It's Chris ... again!!!

I am going to have to rethink this whole getting to know the clinicians thing I have been doing. Honestly when Chris stood on his horse during the second day of RTTH all I was thinking ... is "GET DOWN from there." He kept himself safe, as did Tommy when he too stood on his horse.
If I were a judge at this year's event, I would still be sratching my head for a clear winner. Chris has amazing work ethic and I think of everything he did the most impressive was during the obstacle course - his horse got away from him after a bit of arena sking the colt was loose in the arena. Chris told the crowd he'd use the moment as an opportunity. He did! Wow ... in less than a minute using only body posturing he had the horse back and bridled. It was amazing.
About his win, Chris told me "I worked my butt off" ... and he did. He never stopped, some felt he was more aggressive than they usually see him. I didn't have a chance to ask him to respond to that. Knowing Chris ... I feel like he'd say what he did the first day and that was he was doing what was best to get that particular colt broke.
One of my most favorite trainers competing was Ken McNabb. Ken and his wife DeeDee are just the nicest people. There boy's Curt & Trent played with my boys Wade and Wyatt til Friday night when my kids left to visit their uncle in Lynchburg.
Ken drew such a nice horse. A top pick among spectators! He was a slow starter and spooky but Ken pulled out the obstacle course like a true champion. I loved that Ken talked his horse thru all the obstacle course (as did Mike Kevil). I couldn't have been more proud to know Ken McNabb and of his performance if he were my brother.
Mike Kevil I think displayed the most consistant techniques, he was quiet and calm even with his colt bucked like a rank bronc he just pulled him out and completed the course with style, grace and humor. He said his colt was like a diesil - slow to start. So I'll forever think of that colt as "Diesil".
Tommy Garland has so much postive energy it radiates out of the round pen and into the crowd. It's no wonder he is an arabian trainer ... not too many other trainers have that same spirit and exuberance as the world's oldest breed. At one point on day one ... Chris and Tommy were laying on their horse's back at the same time. To me it raised the level of intensity and made the crowd's heart skip a beat to know how close the contest was actually going to be. Interestingly, there was no real rivalry like last year between Chris and Clinton ... but the competition was much more fierce.
I told Tootie I thought it was the best one yet. I do think because it was so close and even Chris said he didn't know he won until it was announced that a lot of folks will be yammering for a rematch of these four.
Congrats to Chris ... I'll bet it'll be a good week at the Double Diamond C this week!

Til next time!
Tess