Summer School Mini Trial and Combined Test- Lexington, KY - August 3, 2008
Bella Vista took two riders to Masterson Station Park, Meredith Dubree with her Dixie and Stephanie Salemi with her Wilbur. It was a very
very early morning, but we got there with plenty of time. That time just seemed to disappear very quickly. The biggest problem was where we
parked in location to the secretaries stand.... wish we had known ahead of time that it wouldn't be in its normal location. So by the time we
walked down there and back we needed to rush to tack up so that Stephanie could get some warm-up time in.
Stephanie got a short warm up with about 10 minutes (thank gosh the ring was running behind even though she was only the 2nd rider). She
had a lovely test for her first mini trial. She had some true moments of connection and worked through the nerves as Wilbur called to Dixie.
Meredith followed shortly after. You could tell she was nervous but boy did she have a great test. She even calmly fixed Dixie's head as she
tossed it right in front of the judge. I couldn't have been more pleased with the dressage rides. Stephanie and Wilbur got a 39.5 and Meredith
with Dixie got a 41.5. Both very good scores, especially for their first time at this level.
Next came Meredith & Dixie's first ever stadium round. It was a bit nerve racking as the horses and riders before her had many issues with
refusals and falls. Meredith went in and showed everyone how it was done. With excellent teamwork they did a clear round. Meredith's finish
on her dressage score put her in 2nd place!!!!!!! Great first combined test for both horse and rider. (I have never seen such a big smile as I
did on Meredith's face when she heard her number called for that ribbon)
Stephanie did her stadium next. The last time she had been in this ring with Wilbur they had some issues, so I held my breath as the entered
the ring. Stephanie had Wilbur pick up a nice pace to the first fence and continued it around the course. They had one rail on the last fence
adding on 4pts.... darn, but SO MUCH IMPROVED from last time...the difference was amazing.
For the final ride of the day Stephanie and Wilbur did their first cross country course! The course was set up nicely but had some challenging
questions for a starter course. Stephanie cantered out of the start box with a smile on her face and looked great as they went across the
course. Wilbur apparently didn't think to highly of the stream crossing the course which was not a jump, but he had no issues with anything
that was actually a question on the course. They finish clean!!!!! For their first Mini Trial they were in the ribbons in 6th. This was an excellent
accomplishment since there were a couple of upper level event riders in her division. (Who knows how well she would have placed if they had
split the division into rider and horse) .
I want to thank Meredith's Dad and Stephanie's Cheering crew for all their help during the show!
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