Mid-South Horse Review

By Peggy Hart

Despite the drop in temperature from the balmy 70s to nearly 40 degrees with a light sprinkling of rain and rising winds, the intrepid competitors at the Oak Grove Hunt Club Combined Test and Dressage Show, November 21, 2015, persevered. Misty Meadows Farm near Byhalia, MS offered a well-marked cross country course with naturally constructed fences and a smartly groomed dressage arena. A few entries negotiated the inaugural Novice/Training course over some new and substantial cross country jumps. More entered the Beginner Novice (BN) division, where the cross country course rode well for all the competitors. Even the Modified Terrified (MT) course caused few difficulties for the riders, as it was easily ridden on a well prepared horse. There were new jumps on both the BN and MT courses to add to the day’s excitement. Green as Grass brought out the largest group, and all did very well on the tires, panels, pipes and the log pile. Riders who had signed up to school the course will be allowed to return at a later date when the weather is a bit nicer. By the end of the show, everyone, including the horses, were ready to get out of the first, blustery cold snap.

Once the eventers had their turn the Dressage only crowd braved the rain and cold to show what their horses could do on the flat. Judge Peggy Gaboury was impressed with the well turned out riders and horses for this part of the event. She said, “It was nice to see them take the effort to be correct even at a non-recognized show.”

Results for Combined Test:

Novice/ Training - Leigh Higby - Plaisance Prince

Beginner Novice