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On either cross-country Saturday, they are in action. Watch the clever, sure footed Irish-bred veteran pop an extra stride through the preliminary road crossing, just making sure that drop on the out doesn't get too daunting.( His junior rider pats him gratefully as they gallop away to the bullfinch.) Now here comes a quick thinking Arabian gelding, zipping through the training level mustang trap. His rider hurries him on the approach, making his jump into the combination a bit too big. But no problem, the compact grey gelding simply nips in a tight second stride, knees up to his chin, until he's out safe and away.
Remember that novice-level Percheron cross-bred who aced the dressage Friday? He's packing his adult amateur rider around the course now, and the two of them are both beaming. They steam through the finish flags, making the time and securing their second-day lead. His rider jumps off and flings her arms around his neck.
There's the intermediate-level thoroughbred who powers over the half moon, already focused on the water combination he has before him, into which he fires with a stride to spare. He'll be followed by that tiny little New Zealand hothead who pings over that enormous drop and scampers through the water in twice as many strides, but with no less commitment and zeal. Who can say which horse jumped best? The scoreboard says zero, and that's all that counts.
Both Groton House events offer special awards for older horses, the recipients of which always have stories to tell. Take last year's Windrush Trophy winner, 22-year-old The Executive II , owned by Apple Knoll Farm and ridden by Dan Arendt of Millis, MA.
Like all good event horses, this tough little Welsh pony/ thoroughbred cross gelding known as "Basil," possesses boundless determination and courage. Basil competed at the international-level with Olympic veteran J. Michael Plumb until a disastrous injury threatened to end the horse's career. After ripping his shoulder open to the bone one night in the field, his long-time groom, Claire Russell, remembers the vets saying the horse would never jump again. But Basil survived months of stall rest in a cradle -- and later, horrific colic surgery -- and returned to upper-level competitive success with Mike.
Later, Basil was given to Claire who found him a home with upper-level eventer Adrienne Iorio-Borden. Adrienne took Basil to Wellington, Florida, that next winter to do the jumpers. "He just rocked," remembers Adrienne of the 20 year old.
One of Adrienne's students competed Basil at novice and training level the next year until Dan Arendt, barn manager for Adrienne's Apple Knoll Farm, took over the ride last year. The pair earned their trophy with a sixth-placed finish in opening training at Groton House I 2002. Basil is now, finally, retired to trail riding.
For Basil, and all the great event horses you'll see here these weekends, it's not about beauty or style. The horses at Groton House I and II seek definition through courage and heart, a generosity of spirit, and a willingness in their soul.
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