Otter Creek Take 2 and Gremlin Curlies

First off I better explain the Gremlin Curlies comment in my title...I'm discovering like Grelims if you get Curlies wet they multiple...Well not really but my little herd has grown from 2 to 3!

I moved to a new barn that is less expensive so I was able to start looking for a new prospect when I see an ad for this guy. So I purchased Al from Erica as my next Eventing prospect.  I can't wait to get him started but first he needs some time to adjust and trust me.  His sire was a jumper and he already shows a nice clean jump over free jumps.  There will be plenty of updates on him.

Now on to Otter Creek.

Theo and I were on our game.  He felt the best ever felt in dressage warm up but I wasn't getting my hopes up too much I just wanted a lower score then our previous tests.  My trainer commented on how great he looked about 15 minutes before my test.  Then it started to rain, and Theo didn't like it (insert Grelim joke here).  Wow he turned into a board and would not relax.  Shaking his head and just throwing a fit but the show must go on.  The rain lightened up for our test but the damage was already done.  We got comments about not bending and tenseness through his back.  I couldn't blame him I dislike being wet as well.  Overall we still pulled off a 5th place but with our worst dressage score yet.

That actually took some pressure off and I could just focus on having a good fun time with stadium jumping.  My husband recently bought me an awesome new jump saddle and I've really been able to work on our jumping more now that I'm not struggling with my position all the time.  All the hard work paid off and we went double clear moving us up to 3rd!

Next day was Cross Country and I was just focused on time.  My trainer once again commented on how Theo was on his game (I said "please don't rain now" which it didn't) and we left the start box with loads of confidence.  Theo seemed to remember what to do and where to go on the course.  He was leaping over jumps without even blinking but then right before jump 6 the jump judge moved and we went side ways.  I stayed on and Theo picked right back up and went over the jump.  Luckily we were still far enough away it didn't count as a refusal and we went double clear.
 We ended the weekend in 2nd and I couldn't have been more happy with him... He really is a great horse!

If you saw my other post you might recognize the jump in the picture below.  It was the only picture I really wanted all weekend and the show photographer got it!!!

Here is the video of Cross Country from my helmet cam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXYewyimhjk

Here is the long video of all three events if anybody is interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56qRltqjVl8

Abby has taken me on some great trail rides as well this past month I have some photos of her but I'll do a separate post with those.