This time I will share my experience at the Tbird’s A Touch of class Dressage and Para-Dressage Competition.
The event was hosted by Thunderbird Show Park. The show included a CDI3*, CPEDI3* and a National Show. The CDI and CPEDI took place at the Thunderbird Ring as the competition area and warm-up and the Pacific Park Ring as lungeing and hand walking. The National classes took place at the George and Dianne Legacy Ring and the Sky Hi Ring. The horses were stabled for the FEI competitions in the International barn and for the national part in the Cupola barn. They also had some shops at the vendor’s row 🙂 This was the 1st edition of the show with over 130 entries, let’s hope this show becomes a yearly tradition.
The show was really top class! The organizing committee was very gracious and I must thank the Tbird Show Park and Ali Buchanan for the invitation to take part in this great show. I want to give special thanks to my Chief Steward: Jane James. And to my fellow Stewards: Liz Smith, Maureen Van Tuyl and Johnny Moon it was a pleasure working with you guys. Also a shout out to Linda Miller, Gerald Kuh, Shirley Pederson and Karen Ashby who were in the Dressage part.
Soooo, let’s begin the journey!
Travel day(s) – June 8th and 9th in the morning
I was supposed to take a flight form Mexico City to Salt Lake and then to Vancouver, but my first flight was cancelled so I had to go to LA, spend the night there and then go to Vancouver. Not remotely as planned, but what can you do?
In Mexico’s City airport waiting for the new flight
Morning of June 9th at LAX ready to leave (with some snacks :p)
Let’s gooooo to Vancouver!
Day 1 – June 9th
I arrived to Vancouver mid day and then went to Thunderbird. The Horse Inspection for the CDI and CPEDI took place with all the horses approved :). And a welcome reception in the afternoon.
The CDI horses preparing for the HI
The Vet checking the chip of the horses of the CPEDI
The CPEDI horses preparing for the HI
The official’s and sponsor’s welcome reception
The CPEDI stables
Day 2 – June 10th
First day of competition for the CDI and CPEDI. BBQ reception (I didn’t take pictures 🙁 )
I spent all day in the training and lungeing arena and helped with the price giving ceremony.
CDI warm-up
Some cold stewards. From left to right: Me, Liz, Jane and Maureen
The George & Dianne Legacy Ring
Preparing for the award ceremony
The walk victory lap
Day 3 – June 11th
Individual tests for the CDI & CPEDI.
In the morning I was in the training/lungeing arena and in the afternoon I was doing tack checks and the award ceremony.
The Sky Hi Ring
Part of vendor’s row
Preparing for the award ceremony
All lined up for their awards
TD and judge Kjell Mythe and rider Robyn Andrews
Day 4 – June 12th
The CDI and CPEDI freestyles.
This day I was at the training arena in the morning and in the warm-up in the afternoon.
Busy bee
CPEDI warm-up
Ribbons for the winners
The final award ceremony
From left to right: Jennifer Maynard, Liz Smith, Maureen Van Tuyl, Jane James, Me, Johnny Lee and Kjell Myrhe
Bonus: June 13th-15th
I got to stay a couple of days to wander a little bit. My fellow canadian stewards were really kind and let me stay with them. I visited Vancouver, Victoria and Salt Spring, the 3 of them beautiful in their own ways.
View of Vancouver from Stanley Park
Downtown Victoria
Beautifuuuullllll Butchart Gardens
Dawn in the ferry from Salt Spring Island to Vancouver
Broken bus on the highway to the airport
Flight home
You can check the results here and read an article of the show here.
What do you think of the show?
