The Millbrook Horse Trials has long been one of my favorite places to compete. Nestled into the rolling green countryside of Dutchess County, New York, the competition seems less like a summer horse trials than the beginning of the fall eventing season. For many, myself included this year, it is the first of the handful of events that lead the advanced horses towards Fair Hill in October. This year Millbrook took on an incredible task, hosting every level of competition from Beginner Novice to Advanced. There were over 500 horses entered over four days; I heard friends’ names on the public address system but never saw them on the grounds. I’m not certain about this, but I think the only other venue to host every level at one go is the American Eventing Championships. Millbrook, always top notch in the past, outdid itself in 2007.

I think there are two other reasons I like going to Millbrook as well. The first is that we get to stay at nearby Trout Walk Farm, for whom I have trained, competed and sold a variety of horses over the last couple years. I love to travel and compete, but I hate staying in anonymous hotels along a strip somewhere. Trout Walk always makes us feel welcome and comfortable. The second reason is that the Millbrook Horse Trials is such a part of local life in Dutchess County. Spectators actually come watch, especially the jumping days. And they cheer! There is little as satisfying or encouraging for a horse and rider as jumping through a difficult combination in good form and hearing the crowd give a mighty roar.

And there is one more reason that I liked Millbrook so much this year. My horses were really good. Very simply, Orion gave everyone watching something to cheer about, finishing third in his division and fifth in the Gold Cup. He was great on the flat, thanks again largely to Mara Dean’s help leading up to the event. Across the countryside he was spot on despite not having jumped a cross-country jump since Jersey Fresh in June. And in the show jumping he displayed his usual style, making what was a very large, demanding course ride like another trip around the schooling ring. In the Training Horse division, Sand Save finished just out of the ribbons, but put together three solid phases for the first time in his brief career. When I walked his cross-country course, I gave serious thought to only jumping the first nine jumps and then pulling up. But by the time we got that far he was galloping and jumping in such good form that I kept going. He rewarded my confidence in him by finishing the course like the rising star that I believe him to be.

Next on the schedule — the American Eventing Championships.