It is a scorching hot weekend here but Belinda Trussell’s Oakcrest Team is undaunted and showed anyway with good results. Due to Biasini having been unwell last weekend I had withdrawn from the show, so I went today to take some photos. I watched two young horses showing at the lower levels and one seasoned pro who has been to World Games and Olympics. But let me tell you….it is not easy to ride any of these horses.
The youngsters got to start earlier in the cooler part of the day. Lynsey Rowan, Belinda Trussell’s assistant rider and trainer, rode Rosa Red and Belinda rode another youngster Bella Venezia.
THE YOUNGSTERS
ROSA RED
Rosa has been to a few shows before but she is a mare and mares always have their own opinions. Lynsey does an excellent job of keeping Rosa calm and focused.
Belinda read the test for Lynsey from the side of the ring. The test went well and after the check by the steward Lynsey is smiling. There is always the debrief by Belinda too!
BELLA VENEZIA
Bella is not experienced in the show ring. While Belinda was warming her up there were a couple of moments when Bella said she felt rather nervous and perhaps she didn’t want to show. But Belinda is a masterful rider and calmly settled Bella and gave her confidence. Their test went very well. Bella offered a lovely trot lengthening!
And Bella remained focused , despite any nervousness she may have felt.
Belinda was delighted with Bella’s work in the test and rewarded her with a big pat at the end.
These two riders make it look easy. Two beautiful and very talented horses what could go wrong? A lot! A lot can go wrong with training and bringing along a young horse and all the beautiful looks and talent can go for nothing in a very short time. Professionals like Belinda and Lynsey know just how to handle the youngsters. Here is a photo of Bella at the first halt. She sees something! With a lesser rider this could have ended in a spin and bolt. But instantly Belinda reacted, and calmly moved on with the test.
Both Belinda and Lynsey scored in the high 70s for their test. Excellent results!
THE SEASONED PROFESSIONAL
ANTON
Anton was ridden by Belinda in the World Equestrian Games and the Rio Olympics. He has all the moves! Abbey Simbrow is learning those moves on Anton. It is a good opportunity for a rider to be able to ride a horse that already knows the advanced movements. of the highest levels of dressage. However…..it does not mean that the horse just says “sit back and I’ll do it all for you. ” Not at all. In dressage it takes a year to get on the same page with a horse at the top levels. The horse may know how to do the movements but he has to understand how to do them with a different rider. Abbey and Anton have been to just a few shows together . At the end of today’s test Belinda, who coaches Abbey, said this was her best test yet!
Although Belinda and Lynsey wore jackets in the morning. The judge excused jackets in the afternoon, when Abbey rode, as it was very hot and high humidity made if feel even hotter.
I saw a lot of black and dark bay horses at the show but there was one notable exception. This young rider had a dun or buckskin horse complete with a dorsal stripe! This little horse made me smile.
At the end of the day I still wished Biasini and I could have been there but it was wonderful to see my barn companions of Team Oakcrest with their horses.
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