SAUGERTIES 2008: THE RECAP

Let's see if I can get this straight for those of you who might have missed part or all of the BCF experience at HITS Saugerties.

THURSDAY: Kris presented all riders and grooms with a special edition T-shirt- "Hurry Up & Wait-Saugerties 2008".

Left the barn early Thursday morning. On the way to the show, received a frantic phone call that Alexa and Maddy were "devastated" because the hotel had no reservation for Sue. Can't you just picture those two? We had Elaine’s & Carol's rooms unused that night so all went well and the girls were happy. Got to the show grounds- unloaded and set up stalls with the horses waiting curiously and patiently on the trailer. Tom and Don were fantastic with helping set up and unload. Tom made several trips to the hardware store and he & Don got all the electrical issues resolved. Amy and Debbie (with the help of Tom & Don) set up our "Lounge" area. It looked great, if I do say so, better than most at the show. We hung several of Kris' prints and a few photos. We will definitely have more photos for the next show.

Grooms unwrapped and prepared the horses for the riders to set off and lesson/ride and familiarize themselves with the show grounds.

When the horses came back they were expertly bathed, wrapped and packed (hooves) by Crystal, Amy & Kris.

We decided to do Mexican for dinner that night. Michelle was planning on going back to school Fawny that evening. We lost track of time and with some rushing around to pick up Michelle, head for the showground, eat dinner etc. that plan fell through. We all returned to our rooms exhausted and prepared for Friday.

Nancy and Crystal did Night check- cleaned stalls, adjusted hay bales and watered- All was well.

FRIDAY: BCF crew arrived early around 5:45 Am- Horses were all lounged, bathed, groomed and walked or grazed (time permitting). They were all braided and looked lovely. But Friday started with more excitement from Sue as she announced that she left her bank envelope with all her money on the table at the Mexican restaurant. Now no room and no money!! Debbie offered to share her room. Don bought coffee and donuts for all and Debbie had some fruit and munchies as well.

Brienna was the first to ride in an equitation division. Emma was a little up but was lunged and lunged and lunged. Brienna won the first ribbon of the show a 7th place out of 23! Great job!!

Later that day she showed in the Pre Children's division. Emma was brought up to the ring but after her first trip, it was decided to change the bit. We're all sitting under the tent watching when we hear cantering behind us and "Loose horse"- Needless to say it was Emma running down the hill back to the stalls. Now I need to interject here that while the stalls are okay to reach on a leisurely walk, they are not easily accessible if you need to get something quickly- Golf carts are a must out there. So the 2 BCF golf carts (Don had rented one) took off after Emma- Of course some people watching thought it was silly to chase a horse in a golf cart- but trust me- there was no way to catch up to her. Some helpful exhibitors stopped her on the bridge. Kris asked Don if Emma had gone swimming? HA HA She disappeared in the "FOREST AREA" with Nancy and was lunged. When she reappeared again and came back to the ring she put in a lovely round. Brienna was Reserve champion out of a very large field.- Fantastic!!!

Kris and Michelle did 2 Equitation classes Adults 18-35. Kris got a 3rd & 4th and Michelle got a 7th & 8th. Christopher arrived just as Kris was entering the ring for her first trip. The starter at the Adult ring insisted on calling Nancy "Bloomberg".  Throughout the weekend you would hear "Madden, Hernadez, Bloomberg" on deck.  He was quite a character.

Amy did the 35-45 Adult Equitation, I think she got a 1st & 2nd!!!!!!! Yay for Blue ribbons!

Ellen did the 46-Infinity  (the starter's words not mine) Adult class and also got some ribbons.

We finished early and the riders and spectators enjoyed a leisurely (until Marco/Polo began) swim in the pool before dinner as we waited for Rachael, Carol & Gary, and Elaine & Bill to arrive and join us for dinner. Sue was VERY lucky and got a room on Expedia AND her money back from the Mexican Restaurant ("See there are good people in the world"). The "New World" Restaurant, where Kris & Debbie went last week for the HITS Art Gala which showed 2 of Kris' paintings, had a lobster special which some of the BCF crew was hankering for. The food was unusual, fun and delicious. Somehow Sue was able to eat her lobster with Maddy and Alexa sleeping on her. The menu was loaded with vegetarian delights so Crystal was happy too.

Amy & Tom did Night check- cleaned stalls, adjusted hay bales and watered- All was well.

SATURDAY: BCF crew arrived early around 5:45 Am this time with the addition of Rachael- Again horses were all lunged, bathed, groomed and walked or grazed (time permitting). They were all braided and looked lovely. Don brought more coffee and donuts. Bainy & Cierra and Jimmy and Bruce, and Ellen’s husband arrived. Sue, Alexa and Maddy were bedecked in matching navy BCF garb and Cierra looked adorable in pink.

The weather forecast was not good for Saturday. Brienna had an 8:00 AM start for the Maiden Equitation division. She got a fourth place ribbon of a rather large group. Kris & Michelle also had an 8:00 AM start and got in their jumping rounds for the adult amateur hunter before it down poured. There were about 30 entries and the top horses were spectacular. By noon, when the flat class went it was pouring. There were about 25 horses in the ring all going at the same time. Kris made the cutoff for the M&S hunter classic and was set 9th out of 18 who made the cutoff.

After the flat class we took a lunch break and did some shopping and browsing. Kristen’s artwork was on display in the Starbucks/Ice Cream Parlor. The ring was dragged and by the time Amy and Ellen went the weather had cleared up but Tom received a call from Amy that she Splash had slipped and fell on the slick grass while walking down a steep hill to the ring. A call was made to Nancy who was promptly shuttled to the scene. The duo was cleaned up found to be unhurt. Amy and Ellen both placed in their hunter divisions- not sure of the ribbons. Ellen placed 5th in the first round of the M&S hunter classic. Kris and Ellen would then compete in the second round of the division on Sunday.

We split up for dinner on Saturday because there were so many people. Many of us were tired and wanted to do something quick. I heard a rumor that there was a party somewhere in the BCF hotel rooms after dinner???

Debbie & Kris did Night check- cleaned stalls, adjusted hay bales and watered- Carol & Christopher also came along to help. All was well.

SUNDAY: BCF crew again arrived early around 5:45 Am- the horses were again prepared for their day. They were all braided, even tails this time because it was Classic Day.

Kris started the day in the Ariat Medal division. She had a beautiful trip but pulled a rail on the second to last jump. Surprisingly she made the cut off for the test. Her test was lovely except that Monty had no idea what this “turning on the forehand” thing was (He did he was just tired and p/o'd at that time. She finished 4th.

Amy finished her Adult Equitation division with our one & only championship- How cool is that?

Kris, Ellen and Amy completed their hunter divisions. Amy and Ellen placed. Uddy was lovely and consistent. Ellen finished 4th in the M&S Classic and Kris finished 6th. Both earned some money.

Since Brienna was riding in the Bit of Straw as the last division of the day, we all headed to the food court for some lunch, some shopping and watching the Grand Prix. The vendor in the HITS store commented on our logos. Of course Debbie credited Kristen for the unique design. The vendor really liked them and said she has been seeing them all over. She asked how many people we brought to the show. Didn’t tell her only 5 horses but 28 people and even more shirts & hats walking around. A few HITS hats and jackets were purchased along with some photos but Rachel was the big shopping winner- purchasing a beautiful pair of custom boots. Throughout the afternoon Tom and others continued to pack the rig.

Brienna’s grandparents, great grandmother and aunt surprised her and made the trip to watch the Bit of Straw, which had a 5:00 PM start time. After the first 3 horses went, it was very evident that there were some very fancy 2’6” horses in the division. There were about 18 riders and half of them were bedecked in their shadbellys. Brienna was the “Cinderella” story. There were very fancy horses but she and Emma rode better. Brienna finished second and only 1 point from first- Great job Brie- You go girls!!!

Packed and on the road by 7:30 we headed home. Bruce drove the big rig home- I’m sure Nancy slept. Got to the barn about 11:00 PM- Unloaded horses- filled water buckets. Kris was right when she said Monty couldn’t wait to get in his stall. His halter was no sooner off and he was rolling in his fresh shavings.

All in all an enjoyable vacation and lovely show!