October 23, 2018

The season wrapped up with the last team competition of the year.  MA6 was held for the last time at the PG Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  We have out grown the facility, which is a good thing to have ample growth, but its also a piece of nostalgia for those of us that have been playing for a long time.

Team Gone Rogue was two riders short for this competition so we were joined again by Tommy.  He is always a pleasure to ride with and his personality meshes so well with our team.  We were also joined by long time friend Lindsay who has been out of the sport for about ten years.  I believe the last time she really played was when we rode together on an Open team.  You would never know she was away for a decade.  She was still smooth and accurate, and as easy going and simple to ride with as she ever was.  Nothing has changed.

Our first session was ok.  We were all playing decently, nothing spectacular but nothing too poor either.  Simon was a little wound up, but he was moving out so that worked.  Our second session was horrendous.  We uncharacteristically dropped and missed things all over the place.  The only one on the team who didn’t look like a boob out there was Lindsay.  Again, she just rolled along, nice and smooth.  Simon was a total jerk for the second session.  He switched from not wanting to go near equipment to trying to run it over.  I was so frustrated with him at the end of the session that I was ready for pony burgers for dinner.  If there had been any doubt, which there was not, that I need a new pony, this certainly cleared it up.

We wound up in the B final, which was no surprise after our afternoon session.  Luckily we did end the season strong and came into the B final with our heads on.  We rocked the session pulling out 11 firsts, 3 seconds and only 1 third.

We also finished fourth in the series, thanks to our strong start to the season before we lost Matt to injury.

As for the Novice division, I was lucky enough to coach this team pictured below, Main Attraction, and they really rocked it.  This team started the season as a scramble team, stuck together, and improved with each competition.  They absorbed knowledge like sponges and used it out on the field with excellent play.  Each of their three sessions looked good and they took the blue for MA6.

They are also the series champions with blue ribbons all over the place.  They really earned it and the work they have all put in has really paid off.

I also managed to snag a snap shot of their placings for the final session and they really did amazing.  They consistently got first and second with just one third and one fourth place finish during the 15 race final.

After the final session the referee asked to speak with three of them.  uh oh! But it was a compliment and feather in their caps.  He said that they had improved so much this season that they need to move up to intermediate next season.  A fourth rider was also encouraged to move up but given the option to stay behind if she felt more comfortable since she has a bit of a challenging pony.

With smiles on their faces the four of them have decided to move up to intermediate together and continue on as a team.  I think this is an excellent move for them.  They all get along very well and work together smoothly.  Their skills compliment each other and I think the unity will aid them with the transition to a faster field.  They also made my day by asking me to continue on as their coach next year.  I cannot wait to be part of their growth and help them as they continue to improve!

We also had a fist time player in the Leadline division, Mr. Wesley.  He rode trusty Simon for all three sessions and did an amazing job.  I can say without a doubt that his favorite race was the balloon race, which he did awesome at.  Wesley is an excellent teammate and enjoyed cheering his teammates on and high fiving them after each race.  He rode with his new friend Bennett and his cousin against the mighty X’s, Dexter and Paxton.  Everyone rode very well in the Leadline division and were awarded trophies at the end.

Wesley was also helpful when it was time to untack Simon, and helped by taking off all the boots on his own.

So that wraps up another season of team competition.  We just have one pairs competition left in November and then its onto a winter of practices and prepping for the 2019 season.  Team Gone Rogue is planning to come back five strong with Val, Jon, and myself sticking around, and the return of teammate Matt.  He just had his final surgery and is recouping and healing up so he can be ready to start back on the field come spring.  We are also picking up new a new Rogue, Carly.  This was her and her pony’s first full season and they grew and improved with each competition.  Carly is a really fun person and her attitude and dedication will match the rest of us perfectly.

We are also anticipating a new pony for myself.  Hopefully I can get the shopping underway soon and I am keeping my fingers crossed for an easy and quick shopping experience.  Simon may be a decent back up pony for me but he is certainly not first string material and I am excited and eager to train something new.

Bring on the winter practice sessions!