The Secret Life of McKenna & Dorito: Beatin’ the Heat

M & D survived–nay, flourished!–in the heat at the Maryland Horse Trials I last weekend, and brought home a pretty-colored ribbon to boot.

From McKenna:

Well kids,

Maryland HT was awesome. I bumped back down to novice to get our confidence built back up and it proved to be a good decision, as we finished in 3rd place!!!!

Dressage went very well. Dorito listened to me much better and our transitions improved ten-fold. We ended up scoring a 37, which I was extremely happy with! I actually believe that is my lowest score to date on him…

Show jumping was great! I rode much, much better to all my fences and just let Dorito do what he does best, while I looked pretty! 🙂 We posted a lovely double clear round!!

XC was phenomenal, although Dorito was a bit bored, he wanted training jumps!! He was a bit strong for me in some places but I think if I use my upper body a bit better for the transitions that would improve. Essentially, he was a perfect angel all day.

Had I gotten closer to the optimum time I would have been 2nd, but instead I settled for a pretty yellow ribbon!!

All in all, it was a great day!

Big shout-out to Jackson Schrickel, who was my personal photographer and groom! And of course to my mom and to my sister, Megan, who came out to support me.

Sidenote: that horse that went into the drainage pond… happens to be my best friend’s horse. Everything ended okay and they departed ways because of a spook, not jump related!

Jaclyn Burke also gets huge props. She rode 3 horses on Sunday and had great rides on ALL of them! She also helped me a lot in the show jump warm-up so big thanks to her!

In other news, Emily’s brand new website is up and running!! Get on over there and check it out. Several of my pictures are scattered throughout the site along with a little bio on me!

Be sure you check out all the fun activities we have going on. Awesome raffles, derby crosses, and some super fun camps!!! Come on out and help us get Quincy to England!!

Good luck to all competing this weekend, may the force be with you!

Go eventing.