Heather Lindell continues the trials and tribulations of competitive Eventing with her trusty 25yr old Images's Cherokee and here gives an insight into every day challenges this sport often presents, sometimes when you least expect them. Heathers terrific outlook and approach to the sport is not unlike many Eventers, we are a fool hardy bunch, but we do have fun.

Eventing people are some of the most dedicated people around. A good example of their efforts was demonstrated at the Pine Mountain Horse Trial the weekend of April 8-9, 2006. Dressage and Cross Country were scheduled for Saturday and Stadium was scheduled for Sunday. Well, that didn’t exactly happen, please read about my weekend.

You see, we woke up to some pretty severe weather on Saturday morning. Humm… we thought maybe it would pass on by so we could just delay the show a bit and have a later start time on Saturday. Nope. Between the thunder, lightning and hail it was a no go for Saturday. The announcement came over the PA that the format was going to change and we would have a Combined Test instead on Sunday. That meant no Cross Country runs. This is where the dedication and resilience of the Eventing community came into play. Volunteers came out of the woodwork… err… stalls and horse trailers and stepped up to continue the show as a One Day Horse trial for Sunday. YEAH! Thank you, you fantastic volunteers and the organizers that trained them so fast. We were able to compete in all three phases thanks to the wonderful people that care about this sport and the ones they support.

Something very interesting happened on Sunday. Team Cherry took the lead after dressage. Cherry was feeling the love and strutted his stuff in the dressage ring. We came out with a 31%. He did a great job. Me on the other hand, I need to work on a deeper seat. The years of hunter equitation had me a bit forward. We went back to the trailer, changed saddles, got some water then trotted over to the stadium ring. Cherry was on fire.



Two jumps to warm up then we were in the ring. Double clear and still in the lead. Cross country was next. We had a while to settle, get more water, put on our big yellow watch and don our pinny.

In the start box ears were forward and power was on. “Five, four, three, two, one, go and have fun”. What nice volunteers we had. Jump one through four were right on. Then after five he decided he wanted to go faster. Faster? I didn’t know he could go any faster. Where did that come from? He just turned 25 and he suddenly now as a sixth gear?



It took me by surprise and I totally looped out too far to element six. I should have picked up his head and pushed his shoulder over with my right leg but judging by those photos Jennifer took, I didn’t have my foot in the stirrup. I don’t remember that happening but the photo says it all. We came back around took the in and out straight and finished the rest of the course clear and in good time. Sorry Cherry my error dropped us from first to sixth.

Thanks Jennifer for the great photographs and the wonderful groom and cheer support for the weekend. Congratulations to Jamie Massey and Demure on their second place win. Special kudos and thanks to all the volunteers and the organizers that made the One Day happen on Sunday. Eventers ROCK!

Next team Cherry competition will be in July.

Happy Riding,

Heather Lindell, Team Cherry