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Chris Stevens
Member
Username: stevens
Post Number: 288
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 23, 2007 - 11:00 pm: |   |
Hi Sara,
Sorry I missed you. Friday turned out to be a mad rush from one end of town to another. I had to rush to make it to see my nephew in the UNLV spring scrimmage game. Yes, Sue he was on the winning side; this year  .
If the person you saw in the stands was wearing a red leather jacket on Friday or Saturday it was probably me.
All in all, I thought the riding and horses were great, but there wasn't the same electric atmosphere that there was in 2005 with Anky and Debbie dueling it out.
Did anyone else notice how the European horses pretty much all dealt with the noise and the crowd better than the North American horses?
Chris |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2639
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 - 12:21 am: | |
I saw you, Chris! Wish I'd had binoculars. I was across the way in sec. 104.
What I noticed was that all the jumpers seemed so much more tired and some even cranky on Sunday. I attributed it to a sleepless Las Vegas Sat. night. I know the jumps were bigger, but most of them seemed to be working much harder than on previous days and had ears back, wringing tails, etc. that I didn't notice before.
Did you see what threw Meredith? All I could see was her cutting a corner pretty fast and sharp. Was that it, or did her horse shy or do something? I didn't see the replay because someone stood up in front of me just then.
I agree about the atmosphere. I missed those two. I really love watching Imke and Sunrise. He is so beautiful. I got to watch them in the practice arena and was so impressed with her quietness and his responsiveness. I enjoyed seeing the difference in riding styles,too, mostly in the jumping. Though even in the dressage some riders barely moved and others seemed to be cueing their horses constantly. Oh, they were all wonderful! It's really good to see people at their level of riding regardless of your discipline. It's so inspiring. I was dying to get home and see my horses, groom them, etc. I won't have time to ride until Thursday...if it's quit raining by then! |
Dawn Winans
Member
Username: dwinans
Post Number: 96
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 - 12:49 am: | |
Sara,
I had an unobstructed view of Meredith when she fell and I couldn't seen any reason for it. The horse did not duck his shoulder or anything mean. Maybe a tack malfunction? It was completely shocking. Anybody else see something I missed?
I had the best weekend I've had in a long time. It was so good to meet everybody. Now I'm re-reading posts and putting faces to the names.
It was crazy how much everybody had to say. Everybody was talking a mile a minute. I felt that I had known everybody for years! I felt that we all clicked instantly. How many times does that happen?
A funny side note - it turned out that my significant other who I dragged there knew Cynthia's husband from the service 30 years ago. What a coincidence! Oh, Cynthia, hopefully I'll be able to send you a 30 year old picture of Charlie when Mike finds it. He said Charlie hasn't changed a bit.
I really believe that we have made friendships that will last a long time.
Can't wait for the next get together - September at Iliona's place? |
Chris Stevens
Member
Username: stevens
Post Number: 289
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 - 8:52 am: | |
How did the Saudi rider do? I remember in 2005 thinking what great horses he had and how patient they were with his riding. Although one had had it with him by the end of the week and unloaded him.
I was chatting with one of the HJ gals at our barn last night and she offered the opinion that Meredith came off because she had somehow gotten off balance to the right, was at a point in the course where she needed to turn right but her body position was such that the horse turned left and off she came. Just passing that on, since I have no first hand knowledge. |
Cynthia G
Member
Username: cgby1
Post Number: 46
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 - 2:46 pm: | |
Hi Dawn, Charlie and I were talking about what a crazy small world it is and he would like to contact Mike to talk about old times. If Mike is interested you can e-mail us at cgby1@msn.com and give us an e-mail address and or phone #. Chris, I noticed that too and we talked about going to a high school football game to make a recording of the noise to play for the horses. Maybe try to make an association with carrots or treats or something. Sara, you mentioned that you heard a dressage rider using sounds to cue her horse, I had been wondering if the rules allow that in the tests. Also, I was told by the Mikmar sales rep that you can't use rollers or more than one metal in your bit. I have used clucks and kisses to cue my horse in ground work and also under saddle but thought that I could not do that during a test. I had stopped doing it recently thinking that she needed to learn to just respond to my leg and rein cues? Ilona are you home yet? Cynthia |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2643
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 26, 2007 - 11:26 am: | |
Cynthia, no more two metals in a bit? Why is that, I wonder? I guess the rollers make too much noise? But what do the two metals do besides make the horse salivate, which I thought was a good thing?
I wondered about the "clucks" also, but I figured if Imke was doing it, it was o.k.
The Saudi rider didn't do all that good. I forget just where he ended up, but the FEI World Cup site has all the placings. |
Sue G
Member
Username: warwick
Post Number: 567
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 26, 2007 - 6:42 pm: | |
Finally getting a chance to catch up and read posts. Glad to hear that everyone got home safe and sound. I flew out on Sunday in the late afternoon and got stuck on the tarmac for 2 hours backed up behind 27 other planes waiting to take off. Weird weather that day so everything was delayed. Consequently missed my connection so didn't get home until Monday morning and headed straight into work - have to pay for all the goodies I bought at the trade fair!
It was so much fun to meet all the HA'ers and put faces to names. Stacy, Sara and Cynthia - we must all be about the same height!
Had a great time sharing a room with Ilona and my friend, Christine. Had great chats late into the night every night. Ilona is a story-teller par excellence. Am really looking forward to the next get together!
Dawn, I can't thank you and your friend, Rachel (think I've got that right) enough for your kindness in giving me a seat at the jumpers. Please also give my regards to Mike and Penny.
Spectacular horses in both dressage and jumpers. Seeing Matine would have been the icing on the cake but it was not meant to be. As Sara said, Sunrise is stunningly gorgeous and Imke is a fabulous rider. That horse is a superstar in the making. Stefan Peters did an awesome job and it's a real credit to his barn management and horsemanship to have a 17 year old horse perform so well at that level. I really wanted him to win the Grand Prix on the first day. Warum Nicht and Isabell, despite some mistakes, were great and her freestyle on the final night was super. That horse is like a piece of elastic and his tests were so free from tension. No mean feat with a horse of rather questionable conformation and not something that could be said of too many others.
Can't wait to hear if it will be back in Vegas in 2009.
Cheers to all
Sue |
Lilo
Member
Username: lilo
Post Number: 470
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 26, 2007 - 7:05 pm: | |
Hallo all - did you take any photos? Would love to see them! Lilo |
Cynthia G
Member
Username: cgby1
Post Number: 48
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 27, 2007 - 2:28 pm: | |
Hi All, I had a lesson this morning and I had a chance to ask Lyn about the clucks and bits. He said that a lot of people use sounds during training but that you are not supposed to use sounds during a test. Also that you can't use more than one metal in a bit during a test. I wonder what made those grand prix horses salivate so much? So I guess I need a different bit when I start showing. Sue, I am 5'0" so I am probably shorter that you, Stacy or Sara. Where is the World Cup going to be held next year? Sue I wasn't paying attention to Warum Nicht's conformation, can you explain what his problems are? Cynthia |
Nancy Reynolds Kiester
Member
Username: albionsh
Post Number: 106
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 27, 2007 - 3:09 pm: | |
I am glad that everyone was able to get home without too much delay. That Vegas wind was something! I so enjoyed meeting everyone on Friday night. Iliona--did the pictures turn out? I would love one of all the HA'ers that were able to come to the noisy, fun dinner. Would have liked to have been able to chat more and to have met for breakfast Saturday morning, but it didn't work out. I consider myself lucky just to have been able to come!
Sunday's departure was marred by a phone call that one of my fillies was outside our fence and bleeding. I was able to contact neighbors and my vet and they got her back to the barn and tended to her wounds. Storm appeared to have jumped the fence--into a neighbor's 30 acre field that has a lot of brush and tangled barb wire. I am going to ask if I can go over and clean up at least the barb wire. If it happened once, it is possible it could again. No one has any idea why she would jump the 5 ft. wire fence. Maybe she was just playing and running and couldn't stop in time. |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2668
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 27, 2007 - 3:48 pm: | |
Wow, Nancy; so glad Storm wasn't hurt any worse than she was! Those kind of calls when you're not home certainly get the pulse rate going! It's so frustrating. Even a relatively minor injury or colic is scary because you can't see it for yourself.
I've got some pictures I'll try and post later on this afternoon. I thought I had one of the whole group, but I don't. So, I hope Ilona posts hers. Ummm...she did get home, didn't she??? Ilona??? |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2671
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 27, 2007 - 5:05 pm: | |
I just thought of this, before publishing pictures of members on the internet, do I need to ask their permission? I have pictures of Nancy, Stacey, Dawn, Cindy, Charlie...I think that's all. |
Dawn Winans
Member
Username: dwinans
Post Number: 97
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 27, 2007 - 5:22 pm: | |
You have my permission on the condition that I look like a supermodel in it! |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2677
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 27, 2007 - 11:49 pm: | |
Here's a picture of Christian Ahlmann (GER) and his horse Coster. This was a killer jump! |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2678
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 27, 2007 - 11:59 pm: | |
Richard Spooner and Cristallo. Sorry this isn't a better photo, but it does show a little of the jumps. |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2679
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Apr 28, 2007 - 12:19 am: | |
I think this is Marco Kutscher (GER) and Controe |
Gwen Robison
Member
Username: gwen
Post Number: 375
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, Apr 28, 2007 - 8:37 am: | |
Some of those jumps are HUGE! I was proud of myself for doing 2'6" yesterday. There goes that. |
Fran C
Member
Username: canter
Post Number: 992
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Apr 28, 2007 - 11:11 am: | |
Wow, Sara, don't apologize for the photos - you did a great job, particularly when you consider you were aiming at a quickly moving target under indoor lighting.
These pix are fabulous and really illustrate the hugeness of the jumps and the talent and athleticism of the horses.
How I wish I was there! (Yes, I am still crying in my soup that you all got to go and I didn't!... ) |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2684
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Apr 28, 2007 - 11:24 am: | |
I may have a picture that shows people standing by the jumps. They were over the heads of most of the "rail crew." That adobe looking one was 5' across at least. When they were jumping you could hear the entire crowd holding their breath, then letting it out once the horse was over. On the tough jumps people would be sitting on the edge of their seats and "clucking" to the horse just as if they were riding it. Totally thrilling!
I don't have pictures of the dressage as I was up too high and my little camera doesn't have much of a zoom on it. It's just a little Olympus stylus digital. |
leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1
Post Number: 114
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, Apr 28, 2007 - 5:37 pm: | |
lol Christian Ahlmann looks like a little 'ol flea catching a ride on a great big grey horse.
WEEEEEE!
L: |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2692
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Apr 28, 2007 - 6:08 pm: | |
That "big grey horse" was beautiful. He's one of the ones I got to watch them bathe and hand walk. He seemed well mannered and had a kind eye. I really liked him. |
Stacy Upshaw
Member
Username: 36541
Post Number: 299
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 - 2:31 pm: | |
Did anyone else think the jump-off Friday night was a little insane? All the jumps were collected in the short side of the arena, several right up against the short end so that they were riding full-speed into the bank of spectators from a visual perspective. The music was obnoxiously loud. I was very impressed with the demeanor of the showjumpers(the equines), and also saw some beautiful riding in that division. |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2701
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Apr 29, 2007 - 3:48 pm: | |
Stacy, it was certainly exciting, which I think is what they go for. That arena is so small; I think putting twelve jumps in there is in itself insane! When walking the arena, it looked to me like ten jumps was crowding it, especially for such big horses. For such big animals they are all wonderfully "handy" to be making those tight turns.
I was impressed with the course design just from the standpoint that they were able to fit that many jumps. That adobe looking jump right up against the wall...it just amazed me that the horses went over it. The sound system was awfully loud, imo, all the time. It just blared! I felt like putting ear plugs in and wondered if the horses maybe were wearing them. It must be hard on them as their hearing is so sensitive. The riders were very brave, imo!!
I guess those horses have all been to so many places and seen so much that it would really take a lot to rattle them. The ones I saw unloading and in the barns were certainly "ho-hum" about it all. Very impressed with the horses (and riders) all the way around! |
Chris Stevens
Member
Username: stevens
Post Number: 292
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 12:40 pm: | |
Sara,
If you think the T&M was small for jumping you need to go watch the National Finals Rodeo in the same venue. Imagine cattle chutes at one end and the calf roping or steer wrestling; they run out of room real fast!
Chris |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2704
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 1:52 pm: | |
Chris, I have!  kind of scary imo.
What ever happened to the big horse facility that was going to be built west of town? It was going to have hundreds of stalls, several outdoor arenas, big indoor arena, vet facility etc. and be used for boarding as well as big events. I saw plans for it quite a few yrs. ago and at that time understood construction was being started. I haven't seen or heard anything about it since. L.V. really needs a new, big facility. South Coast (whatever it's new name is) doesn't cut it at all. It's o.k. for some things, but really isn't big enough and is really lacking in a lot of ways...plus is REALLY expensive. |
Chris Stevens
Member
Username: stevens
Post Number: 293
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 3:01 pm: | |
Hi Sara,
I haven't done anything at the South Coast yet and hadn't heard about a new facility on the west side.
I'd like to see the city/county/whoever renovate Horseman's Park on the east side of town. There are already barns and a good size main arena and lots of warmups.
Maybe with the housing boom finally slowing down something can happen. |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2706
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 3:43 pm: | |
They have done some painting and replaced some barn doors and it's kept clean. It's a great place for local shows; but there needs to be, imo, a bigger and better place for international events, NFR, etc. |
Sue G
Member
Username: warwick
Post Number: 569
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 7:38 pm: | |
Ilona called and asked that I let everyone know that she's on the road and can't access the web right now but she'll catch up when she gets back home! |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2709
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 8:04 pm: | |
Thanks. I was really wondering about her since we haven't heard from her. I was beginning to think we were all too much for her or something! |
Stacy Upshaw
Member
Username: 36541
Post Number: 303
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2007 - 9:25 pm: | |
World Cup on TV tonight at 9 and 11 eastern on Animal Planet. Sorry for posting this reminder so late. I bet they rebroadcast in the next few days as well. If I find out, will post! |
Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro
Post Number: 649
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2007 - 10:06 pm: | |
I am watching right now looking for everyone in the audience. It looks amazing.
suz |
cindy O'DELL
Member
Username: zarr
Post Number: 557
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, May 13, 2007 - 1:42 am: | |
Watched but not enough horses shown but at least we know the best can sit in the dust !! Kept trying to see a group waving HA signs in the stands but alas no sightings. Would have loved to see all that in person. Cindy |
Cynthia G
Member
Username: cgby1
Post Number: 56
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Monday, May 14, 2007 - 4:43 pm: | |
It was nice to see the show jumping but I was sooo disappointed that they showed so little of the dressage. Cynthia |
Ilona A
Member
Username: ilona
Post Number: 603
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 - 5:09 pm: | |
Pictures of HA members at last.
Hi all,
I apologize for taking so long to get these up. The reasons are too numerous and by now boring. These are the best 3 I have. I met such wonderful people and must truly say it was one of my most memorable weeks ever. I had so much fun, so many laughs and shared a hotel room with 2 wonderful women from Canada, Sue G. and her friend Christine. I so look forward to hosting the HA get-together in September. I know that I have friends that I connect with in many meaningful ways additional to our shared passion for horses.
This is a picture of Chris and Dawn in the back row and Cynthia and Stacy in the front row at the Thomas Mack Pavilion where some of us originally met up |
Ilona A
Member
Username: ilona
Post Number: 604
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 - 5:22 pm: | |
This Photo was taken at our drinks and dinner get together at the Hard Rock cafe (yes it was loud, but who cares!)
From Left to Right standing:
Nancy, Sue G, Charlie (Cynthia's husband), Dawn
From Left to Right sitting:
Gwenn (Sara Wolff's friend) Cynthia, Sara, Stacy Upshaw
 |
Ilona A
Member
Username: ilona
Post Number: 605
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 - 5:30 pm: | |
Here are, Left to Right:
Christine (Sue G's friend), Stacy, Sue G., Nancy, Sara, Dawn, Gwen
 |
Dawn Winans
Member
Username: dwinans
Post Number: 107
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 - 5:37 pm: | |
Thanks for the photos, Iliona! What a great reminder of a fantastic time! It was so much fun meeting all of you. |
Lilo
Member
Username: lilo
Post Number: 527
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 - 7:39 pm: | |
Ilona,
Thanks for the photos. Now we need one of you (we
used an innocent bystander to take a photo of the whole group at the Colorado HA member lunch).
Sure looks like it was a great time!
Lilo |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 2884
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 - 9:10 am: | |
I'm glad you got your Photoshop updated, Ilona! Thanks for posting the pictures. As Dawn said, they are a great reminder of a wonderful time. I so much enjoyed meeting each of you that I met, I hope I get to meet more HA people in September. It was more like a get together of old friends than a meeting of new ones! |
Erika L
Member
Username: erika
Post Number: 890
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 - 6:32 pm: | |
Great! I am so envious, sounds like a fun time.
Gotta say, Sara, I remember in one of our old threads someone said they pictured you like Barbara Stanwyck (remember that?)! Couldn't be further from reality, could it? More like Susan Sarandon! |
