HITS Saugerties
What an amazing two weeks this was. We arrived with 8 horses, 3 dogs, a stowaway 
kitten (Lucky) that became our mascot. There 
was Hurricane Irene to contend with, which thanks to the super stables here proved to be simply a day we couldn't ride, but no danger at all. The ground dried up in 24 hours despite rivers overflowing, unbelievable amounts of rain, and weather, the likes of which i haven't encountered in years.
The show started off in great fashion. Dondero consistently in the ribbons, or at least jumping clear or 4 for Simone.
Camsa getting ribbons with Helen and Simone. Hemmingway super consistent with Gretchen in the 'very big' Modified divisions, and Classic Europa trying and succeeding in jumping clear and getting ribbons in most of her classes.
Walola clear after clear in the level 5s and 6s, also bringing home some good ribbons
Lariccello, super 5th in the Welcome Stakes, Clear and fast 4 for 12th in the big Sunday Grand Prix. Unlucky late rail in the Wild Card and frustrating last fence in the open classic, for a good show. He, as always gave his all, loved his job, and we just lacked a bit of luck.
Caballo, got his groove back, finally. He was clear in the first GP. Clear and 4 in the second 'big' GP for a 9th. One down, a 'schooling' rail in the $30,000 final warm up for the Pfizer Million.
Whoopy, 
what is there to say? 5th first GP, 5th second GP, both double clears. Clear, we pulled out of JO for 8th in $30k GP then came the Pfizer Million. Huge, huge huge course. Wide oxers, big verticals, good time allowed, great footing, big water, 46 horses all capable of winning. Steve Stephens did a great job again.
Caballo, i left a bit fresh, he is 16!!, and paid for it. He had a spook and 
thought about stopping at the ugly 1.50 wall, fence 4, i kicked his ass, and he showed me what he thought about that!! LOL That's my boy, had the next 2 verticals down to prove a point. A bad ride by me at the bicycle was another rail, then the 1,50-1,55 liverpool he pushed out the front bar, i was a bit deep. I was thinking of coming out but thought, let's see if he still has it. He jumped the next line like it was a training grid! 1.50 vertical short 1 stride to a 1.60 front rail 1.62 back rail, flat 5 strides to a 1.60 square oxer, long one to a 1.60 vertical, then long run to the last vertical at 1.65.............
Next up for us, Mr Whoopy. Perfection is the only word to describe this round from Duncan and Whoopy, from the first fence they were on it. Not one time did we hold our br
eath, they were foot perfect. bike jump, swedish, liverpool, condominium line to the last, and well under the time allowed. Brilliant, i wasn't the only one in tears! Whoopy had to wait 40 minutes until the next clear, and that was a little bit our downfall, he thought he'd finished. He did his absolute best in the jump off but was a little empty. A fault at the big oxer, then a run to the last, a HUGE 1.70 (yes 1.70) oxer he took a chance, was a little flat and hit the front rail. We are over the moon with our little stallion, he and Duncan gave their all, and totally deserve the 2nd place they got.
As i write Duncan, is half way home, arguably the hardest working man in the industry he is driving the horses home himself, as always.
Hats off to him.