The last four days (Thursday-Sunday) I spent down in Sherwood, OR, at DevonWood Equestrian Center. Lauren was having a show and competed with both her horses, Watson's Gift and Descartes. This was my fourth equestrian event this summer, and by far the largest. DevonWood is a huge facility and there were lots of horses. The competition started out a little rough with both horses deciding not to cooperate. But Descartes ended on a good note, riding to third place on his second and last performance of the weekend.
Descartes (above and below)
DevonWood is known as one of the largest equestrian facilities in the Northwest. The competition is fierce as riders come from all over to show against some of the best in the area. On Friday I watched the best horse I've seen in person so far, competing at the Grand Prix level, which is the highest in dressage. Saturday's freestyle event, which entails background music choreographed to the horse and rider's movements, attracted a crowd of approximately 400. Even though it was exhausting, especially in the upper 90's heat (not too mention starting off after another all-nighter), I had a lot of fun experiencing a well known show.
Face shot of Descartes
If there was one adjective to describe the last four days, it would be "dusty". With trucks passing by, hundreds of people walking, and hundreds of horses riding around the dirt paths, dust was being stirred up everywhere. There was no way to avoid it. Even after two Clariton a day, I was sneezing constantly. It's never a good sign when you blow your nose and enough dirt comes out to blacken a kleenex. Even the horses were sneezing! Whoever can invent some system to create a dustless barn will be a bazillionair.
Bowing to judges after riding Watson
For now it's back to work again. Just two days, then two straight days of training before one day off. On Saturday, I'll be taking Lauren down to Vancouver, WA for my co-workers wedding and head back up on Sunday before working that evening. Until then...
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