CDI - Day One

Technically this is going to be Day One and a half.

I drove down Wednesday afternoon thinking I'd get there, unpack things, find my paperwork, and then get a nice ride in before Joe came down with the RV that evening and we had to set it up.  This is not how the plan went at all.

I arrived a little later than I'd expected and got the stall more or less set up.  I didn't see many people there although there were some CDI people already moved in and the open show people that have elaborate setups were doing their thing.  The barn was super hot so I decided to run to Wal Mart real fast to get a fan and well, I got caught in Houston traffic so that meant that I got back way too late for the show secretary to get me my numbers and such.  I didn't want to get in trouble for riding without a show number so I decided to just head to find some wifi and dinner while I waited for Joe to arrive with the RV.

They got there around 9:30pm that night and Sarah and I got to work setting up the RV and then going to bed.

Here we go!

The next morning we thought we had ALL THE TIME so we debated riding but with the barn inspection at 12pm and then nothing until 5pm, an afternoon ride with coach (who was arriving at 1pm) seemed like a good plan.  The show secretary didn't open until 10am so we headed out grocery shopping instead.  Seriously, the RV is so nice to have.

When we got back we went to the show secretary and well, we realized we didn't know what was going to happen with the stable inspections so we asked.  Apparently the vet just checks and confirms that your horse is the horse on the passport and then they pick up your passport.  We needed to be in the barn and ready to go so be on your toes.

Not one to not follow instructions, we were dutifully at our stall 10 minutes early and sitting on buckets like the professionals we aren't (bring chairs next time).  Noon came and went.  12:20 came and went.  No one else was looking ready for the vet so we finally went to ask what was up.  It was moved to 3pm.  *sigh

With that (plus coach running a bit late), we opted for lunch and signed up for a late ride time after the jogs so I could at least get a ride in before showing the next day.

Why Vana, why?

Around 3pm we were once again sitting on our buckets at the stall and this time a vet and steward came to check out the pony.  Naturally Vana had gotten his FIRST scrape while in my care along with a bizarre lump so that was something that had to be checked out.  At least he wasn't lame, just goofy (goofier) looking.  We made it through this part without incident but were instructed to keep our passport until the jogs rather than them taking the passports then.  At this point, Sarah mobilized to braid and make Vana look spiffy for the jogs at 5pm.  I debated my outfit.

Coming from the eventing world, jogs are THE thing.  I KNOW what to wear for those and it would be easy.  We'd looked at CDI jog pictures from Adequan with people like Laura Graves wearing breeches and tall boots, some people wearing schooling clothes, but hardly anyone dressed up.  It was baffling.  We opted for an oxford type shirt that was paired with white stretchy jeans, but then I just put on white breeches instead.  Looking back, I'd much rather have worn a dog show outfit of which I have many.  Hindsight man.

Five o clock was soon upon us and... no jogs.  I finally rummaged around the site to see what was going on and apparently one of the judges wasn't there (as in, off the plane) yet so we were just in a holding pattern.  More waiting.

Finally he arrived and we started lining up.  I didn't go until the second group so I watched a few people jog and decided this was like showing dogs, except you ran the horses in reverse direction so ok.

Soon it was our turn.  I'd practiced a little the week before with Vana and he seemed to understand what to do.  I was worried about tripping/falling/etc but man, my years of showing dogs kicked in and I produced an epic floaty trot of my own.  Vana understood what we were doing so the jog on the way back was super good and we were immediately accepted and headed back to the stall.  Two of the other horses were pulled for further jogs.  I know one withdrew after that but I think the other one might have jogged up fine the next morning.

With the jogs done and Vana back in his stall, we now had to attend the draw to see when and what order we showed in the next day.  This was going to be for our CDIAM PSG test.  The paperwork said in the Arena Club so Sarah and I headed there to find the doors locked.  Uh... ok.  We wandered around some before heading back to the jog area where they had decided to just do the draws there.  omg....

We hung around until we heard our position, grabbed a baby carrot and some dip and then headed back to the RV to change and get my ride in at 7pm.  This again seemed easy however the CDI stabling was now locked down by a sheriff.  He said we could sign in and out but the horses had to stay in the barn area.  After much discussion, things were sorted out and the three of us riders that were waiting to go ride were released when it was determined that the FEI stewards were in the big arena.  At a CDI you basically have to be under the view of the FEI people at all times when you're around the horses.  WE had been told we would need to be escorted to the riding area but well, not so much this time.

After all this, we got to the main arena around 7:20pm and the three of us got to work schooling.  At 8pm we were told to wrap it up and headed back to the barns.

So after a day and a half, we were already exhausted.  Day one was definitely, hands down, the hardest day of the whole CDI with the hurry up and wait things as well as learning about where and when and what to do.  Everyone was super nice and supportive about figuring things out and it was definitely not just us that had questions.

Next up - Day two!