April is always a crazy month and this year particularly so with SAPC hosting ANRC Nationals next week, IDA Nationals in Ohio the same weekend and IHSA Nationals in Murfreesboro TN the following weekend.
Our eight ANRC riders, their coaches Kira and Lindsay, Peggy and a few students that stayed on campus for Easter have been hard at work painting jumps, washing fences, fixing the ring footing, and generally tidying up the facility for the competition next week. The temporary stabling is being assembled down by the farm house and the maintenance crews have been going full force, putting the finishing touches on the outside course, dragging paddocks and rings and mowing like crazy. Not forgetting the horses, they are schooling great, looking fabulous and only giving their riders an occasional heart attack with pulled shoes! My contribution? Making points for shad bellies for the girls and a tie for Rob.
Wednesday I head up the road for Findlay Ohio. I am meeting T (Teresa McDonald from VA Tech.) in Wytheville VA. We have meetings is Thursday and Friday and then the fun begins. Findlay has gone all out with their plans for Nationals including a golf cart decorating contest and dog agility. Greta & Lauren are driving over night (with chef d’equipe Donna )Thursday to be there for the golf cart contest, and the Friday dinner with speaker Betsy Steiner. They don’t show until Sunday but will have a chance to see the horses go and soak up the excitement of a National competition.
As if that was not enough as soon as this weekend is over we are shipping horses to Murfreesboro early Monday for IHSA Nationals. Kira, Sarah & Lindsay are travelling with them. In hunt seat we have one rider - Rob Jacobs in Novice fences (we live in the most competitive region in the country for IHSA). The western team and individuals will be driving out there with Carla later in the week.
Phew! Finals are right around the corner and then graduation. (The eq. staff plan to fit a riding instructor retreat and spa May 2 & 3 to keep ourselves from getting bored!)
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