Monday May 11, 2015

I was pleased to have a great result in the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake II on Friday with new mount Plume de la Roque. The rest of the weekend started off with an easy Saturday because there were only junior/amateur competitions in the main field, so I was able to start my day an hour later in the morning at the stable. I gave all 5 of my horses a light work in the morning, and took the afternoon to play 9 holes of golf with my buddy Nick Dello Joio. I enjoyed an early night on Saturday, getting ready for the tough day ahead. Since my ride had improved with Doremi during the Grand Prix on Friday, I had more confidence in Sunday’s competition; the $50,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix. We missed the jump off by a light rub on two fences, but I was very happy with the way he jumped the track. Being our first tournament together, Plume and I decided to test the track as well, maybe being a bit ambitious for our début and lack of time together. She handled it great, and with a bit more time together in the saddle I have no doubt that this mare will be a top horse in the sport. I made one mistake down a line which caused a domino effect at the fences in the line. Unfortunately this resulted in a score that did not match the ride itself. I can’t wait to have both Doremi and Plume back in action next week for the second leg of Old Salem in the $35,000 Grand Prix of North Salem, and the $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix. I will also have my three younger mounts Fayvor, Carmen and Anaconda campaigning in the smaller competitions up to 1.40m.  After that, it’s back to the homeland in Calgary and a quick 2 weeks rest before the Spruce Meadows Summer Series!