and vet appointment, the last jump school, and the last cross country school before we start the journey to Rolex NEXT WEEKEND! The plans for Kentucky are being finalized. Tickets for family have been secured, pet sitters arranged, schedules for the horses at home worked out, and things are being checked off the to do list. My very good friend Ingrid who has helped me with my horses forever is coming to groom for me. We pony clubbed together as kids, so we go way back! I need to pick out my outfit for the jog, get packed, double check everything and then do it again. If you want to follow the goings on go to Heron's Landing Event Team on facebook

There is a lot of craziness and excitement to come. Though when I climb into the saddle on Questie all of the hullaballoo goes away, things come into focus, the tasks at hand are obvious, and our mission becomes clear. Rolex is just around the corner!