Thursday, July 29, 2010

Dressage (for the pictures start at bottom to top...

Today was the two star dressage and boy was I nervous! Usually dressage tends to be our weaker phase and as I went out on our morning hack I started looking at the other two star horses and thinking to myself "there canter is better then mine" or "my canter departs are not nearly that good!" I had a moment of self doubt but then I realized that I can only control how I do, sometimes not even how my horse does, but definitely I can control how I ride. I did some intense visualizing and after hacking her I was feeling way better. She felt amazing and I was confident that with all our dressage lessons with Nicole Perry and all the work I had put in with my mom that I needed to have a little more faith in myself. When I woke up this morning I wanted to shoot for high 40's low 50's and I was hoping to be in the top five. Trotting around that ring today I felt more confident than I ever had on her and I went down that center line and knew what I had to do. Chloe was fabulous and put in her best test yet for a 51 and we are sitting in second place. I know this horse has it in her and today she proved it. It was an amazing feeling. Natalia also put in a great test on her horse and although its hard being one of the first out she handled it amazingly and I honestly could not ask for a better teammate!
After dressage Natalia and I walked the cross country course with my mom and things I was originally worried about are starting to look better. After the course walk I had to rush off to a press confrenece and that was really exciting!! I met some of the other young riders and they were all so nice! I was proud to be representing California :)
Then I went back took Chloe on some walks, tucked her in and gave her a million carrots. She deserved it :)
Apart from NAYRC there is a jumper show going on where some really big names are competing. My mom, dad and I went tonight to check it out. Kentucky has beautiful evenings and it was an awesome opportunity to watch some amazing riders.
Tomorrow Me and Natalia will have a jump school, walk our course another million times and most importantly cheer on Kelly Loria and Madison Reeb as they will be doing their one star test! I have a good feeling about it!! Go area VI!
Xoxo Kelly and Chloe
Team mascot :)
Area VI!!
CAnisa, Me, Devon, and Karen at the press conference
"uhhhhhh........"
Amanda found a four leaf clover! Its going in my arm band

Best Chef!

My wonderful parents
So proud of her

she is so clean!
Area VI cheering her on!
so pretty!!
Natalia and Teqs!!!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Love the helmet :)

Kevan said...

Fantastic Kelly/Chloe!
Go area VI

stacy said...

YOU ARE AWESOME!!!! We are so proud of you and Chloe!

Unknown said...

Wow! Just heard the news. Congratulations!!

Unknown said...

Stiletto sends his congratulations and is very proud of his daughter! His Mom, Jean Brinkman, is also thrilled about your great win and sends a big hurrah for you both. What an accomplishment!

Kelly Pugh said...

Thank you all!!
and Jean you have a wonderful horse!! We have a mare we are thinking about breeding to Stiletto!