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2010 Overall Event Results Click Here
Dressage Scores Click Here
Marathon Results Click Here
Cones Results Click Here
Special Award Winners Click Here
Oh my gosh, where do I start with an event like this one? I am sure the Happ's CDE 2010 will "go down in history" to say
the least.
It started well before the event started or any competitors arrived. RAIN, more rain, and then torrential rain. It just
would not stop. In planning Section A for Marathon I had to change from past years as the swale in our neighbor's property that
has been dry every year for the 9 years we have used it was water close to 2' deep and about 40-50 feet across. OK--change the
route and it worked. Section E--again I made the decision to change the originally planned route and shorten the course a bit. We
got the course all flagged (in the rain and hail) and then it kept raining. Officials decided a portion of Sectin E needed to be deleted
and along with it our remodeled Ghost Town hazard.
Friday we got through Dressage basically dry--thank you for that--so people didn't look like drowned rats in their nice Dressage
attire. We got through dinner and Dressage awards and a few other recognitions. Then, the heavens opened and DUMPED rain all night
and into Saturday. 6:00 a.m. run around the Marathon course by TD Penny Nicely and Learner TD (boy!! did Larry Brinker get a chance
to LEARN!!) and "the conference" was held. The water that was about 2" deep under the Covered Bridge when I shut the pump off about
10-11:00 p.m. Friday night was already over the top of rubber boots--and rising! OK--no water hazard...well, it was still a hazard, just
no water route....and I actually had been pleased with myself (THAT will teach me) as I was able to flag it so that drivers would go
into the water 3 times and still kept it within legal length. As the day progressed additional decisions were made to drop particular
gates in hazards.....and to close hazards totally as they were getting chewed into mud pits. We want to commend our competitors--I heard no complaining about a shortened course, fewer hazards, MUD (the 4-H kids did a brisk
business with pressure washers and earned enough money to almost cover their fair expenses in that one day! I actually had more people
than ever come to me to say what a GREAT time they had and how much FUN they had.
We want to thank the officials who so diligently watched conditions and made decisions for the best interest of the safety of
competitors and their equine while still maintining the event and the reason everybody (82 competitors after turning some away as we
were too full and 6 scratches) came. We also want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to the volunteers who persevered under "less than pleasant
conditions" and made it possible for drivers to compete.
Saturday night's dinner included Marathon awards and the closing of our very successful (we raised half the money for a new radio
system) Silent Auction with competitors, volunteers, spectators and officials all being winning bidders. The last highlight was our
traditional "Honor Cake" and getting to have our cake (Diana Axness) and eat it (her and ponies Nip and Tuck) too!
Sunday was a little nicer to us. Both Cones courses started on time and ran smoothly.......and it was not until the last 3-4
competitors that the rain started up....we ALMOST made it through the day dry. After awards, everybody pulled out (literally in some
cases...we won't even go into the story of Marge Robinson and her rooster-tailing motorhome!!!!) and it became quiet around here once again.
The last thing (and certainly not the least important) I want to mention is the wonderful opportunities that were here this
year for our competitors, spectators and volunteers. Gerard Paagman of British Columbia brought down his Ideal Harness "Retail
Store on Wheels". Numerous times throughout the event I saw horses standing by his trailer while harness(es) were brought out,
tried on, and ultimately purchsed. It was so great for drivers and horses to be able to actually try on harness of various sizes
and styles and make a decision. The other big THANKS we owe to Gerard and to Edwin and Anne van der Graaf of The Netherlands
(and I suppose to the Queen for allowing Edwin to take the time off). Edwin and Anne flew over, spent a coule days at Paagmans
and then came down here for Edwin to compete with a 4-in-hand of Gerard's Freisians. Saturday afternoon (the rains did stop for
this special occassion) 8 purebred Friesians owned by Caio and Gerard Paagman were harnessed and hitched and Edwin drove them. To
say he drove them seems to diminish what he did. I heard several ask how anyone can drive 8 huge horses one-handed and make it look so easy!
Thank you one and all--watch our calendar for changes to next year's scheduling.
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