Running, Riding and Rooting for the Unionville Crowd

With Keegan temporarily out of action, I still managed to find other things to do. Every time I don't ride for a while, I find myself wondering how I do fit it into my schedule.

Saturday, I spent judging the stadium jumping at Plantation. Aileen Elliot stepped in as control/announcer and did a lovely job, making the absence of Dick Thompson, to whom the event was dedicated the more affecting. It was a lovely day, made better by the super volunteer/worker group I had. Hats off to Ben, John, Sarah, Quinn, Hannah, Ralph, Tracy (who stepped in at the last minute), Liam (timer extraordinaire) and any of you I may have missed as you went about your jobs. Denis has assembled a really great crew, who juggle their work at the events with school and, for many of them, other jobs. Having them there makes the job of stadium judging both easier and more enjoyable. It wasn't too long a day as many of the usual suspects were up north. I would like to offer some shout outs to those who were at Plantation. Courtney Cooper finished 1st and 2nd in the Open Preliminary on a couple of her homebreds. Tag was running his first event back after colic surgery. He is the 1st of 8 they bred and is by Aberjack. Hope came along 3rd and is by R Johnson. It will be fun to watch as the others (ages 4-7) come along. It was an interesting coincidence that Courtney Coopers RStar was winning the preliminary here while Kristi Nunnink's R-Star was winning the intermediate at Aspen Farm. Jason Racey won the preliminary rider on his Dodger, and Jen Hoey on the adorable Harrison added only a bit of xc time to their dressage score to finish up in 3rd. In the training, Erin Sylvester piloted Denis Glacum's handsome Stonewall Winters to a win (and was also 2nd in the novice on Paddy the Caddy), closely followed by Tatiana Herrero Bernstein - out visiting from Michigan for some summer training - who was riding her Callisto in his first go at training. They were followed by David Ziegler in 3rd place on Peter Berk's Princeton Pride (careful Peter, I think David would like to steal this one!). Morgan McCue won another junior training division. She is sitting 2nd on the leaderboard in junior training. Amanda Clement did a lovely job with Gloria Cascarino's Pressed for Time. Amanda is becoming quite the catch rider, with Lesley Collins reclaiming the ride for this event on her Ruckus and taking home the pink ribbon. A final mention to Tik Maynard who had a 3rd in the preliminary and then coached and rode three BN horses, staying cheerful and organized throughout. The day ended early enough for dinner with Henry, Barbara Rose, Gina Sand and other family friends at the New Tavern.

Sunday, I got a slightly later start than intended and paid by running from 8:30-10:30 in the hot sun, rather than the cooler early morning. I was very happy at how pleasant and polite everyone was out on the trail. It was very crowded, but bicyclists announced they were passing, runners smiled and waved them by, apologizing for cutting in front of pedestrians, dog walkers made room for jogging strollers and there was much smiling and waving as all those enjoying the path shared it. It made the run even better. Headed out to Chadds Ford after and mostly hung out while Henry rearranged wine and hung new light fixtures. It is starting to look like a home. Then called my dad to wish him a happy Father's Day, apparently a week early. Oops. The Phillies lost to the Orioles in extra innings for the second time in the series, but Detroit managed a come from behind win and the Devils won one, though despite geography, I think I am rooting for the Kings back in the Stanley cup running for the first time in around 20 years.

Meanwhile, up in Canada, the CCI was running at Bromont. Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Sally Cousins, Ryan Wood, Caitlin Silliman, and many others were all there. The hometown crowd had a great showing with Boyd and Trading Aces coming second in the CCI*** closely followed by Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter, Phillip Dutton aboard Atlas and in 5th at their first CCI***, Caitlin and Hoku! So great to see them continuing to do well. And it was nice to see Jon Holling get the win. Also impressive was Patti Springsteen's Running Order finishing 2nd in the 2 star with Doug Payne in the irons. Full scores at event entries, and EN had lots of great coverage

Onward into the work week and volunteering at the para selection trials.