The video of the warmup of Heather and Paragon is below. I won't be offended if you skip down. Here are, IMHO, ten great things about HB and her horse...
Helmet. Need I say more?
35 minute warmup. I saw a lot of riders out there drilling their horses for well over an hour before their ride. Heather's ride time was at 4:12 and at 3:30 there was no sign of her. I actually asked the steward if she'd scratched. She came out about five minutes later.
Paragon's lean elegance is so different from the chubbo old-style warmbloods. His build reminds me of those old paintings of Eclipse. Look at the walk footage -- does it not remind you of a thoroughbred?
Paragon's floppy ears and unfussy mouth.
Brown saddle!!!!
Black patent leather bridle with crystal browband. Not too matchy-matchy, but plenty of bling.
No arguments. This was such a polite warmup.
No whip! At least I don't see one, either in warmup or in the ring.
Rider relaxation. The steward called Heather over because her bridle number was wrong. It was perhaps 10 minutes before her ride, and she spent the time sorting out the problem ringside. Who wouldn't have been a little tense about the last minute hassle? But Heather was pleasant and jovial, you'd never have known she was at a competition.
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