Thirty-two anxious contestants stepped into the ring to walk a very difficult course late Saturday afternoon. All of us were attentive and focused on the pattern of obstacles placed in front of us as we discussed each detail with our trainers. After memorizing tough tests (like hand-galloping an oxer), counting strides, and planning out the appropriate track to take down the challenging bending lines, we each nervously awaited our turn under the spotlight. The first round eventually came to a close with Tina DiLandri emerging as the first place winner, with a score of 91.5, followed by Nicoletta Von Heidegger, Nicole Roehrig, myself and other riders who also did extremely well, with average scores of 80 and above.

Early Sunday morning the same thirty-two hard working contestants were handed yet another course that was not only full of difficult twists and turns, but also a trot fence and then a halt after the final fence. One especially interesting area of the course involved the choice of an extremely tight inside turn to a large oxer, which had to be jumped on a sharp angle. Though challenging, many contestants were successful in completing the course.

Winning once again with an amazing second round, Tina DiLandri held her top spot, again with her average in the 90s. After the second round, Tina, Nicoletta and I had the top three averages going into the work-off. Ten riders had an overall average of 80 or above, which meant that all ten of us would compete in the work-off. It is very rare to have so many people in the work-off which made it even more exciting. We all walked to the far corner of the ring where Rob Gage, who was one of our judges, came to talk to us for a short time. Then we listened to the announcer as he explained the short but complicated course. First we were to hand-gallop an oxer and almost immediately after, trot a fence, followed by a tight turn to a five stride line. We were told to halt in the middle of the line, and then to canter out over the oxer. After the oxer we were expected to pick up the counter lead and hold it around an extremely tight turn around the end fence back to the line-up. Each of us waited anxiously as the others rode a the very trying course. After each one of us took our turn, we walked towards the in-gate to wait for the results.

As I walked over towards my trainers, my mother, and my friends, I could not help but wonder who had taken the lead after the work-off. It wasn't until the final results were announced that I realized I had won, Tina was second, and Nicoletta was third. Ribbons were awarded, and pictures were taken. Nicoletta, Tina and I got the privilege of standing on a podium and waving our flowers to the camera to celebrate our success. Then, we jumped back on our well-decorated horses and got ready for the victory gallop (and jump!). I took my turn around the ring and nine extremely talented riders followed behind me.

The CPHA Foundation Medal Finals was an amazing experience. I would really like to thank the judges, Rob Gage and Margie Hough, as well as the class sponsors: Metropolitan Mortgage, Specifically Equine, CPHA Board of Directors, Star Lane Farms, James Klein Insurance and Dominion Saddlery. Lastly, I would like to thank my trainers Archie Cox, Peter Lombardo, Danielle Ackley, and Teddi Mellencamp for the endless hours they spend teaching my horse, Mata Hari, and me.