07/13/2026
What a whirlwind two weeks we have had up in Flagstaff at the Coconino Horse Trials! Between the threat of the Pocket fire week one, and the extra work of the 3 day Classic week two, the show kept us very much running (on little sleep and lots of caffeine!). But, both weeks were beyond successful!
Week one:
Dri catch rode Borgo for Rylee who was unable to show, and competed in her first BN event. She handled Borgo very well, ended on her dressage score and placed 2nd! Earned Borgo’s much needed qualifying placing for AECs next month.
I rode Gatsby at his second BN event, with the hope to get him his qualifying placing for AECs. We had a great dressage and stadium day, but unfortunately he is still a bit cautious of the water and we ended ONE second over time in XC which pushed us into third.
And then Winx made her horse showing debut… showing with me in starter and she was a pro! Was lovely in all three phases, ending on her dressage score and getting the win! Considering she’s been under saddle maybe 40/45 rides I am impressed with her willingness to go out and do her job. I can’t wait to see what her future holds.
Week two:
This time Dri got to ride Maple in BN to prep for AECs next month. Although she had a couple brain mix ups with her dressage test, she received a good score, and cruised around XC. Stadium proved a bit difficult for her keeping Maple focused, but she was able to end with a 5th place ribbon.
Gatsby went BN again, this time I was determined to avenge my time on XC! He was a bit wiggly in dressage but was a rockstar around both jumping phases and got his qualifying placing with a win in Open Beginner Novice! One more show to go, to get that last qualifying score for him for AECs.
Samy and Baila joined the group this week, with the goal to get thru the water, and she accomplished it easily! Baila behaved in the dressage ring, jumped easily on XC and barely had a hesitation schooling the water jumps, which left her a bit of time on XC but so much better than May! Samy had to ride a bit hard in stadium as Baila was distracted and spookier than normal but they ended successful and took home an 8th place ribbon.
Rylee was able to ride this weekend and took back over Borgo with the hope of getting her second qualifying score for AECs. And they did it! She had her best dressage ride to date (she’s only been on Borgo since April), and easily sailed thru both XC and Stadium to finish a solid 4th.
James brought Vivo along for his first show back since his hoof injury almost a year ago! They had their most controlled and well ridden stadium and XC rounds ever, ending on their dressage score, which earned them the win in his Starter Division!
Jess stepped up and tried out the BN Classic 3 day at this show. She and Jazzy had a blast and besides going a bit too fast on steeplechase, she finished on her dressage score on all the other phases. Earning her a 5th place, and definitely increasing both their confidence.
Shannon and Bounce finally conquered their XC water demons (hopefully for good)! They competed in the Training Classic 3 day, and ended with the win, as well as the best conditioned award! Bounce was the most civilized and relaxed I have seen him at a show yet, and easily handled the extra demands of the 3 day.
Sarah had an unfortunate oopsies with Tesoro day one… He thought it would be better to jump instead of dressage and nicely showed his skills by jumping out of the arena! But Sarah was able to continue with the other two phases to school and get in last minute AEC practice.
Ari came along with me this week, and we tried our hand at the BN Classic 3 day as well. She was better than I ever expected and I was able to figure out the pacing and expectations of me as well with the extra phases. We were two seconds fast on steeplechase but clear everywhere else, and ended with a blue ribbon as a last practice before Kentucky!
Unfortunately Dri was planning on riding Winx this week, but Winx decided it was a great time to form an abscess and we were forced to withdraw.
I don’t have many photos because I don’t have my phone on me most of the day at the shows, but I’ll try to add more if I can find them…
