What do you do when you have 2 quality horses and 2 trainers
look to end their show season with a bang? Head to Vegas baby!!
Our FCF Pro’s Chelsea and Giana rounded up a horse trailer (thanks
Dina!) loaded up and made the 10 hr drive to the Nevada desert for a week of
the best horse showing on the west coast.
Our epic lunch spot during the drive
The drive was smooth and uneventful (yay), and the arrival
was intense. With only 1 way in
and 1 way out through the indoor stables, you have to wait in line until you
can pull through and then you have 30 minutes on the clock to get your
horses/stuff unloaded and get outta there... or else! So as soon as we pulled in, the race was on and we’re proud
to say we clocked in at 23 minutes (go us!). Now, this show is very unique in that it is hosted inside
of a huge hotel just off the Vegas strip.
You literally walk down the hotel hall to the indoor arena and exit
through a door in the side to the stabling. If it wasn’t for the one outdoor hacking arena (beside the
freeway I might add) you would never see the light of day. Very reminiscent of Indoor Finals. Although, it’s truly interesting, and
fun to be able to go throw some money down at the roulette table, eat lunch at
fantastic restaurants or visit the spa between rounds! Other perks: food delivery to your
stalls, a live feed of the ring to your hotel room tv and the best footing,
jumps, course designers and competition a show can offer.
Vegas Main Show Arena
The tiny Warm Up!
Vegas Baby!
Our week of showing was one to remember. Dusty Z and Giana competed throughout
the week in the open classes, executing beautiful clean rounds over challenging
courses. Dusty Z proved to
everyone what a brave and bold horse he is by walking off the trailer Monday
night and straight into a class Tuesday morning with no preparation and
immediately going clear. Good boy!
We love that horse. It was also a
big week for our boy Peter and Chelsea.
They started the week with a warm up class on Tuesday, rest day
Wednesday and the FEI Welcome Grand Prix on Thursday night. Peter jumped so well in the Thursday
Grand Prix (watch his round here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY85roHRuqE ) that the decision was made: it was time for his first World Cup Qualifier! Saturday night came around and the course was HUGE for the $54,000 Grand
Prix of Las Vegas. Peter proved
that while inexperienced, he is a man of heart. A few of the wider oxers proved difficult and maybe a little
surprising (this class being by far the largest Peter as ever jumped) but he
jumped around with class and style, even clearing the last vertical which
clocked in at a towering 1.65m!
We’re so proud of Peter and know that with a little more experience,
he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Giana in the outdoor Hacking Ring
FEI Jog Order
Peter resting up for his Jog!
Jogging in the middle of Vegas
One thing I forgot to mention: with only 2 horses competing,
we made the decision to do our own grooming. It was busy, sticking to feed schedules, mucking, grooming,
bathing, wrapping, the whole nine yards, but it is something we enjoy doing
when we have the opportunity,
Majority of us started this sport purely based on our love of these
gorgeous creatures and with this whirlwind lifestyle, it can be easy to feel as
if we lose our connection with these animals. By being their caretakers, we had the opportunity to
reconnect with our horses and spend a little quality time getting to know them
on a deeper level. Sometimes that
can make all the difference inside the arena. Also, special thank you and shout out to our helping hand
and Groom Extraordinaire, Skyler Brittner, for helping us to take top notch
care of our boys. From hand
walking, to mucking, to bathing, he was there to help us out!
Skyler and Dusty Z returning from the show arena
After all that, and on 4 hours sleep, we loaded our boys and
equipment back up and drove on home.
It was sad to see the sights of Vegas recede into the distance, but one
thought comforted us: Next Year!
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