Badminton Qualifications, new sponsors, Aiken update...

So today marks the close of entries to Badminton Horse Trials. With only 48 days left to start of competition, let's just say things are moving pretty quickly!! Let me start with an explanation of the new qualifications to enter this prestigious event!

Badminton CCI **** has put into place another level of qualification for horse and rider. On top of the standard requirements for a 4* under FEI rules, all horses and riders will be required to have finished in the top 25% at CCI *** or the top 50% at a CCI **** during some stage in their career.

straight from Badminton: "The objective is to ensure that Badminton entry is confined to those who have proved themselves capable of being competitive at the highest levels of the sport; and is against the background of considerably more entries being received in recent years than can be accommodated."

So once all entries have been received, which would be by today, they will all be ranked according to points won in FEI 3 and 4 star competitions over the two years preceding the event. The 85 horses with the highest points accumulated will be accepted and all others placed on a numbered waiting list. As withdrawals come in leading up to the event, riders will be placed onto the starting list from the wait list, in order.

As you can see, there are many, many steps trying to even be accepted into this event. These new qualification are on top of the FEI rules (which I stated previously), and that is on top of the fact that one still has to get the 'OK' from their National Federation (USEF) to even apply and send an entry in. That is all besides the fact that it is one of the hardest events in the world, and its in England (so still have to find the $$ to get there), and well, we all know how hard it is to even get to a 4* soundly and truly ready from all aspects of the sport! So sleeping is getting a bit harder at night!!!

Since my entry is officially in, I am happy to say that the USEF has given me permission to ride at Badminton, which in itself is a huge honor because I will be representing the USA! That is a wonderful feeling! Hopefully Badminton will have the list out quickly after the close today, so at least I can realistically see if I am in contention to head over the pond.

I will definitely keep everyone posted as I learn more and hopefully will be making plans to travel!!

Since Rolex is after Badminton this year on the schedule, I will also be entering at KY just in case things do not pan out to head over seas (for reasons that would still enable us to still compete of course).

In other news :) We have a new supplement sponsorship with a wonderful company, Mushroom Matrix!! I tried one of their supplements, ECP Matrix, earlier this year on a young horse that has quite a lot of anxiety, especially while showing. There was an immediate change to his demeanor and work ethic, he all of a sudden could relax and focus more on the work at hand. Even on the ground the 'edge' was just softer, he was not so up tight. So the incredibly generous, Kim at Mushroom Matrix agreed to send me more products to try on my upper level horses. What amazes me is that my whole team has noticed improvements very quickly in all of the horses! They Advanced horses are greatly benefiting from the ECP Matrix as well now. All of the boys are on the Immune Matrix, and George is the healthiest he has ever been!! (Anyone that knows George knows that he usually spend most of Aiken on antibiotics or has something health related going on!)

Rox has finally developed muscling that he has struggled with in the past. He has been able to truly step up his game and the strength he has developed makes me very pleased to have him on the Muscle Matrix!

As you can see, I can't praise this company enough!! My absolute favorite part to this company is that it is all natural, completely organic, no additives! Healthy healthy healthy!! They have a line of products for small animals and humans as well. I have been taking the Immune, daily, and energy supplements and have been healthy, more alert and sharp, and not getting 'worn out' at the end of our long days! That certainly says something!! Check them out, these products are worth trying!! http://www.mushroommatrix.com

So I need to update everyone on the Aiken happenings...

First, Rox will be fine, sorry it has taken me so long to post this, but I wanted to have a clearer picture on what happened. We are incredibly lucky in an incredibly unfortunate situation. Rox took a bad step while giving me a very exuberant flying change on landing side of a warm up fence. In the process he managed to get a minor strain in his LF, no damage (that is the lucky part), just swelling, which still requires time to heal. So he is sound, very cranky and stall bound for a little while longer. I am going to be very careful and conservative bringing him back, he is truly a special horse for me and he has lots ahead of him still :)

George is in fine form and will be starting out next weekend at Full Gallop in the prelim. Ray makes his 2011 debut at novice level this weekend at Sporting Days (home to KSEventing south)! Both horses had a wonderful jump school with Phillip yesterday and are feeling great going into their first events!

Also Joey did his first event of the season at PineTop and I am quite pleased with him. He is feeling fresh and fit....and ready for much bigger jumps!!

Thank you everyone for following along!!

-Kristin

Wellington wrap up and Aiken update

The past few weeks have gone by pretty quickly! We have managed to fit quite a bit in such a short amount of time. The two weeks spent in Wellington were incredibly beneficial for myself and the horses!! A huge thank you to Phillip for setting all of that up for us!

I was fortunate enough to ride with Katie Prudent while in Florida. Let me just say, wow! Learned so much in every lesson, and I felt all of the horses did too! Especially Striker. He is still a bit green in comparison to his stablemates that were with him down there. Being only 7 coming 8, he had a lot to learn and rose to the occasion. I had a different horse after the first week of lessons! It was an eye opener for him and I feel that I came away knowing much more about him and how to continue on with his training. Striker is an Irish horse ( by Maltstriker kwpn) that we imported as an un-broke, untouched 3 year old. He is very talented, and super athletic, but has been a little slow to mature, so I have taken my time with him. Striker is for sale and probably will progress as a show jumper with his incredible jump! I was very lucky to have him with me in FL! Katie worked me hard on my position as well, which I needed. This has made a huge improvement in the horses' jump, particularly Joey.

At the end of the 2 weeks I took each Joey, Rox and Striker into a class at WEF under the watchful eye of Katie. Let me just emphasize how helpful it was to have Katie warm us up, watch our ride and critique! All 3 horses jumped lovely clear rounds, not bad for their first time showing this winter!

We also were very lucky to continue our flat lessons with Betsy Steiner!! So much fun!! Betsy was very kind to fit us in for quite a few lessons. She has a wonderful way of teaching and I find that not only do I learn so much each lesson, but my horses truly enjoy every ride with her! I find myself getting very excited about the dressage work we have been doing, and the best part is that my horses (especially Joey), are really into it!! Joey seems to find a place in this more intense flatwork that makes him relax and really buckle down and work VERY hard! He has always had a great work ethic, but there is something that has changed in him since working with Betsy. He is truly enjoying his dressage work and at times I think is having fun with it! For anyone that knows Joey......this is pretty cool!!! (I'm having a blast too!!)

It was very sad to leave the 80 degree weather, sunny skies and palm trees to head north on Sunday last week, but I can't complain because we only had to go as far as Aiken......NJ is a mess with the horrid winter weather! Back to reality :)

It took a few days to settle, unpack and well....crash for a day after FL! But it was quickly back to work and prepping for the training sessions that start tomorrow. It's been a few years since I have been fortunate to ride with Mark, I'm looking forward to getting started!

Thanks for reading :) I will keep everyone updated on how the lessons are going!!

Kristin

Sponsor Spotlight: Five Star Tack

Kristin has a number of valued sponsors that support her riding endeavors and today she would like to extend her thanks to Five Star Tack. The company produces top quality bridles and strap goods that function beautifully and help Kristin's horses stand out from the crowd. Their business philosophy is also extremely positive, with 20% of profits going to a selection of charities.

"I am honored to be a part of the Five Star Tack Team!" says Kristin. "Not only are their products by far the best quality I have ever used, but Jaime Greene has managed to put in her brilliant designs to create a look that stands out on every horse! Keeps my horses looking stunning at all of their competitions! I can't tell you how many people have stopped us at shows to ask about these beautiful bridles and breastplates, very eye-catching!"

For more information visit www.fivestartack.com. Please note that there is a sale going on until January 28th so now is a great time to check out their products!