2016 ODS Open and Championship Show on September 9-11th at DevonWood Equestrian Centre

I-2 Open Champion 2016 Mercedes Andazola & Prince William

What a happy ending to the 2016 show season. After not even planning to attempt the Intermediare Two test until next year, I was able to pull off respectable scores amongst close family, friends, and supporters. This show was so fun for me because I really took the pressure off of myself. This would be my first time ever riding an I-2 test, on a horse that has never done an I-2 test, that I have trained myself from the age of three! I was not expecting anything brilliant, polished or competitive! But at the end of the day (even on day one, Friday) we got through the test and I am left with the thought: Wow, my horse and I are an I-2 pair now!! How insanely lucky am I to have such a willing, crazy horse with his plethora of issues. And how insanely lucky am I to be in the company of my adoring, dedicated students to come watch and support, and my top notch horse show husband to fulfill the following duties:

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Boot shiner, DJ, emotional/mental coach, and tack stall ornament. Not to mention being among my befriended peers, all of which are such good people, and damn good riders.