Stop in South Carolina! 10 am

The Georgia sky at 7 am!

Leaving Loxahatchee, FL at 1 am. 21 hours to go!

We are packed and ready to go! I will send more details and pictures from the weekend when we get back. I wanted to share a picture of a few friends we made at the Lion Country Safari today. We had a great day!

With Degas at the last show of the winter season:

What a wonderful weekend to end "Barb and Degas' Excellent Adventure"!

Warming up for the PSG on Friday:

We had great rides, great friends, great weather! I couldn?t sum the success of the journey any better than Marianne, Degas owner : she said, "It's that great team of people that Degas loves having take care of him and around him." She is absolutely right, it takes the whole team to be able to have such a successful journey!

Lauren and Degas:

The only thing that could make it better is if all of you were here.

So today, the freestyle, as Judi put it, is the icing on the cake. We are going to go out and show everyone how beautiful Degas is... AND... tell Florida to look for us in the Grand Prix ring next year!

Fri am at the show. Degas likes his new stall guard.

Complete results of the:
Prix St. Georges - Open, GAIG, BLM
(C) Humphrey,
251 Barbara Strawson Degas FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 267 70.263% 1
489 Bill Warren Leiden FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 267 70.263% 2
448 Betsy Steiner Fino FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 266 70.000% 3
286 Marie Pettersson Mir FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 261 68.684% 4
427 Betsy Steiner Findlay's Titaan FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 256 67.368% 5
422 Elizabeth Campbell Royal Diamant FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 256 67.368% 6
435 Jennifer Marchand Mystras FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 255 67.105%
405 Melissa Jackson Jagger FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 254 66.842%
486 Jennifer Roth Walker 34 FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 254 66.842%
456 Lauren Chumley Millennium FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 247 65.000%
439 Jennifer Baumert Okidokie FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 246 64.737%
443 Barton Patrick Phoenix Gwyngalet FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 245 64.474%
258 Virginia Leary Kells FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 244 64.211%
460 Kelley Corrigan Robinson 286 FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 241 63.421%
270 Aurelia Tansey Tacoma M FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 241 63.421%
476 Gary Lane Cardou FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 240 63.158%
315 Elizabeth Hotchkiss Royal Dancer FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Open 229 60.263%
455 Lila Chase Nanu Nana 004 FEI Prix St. Georges 2009 Adult Amateur 224 58.947%

Top 6 finishers in the:
Intermediaire I - Open, GAIG, BLM
(C) Humphrey,
486 Jennifer Roth Walker 34 FEI Intermediate I 2009 Open 258 67.895% 1
251 Barbara Strawson Degas FEI Intermediate I 2009 Open 258 67.895% 2
410 Stacy Parvey-Larsson High & Mighty FEI Intermediate I 2009 Open 253 66.579% 3
460 Kelley Corrigan Robinson 286 FEI Intermediate I 2009 Open 251 66.053% 4
270 Aurelia Tansey Tacoma M FEI Intermediate I 2009 Open 249 65.526% 5
435 Jennifer Marchand Mystras FEI Intermediate I 2009 Open 247 65.000% 6

First Place, First Place and Second!

Friday: Degas Won the Prix St. Georges with a 70.2%!
Saturday: Second in the Intermediare I - 67.895%
Sunday: First in the I-1 Freestyle, 66.750%

After a long day of showing, we relax and then celebrate!:

Lauren is here

Last show this weekend!

Lauren got here Wednesday night to help at the show this weekend, and to help drive back on Monday night. Lauren seems to be enjoying the Florida life already. She is impressed by how busy it is-- horses, and people, farms everywhere, yet the atmosphere is very relaxing. Must be the warm weather.

Lauren is teasing me about my thin skin, having adjusted to the Florida weather I need to wear a jacket in the evening while Lauren can't believe how warm it is.It was fun, because Lauren could see a change in Degas ? muscling and she also noticed a lot more expression in his gaits.

Degas was also happy to see Lauren - you can see in the picture that he is looking over to her when she called to him.

This week has gotten off to a great start. the horses had off on Monday, and I had no other plans, so I took a drive up to palm beach. I enjoyed a walk on the beach and lunch overlooking the water. Resting up for the big week.

Lauren, my groom and apprentice trainer will be joining me on Wednesday, to come see the Florida scene, help at teh show, and then help drive Degas back to Maryland on Monday night/Tuesday morning.

An added bonus: Frank and Cece Maddlone will be coming for the weekend! Kris Zagoria, will be providing a camera crew from her advertising company, and Frank and Cece will be conducting interviews, of the riders who will be a part of this years Dancing Horse Challenge. It will be a great weekend.

Here are my times:

Friday 3:21 Prix St George

Saturday 2:01 Intermediare I

Sunday 11:25 Intermediare I freestyle

As I predicted, the time has gone by extremely fast. But I will also be happy to get home again.

Saturday show results

Welcome Back to White Fences I and II
FEI Prix St. Georges:
67.368% and 5th place

Saturday, March 21

I decided not to show Degas today because he has been doing such a good job. Chris and I decided it best to save his energy for next weekend. So I did a light ride on degas, went for my pilates lesson and now am back at the show enjoying the weather and rides. It is such a different perspective than the first weekend I was here, since now I have been showing and am part of the 'scene'. This is the White Fences show that I first sent photos of in february. Right now, George Williams is in the ring doing his PSG test.

Friday, March 20

I made a quick trip home Sunday and Monday after having a great show last week. We are reposting the results and my summary of the week and pictures, as they seem to have disappeared into cyberspace or on the blog site somewhere!

It was great to see everyone and horses at home. I have to admit, it was nice going back to the warm weather, however, I did bring some clouds and rain with me.

Degas enjoyed his 3 day holiday and was fresh and ready to go when I got back. Degas and I both did some bodywork this week, me continuing with Pilates, and he had a massage today with 'Sal'.We have a show this weekend. I do the PSG at 11:43 Saturday and the Intermediare I at 3:40 on Sunday. It is possible, depending on his energy level, that we will only do one day, as our biggest goal is to have him peaking for the Dressage at Equestrian Estates show next weekend.

GP Awards Ceremony

WEF (Winter Equestrian Festival) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center

This week has been a whirlwind. Judi and I couldn't believe how quickly it went by. The show was a great success! Degas and I were up against some stiff competition and we were in the thick of it. After being 7th in the Intermediare I on Thursday, the icing on the cake as Judi put it, was getting to do our freestyle on Friday. We had a grand time, and look forward to the next show.

Tuesday: Arriving to the WEF (Winter Equestrian Festival) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, was like getting to Disney World. There was so much around us, and it took awhile to get our bearings. By the time we got there, and unloaded, it was time to braid for the vet check.

The jog started at 3 pm. Luckily, Degas was number 12, and so we knew we would be at the beginning. We weren't allowed to ride until after the jog was completed at 5 pm. So Chris helped me, after he rode Cabana Boy. I think we were done riding about 7 pm.

Here are some pictures of Tuesday's festivities!

Wednesday: I couldn't believe I was the third rider to go! Degas was a wonderful boy - walking to the ring amongst the jumpers and commotion. The only thing he really seemed scared of was a speed bump! The jumpers, water trucks, golf carts, bikes, scooters, horses, dogs, people everywhere didn?t phase him.The weather is perfect. On Wednesday evening we also had a gorgeous view from the FEI barn. The picture doesn't quite capture the moment, but you can get the idea.

Thursday: You can't imagine my surprise/dismay when I drew the 8 am time slot for Thursday. I couldn't believe it! The positive side, is that 8 am in Florida is a beautiful time of day to ride.When it turned out that I was in the running for 6th place, Judi and I had to go into turbo mode. I had taken Degas' braids out, so I went back and put in quick braids in 15 minutes. I was in 6th place until the last rider to go, who was Marco Bernal. He had won the CDI at the Palm Beach Derby two weeks ago. But since the day before, he had only been about a percentage above me, we figured we had better be prepared. So I was up waiting by the stall during the final rides. Richard, Chris' friend, was nice enough to keep me posted by text message. The whole drama of it was quite exciting. Richard kept me posted "you are only .5 behind, you are very close".

Judi finally ran down to the ring (no small feat because of the distance) to see what was going on. Judi was sitting on the golf cart with the ring steward waiting for the final score. We already had the provisional score on the electronic score board. But the scores were so close, Judi said they spent a long time checking and rechecking them. Unfortunately, Marco edged us out by .2%. I was still thrilled, and the excitement of being so close was worth it.

We had a lot to celebrate, so we attended a barbeque held by Nancy Later, owner of the farm where Degas is staying. Judi and I had a great time.

They just don't do normal barbeques here in FL, remember the one at Chris' farm which was like a gourmet meal? Same at Nancy's farm, she had marinated shrimp and all sorts of good things. In the picture, you will see me in between Arial and Jess, who are taking wonderful care of Degas while he is here in FL.

Friday: Judi and I couldn't understand how two people taking care of one horse could be so exhausted. But then as we thought about it, we realized that each day, we were probably walking about 10 miles! The distance to the ring and secretary office was pretty far. Not as far as I had imagined from all the Wellington stories I had heard, but after you do it several times a day you are pretty tired.

Plus, to get into the FEI stabling area, you had to take a long circuit around the fence from the car. So while the car was parked right next to our stable, we had to walk quite far to get in. Not good if you forgot something.Another interesting thing was the security. It was much more official than even at Devon. It felt like "big brother" was watching you. As you left the ring, you heard in the walkie talkie "number 12 returning"and then as you entered the stabling area they marked you down. If you went in after hours (6 pm) you had to sign in and out.

The show had a great ending. I rode my freestyle and Degas loved it. We had made some changes in difficulty, so I still need to smooth those out, but it was the first time to show it.

We couldn't complain with a 65% and 5th place!

He even had some new fans clapping for him as he left the ring, and he seemed to really perk up at this attention. Judi and I were both sad it is over. We ended our week with a wonderful dinner at Players which is near the polo club. Judi got on a plane Saturday morning.

After watching the freestyle Saturday night, I will fly home for two days Sunday morning.

More pictures from the GP Freestyle show!

Here's a picture of Jodie Kelly riding Manhattan. She got a 65.5%.

Wellington GP Freestyle Scores!

Well, the scores are in - here's the line-up for the evening:

1st - Ashley Holzer on Pop Art with a 77.30% - Congratulations, Ashley!

2nd - Lar Petersen on Succes with a 74.50%

3rd - Mikala Munter Gundersen on Leonberg with a 73.65%

4th - Reese Koffler-Stanfield on Jamaica with a 70.4%

5th - Tuny Page on Wild One with a 68.8%

6th - Cathy Morelli on Bese with a 68.1%

7th - Michael Barisone on Olympus with a 67.75%

8th - Danielle Gallagher-Legriff on Galloways Abrikos with a 67.7%

What an incredible night!

GP Freestyle Night in Wellington!

I am here at the GP freestyle evening. Rocher was first to go. Will send scores as we get them. Here's a picture of the arena before the competition began.

WEF - CDI, FEI Intermediare I

Degas and I earned a 64.7% in the Intermediare I, qualifying us for the freestyle tomorrow.

Judi and Barb after a great day. I ended 9th in a competitive field with a 64.526 percent. I ride the Int I tomorrow at 8 am

Degas got a 64.4% today!

Tuesday:
we had a busy day settling in at show, doing jog and riding! It is like disney world here. Degas was a star, only scared of a speed bump.

Thursday Ride Time: 8:15 a.m.

Had an awesome ride on Degas with Chris Wednesday! We worked on improving the loftiness/bounce in his gaits. Having greater power and expression is going to increase our points overall. We worked on creating this in trot through active passage like steps. Especially asking for these with half halts in the corner, and blending this power out of the corner into his collected trot. In the canter, we asked for this bounce through forward and back transitions, especially within lateral work. When I can guide all the pieces correctly in this work, then the technicalities that we have been working on, for example, in the canter pirouettes, become much easier. (And breathing also still helps!)

My pilates instructor came to watch me ride Degas today and we had a great time. She was able to gain more insight into what exercises I need. We also did an exercise on the horse, which many of you are familiar with, I call it "Spider legs". She had another new exercise, and I don't remember the name, but everyone better watch out, boy am I feeling it in my hip flexors! (Not to mention all the groaning abs from Sunday's session)Another really important thing we did was breath... thats right. I thought I did that pretty well. But I found out otherwise. Remember how I said that I have been working on my canter pirouettes...especially to the left? This is where I lost a lot of points in the Int I. Well, I did the pirouette for Kim and she said, 'why don't you try breathing?" Well, wouldn't you know it - when I breathed the pirouette was about 75% better. !*!*! :)Lesson with Chris tomorrow.... more later

Thanks to everyone for all their support this weekend!

I could feel all that positive energy coming my way. It was a good showing for our first time out in Florida and Degas and I both had a great time. We had great comments from the judges, and know what we are going to work on for the next one.

I have a bunch of supporters down here already as well. Tony, who is taking care of other horses at the stable, kindly offered to come help me at the show.

Everyone at the barn here has been so friendly, and some of them also made it to the show to watch. Degas has a little break Monday and back to work on Tuesday.

I had my third Pilates lesson, and it is going very well. Kim, my instructor, is going to come watch me ride Degas Tuesday, so she can give me some additional exercises.

I had another interesting experience today doing horse laundry at the Laundromat. In our area, you are not usually allowed to do horse laundry, but here they have special machines for it because of all the horses here.

International team wins by .5 with a score of 95.5 at the 2009 Challenge of the Americas.

Ok. Jane Hannigan stole the show for her costume!! Not to mention her perfect extensions and then one tempis to Soccers Run for Life music. The Amreican Team got a 95!!! And we r waiting foe the International team results

Challenge of the Americas

Judi and I just arriving to Challenge of the Americas.

Hilltop BBQ

Judi's coming to visit today! I am excited to show her everything.

Tonight we plan to go the 'Challenge of the America's', the breast cancer benefit.

Last night I went to a fun barbeque with the Hilltop Florida crew, with some of the best food I have ever seen at a barbeque.

See the pictures of Chris Hickey, Jane, owner of Hilltop Farm and I.

Degas also has made some new turn out buddies, look for them in the picture.

Had an awesome ride on Degas with Chris Wednesday! We worked on improving the loftiness/bounce in his gaits. Having greater power and expression is going to increase our points overall. We worked on creating this in trot through active passage like steps. Especially asking for these with half halts in the corner, and blending this power out of the corner into his collected trot. In the canter, we asked for this bounce through forward and back transitions, especially within lateral work. When I can guide all the pieces correctly in this work, then the technicalities that we have been working on, for example, in the canter pirouettes, become much easier. (And breathing also still helps!)

My pilates instructor came to watch me ride Degas today and we had a great time. She was able to gain more insight into what exercises I need. We also did an exercise on the horse, which many of you are familiar with, I call it "Spider legs". She had another new exercise, and I don't remember the name, but everyone better watch out, boy am I feeling it in my hip flexors! (Not to mention all the groaning abs from Sunday's session)Another really important thing we did was breath... thats right. I thought I did that pretty well. But I found out otherwise. Remember how I said that I have been working on my canter pirouettes...especially to the left? This is where I lost a lot of points in the Int I. Well, I did the pirouette for Kim and she said, 'why don't you try breathing?" Well, wouldn't you know it - when I breathed the pirouette was about 75% better. !*!*! :)Lesson with Chris tomorrow.... more later

Thanks to everyone for all their support this weekend! I could feel all that positive energy coming my way. It was a good showing for our first time out in Florida and Degas and I both had a great time. We had great comments from the judges, and know what we are going to work on for the next one. I have a bunch of supporters down here already as well. Tony, who is taking care of other horses at the stable, kindly offered to come help me at the show. Everyone at the barn here has been so friendly, and some of them also made it to the show to watch.Degas has a little break Monday and back to work on Tuesday.I had my third Pilates lesson, and it is going very well. Kim, my instructor, is going to come watch me ride Degas Tuesday, so she can give me some additional exercises.I had another interesting experience today ?. doing horse laundry at the Laundromat. In our area, you are not usually allowed to do horse laundry, but here they have special machines for it because of all the horses here.