Amateur Lipsky opens eventing season at Full Gallop

Amateur rider Annika Lipsky was among the eventers at the Full Gallop Farm Horse Trials Wednesday, and she had one ride, going training level with her 12-year-old Selle Francais Matus.

"It was our first outing (of the year), and he was perfect," said Lipsky.

Matus is a veteran campaigner, who was going intermediate at the time Lipsky purchased the gelding. However, the eventer started at novice level with Matus.

"It's taken a while to get to know each other," said Lipsky.

The Vermont-based rider's trainer is Surefire Eventing's Jan Byyny.

"All of the work has really paid off," said Lipsky. "I was very pleased with his dressage test. He's quite a fancy little mover. He's a really fun horse. I couldn't be more happy (with his cross country) It was a great outing today."

Lipsky will take her other horse Karoo, a Thoroughbred cross, and go training level at Sporting Days Farm on Saturday. Lipsky and Karoo placed first at training level at the Full Gallop Farm Horse Trials on March 12, 2010. Karoo's barn name is Peter, and he's affectionately known as Peter Rabbit.

"He's coming back from injuries, so this will be his first outing (of the winter) as well," said Lipsky. "He'll (Karoo) be going training as well. Hopefully, we'll be able to bring both horses up (the levels) this season. I've had that horse (Karoo) for four years, and he was hurt all of last year. It took a long time getting him back. He's a great horse."