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64 SIDELINES JUNE 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE S I D E L I N E S J R

Juniorside

IEA Zones were a Blast

By Lauren Corey

Zones have fnally arrived! It is time to fnd out whether we have what it takes to make it to nationals. Interscholastic Zones were held at Thacher School in Ojai California, a six-hour drive from my house. On the drive down to southern California, we were greeted with some rain, but luckily the show would go on. We arrived just on time to make it to the frst-ever Zone 10 Year End Banquet. The hosting coach gave out the awards for horse of the season as well as individual high point riders and team high point. As soon as I walked into the room, all of my friends from the other teams came over. One of the things I love most about the IEA is the friendships we make with other people that we would otherwise never meet. By the end of the evening, and a few popped balloons later, it was time to return to the hotel room.

The Nerves Begin to Kick In

The next day, our teams had to get up early and drive to Thacher School, where the competition would be held. Apparently we should have brought our ski jackets with us; there was so much frost that one of my friends drew hearts in the ice on top of our car. I suppose it was better than the overwhelming heat we have faced in the past, especially since we always have to wear hunt coats! With the arctic wind whipping our faces, we got the most stressful part of the day over with frst: drawing the horses. The announcer called out all of our names and had us line up from tallest to shortest, which as usual put me toward the end, since I’m one of the shorter Open riders. My heart was racing when it was fnally my turn to pull out the packet of fun dip with my horse’s name on it. Each show features some different type of candy, all pooled together in a bowl that the riders draw from to tell them which horse they will ride. I was competing in three classes: team jumping, individual fat, and team fat. Once I drew my horse for the jumping, I rushed to get my boots and helmet on before drawing for the fat. After making sure I didn’t have any hair sticking out of my helmet, it was once again time to line up from tallest to shortest. With just two people left, myself and one girl behind me, the coach added the name of an infamous pony, which of course I drew. Luckily, for the team fat I drew one of my favorites, a grey horse named Jewel. Before it was my turn to mount up, I got to watch one of my friends compete on the horse I was to ride in the next class. She put in an amazing round and ended up winning the class, sending her to nationals! Only the top-placing rider in each individual division can attend nationals. She passed me the reins and it was my turn to conquer the course. The frst half of my course worked out super well, we got a great distance to a red oxer, but when we came to an awkward bending line, my horse decided he would rather go straight... I managed to get him to the second vertical of the line, but it was not pretty. Overall it was a fun round; the horse had a nice jump and a really smooth canter, not to mention I still got to take home a ribbon.

Flat Class Frustrations

After helping my team members get ready for their classes, it was time for my fat class. As I mounted the pony I tried to get mentally prepared for a tough ride. I was going over the usual fat tests in my head, planning the best choices for me and the pony. Once again, the frst half was fawless, he was listening to me and we looked so good that one of the other coaches complemented me as we were trotting around the arena. Then the judge asked us to pick up the canter, we had a great transition, but he was getting faster and faster, I’m sure the wind didn’t help, so I half-halted in the corner to bring him back. Then halfway down the long side, right in front of the judge, the pony broke to the trot! I still managed to place third, but I was flled with disappointment that I had not placed high enough to go to nationals this year.

At least I had one class left to end Zones on a high note. While we were trotting around, Jewel started whinnying and acting up. I thought maybe it was something I was doing, but then I glanced around at the other competitors and realized they were all having problems, too. It didn’t take long to fgure out why -- the judge’s tent had blown into the arena! Everyone did a great job controlling their horses while the ring crew ran in and collapsed the tent at record speeds. With that, it was on with the fat class. Jewel was such a fun horse to ride, and that was one of my favorite fat classes despite all the excitement. I only have one more season of showing with the IEA, and I am determined to make it the best one yet!

Lauren Corey riding Jewel, one of her favorite IEA horses just moments before the tent blew into the arena

Photo by Samantha Goldstein