Jet was a gem on cross country today and he knew it. We jumped clean. We did not make the time, but neither did anyone else. We posted the fifth fastest time in our division and moved into 6th place overall. Going into the wind on one or two of the jumps, with billows of dust coming straight at our face, I was more or less blinded. I don't know how Jet kept his eyes open, but he did. He jumped us safely around.
Our CIC*** course was partly shared with the harder CCI*** course. This morning I watched several riders in the CCI*** end their day at the water jump. Both divisions went through the same water complex twice, sharing the same track both times. The water was a little deeper than it sometimes is, and as such the combinations didn't ride in a designated striding. Some people got six strides where others got eight. I thought Jet was a champion in these two difficult combinations. As one of my friends said who was watching, "He didn't look like an old pro yet, but he was keen and he understood it and he got the job done." On our second trip through the water we took down the flag of the last element with my knee. Today was not the best cross country round I've ever had on Jet, but as the levels get harder the need for accuracy gets greater. Jet is still young at the advanced level, and this is his first three star competition. We had a few rough moments, but he easily left the hiccups behind him and came fresh to each new jump. Overall he did well.
The Wetherills were both able to come to watch today and we also had Holley Russell, Lynn Rzonca and Dr. Pat, who came to help with Jet's bodywork. I didn't realize how proud Jet was of himself until we got back to his stall where he wouldn't stand still because he was demanding attention from everyone! That is very unusual for Jet. It made me laugh, and it reminded me of a comment Holley made two summers ago. In July of 2008 we traveled out to Maui Jim in Wayne, IL with Jet and Doc. Jet was competing at training level and it was his first overnight competition. Doc was in the CIC***, the same division Jet is in this weekend, and wound up placing fourth. The whole weekend, both in the stable and out, Jet seemed tuned into Doc as a big brother. At the time Holley said that "Jet knows he is traveling with the big man and he wants to be just like him." Well, now he is and he loves it!
Congratulations to my friend Colin Davidson on Draco. Colin pulled up after a stop at Rolex a few weeks ago. Today he jumped into second place in the CCI*** division.
Everyone think good thoughts for us tomorrow around noon (just after brunch with your mothers). That is when we will be show jumping and unfortunately my little Jet likes to tip those rails!
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