Lara and Andy Petz own Full Gallop Farm here in Aiken and host the Full Gallop Horse Trials several times a year. Last night they did something ingenious in its simplicity and to my knowledge unheard of anywhere else in eventing. They invited several local horsemen, professionals and amateurs alike, to get together and talk about what can be done to make eventing better in this area. The primary topic was the competition schedule for 2008, but the conversation, guided by a prepared outline, ranged over broader topics. It was particularly nice to see event organizers and riders discussing these topics together. Too often it appears to me that organizers are only interested in complaining about riders, not working with them, and riders aren’t vocal enough about what they need.

From my perspective, there are two things that would benefit all of us. The first is the addition of an Advanced horse trials here in Aiken, and as a corollary to that, more Intermediate outings as well. The second is extending the season further into the spring and summer. Everyone was in agreement that the season can last longer into April and May than it does now. I also think it could run right into June. There are so many horses in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida that need competitions this time of year but currently have to drive to Maryland or Virginia for an outing. As for my observation about the need for an Advanced horse trials here locally, I was met with the usual chorus of “We can’t do it! It’s too expensive!” I disagree, though I did feel a bit like Columbus must have when he suggested that the world is round. The topography, footing, and more importantly, the significance of horse sports here locally, all point towards the potential for an Advanced in Aiken to be a huge success. All the project needs is the funding and the will to make it happen.

Jersey Fresh is over and with it the spring eventing season. Orion was great in every way all weekend — I wish Fair Hill was next week so we could do it again! He felt ready to go on Sunday and jumped out of his skin over the colored poles. I suppose if I could have a do-over, it would be at fence 28C on the cross country, an arrowhead in the last water. I was down on the clock by about 12 seconds and had to decide between the fast route and the long route. When we jumped the B element, a dock in the water, I knew we weren’t quite where I wanted to be and had to make a split second decision. Open the right rein and add more time faults by jumping the long route at the C element, or open the left rein and try to get the fast option done. As the 20 jumping faults on our score shows, I opened the left rein. Orion never really focused on the arrowhead, we got there a bit long, and the rest is history.

My own performance aside, Jersey Fresh 2007 raised more questions for me than it answered about eventing in general. I genuinely think we have no business running this level of competition at this time of year if we aren’t prepared to accomodate for the heat. I feel firmly that if we are expected to compete in the conditions we had on the weekend, then organizers must be required to provide misting fans and allow the upper levels to run cross country early in the morning, not the middle of the day. Further, Jersey Fresh got lucky in that the rains did come at the right time to improve the footing. But relying on luck isn’t good enough. We need a sport wide footing mandate — no more beautiful horses running in what can only be called crap footing. And we as riders need to be more pro-active. Complaining to each other simply isn’t good enough. It’s past time to raise the bar and expect more from our sport.