Here we are almost halfway through June and we are finally able to take some time to reflect back on our whirlwind of a May. It was an outstanding month, filled with lessons and clinics, dressage shows, and horse trials. Our team competed solidly and stepped up their game in really hitting the ground running to start the season.
The first week of May included clinics with Jane Bartle-Wilson and Tori Polonitza, followed by the Silverwood Farm Eventing Derby. An intense training week, but a successful one, our horses and their riders were well prepared. Kaitlyn Maro competed on her own horse, La Ferrari, in their Training level debut together. The pair ended with a 3rd place finish and a confidence building round! Megan Waelti competed on the Waelti-BSH Syndicate horse, Tripple Reward, in the Novice Division. This was his Novice competition debut and he took it with ease, completing the weekend with a 4th place finish. Gabrielle Ortiz competed on her horse, The Chief, and finished their Junior Novice round in 2nd place! Lastly, Caroline Bowman competed on her pony, Toy Story. This adorable pair had great dressage rides, improving their score greatly over the weekend on the second derby day.
Kaitlyn Maro & La Ferrari ; Photo by John Bory's Photography
Megan Waelti & Tripple Reward ; Photo by John Bory's Photography
The following weekend our team returned to Silverwood Farm for the Dressage Show series. Bonnie competed on 3 horses this weekend -- Maisey Star, owned by BSH, in Third-1 and Third-2; Steel Driven Dreams, owned by Carrie Bedore, in Training-2 and Training-3; and Mira Mazerrati in First-1 and First-2. Amelia Wilber competed on Maisey Star in the Equitation class. John Vitek competed on his horse, Double-Oh-Seven, in their first competition of the year in Training-1 and Training-2 and had some great learning moments! Lastly, Jessica Franklin rode her BSH leased horse, Stryder, in her first Dressage show, completing some spectacular rides and building an even stronger connection with Stryder. Team BSH had a wonderful and very successful weekend, with Maisey Star being awarded Highpoint Champion.
From left to right: Jessica Franklin, John Vitek, Amelia Wilber, Bonnie Bowman, Caroline Bowman (front).
Back on the road the following weekend, Team BSH traveled to Otter Creek Farm to compete in the Spring Otter Creek HT. This would be our first HT of the season. Even with the lack of training opportunities due to very wet weather leading up to the event, our horses performed confidently. Bonnie rode both La Ferrari and Tripple Reward at the event, putting on some great rides and training moments.
Both horses put in very solid Dressage rides in the large Open Novice class. Unfortunately, during XC Tripple Reward took a bad step as he jumped fence 3 on course. Bonnie made the decision to retire him from the course to better assess him and ensure his well-being. Thankfully, he trotted up just fine later that evening and was able to do a courtesy SJ round where he went double clear!
La Ferrari was sitting at a three way tie after Dressage for 1st place. He ran easily on the XC course, going double clear and proving that he was ready to make his move-up the following weekend. On Sunday, he jumped flawlessly and went double clear to finish on his Dressage score and win the Open Novice division!
La Ferrari winning the Open Novice Division in his first HT of the season with Bonnie Bowman and owner Kaitlyn Maro.
Finishing up a strong competition month, our team headed to the KY Horse Park to compete at the May-Daze HT. Again, Bonnie would compete both La Ferrari and Tripple Reward. La Ferrari completed his very first Training Level HT while Tripple Reward completed his first full HT in the Novice Horse Division.
At the completion of the event, we took advantage of some extra training opportunities (and good weather!) to school the XC course. Kaitlyn and Megan were both able to ride their horses on course -- a dream for both of them! Megan will return to the KY Horse Park with Tripple Reward in October to compete in the Retired Racehorse Project TB Makeover.
Tripple Reward clearing the brush fence at May Daze HT
La Ferrari in his Training Level debut at May-Daze HT
We want to congratulate all of Team BSH and their successes this month! You have done a phenomenal job with your training, your dedication, and your ambition to be great, while always putting the horse first! We couldn't be more proud of everyone. A big thank you to all of our sponsors -- Work Horse Muscle Therapy for always making sure our horses feel their best, Devoucoux for outstanding saddle fit and Majyk Equipe for the utmost leg protection!
Lastly and very importantly, we would like to extend our biggest CONGRATULATIONS to BSH rider Lisa Lach on her wedding and marriage to Patrick Grunewald! We couldn't be more excited for you and the start of your life together!
For those of you that don't know the story, Patrick proposed to Lisa last year at Rolex with Bruce Davidson as their witness! A few of our team visited that now doubly memorable spot the week before her wedding, along with the Rolex jump they danced on shortly after getting engaged! Cheers to you Lisa & Patrick! Lots of love from the entire BSH team!
Congratulations to Lisa and Patrick! 6/9/18
