Robin Brueckmann's Road to Belgium

Last Competiton at Morven Park - Missing Help But Had Ride of a Life Time

Saturday, September 16, 2006 - I had my truck packed for my trip on Thursday; I had just gotten home from three days of hearings at the USEF office in the wee hours of Thursday morning. At 5:30 in the morning on Friday, I packed Richmond-Rocky-into the trailer, and we headed to Morven Park, in Leesburg Virginia. I was planning to meet Missy Ransehausen, our Team coach, there. Becca Hart, who was also on the Belgium team, was showing as well. So were Keith Newerla, 2004 Athens Team member, and James Dwyer, an Irish national ParaEquestrian rider who trains with Missy.
PhelpspPhoto®: Missy Ransehousen

All went well. I got Rocky settled in at Morven Park, and rode him in the indoor, where all his three classes were to be held. I was showing Intermediare II both days, and our new IPEC freestyle on Sunday as well. Rocky went great for me on Friday, and I was confident that he would do well on the weekend as well.

Missy had not yet arrived by the time I got Rocky fed and settled for the night. I checked into my hotel and snuggled in for the night.

Missy had come in the evening. Becca was not stabled with our group; she was about as far away as she could be. Missy was riding two horses in addition to coaching. Jessica, Missy's mom, was there for support as well.

As it turned out, neither Missy nor Jessica could help me warm up for my Intermediare II ride. Rocky felt great in warm-up, and he was fabulous in the test. It was his best performance to date. I was very proud of him. Keith had not been able to ride today; he had to work in Philadelphia. He would come in to ride tomorrow, on Trudy Phillips' Bally Shannon. I had not seen James' horse before; he was a very lovely creature, and James rode extremely well for a 72% in his Grade IV Individual test.

Becca rode First Level Test 4 on her Hanoverian, Norteassa. Missy had a fabulous day, with all her scores above 65%, including 73% in a Second Level test. It was a good day for all of us.

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