PVDA Members Bring Home the Blues
fromVADA/NOVA Show
By Liz Erwin
PVDA was well represented at the 25th VADA/NOVA Fall Show. Members braved the below freezing weather on Saturday, winning three classes with four horse/rider combinations qualifying for the 2009 BLM Championships. Sunday was a bit warmer with PVDA members claiming four more wins and an additional four more horse/rider combinations qualifying for BLMs. Samantha Smith, Liz Erwin, Linda Lewis, Kate Chadderton and Deborah Shuman share their experiences.
When Samantha Smith arrived at Morven on Friday afternoon the show grounds were eerily empty- the 20-30mph winds were definitely daunting along with the more than chilly afternoon. Sam needed to school her younger mare, Aurion, but had to be content with a rather exciting lunge session. Saturday morning was more of the same. Several of the competition arenas were frozen and had to be moved. The frigid temperatures combined with the high winds prompted the show management to allow competitors to wear their winter jackets on top of their show coats. Sam had two first level classes with Aurion and was very pleased that she managed to keep her mind and composure and they had two very nice tests. Her mother, Aura, is a much more level-headed horse and handled the windy weather in style. Sam had a nice second level test, and then got to move inside for our Pas de Deux with Liz Erwin and After Six. We were both pleased with our recognized show debut of 68.5% that won the class.
Sunday brought a warmer day, but the real blessing was that the winds had died down and the skies were clear. Aurion put in two great classes and qualified for the BLMs at first level with 64.29% and a 3rd in her 1st-3 class. She was also second in her 1st-2 class with 62.22%. Aura won her MFS class in the afternoon with a lovely and energetic test, and Sam was thrilled to find out that they also had the high score MFS test for the weekend. Sam received a lovely tri-colored high score ribbon and an embroidered saddle pad. Overall a super weekend that ended up on a real high note!
It was 19 degrees when Liz Erwin arrived at the barn on Saturday and hooked up the trailer. “Truthfully, given the opportunity, I would have happily scratched my classes” she said. “But Sam & I had decided to debut our 1st level Pas de Deux, hoping the get a jump on qualifying for the 2009 BLMs. Sam may have let me off the hook, but my new trainer, Kate Chadderton (Tewksbury Manor) had agreed to show After Six also. Kate’s a tough as nails Australian event/dressage trainer, there was no way I could whine about the cold and beg to stay home! So with my trusty groom Cathy Jeary in tow and many layers of clothing, we headed off to Morven Park.”
The show grounds were a balmy 24 degrees when they arrived. Kate’s first ride on After Six earned a 66%, placing 2nd in the class and qualifying for the 2009 BLMs at 1st level. Next up was the Pas de Deux. The well-matched pair of grey’s put in a winning performance to the lively Disney music. Kate’s second ride on After Six earned a blue ribbon with a score of 71%. All concerned consider it well worth the frozen fingers & toes!
Linda Lewis also had a very successful show with her lovely grey gelding, White Night. She placed 1st in her training 3 class with a 69.2%, easily qualifying for BLM’s. She won a beautiful VADA/NOVA mug that her groom (and husband) had admired when she was at the secretary’s desk. Both Linda and her husband, Norm kept everyone cheerful and enthusiastic with their good natured support. In the true spirit of camaraderie, in the face of the extreme conditions, they lent out their heavy winter coats to other competitors.
On Sunday, Kate had two good rides on Deborah Shuman’s mare, Gwynndolynn and Tewksbury’s Merlot. Deborah has done a great job with Gwynndolynn, already winning at a PVDA show on her. This was Gwen’s first licensed show and Kate hoped to qualify her for 2009 BLM’s. Not only did Kate and Gwen qualify, she won both of her training levels tests quite convincingly. Kate also qualified Tewksbury’s Merlot for BLM’s at first level.
To celebrate, Tewksbury Manor owner Cherie Paisley and her husband Mel kindly held a congratulatory dinner for us.