Thursday was not the best of days at Southview Farm, as Sandy got bucked off a young mare in training, and ended up with a broken hand and lots of bruises.
To top it off, Saumur panicked at some heavy equipment being moved next to his pasture. He ran straight through the fence line and took the fence out. Timing is everything - this happened right before we were leaving for Kentucky. Luckily though, Saumur wasn't hurt. He ended up in Shevy's paddock. Even though those two never had been out together, the girls found them grooming each other. Shevy, in his wisdom, probably thought that this would be a good way to calm Saumur's nerves, which it apparently did.
Instead of packing my suitcase I drove to the barn to check on my scaredy-cat. Aside from a wound at this right ribcage he was fine, a bit stiff on the longe line, but fine.
Kentucky was exactly what the doctor (or shrink, if I would have one) ordered. We went on the Bourbon Trail and had a great time visiting the Woodford Reserve Distillery. Tasting included! I found my way to linking Bourbon: pair it with dark chocolate and drink it neat. From Woodform we visited the Keenland Racetrack. It's just so much fun observing the preparation of the horses, the races, watching the people (and outrageous dresses). But, call me an European Snob, it's not like the big races in Europe. We finished the day at Le Deauville, a wonderful French restaurant (that is just like being in Europe!) in Lexington. A very fitting place to celebrate our 22nd anniversary!
Rolex XC day dawned cold and wet, we were one of the first spectators on course. Lots of walking, that's a given (the course runs straight of 6 km, and that doesn't include all the back and forth to and from the different jumps). Somehow this year the course seemed to challenge the horses and riders more, only a modest 10% got through without time or jumping penalties.
Once not so pretty incident happened right in front of us. The horse refused part of a combination, the rider circled and asked the (clearly spent) horse to jump again. Without enough oomph the horse ended up with the front legs hung over the fence and stuck. The rider and some helpers were able to lift the front legs over the fence and freeing the horse, who was able to limp off with painful steps. The thing that shocked both JP and me was that the rider simply pulled off his saddle and walked away, leaving the horse with the grooms and vet. Not so much as a second look. So much for horsemanship. Other than that a lot of riders demonstrated great skills, and the eventual winner William Fox-Pitt presented a beautiful ride.
Shopping at Rolex was a bit disappointing (well, not for my credit cards, they can live without major work outs). We did check out one of the 2-horse truck-trailer combinations from a French company. At one point I had to stop JP from telling the French sales guy all the things that should or could be improved. At a base price of close to $150k not exactly a bargain anyway.
Now that we are back the boys are finally coming home tonight. That is, Remy and Chambord. Saumur will stay a bit longer so I can get more lessons in before the shows. Although, I am getting a bit panicky myself, looking at my upcoming work and travel schedule. How in the world am I going to pull all this off? Not by running through a fence, that's for sure.
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