The Secret Life of McKenna: Comeback kid

After months of setbacks following a riding accident last year, junior blogger McKenna Oxenden has officially re-entered the show ring.

From McKenna:

Well, it’s safe to say that my first event of the season was a success.

Gigi and I put in a great dressage test. I lost some points here and there for some very silly, fixable things so we have plenty to improve upon! The great news is that we scored a 33… and with room to improve?! I sense some big things! 🙂

I don’t have any words for show jumping…. absolutely amazing. Show jumping is my Achilles heel—I has been known to notoriously kick my booty, but for the first time in a very, very long time I had a relatively flawless round. With the exception of one fence, my round was superb. A good pace, good spots and rhythm, and clean!

Cross-country was fair. We were controlled and had a good pace for the most part, just keeping it slow and steady. I did have two oopsies on course but they were very minor and my fault. But for the most part, my round was good. For it being my first competition back and being only the secondnd time I have XC schooled this year, I am so so so very pleased.

The cherry on top of the amazing day was that I even brought home a lovely green ribbon!

I am extremely excited for where the next few events will bring me. My show jumping is beginning to improve significantly and my dressage is getting more and more competitive! Onward and upward!!!

Until then, I will be enjoying the sweet, glorious feeling of my newly earned drivers license and summer (SENIOR YEAR WOOHOO!!!!) getting my non-farmers tan on… well at least until Tuesday.. because after that it will be ponies, ponies, ponies! And slave labor. 🙂

About the Author

McKenna Oxenden is a 16-year-old junior in high school, hailing from Columbia, MD. McKenna is a training level event rider and is currently campaigning the 15.1 Trakhener Cross, “Gossip Girl” a.k.a. Gigi and previously competed 13.2 pony superstar, Dorito Cooler Ranch, through training level. She has worked for CCI4* event rider, Emily Beshear and currently trains with Courtney Sendak of Defying Gravity Eventing. She is also an active ambassador to JustWorld International. When McKenna isn’t busy writing or riding, she is taking photographs and playing in Photoshop. You can see some of her work by liking her Facebook page (Mckenna Erinn Photography).