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I'm without my camera this week. Mom has borrowed it for a trip of her own. [eyes closed, fingers crossed, trying not to worry] So, this week's posts will have to consist of stockpiled photos. I know - let's start with more horse jumping! (Because I couldn't get enough of them the last time.)
This series of three photos is of the same horse. I want to frame them as a set. (Thank you to Katie, for showing me how to use the automatic drive mode of my camera, without which I wouldn't have able to catch the whole sequence.)
We had a large field of 24 horses in this year's competition, and of these, 9 horses made it to the jump-off with a clear round. In horse jumping, you are scored a series of "faults." Four faults are assigned each time a horse knocks a rail down, and one fault is given for every second (or partial second) a horse goes over the allotted time for the course, in this case, 94 seconds. Like golf, the lowest score wins, and the ultimate goal is a "clear round." (No jumping or time faults.)
In the jump off, the course is shortened, and there is no maximum time. Riders cut every corner possible and go as fast as they dare in their attempt at a clear round in the shortest amount of time. Can you see the speed here as Laura Chapot and "Little Big Man" try to set the pace as the first team in the jump-off?
I don't know if you can see the skid marks in the ground in these two photos or not. The horse had just refused this jump, and Laura was taking him around for a second attempt. (A refusal is when a horse runs out or stops suddenly, refusing to take the jump.) I missed the shot of them skidding to a halt, throwing large divots into the air.
After taking this jump successfully, the horse refused the following jump. "Thank you very much. You are excused." She was taking it too fast and the horse's timing was off. Laura Chapot won the Classic with "Little Big Man" last year, but this wasn't their day.
I was fast enough to catch this spectacular image of a horse crashing through the jump right in front of me. This was also during the jump off and probably a result of speed and timing conflicts as well.
Don't worry, horse and rider were just fine, and went on to complete the round. Of all the years we have attended the Classic, this is the first time we have seen this happen. (I think this was Margie Engle, another New Albany veteran, on "Hidden Creek's Wapino.")
The winner this year, with two clear rounds and completing the jump-off course in 41.58 seconds was Darragh Kerins and "Night Train," from Ireland. (My sister Lisa's pick.) In second place was Kent Farrington on "Up Chiqui," also with a clear round and only 0.08 seconds slower at 41.66 seconds. (My horse.)
We each pick two horses at the start of the event. All four of our picks had clear first rounds and made it into the jump-off this year. We are getting better at our guesses. My second choice was Beezie Madden and "Judgement," who came in sixth. (I almost picked Margie Engle, whose horse went through the jump instead of over.) Lisa's other horse was the ill-fated "Little Big Man." So, maybe we aren't that good yet. We'll have to try again next year!
Family fun and Border Collie demos aside, the real reason for attending the New Albany Classic Grand Prix is for the horse jumping. These are international equestrian stars, and Olympic caliber riders came from all over the USA, plus Canada and Ireland, to compete this year.
The grounds are gorgeous. I suspect that nobody walks on this grass for 364 days of the year, except for a few carefully selected groundskeepers who lovingly trim each blade by hand. 
Every jump is sponsored by a business or organization, and is beautifully decorated with fabulous floral arrangements. The VIP tent is to the right in the photo below.
The house in the background, by the way, is NOT the Wexner's home, as I originally thought. This is their guest house. Who visits here I'm not sure. Maybe the Pope?
A rider walks the course before the competition. The horses never see the jumps until they enter the field, but the riders pace carefully about, measuring the angles and distances between the jumps and calculating the best plan of attack.
New this year was the Official New Albany Classic mascot, Bucky. He got our section of the crowd involved in a rousing round of "O-H!" ; "I-O!" I suspect there is a former Brutus Buckeye inside that costume.
And now, I'll let a few of the horses and riders speak for themselves. I don't know how I'll distill my many pictures into a chosen few. Maybe I'll upload photos until Blogger chokes.
If you like horses, horse jumping, family fun, and supporting a good cause, and if you are going to be in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, September 30, consider spending the day at the New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix and Family Day. The event features all-day family entertainment, capped off by Olympic level competitors.
As well as enjoying a great day, you will feel good knowing that your admission fees go to support the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, which I think you will agree is a worthy cause. There are no ticket sales at the gate; be sure to buy your tickets early. (See above link for details.)
This year is the 10th anniversary of the New Albany Classic. My sister and I have been going for the past 4 or 5 years, and every year, it gets more popular. The morning starts out with the OSU Marching Band (The Best Damn Band in the Land!) and cheerleaders, and Jack Hanna and the animals of the Columbus Zoo, continues with musical entertainment, rides, games and face painting, and booths supporting various animal causes, moves to great food including Graeter's ice cream, and ends with the grande finale, the jumping, which runs from 2:30 to about 4:30pm.
To whet your appetite, here are photos from last year's event. 
