Professional has two rides at Sporting Days

Eventer Sara Gumbiner had two rides Saturday at the Sporting Days Farm Horse Trials. The horsewoman known as the New Jersey Tornado took Polaris training (level), and Ladylovesdiamonds beginner novice (level).

Polaris is a 17.1 hand gray Thoroughbred-Irish Sport Horse cross, and Gumbiner and Polaris first went training level last fall. They finished 9th at the Waredaca Horse Trials & Classic Training 3-Day Event in Laytonsville, Md. this past October.

"He tends to be a little bit spooky in the dressage," said Gumbiner. "He's come a long way. I had the opportunity to ride with Bettina Hoy (last weekend at Bridle Creek Farm) at Boyd and Silva's (Martin). He's a really special horse. I think he's going to go far."

It was the first horse trials for Polaris in 2012, and admittedly Gumbiner wishes they would have had more of a chance to school cross country before Saturday.

"The first part of the course was really good, and he was real steady and forward," said Gumbiner. "And then we came around to this ditch. He's real spooky, and he started running left, and then went right over it (the ditch). I had to stop at the ditch, but the rest of it (cross country course) was really good."

Gumbiner describes Polaris as a bold, scopey jumper.

"In stadium jumping he's pretty awesome," said Gumbiner. "I think the course went really well and it was dead on. He got just a little bit bold, and I lost my position just a little bit at the second vertical, and we had it (rail) down, but the rest of the course was really good."

The gelding is scheduled to move up to preliminary at Sporting Days March 3, said Gumbiner.

Ladylovesdaimonds is a new ride for Gumbiner, and they've been getting acquainted for the past month. The 15 hands bay Thoroughbred mare is a sales project, she said. Beginner novice was the right level for Ladylovesdiamonds as she continues to develop and feel more secure.

"She's so sweet, and the dressage test (at Sporting Days) was nearly flawless," said Gumbiner. "When I first got her she was a little bit timid, but her confidence has improved. I'm excited. She's a good, really careful jumper. She's really tidy with her knees."

The Sporting Days Farm horse trials are challenging but very straight forward, said Gumbiner.

"It's great for the young horses that you're able to catch them off guard a bit, but there's nothing that's overwhelming," said Gumbiner. "It's a good confidence booster."