(I am updating from the airport in Vancouver, BC, waiting for my last flight in a very long trip over to see the family. Yay for free wifi at airports!)

The show in Muenster was fantastic. It was a treat to have the German Championships for Dressage and Show Jumping a ten minute bike ride from my apartment. Unfortunately, I had to drive to the show and my only complaint I just HAVE to make is the poor organization of parking. If you were a rider or sponsor, no problem. For ordinary spectators though, good luck finding a (close, convenient, or affordable) parking spot anywhere in the city center for the entire day Saturday!

Once I got over my grumpiness about the parking situation, I thoroughly enjoyed the show. We watched the Grand Prix Special where Isabell Werth and Warum Nicht put in one of the best tests I've ever seen from them. Normally Warum Nicht doesn't do too much for me, I much prefer Satchmo's style over her big chestnut's Steady Eddy look. However, Saturday's test stood out so much from the others with it's pure confidence, accuracy and ease, it's understandable how the judges just throw the scores at her.

My second favorite (and second place finish) was Anabel Balkenhol with her young star Dabalino. In an electric and exciting test hey won the Medien Cup competition last year, claiming the title for best young Grand Prix horse in Germany. The difference a year makes! Here they are trying for a spot on the German WEG Team and looking confident and grown up in the test. The horse is simply stunning, and the only detraction from the overall impression is Anabel's lack of confidence in the presentation. Where Isabell just sits there with this look of absolute certainty that she will perform the movement for a "9", Anabel sits in the saddle with a bit of "holy crap I hope this will work and if it does it will be great but it might go all horribly wrong but it worked okay on to the next movement I hope it works but…"  

Now don't misunderstand me. That horse is super sensitive and I'm sure not an easy ride. She does a masterful job presenting, she is a skilled and talented rider,  but I sort of exhale after every movement. It's exciting to watch anyway.

There were many other highlights, but those two stood out without me having my score sheet and notes (yes, I take notes. I am a DQ) in hand. The Grand Prix Freestyle Sunday was a little less spectacular for me, but still great. Warum Nicht was behind the vertical almost the entire test, but still maintaining all the expected uphill balance, self-carriage, rhythm, expression, and subsequent scores. Dabalino unfortunately showed his age and had an unsteady ride with some mistakes to finish 6th. The quality is there and surely with time he will become more reliable and consistent. Hopefully he'll reach that point in a month or so, since I believe he made the team for Kentucky…

The best freestyle for me was Sabine Becker and her Lamarc WRT,  who I believe were on the German Team at the European Championships last year. In Windsor her horse was considered to inexperienced & unreliable by some, but in the Freestyle Sunday this combination impressed me the most. Her music was absolutely lovely and fascinating, and the horse performed with confidence & fluidity, all of it deserving a higher placing than the 8th they finished with. It was worthy of higher scores in my opinion, but since I'm only sitting in the bleachers instead of the ringside wooden booth, what do I know. 

The dressage was some of the best to be seen in the world and it's a privilege to have the chance to see it in my backyard. However, what I absolutely loved was the show jumping classes. I feel like I'm cheating on my discipline, but I just can't help it! It's like driving around in a fashionable limousine and then seeing someone fly past your ass in a Porsche. 

What stands out always to me when I watch the jumping at the highest level is how much the horses seem to love their job. A Grand Prix dressage horse can seem miserable and still do the movements. However, I can't imagine a truly miserable horse jumping those huge fences, not in a clean or safe run. While I saw so many horses jumping around like they were just playing a game, the horse that absolutely inspired me was Stakkato, the 17 year old stallion with his rider from the beginning, Eva Bitter. Winning the Women's Championships, Stakkato looked like he was very much thinking and playing all at the same time, clearing the impressive course with his tongue hanging out the entire round. While I have seen other horses jump with more electrifying style, this old guy looks like he really wants to do the right thing by Eva, like he would take a bullet for her. Who knows, maybe he's really a stinker, but that's the impression I get. He jumps with absolute skill and delivers the goods regardless, and the emotion on Eva's face after clearing that last fence for the win… that was a little bit of magic. Good boy, Stakkato!!

As always it was also a thrill to watch the Grand Prix jumping class Saturday night. It was a very tough course and the few that made the jump off were wildly applauded. The winner of it all was Marcus Ehning, who always impresses me with his style and skill. He has better hands than most riders out there, always maintaining a steady, soft contact and never looking like he makes corrections or reacts to anything. Watching that kind of jumping riding makes me think maybe I could do that! Well, maybe if you lowered the fences by about half. Then another half. Then maybe.

It did really make me miss working in Ingrid's program where jumping was just something you did, whether you were a dressage queen or not. I'll not be so bold to say I became good at jumping, but I got some confidence while riding super horses under super instruction, and maybe developed a little bit of skill (remembering that I started with absolutely NO skill when pointed at a fence, unless you count closing your eyes and really, really hoping a special kind of skill). Since I'm now the "dressage rider" at my jobs I jump less than I'd like, and even doing the cavaletti work gets forgotten. It's great to be able to go to such horse shows and get re-inspired, even if I'm only going to jump the horses over something I could clear on foot!

So that was my horse show round up, or at least the round of up Important Horse Shows. I showed in two shows this last weekend but that will be for my next update. For now I'm going to get some Tim Horton's coffee, some Timbits, & enjoy the sunset over the mountains  as I watch the planes take off & land. It's good to be home, eh?

Cheers,

Eiren 

So really nothing to say tonight, just posting two poor quality photos (taken with my phone, what do you expect?) from the horse show in Munster.

First the amazing Isabell Werth and her trusty Warum Nicht, on the way to becoming 2010 German Dressage Champions.

Next picture is Eva Bitter & Stakkato, 2010 German Women's Show Jumping Champions. You can watch the video of her winning rounds by clicking on the photo.  

I have lots to say about both the dressage and jumping, but not now.  Once again, sit tight...

Eiren 

After returning from the fabulous horse show at Verden I went through Internet withdrawal since my home line crashed. I was so excited to write about the super weekend I had but had to wait. It took over a week to get it all repaired, and I had time to watch another show last that needs talking about as well. The Turnier der Sieger, here at the Muenster castle, right in my backyard, was another spectacular event. This always beautiful show was the host to the German Dressage & Show Jumping Championships this year, and acted as the final selection for WEG. 

Starting with the first show, Verden was awesome. A great highlight was Ingrid & Alfie beating their result from last year, finishing sixth place in a very competitive class of six year olds. Hoorah for Ingrid, Alfie, and his owners, Mr & Mrs Wallace. I found the judging in the Six Year Old Finals to be the finest and most logical of the Young Horse division. The Five Year Old Finals was really rewarding auction style riding, as was the Small Finals for Six Year Olds. However, Sunday's judging rewarded good training, relaxed and happy horses, and of course combine that with outstanding dressage ability and you've got some jaw-dropping combinations. This class was celebrated as a Don Schufro extravaganza, as he was well represented by the winner, Uno Donna Unique and five others (including Don Schufro as dam-sire). Naturally, I went and explained to my perfect little Denny Crane that there are now even higher expectations on him... 

We also watched a lot of the advanced dressage, including Nurnberger Burg Pokal (young PSG horse class) and the CDI Grand Prix and Special. There was some amazing horses, some amazing riding, and some combinations that I watched and thought, pfft. I could do that. I write that with a giggle, because even though I may think that, I know it's never as easy as some make it look. 

Sunday after the dressage we watched the Grand Prix jumping class, which is always a refreshing way to finish a show, especially when you have a 2+ hour drive home.  

My partners in crime this weekend were Nicole, who celebrated her 21st birthday!!, my great friend Eliza Sydnor, who flew over from the States for the week, and Meaghan Byrne, an American rider working for Heike Kemmer. I also got to meet Pia Fortmuller, another Canadian rider over here, also training with Heike.  We actually went to the party on Saturday night, the first time I've been out in a while (I think it showed). It was great to see old friends from across the pond, friends I've made over the past two and a half years in Germany, as well as meeting some new people. For many reasons Verden is always a great show, and once again it fulfilled expectations and made me promise myself to come again next year. 

... and as much as I want to talk about last weekend's Turnier der Sieger, I really just need to get some sleep for now. I kind of sort of vaguely promise to write more before the week is over, since next week I'll be in Canada and not thinking too much about the blog. Ok, sit tight reader, I'll be right back.

Eiren 

Today, the stars aligned and Hermann gave me a bit of a lesson on one of my favourite ponies, Romeo. Romeo is a 10 year old (I think) Grand Prix horse. He's got lovey movement and an incredible character, it is really a treat to ride him. Even better is when Hermann decides to give me some help with him! Yay!

Besides working on the positioning of the horse's neck & activity of the hindlegs (good lord, I have to think of both ends at the same time?!) he also tweaked my position. I was tight in my knees and sitting too much in a driving seat. This made it hard for me to effectively communicate with Romeo. I really noticed when I needed to "sit to the right" in the right lead canter when I need to collect him but keep him softly bending. Aha! Looser knees, longer leg, straighter, softer upper body... oh wait, I already forgot about the horse's hind legs... dammit, there goes the neck... what? Sit right? Sonofabiscuit!!!

It was a lot to think about, but I had a really good feeling and Romeo was happy. I wish Hermann would give me more lessons, because the man can be a genius. With his help the horses go wonderfully and I always have a better feeling about what I'm doing. Nicole also has had a lot of lessons from him on some of the top horses the past few days, so we're all having lots of fun! Hoorah! 

Tomorrow I have my show with Dutchman, and it can only be better than the ride I had on him today. Blah. 

After the show I'll head to Hermann's to ride a few then Nicole and I will drive up to Verden. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for Ingrid & Alfie tomorrow morning during the qualifier, you can follow the results here http://www.verden-turnier.de 

Cheers,

Eiren 

Michael Klimke is looking for a groom if you or anyone you know is looking for something to do. Contact me for more info.

Cheers,

Eiren 

First of all, let's talk about Denny Crane. He rules. I love my orange baby boy! Every day he gets stronger and bigger, but he still lets me hug him and kiss his perfect little nose. He has discovered the fun of bucking, and I gotta say, he's good at it. I hope he loses some of that athletic ability around 3 years from now... He makes me laugh every day, and I can only laugh at myself with my 10 year plan for him. Here I can't plan anything for myself beyond the next week, 3 months at most, but I have a 10 year plan for Denny. I realised when he's 10 (and doing a very good Grand Prix according to The Plan) I will be 44. Holy shit, what? Don't ask me where I'll be living or anything like that, all I know is that according to Denny's Plan, I'll be riding awesome Grand Prix.  Anyway, let's leave the age talk get back to the horses ... 

Aila, Denny's "mom", is still getting better every day. She had her final hoof booty off and looks as sound and happy as any other 19 year old brood mare ought to look! When I saw her and Denny trotting around Friday, her first boot-free day in 6 weeks or so, and with only one more day of pain meds in her future, I got a little misty eyed. How exciting this journey has been, and even though it's just starting, I feel like it's also an ending to the drama and scary stuff. Now we're quickly moving on to clumsy baby accidents and a few years of fugly. It'll be awesome!

Brenda Owen, working student and photographer extraordinaire left Germany after three months at Hermann's. It was great to see her develop her talents as a rider and I hope her pony at home has enjoyed his holiday because it's over!! Brenda's gone home with some new tricks up her sleeve and better timing and feeling to get it done. I am very sad to lose Brenda's awesome talents with the camera too, it's always so wonderful to see the images she captures! I still think the best picture of me on a horse has to be that magical shot Brenda caught of Instertanz galloping at the horse show. Best. Shot. Ever.

On the topic of horse shows, I have to give a WOHOO out to Jim Kofford! Jimmy and his American born & bred gelding, Rhett, had an awesome showing this weekend. They placed 2nd in the Grand Prix and 2nd again Sunday in Rhett's very first Grand Prix Special! This is the first time I've seen Rhett competing this year, and holy crap! he's a very impressive horse. The judges seem to think so too!

Still talking horse shows - this weekend is the World Championships for Young Horses in Verden. This year I'm going with my friend Eliza Sydnor and meeting up with a few others. It's always such a fun show, not only for the fine display of horses, but also I'm always surprised how many people I bump into there. Once again we'll be cheering on Ingrid and Dresden Mann, representing Germany in the six year old division.  

My next show is Friday, just before I head up to Verden. I'll be riding big pony Dutchman in Dressurpferde L. I have another show towards the end of August, where I'll be taking some 3 & 4 year olds out to their first show, which is always good for a giggle. I've also entered the amazing Dante in another show, which just makes me want to smother Ingrid in hugs. There may be a conflict with the schedule of the young horses & Dante, but lets keep our fingers crossed that the horse show gods work with me and my goals. 

Some very sad news now from the other side of the ocean. The USA lost an amazing breeder, horsewoman and person when Angela Barilar passed away Saturday. Angela played an important part in my career, trusting me to ride her horses at High Point Hanoverians and encouraging me to un-retire Davignport and get the FEI exposure on her great stallion. I don't think there are too many breeders in America with her vision, judgement, and business sense, and with these qualities she built one of the most successful warmblood breeding operations in North America. Though we didn't stay in contact after my move to Germany, I'm saddened to learn of her passing. My heart breaks for her family and those closest to her. Her memory will carry on through the horses she has bred and imported and shaped US horse sport with, and I'm going to enjoy the memories I have of the time I spent at her farm and with her. Angela, you will be missed!

With that sad news I'll say good night. I wish I had something uplifting and witty to close with, but tonight I just don't. Sorry.  

Eiren