A Cheesy Update from Big Cheese Eventing

Big Cheese Eventing is based out of Athens, GA and run by Caroline Marlett. Made up of a super fun group of horses and riders, we pride ourselves on developing solid horsemanship skills, clear communication, and balanced riding. For more information, be sure to check out our website and Facebook page

Photo courtesy of Big Cheese Eventing.

Photo courtesy of Big Cheese Eventing.

“Just remember, once you’re over the hill you begin to pick up speed.”

– Arthur Schopenhauer

My team and I had a great trip to Poplar Place for their May HT on the weekend of May 2-3. My Prelim horse Pepperjack, who recently returned to the game after a year of rehabbing from a tendon tear, placed 6th in the Open Training division. I brought along two students as well, both competing in the Open Beginner Novice division. Shout out to Meghan Cameron and Starbuster for their 3rd place finish!!

However, my focus for this post is on my other student, Hannah Fearing and her mare Ideas Are Costly. The weekend finished with this horse and rider completing their first recognized USEA event in the Open Beginner Novice division. The pair rode the typical eventing rollercoaster of emotions; got through a difficult dressage test in which said horse decided she did NOT want to play prancy-pony, defeated some show jumping demons and finished the weekend with a double clear cross country trip to feel on top of the world.

Photo courtesy of Big Cheese Eventing.

Photo courtesy of Big Cheese Eventing.

I’m sure most people did not take a second look at Ms. Costly –the plain bay wrapper of a horse, really quite close to being dubbed a “hony,” in fact. And I doubt they thought much about her rider, an unassuming college-aged kid. I’m sure people smiled when they saw how excited Hannah was about her awesome finish in her USEA-debut; 5th place and Reserve Champion TIP for the Beginner Novice divisions.

We are all so lucky to be part of an incredible sport that fosters true horsemanship and appreciation for everything our equine partners do for us, so I’m sure nobody thought twice about Hannah smothering Costly with affection. But for me, as their friend and trainer, I got truly emotional.

Photo courtesy of Big Cheese Eventing.

Photo courtesy of Big Cheese Eventing.

I was disappointed for them in dressage because I know how great they can be; but sometimes that’s just eventing. I was SO PROUD of them in show jumping for conquering their demons and finishing so well after a stop at the first fence. They came out a stronger pair 10 jumps and 90 seconds later.

And despite the anxiety and worry about running cross country over their first true Beginner Novice course, they nailed it. I waited anxiously as the announcer commented on their progress, but honestly, I heard nothing but their names. I ran from the start box to the finish flags so that I could be there to cheer for her on a successful completion. Why so many emotions? Because Costly is 28 YEARS OLD!

That’s right – a 28 year old TB mare just made her USEA eventing debut! AND FINISHED STRONG! So while the dressage judge didn’t take a particular liking to her in the sandbox (which Costly may not have helped much…) we didn’t care because she’s 28! So what, she had a stop at the first fence in show jumping?

She just needed a second to figure out the task at hand…she’s 28!! And cross country? Psh, no excuses needed there – she’s 28 and she knows what she loves to do! So when I saw them conquer the jump that worried Hannah the most – the log at the top of a steep hill with a steep drop off after, I almost lost it. That’s me getting all breathy on the film, momentarily forgetting that I was filming and just being flooded with so much love and admiration for this pair.

Photo courtesy of Big Cheese Eventing.

Photo courtesy of Big Cheese Eventing.

I am so proud to be their trainer and even more proud to call them friends. I know what Hannah has been through with Ms. Costly; mystery swellings, missing teeth, finding a diet she will actually eat…..but Hannah has ALWAYS put Costly’s best interest, health and well-being above all else.

As a top-of-her-class 3rd year vet student at the University of Georgia, she’s used to working hard and I am so thrilled that all of her hard work, perseverance, and love for Costly has brought them to this point! They make Big Cheese Eventing proud and I cannot wait to see them back out on course again soon!

GO COSTLY! GO BIG CHEESE!