A New Beginning



Makayla & Stormy

Today we watched Stormy & his new owner Makayla compete at the Westar Farm Summer show.  Makayla and Stormy became a new team at the beginning of July and although Rachel has maintained regular contact with the rider, family and farm owners we had not been in close contact since the horse was sold. 

Rachel sharing tips about Stormy with Makayla

I must admit to a few tears when speaking with Stormy's new owners!  We'd owned the horse since November 1, 2004!  Its an ideal situation since Stormy stays at Westar with the same coach, barn staff, vet & farrier who've taken such good care of him for these past 4 years.  He'll be well looked after and Rachel will be able to visit him whenever she's home.

Having fun in the rain!

Today was all about Makayla & Stormy and they had a great day! A 6th, Reserve and 2nd in the 0.9M Jumper class. It's just the beginning for Makayla in the Jumper ring but she'll have an excellent teacher and caretaker for the next few years.  We wish them all the best and plan to be at ringside again to cheer them on!

Stormy with Makayla, Mom & Grandpa

Surprise, Surprise!

Rachel was unwell during the final Grand Prix day of the Ottawa Capital Classic (see previous post) and spent the next 3 days in bed.  She finally dragged herself out of bed and prepared for Halton Place and the Emerging Rider class which she was hoping to place in.  She did place but not high enough to be the "Emerging Rider" champion. 

About 3 weeks later she was again very ill with a severe sore throat, fever, body aches, etc. etc.  Off to the family doctor who prescibed an antibotic for the nasty throat and bloodwork for an atypical case of Mononucleosis.  Lo and behold, guess who had Mono!  She probably had it during the final week of the Capital Classic and this was a rebound because she didn't rest in the interm.  Because of the spleen enlargement there's been no riding for 5 weeks, (maybe a little bit late to worry about this but....) ultrasound on Tuesday and here's hoping everything is back to normal so she can get back in the saddle again.

While she was home, feeling truly awful,  a package was delivered by Canada Post.  Even though she wasn't able to compete on the Mini Prix day, she had accumulated enough points over the 2 weeks to emerge as the 1.0M Champion at the Ottawa Capital Classic.  What a nice surprise when you're feeling really low....thank you to Anna Mees for allowing Rachel the opportunity to show Gracious Me!

The Best Laid Plans....

The second week of the CSI** NATIONAL TOURNAMENT, AUGUST 18-22, 2010 got off to a great start with Rachel bringing back Gracie for the 1.0M Circuit Championship, some schooling rounds in the 1.10M classes and also Stormy for a 1.20M class and Mini-Prix.    Unfortunately,  by Friday, Rachel was starting to feel unwell with a severe sore throat and headache. A look at her throat on Friday night revealed a gruesome sight which we suspected to be tonsilitis or Strep.  Unwilling to give up the rides on Saturday, she decided to tough it out and go to the walk-in clinic immediately after.

Morgan Mees (future jockey) , Rachel & Gracie, Anna Mees (Owner & current jockey)

Her first ride of the day was in the 1.0M Speed Class with "Gracious Me".  First in the ring, they had one rail but set a blistering pace for the 32 riders that followed.  With one rail they still managed to finish in the ribbons with a 6th place.

1.0M Speed Class - Gracious Me

Meanwhile, Stormy was patiently waiting for his turn at ringside with his grooms (Steph & Tricia) and Rachel's 3rd mount was being warmed up on the flat.

The Grooms - Tricia & Steph. She couldn't have done it without everyone's help!

Off of Gracie and on to Stormy, Rachel went for warm-up. Soon enough the ring was calling her name in the jump order and it was their turn to shine in the Grand Prix ring.  Earlier, during the 1.20M course walk, Rachel & Coach Jeff McKessock crossed paths with Jill Henselwood and her students.  They all benefited from some debate over how to ride the course, with Jill having an extra few words for Rachel. 

1st Jump on Course

Room to spare

Photo by Dad

Final count - 2 rails but a great ride!

From the Grand Prix ring she went back to the Annex ring for the final ride of the day.  Rachel was flattered to be asked to take Granite 3E, "Gidget" around the 1.0M course. A beautiful scopey mare, she's previously been ridden by a professional.  Since coming to Westar, she's realized its no longer a professional on her back and she likes to jump a course - her way..... Rachel loves her! So very talented and so much potential for her new owner.

Granite 3E - "Gidget"

Beautiful & Scopey!

By the time Rachel finished all 3 rides she was finished herself. Congratulations all round, thanks to the owners for allowing her the rides, we picked up her things and headed for the car to go to the walk in clinic. Along the way, we met with Jill Henselwood and talked about Rachel's ride in the 1.20M and what the future might hold. I totally embarassed Rachel by asking Jill for a photo !

Jill Henselwood and Rachel

A 2 1/2hr wait at the clinic (I waited inside, Rachel slept in the car outside) with the diagnosis of a very badly infected tonsil with the risk of abscess. No riding for minimum 48hrs, large dose of antibiotics and tylenol 3 for pain. Rachel didn't want to scratch from Gracie's classes today until she woke up Sunday morning, after all, there was still the potential for that Circuit Championship.

Today finds Rachel still in bed with the covers to her chin. No riding and greatly disappointed but totally incapable of the ride. Hopefully she'll be feeling far better in a couple of days and will be ready for the Canadian Country Classic in Halton Hills.

Gracious Me - Part II

This week and next,  is the National Capital Show Jumping Tournaments, organized and run by Hayes Co. The Hayes family is determined to bring great show jumping to exhibitors, spectators, and sponsors alike and its a privilege to have this caliber of competition right in our own backyard.  Unfortunately, Stormy was not fit enough (long recovery from an abscess),  to be there this week. Rachel has been fortunate to obtain the services of another horse in the barn.  "Gracious Me", is owned by Anna Mees and very generously loaned to Rachel for the show. 

7th - 1.0M Jr/Am

6th - 1.0M Jr/Am

Gracious Me - Gracie

Today was the 1.0M Jr/Am Mini Prix which was suppose to start at 8:00am but due to stormy weather, was delayed until 9:00am. Gracie and Rachel toughed out the rain and placed 1st which made them the 1.0M Jr/Am Champions! Total ribbon count for the week, 2nd, 7th, 6th, 1st and Champion.  A repeat performance from Beaulieu's Summer Classic and a nice gift for Rachel's 21st birthday!  Again, myself, her father or Gracie's owner could not be there to witness the final round.  I'm starting to think we should always stay away but I do hope someone got a picture!

Next week, we hope Anna will allow Rachel to bring Gracie back again so that they may compete for the 1.0M Jr/Am Circuit Championship.  Stormy will be there to compete in a couple of the 1.20M classes, which allows a shortened schedule for him and increases his fitness level for the Canadian Country Classic at Halton Hills, August 25th - 29th.  There they'll be vying for the Emerging Rider Champion title.