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Meagan DeLisle

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About Meagan DeLisle

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You Suck: An Eventer’s Ode to My Crappy Ankles and the Coronavirus

Bear in his new home, Le Cheval de Boskydell, where he is under the immacualte care and training of our new trainer, Jill O’Donoghue. Photo courtesy of Meagan DeLisle.

In early February, I sat down at my computer and mapped out my entire competition schedule for the spring/early summer season, and I am sure I am not the only eventer who did so. We all had big dreams and big plans for the year. Mine included finalizing my qualifications for the 2020 American Eventing Championships early on by putting in two more clear cross country rounds, and then just working on fitness until August rolled around. My sweet horse Bear is nearing 23 now (and that is to our best guess, haha, there is some discrepancy as to his age), and while he looks as fit as can be, continuing at novice or going past it is out of his comfort zone. The goal? Kill it at the AECs and let my tailless wonder retire on our farm, all while shopping for a new competition horse to step in and take his place when the time came. 

I had no clue that just a week later the coronavirus would make its way into the United States, or that two weeks later I would put myself out of competition for some time by tearing not one, but two of the ligaments in my left ankle after taking a small tumble at HITS Ocala (lesson learned ladies and gentlemen, don’t try and land on your feet — especially if your ankles suck at being ankles). 

I gave myself 10 minutes to freak out, and then I met with my orthopedic to make a plan. “My year-end championships are in August,” was the first thing I said when he opened the door to my exam room. “I need to be in the saddle before June to be fit, ready, and fully qualified. This is the first time I have ever qualified, and the only chance I have of competing with this horse.”

My sucky ankles just one day after the injury. Photo courtesy of Meagan DeLisle.

My husband sighed, but my orthopedic just laughed. “Done and done,” he said as he explained to me a new surgery option that would just have me out for six short weeks. The rehab would be intense, but my ankle would be better than ever. We scheduled the surgery for two weeks later (his earliest availability), and I was on my way dreaming of cross country runs at the Kentucky Horse Park and hopefully low dressage scores. 

And then, the coronavirus actually became a thing. As my surgery date crept forward, several people reached out to me curious as to if my surgery was still on the schedule. I began to panic. They wouldn’t ACTUALLY cancel my surgery, would they? I mean, I could barely walk, surely they saw this as an essential surgery, right?

Wrong. At 7:02 PM the night before my surgery, the hospital called me. The first positive testing in the county had come back, and all non-essential surgeries were off the docket. I cried myself to sleep that night knowing that this was just the beginning and that it would get much worse before it could get better. I was so close. 

I know that I am lucky in some aspects that my surgery was canceled. I know that there was an inherent risk of myself or my surgical team coming into contact with COVID-19. I know that surgical supplies need to be saved for life-threatening cases. Trust me; I know all of this. But that doesn’t mean that this absolutely does not suck. 

I am an active person. My solace is riding, and that is gone for who knows how long. My jumper mare is still in Florida, and I took Bear, my eventer, to Illinois for boot-camp so that once I was healed and ready to go, so was he. For a while, I could visit Bear a few times a week, but then the need to quarantine became so urgent that I knew I could no longer put my wonderful barn family at risk. So here I am, stuck at home, barely able to walk, unable to care for my farm and its many inhabitants and unable to ride or see my horses. And it sucks. My husband has been wonderful dealing with my roller coaster of emotions and helping care for everything at home and on the farm. I know I haven’t been an easy patient. In fact, my doctor refers to me as “his worst patient.” Sorry, Wayne. 

So what does one do when the world seems to stack against them? Again, I gave myself some time to be mad, sad, and everything in between. I let myself curse the world, and then I let myself draw inward and eat as much ice cream as I possibly could handle. Then I looked myself in the mirror one day and said, “suck it up, buttercup. Life sucks. Make it suck less.”

So I ordered a TON of books and have dedicated this time to reading and learning and betting myself as a horsewoman, even when I cannot be around a horse. I finally learned about conformation and how to assess it thanks to Deb Bennett’s “Principles of Conformation Analysis,” and I took note of some barn management skills I can implement at home with Cherry Hill’s “Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage.” I re-read and sticky-noted the crap out of one of my favorites, “World-Class Grooming” by Cat Hill and Emma Ford. 

Trying to find my happy place by reading one of my all-time favorite books, “World-Class Grooming” just minutes after my hospital cancelled my surgery, while my husband tries to cheer me up with YouTube videos. Photo courtesy of Meagan DeLisle.

I subscribed to YouTube after YouTube of professional riders who I admire and have watched thousands of helmet cams, counting the strides between combinations and feeling the way an upper-level rider executes their plan. I watch Dressage riders explain and dissect difficult movements so I can better my scores when the time comes. I assess show jumping rounds one-by-one, watching old live feeds, and understanding why a rail came down and how it could have been prevented. 

I have cleaned my tack so thoroughly that it looks brand new. I have organized my show trunks so that when the season finally comes around, I have everything in its place. With the help of my husband, we have combed through my truck and trailer, making sure that all is in working order for when I am finally able to go show. And I have scoured the internet looking for the perfect scooter to take to shows with me so that even though I might be in recovery and unable to show, I can still go and live in the moment with my friends and teammates and scoot around the grounds as best as possible.

Don’t get me wrong — I am still sad and frustrated, and the hospital probably hates me because I call weekly hoping for an update only to hear, “sorry, Meagan, still not happening anytime soon.” I still think my ankles and the coronavirus absolutely suck. I still don’t understand why any of this happened to me, to my country, to my sport. But at the end of the day, I am healthy. I am alive. And I am going to make the best of this. Because my ankles and the coronavirus might suck, but my life doesn’t have to. 

Best of HN: Book Review: ‘Riding for the Team’

Everyone at work makes fun of me because my life seems to revolve around horses 24/7. Shopping for horses on my lunch break? Yep. Drinking my morning coffee out of an equestrian mug? You betcha. Talking about horses to anyone who will listen to me? Sure am.

So my coworker wasn’t one bit surprised when I whipped out my copy of Riding for the Team: Inspirational Stories of the USA’s Medal-Winning Equestrians and Their Horses as we settled into our four-hour flight.

I love books almost as much as I love horses, so this book seemed to be a no-brainer. Riding for the Team features “mini-biographies,” if you will, of over 40 Olympic athletes from varying disciplines, each one as captivating as the first. If I am honest, I initially imagined I would read through the showjumping and eventing sections thoroughly and then skim through the rest, but I truly could not put the book down.

In Riding for the Team, you get a behind-the-scenes look at how most of our country’s best equestrians came to be. Each rider shares a personal tidbit that reminds the reader that they are, in fact, human just like we are and all endure hardships or suffer through mistakes. I found myself laughing along with Robert Ridland, sitting on edge alongside Boyd Martin (You can read an excerpt of his portion here), and gaining a new understanding of the importance of owners in our sport thanks to Chester Weber.

And while the showjumping and eventing stories definitely had my heart, one of my favorite excerpts was from dressage rider Laura Graves. We all know about Laura and her impressive horse Verdades, but I had no clue what a struggle the two shared during their partnership together. Reading Laura’s first-hand account of bringing the horse along to the amazing feats he is known for now was eye-opening. I found myself thinking, “Wow, it is possible to start from scratch and become a somebody in this world after all.”

If there is one thing most of these stories share in common, it is the way each rider had to earn his or her way to the podium. Not only do you get to see how countless riders from all over the world rose to the top, but also you get to hear from some of the founding members of these industries and how the sports have evolved over time. It was a delight to read the O’Connors’ perspectives on how the changes in eventing have impacted the sport.

In addition to reading about some of the people I idolize today, I got to learn more about disciplines I am less-than-familiar with through the masters themselves. Hearing how para-dressage rider Lynn Seidemann or endurance rider Becky Hart earned a place on the USET was not only informative, but also extremely captivating.

I will admit, I read that whole book on my four-hour flight, but that just wasn’t enough for me. So I endured more taunting at home from my husband as I cracked the spine of one of my new favorite books for the second time while cooking up some holiday candy and enjoying a homemade drink. I mean… what gets more equestrian than that?

If you haven’t scooped up your copy of Riding for the Team yet, you will most definitely want to add it to your wish list. I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. After reading it from cover-to-cover three times through, my copy is proudly displayed on our living room bookcase, but I can promise you that it will be making it’s way down from time-to-time when I need some inspiration to get me through my difficult rides.

Riding for the Team was produced by the USET and edited by Nancy Jaffer, and reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.horseandriderbooks). The book is also available directly from USET here

The Owner Experience: Understanding Ownership & How You Can Get Involved

As my partnership as an honorary owner for Leah Lang-Gluscic continues, so does my education level. While I am accustomed to being involved in an upper-level show jumping program thanks to my time with Altamonte Show Stable, my time working with Leah has introduced me to a world of upper-level eventing that seems so far away for most riders of my level. I have learned about pre-season vettings, various training exercises, and more, but one of the most interesting things I have learned about is the actual structure of ownership in itself.

I have always wondered what it must be like to be an owner of an upper-level horse, but through this process, I really have gotten a behind-the-scenes look. With education always on the forefront, Leah sat down with me one day to talk about what ownership really could look like for those who wish to invest.

A very happy AP Prime, one of the horses I am an honorary owner of, enjoying some turnout in Florida. Photo by Leah Lang-Gluscic.

While it varies with each partnership made, there are three forms of ownership that someone may commonly see in the equestrian industry:

  • Full Ownership
  • Half Ownership
  • and Syndicates

Most of the information Leah shared with me is kept under wraps in the industry, but our goal with this experiment is to shed some light on the realities of ownership, so Leah willingly explained what her ownership structures look like in great detail. Again, each professional’s ownership structure is going to vary slightly, but that leads me to Leah’s biggest takeaway during this discussion:

If you own a nice horse and have a rider in mind who you wish to campaign them, give them a call.

Most riders are actively looking for excellent horses to produce or show, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you are interested in discussing options.

So let’s break down those three options I mentioned earlier.

 

In a Full Ownership agreement, the individual partnering with the rider holds sole ownership of the horse during the entire time the rider is showing it. Many trainers, such as Leah, will offer a discounted training rate for owners who wish to have them step in the irons as the horse’s rider. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wishes to retain ownership rights to the horse! However, that full ownership does come at a cost. Just like owning your own show horse, the owner is responsible for all upkeep and show-related fees in this structure.

As an example, Leah agreed to share what her Full Ownership structure looks like. If I were to have a young horse who I was excited about their future and wanted Leah to have the ride on it, the first step would be to give Leah a call. She would assess my horse and ensure that it had the potential for upper-level competition. If she liked the horse, it would go into her program full-time with a $300 a month discount on training board.

Now, one thing that I felt it was important to stress here is that this option is for owners who truly want to leave their horse in the hands of a professional during the majority of its career. This is not a way to get your horse training for your own purposes at a discounted rate. If your goal is to have the ride on the horse after your rider has put some miles on it, then you are not looking at an ownership partnership, but a trainer and rider partnership. It is understandable that when the horse is ready to step-down that the owner may take the reins, but this partnership truly is so that the owner can enjoy the ownership experience and watch their horse develop under the meticulous care of a professional rider.

The second horse who I get to play the role of owner for is this handsome dude we call Studly! Photo courtesy of Leah Lang-Gluscic.

The next option would be a Half Ownership agreement. With this option, there is a significant increase in affordability for many people as the owner and rider both take a 50/50 stake in the horse. Again, the way this agreement is structured is going to vary depending on the professional. However, it is safe to assume that in most agreements of this nature, the rider would take on the riding, training, and feed costs while the owner would take on the hard costs such as entries, vet, and farrier.

Leah informed me that this option requires great trust between both rider and owner, as mutual financial decisions have to be made. Again, in her program, sometimes, this agreement doesn’t start with a 50/50 ownership structure, but she accrues more ownership in the horse as she invests more of her time into it. While sometimes she and an owner may partner together on the purchase of a new horse with an immediate 50/50 ownerships, other times, she may find an owner who already has 100% ownership of the horse but wishes to participate as an owner in a more affordable fashion. This is where the accrual process comes into play and why trust has to play a big part in this partnership.

Lastly, there is the most publicly talked about option in ownership: the Syndicate. Again, Syndicate structures can vary. Some take the average cost of investing in a horse and its annual upkeep and split that into “shares,” which multiple people can invest in. Others, such as Leah’s, serve as a sort of annual membership that mitigates the risk associated with full or half ownership.

The idea behind a syndicate option is that it allows more people to experience ownership in a feasible, low-risk fashion. These low-cost “buy-in” or “membership” options allow participants with the opportunity to enjoy the perks of ownership without having to worry about vet bills, entry fees, and so forth. And a big plus is that some syndicate investments can be tax-deductible! Leah’s are thanks to the American Horse Trials Foundation.

So why should people invest their time, money, or horsepower into ownership? There is a multitude of reasons, but one stands out in my mind: riders in our sport need the horses necessary to move up through the levels, but may not have the financial backing to invest in that caliber of horse all on their own. As lovers of the sport, it is crucial that we nurture and support it and our riders.

But that is not the only reason! Ownership, I have found, is truly a fun and once-in-a-lifetime experience! This behind-the-scenes look at the program put into an upper-level horse has been extremely educational and exciting. And as Leah pointed out, more and more events are finding out how to cater to owners to make it even more fun! VIP passes, owner dinners, and more — there are tons of perks to make the owner experience a phenomenal one for all involved.

In summary, if you love horses, ownership is a completely new level in which you can connect with the sport. The more people we can get involved, the more excitement we can center around the world of eventing, or any horse sport for that matter. And who doesn’t want that?

Best of JN: 5 Questions Your Extended Family Are Guaranteed to Ask This Holiday Season

I love my family, I really do. It is just that most of them really don’t have a grasp on what it is I actually do when it comes to horses. Most of them follow along on social media, shooting a like or two my way every now and then. But when we all get together around the holiday season, I seem to always be plagued with the same questions over and over and over again. Need a little refresher on what you are about to endure as we all get together for the holidays? Here are five questions your extended family are most likely going to ask you, as well as some approved and frowned upon responses.

1) So, how is the barrel racing going for ya?

What you want to say:

What you actually say: “Well, I don’t barrel race. I do the hunter/jumpers? You know, where they jump the colored sticks? Yeah… yeah what Superman did. Exactly.”

2) My boss’s niece’s second cousin rode a horse one time. I think her name is Ashley something-or-other. Do you know her?

What you want to say:

What you actually say: “No. I don’t believe we have met, unfortunately.”

3) When you gonna outgrow this horse thing?

What you want to say:

What you actually say: “I am quite content with the way my life is going at the moment, thank you.”

4) Are you going to show at the Tokyo Olympics?

What you want to say:

What you actually say: “I don’t think that is quite on my radar yet!”

5) How do you think you can get/keep a husband/significant other when you are gone horse showing all the time?

What you want to say:

What you should actually say: “I think I’ve got that covered, thanks.”

No matter what they say or do, they are our family and we have to love them… or at least tolerate them for the few weeks out of the year that they are around!

Go Jumping!

The Owner Experience: Making a Dream Come True With Leah Lang-Gluscic


“So the very coolest thing about having my new owner is that my village has gotten just a little bit bigger with another fabulous, hard working woman! It was wonderful to spend time with Meagan DeLisle this weekend, getting to know her more and helping with dressage and cross country! This sport is really about support in every direction, up and down the ladder, laterally, diagonally, and heck if you can figure it out, into an entirely new plane. It was fabulous to turn the tables and help and support her in her 3rd place finish at her Novice move up!” – Leah Lang-Gluscic

As a competitor in both jumpers and eventing, I am no stranger to the peaks and valleys that come with owning my own horses. One thing that has always interested me, however, was the idea of owning a horse for a professional to campaign. Ownership is something that is often chatted about, but rarely are the details publicly shared. I know the names of many popular owners, and I also know that many of them outrank me financially in ways I could never imagine. Honestly, ownership seemed like something I would never be able to afford or enjoy, so I tucked that bud of a dream in the back of my mind and kept on trucking.

Enter Leah Lang-Gluscic.

Leah is a staple in our eventing community. A five-star eventer who isn’t afraid to speak her mind on important issues, this veteran has competed in some of the country’s most prestigious events including Kentucky.

I connected with Leah through my trainer, Jen Robertson, and while scrolling through social media one day I paused over one of Leah’s posts. She was looking for an owner, but not any ordinary owner, she wanted an “honorary owner.” This honorary owner would serve as an educator to the public about the importance of owners in the sport and the many ways a person could be an owner. This owner would travel with Leah to the major events of the 2020 season and be a part of the entire experience just like a real owner would! And the best part? This person would get all of these benefits at no charge. All Leah wanted in exchange was that this owner would be an advocate for ownership in the eventing world.

I was sold. I knew this was a great way for me to dip my toes into the head of the lake of ownership. I like to write (and talk … and use social media) and I love horses, so this seemed like a great fit for me. And Leah seemed to think so as well, because the next thing I knew I was the honorary owner of 5* eventer AP Prime and her up-and-coming 2* mount Mightylee.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to join Leah and the boys on their first outing after the announcement of my ownership, but Leah didn’t let that hold back. As she, AP and Studly navigated each phase at Stable View, Leah kept me in the loop with frequent, in-depth updates. I heard all about her course walk, received updates after their evening hacks around the grounds, and received Leah’s play-by-play on every round. I wasn’t there, but I felt like I was sitting in the stands every step of the way.

Leah kept me in the know the entire weekend while she was at Stable View. Photos by Leah Lang-Gluscic.

Since then, the horses are enjoying some downtime before heading off to Florida for the circuit. While this may seem like a dull time for some, Leah has kept it exciting with frequent updates, training tips and more. Being an owner, I realized, came with many perks other than owning some fabulous horses and getting to enjoy some behind-the-scenes action at top shows.

A few weekends back both my trainer and I moved up at Windermere Run (Jen to Prelim, me to Novice). Jen wanted some help prepping for the cross country while she was there, so she called up Leah and asked her to tag along with us as an honorary member of Team Altamonte. I expected Leah’s time was to be dedicated to Jen, but as her honorary owner she spent quite a bit of time working with me. She helped me conquer dressage, accompanied me on my course walk and cheered me on the entire way. Here I was just some Novice rider from southeast Missouri getting some coaching from a five-star eventer! Needless to say, it felt great!

Our partnership as rider and owner may have just begun, but I am so excited for what is in store. We have a huge list of amazing shows on our radar for 2020, plus tons of exciting clinics and opportunities as well. In this blog series, you can expect my real, unfiltered experience as an owner. We plan to break down the barriers between owners and riders and educate the community on what being an owner really looks like. What most people don’t realize is that ownership isn’t always one person owning the entirety of the horse and footing the bill 100%. There are many different ways that a person can be involved as an owner, support the riders in our industry and enjoy what eventing is all about: teamwork.

So stayed tuned ladies and gents, this is going to be an exciting ride. I plan on being the most involved honorary owner that I can be, and who knows, maybe after this I can find a way to be an owner for real. And maybe so can you.

 

Best of JN: If the Avengers Were Horses…

So I won’t lie, I am a bit of a nerd. Scratch that… I am a big nerd. And I am okay with that. One of the things that brings out the ultimate nerd in me is anything in the Marvel Universe, especially The Avengers. What started as a joke about my horse slightly starting to resemble fat Thor quickly developed into a landslide of hilarious horse comparisons that left my husband and me in stitches.

Captain America

Captain America would totally be a handsome and ridiculously talented international derby horse. He is happy to do his job, jumps whatever you put in front of him and generally maintains a fantastic attitude. The unicorn we all want, but few can really afford.

Black Widow

This one was easy, Black Widow would totally be a chestnut mare. I see her as a jumper or even an eventer, either way, she is a total bad@$$. Cleaning house and taking names, Black Widow would be the horse that very few could handle, but those who meshed well with her would always be in the winner’s circle.

Hulk

Hulk as a horse would be pretty darn unpredictable. One day he is the smartest horse in the barn who can figure out any question, but in the blink of an eye he “goes green” and turns is a monster making his way around the ring. You are either going to jump everything with room to spare or demolish every fence in sight. Hey… at least it never gets boring, right?

Iron Man

He’s probably not the most humble horse in the barn, but hey, he sure is talented. I imagine Iron Man as the cocky, show jumper type who struts into the ring enjoying that all eyes are on him. He may give you a little sass at the in-gate or a big buck at the end of your round. Let’s face it, Iron Man loves to steal the show.

Thor

Of course, Thor is the hottest horse in the barn. Think imported Warmblood type. Everyone loves him. He is strong, he is handsome, but he has a sensitive side that can sometimes get the best of him. Don’t give this guy a month off in the pasture or he will go from the buffest boy in the barn to Fat Thor in an instant.

Captain Marvel

She is the boss of the barn. She commands respect without even trying. You take one look at her and you are like, “Woah… that mare’s got it all.” She is a not-so-subtle reminder that mares are JUST as capable (if not more) than the boys. You go Mar-vel!

Do you have your own ideas as to what this cast would be like? Share them in the comments!

Go Avengers and Go Jumping!

Best of JN: All Hail the Queen: Kady Abrahamson’s Charline 28 Retires from Competition

There are a handful of horse and rider stories that we hold dear to our heart here at JN. One of those duos is Kady Abrahamson and her own Charline 28. We first caught up with Kady in 2016 following her win in the $25,000 JR/AO Classic at HITS Ocala, and while the focus at the time was on another mount of Kady’s, we got our first real glimpse at Charline 28 in that feature article. Little did we know, but we were seeing the beginning of a partnership that would top the winner’s podium again and again and again. We are gutted to share that the now 14-year-old Mechlinburg mare has had to retire due to an increasingly troublesome bout with Shivers.

Kady acquired Charline 28 from show jumping professional Sharn Wordley in 2016. Their partnership started off beautifully, but Kady and Charline would kicking off a winning streak like no other in 2017. The pair found immense success competing at the Kentucky stop of the Split Rock Jumping Tour and their lucky streak continued as they moved to Ocala for the winter circuit.

Photo submitted by Kady Abrahamson.

While Kady admitted that Charline could be a more challenging ride, you couldn’t find a photo of the pair where Kady wasn’t smiling a mile wide while riding the mare. More recently Kady and Charline brought home wins from Live Oak, HITS on the Hudson and the World Equestrian Center. They were always the pair to beat in the U25 divisions and, in addition to their many accolades, Charline 28 was granted the highly regarded Horse of the Year Award in the High AO division both in 2017 and 2018.

Unfortunately, Kady had to take some time out of the saddle for shoulder surgery in the fall of 2018. Because of the mare’s spicy personality, Kady opted to allow Charline some time out of the show ring while she recovered. It was during this time of reduced work that Charline’s Shivers began flaring up. Shivers, for those unaware of the condition, is a rare and progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes tremors and loss of mobility.

Although Charline was able to return to the show ring in 2019, it became clear to Kady that the mare wasn’t in her best form.”I just knew something wasn’t right,” she shared with JN. “She has always been such a good horse and so careful. She began having rails that she never would have had before, and she started to feel nervous while jumping.” Kady relied on the help of both Dr. Reed and Dr. Embly at Rood and Riddle, both of which confirmed that Charline’s Shivers had progressed to a stage where it wasn’t safe for her to compete anymore.

“This horse has done so much for me,” Kady said. “She gave me the best three years I have ever had.”

Kady, Charline and their barn manager, Matt. Photo submitted by Kady Abrahamson.

Kady attributes Charline’s long-lasting career, despite her condition, to the hard work of her barn manager, Matt Wildung. “It takes the right person to look over her, and Matt always took the extra time she needed to be fit and happy.” And Charline will continue to receive that exemplary care for the remainder of her days as she retires on Kady’s farm in Kentucky. The Abrahamson’s aim to perform some embryo transfers on her in hopes of producing another horse as wonderful as Charline in the years to come.

Kady wanted to thank the team at Rood & Riddle for their hard work in diagnosing and keeping Charline comfortable, Sharn Wordley for giving her the chance to own such a spectacular horse, her previously mentioned barn manager, Matt Wildung, for his incredible attention to detail and her trainer, Scott Keach, for keeping Charline in a program that fit her needs.

In honor of Charline, Kady penned this beautiful tribute on her Facebook page:

To the horse with a heart of gold, thank you isn’t even enough for what you have done for me. Charline, you are a true…

Posted by Kady Abrahamson on Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Happy retirement, Charline and ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!

Jumper Gone Rogue: A Jumper Rider & a Horse With No Tail Walk Into May Daze…

“You don’t want to event, it is terrifying!”

That was the first real opinion I heard about eventing when I first transitioned to the world of wearing helmets and tight pants. I had just started taking lessons at a local hunter jumper barn and dove head-first into my research on English riding. I remember being intrigued by the idea of eventing: three phases, two partners, one score. It seemed like a lot of fun, but I was swayed against it early on and therefore spent many happy years in the hunter and jumper rings.

Last year, after busting my butt to improve my riding, it finally hit me: There was no way I could afford to show on the rated jumper circuit as often as I would like. Taking entire weeks off of work and traveling all over the country to show just wasn’t a financial investment I could back up. I was scheming up ways to sell a kidney on the black market when my trainer, Jen Robertson, said to me, “I think you should give eventing a go.”

Over the years, I had grown very comfortable with the safety of the ring. To be honest, the idea of cross-country terrified me to the point of no return; and I wasn’t alone in that thought. A few years back I took my loyal horse-show-husband Wayne to the event formerly known as Rolex, and I watched as a look of horror grew across his face as a horse and rider pair cleared a massive table on cross-country.

The table that terrified Wayne. Photo by Meagan DeLisle.

“So … when do you do this again?” he asked, forcing a calm disposition.

“Ohhh no. I will never do this. I will be sticking to the arena. I am not gutsy enough for this,” I replied. A sigh of relief escaped my husband’s lips, and we went on with our weekend content with the idea that I would always be a jumper.

Fast-forward to late 2018. I was burned out, and my confidence was shot. My luck with horses wasn’t quite panning out, and I didn’t even find myself WANTING to ride anymore. I was spending all of this money and feeling like my goals were unobtainable because of my tax bracket. And that is when my trainer suggested I give eventing at try.

At first, I vehemently denied the suggestion; no way could I ever navigate a cross-country course without having a heart attack. It just so happened that I was horse shopping at the time, and my trainer was subtly suggesting eventers that I could “transition” to the jumper ring if I so desired. The issue? I had a minuscule budget and big dreams, plus I needed a teacher to help me rebuild what little confidence I had left. It didn’t seem possible that I would find the horse for me. And then I got this phone call:

“Meagan, I found THE horse. How do you feel about it not having a tail?”

That was a question I had never been asked before. As a wanna-be-groom who loves studying and practicing special tricks to turn out my horse in stellar fashion, I felt a sense of sadness knowing I wouldn’t get to pick the shavings out of a long, flowing tail again. But, I also knew that Jen knew 100% what I needed and that if she swore by this horse, then he would be the one. And he just so happened to be a seasoned event horse.

Photo by Shelby Smith of Equestrians Exposures.

Enter Bear, a 19-year-old grade Appendix QH with a pom pom for a tail and a heart of gold. He wasn’t the fanciest, he probably wouldn’t pass the most extensive of PPE’s, but he knew his job and was eager to share his wealth of knowledge with a new rider. I knew early on that this was my horse. I also knew that if I was going to be the girl with the horse with no tail, that I was going to capitalize on it. So after Bear officially became mine, I called USEA to transfer ownership and officially changed his show name to Chasin Tail.

This sassy, yet wonderful old man immediately brought me an immense amount of confidence that I never imagined.  After a few weeks of playing around in the arena, Jen announced that we were going cross-country schooling and that I should take Bear along for the ride. I decided to give it a go and found myself *gasp* enjoying it. As we walked by the start box, Bear pricked his ears and began to power walk around the field. He was obviously in his element, and he spent the whole afternoon sailing over all of the tiny starter and beginner novice elements I steered him towards.

Next thing I knew, I was entered in my first mini-event, which, surprisingly enough, we WON on our dressage score of 33.3! From there, we entered our first recognized horse trial, Mill Creek, (which sadly became a CT after endless amounts of rain all weekend long) where we placed 6th. Following Mill Creek, we entered May Daze, held at my most favorite place in the whole world: the Kentucky Horse Park.

Bear being a SUPERSTAR in showjumping at Mill Creek. Photo by Merrick Studios.

So, to my husband’s dismay, I crammed my trailer full of all of my odds and ends and made the trek to Lexington with my tailless wonder in tow. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful weekend. The sun was shining, Bear was on his best behavior, we put in an excellent dressage test, and he packed me around in stadium despite me burying him to the deep spot twice and having two down. We weren’t at the top of the pack, but we were there. We were doing it, and I felt great.

But we still had to conquer cross-country.

My barnmates laughed at me as I gasped over the size of my beginner novice jumps. The second fence on course, a rampy set of stairs, was causing me enough anxiety that I was considering downing some of Bear’s BioSponge for my own digestive upset. We also had a good sized table and a down bank that I wasn’t sure if I was mentally prepared for, but after walking the course enough times to break my Fitbit, I felt as ready as I ever would– and so did Bear!

While I don’t recall most of cross-country (let’s face it, it was all a blur due to absolute bliss), I do know that after every.single.fence. I yelled out, “Good boy Beary!” He booked it around that course with a sense of determination like no other. Not once did he hesitate or look around. He had his game face on, and he took the best care of me that he could have.

As I crossed the finish flags (4.8 seconds before the time might I add, we were literally FLYING around the course… oops), I couldn’t help but feel the tears of joy well up in my eyes. Surprisingly enough, we wound up in the ribbons placing 9th out of a very big and very competitive division. And then it hit me: for the first time in a long time, I had fun while riding.

I can’t tell you how much that feeling is worth.

I recently posted a status on my Facebook, which has taken on a life of its own, regarding buying the right horse for you at this point in your riding career. More often than not, we are so focused on buying the “fancy” horse, that we overlook the right horse. To some, Bear may not seem like the fanciest of options, but to me, he is everything I could have ever wanted or needed. He teaches me, he takes care of me, and he keeps me smiling. When I screw up, he cleans up my messes. When I get nervous, he calms me down by doing his job. Tail or no tail, Bear was the horse I needed at this point in my life.

Bear has not only brought me so much happiness and confidence, but he has opened up my eyes to a whole new world: eventing. And with a show schedule crammed full of events all year long, we have our sights set on a new goal: the AECs. It may not happen in 2019, but I am bound and determined to see that goal through in 2020.

And with Bear on my side, anything is possible.

 

So buy the horse with no tail, ladies, and gents, and give eventing a go. You won’t find a happier, nicer group of folks to compete alongside in any other division.

Go Jumping and Go Eventing.

 

Best of JN: How to Ride the Posting Trot

We all remember the days of “up, down, up, down,” or “rise and fall with the leg on the wall.” Learning to post always seemed so simple at the time, but there are quite a few complexities that go with this daily riding ritual. CRK Training recently reposted this lovely video that explains the true motion in which you should post and how it affects your horse’s range of movement. What a lovely example to help you improve your daily riding!

Go jumping.

How to Ride the Posting Trot: A Skeletal View

#TBT How to Ride the Posting Trot: A Skeletal ViewPosting trot is a gait many riders struggle to learn and struggle to do well. It may feel difficult to “stay with the movement” of the horse, or to avoid the feeling of easily being thrown off balance.We are often taught rising trot with the chant of up, down, up, down, but the actual movement of posting isn’t really about going up and down.Also, one of the most common pieces of riding advice, “heels down”, when done in the wrong way, can actually make posting much more difficult.In the video below, Wendy Murdoch shows how to ride an effortless posting trot, using a horse and rider skeleton to show the correct movement.

Posted by CRK Training on Wednesday, May 22, 2019

 

Best of JN: Pony Dad of The Year

This isn’t the first time that this little pony jockey has stolen our hearts. Kizzy and her adorable paint pony are back at it again, this time showing off some serious determination alongside one dedicated father.

Some of my favorite memories as a kid are of me riding my pony bareback, but those memories are nowhere near as cool as what Kizzy is up to this week! Here we see her not only riding bareback, but jumping bareback! While that is totally bad@$$, I have to say I think the true star of this video is her father running alongside her, always ready to catch her when she falls. How. Precious.

And despite the many times that Kizzy takes a tumble, she always hops right back on. This is what true horsewomen are made of!

Best of JN: I Guess You Could Say She Stuck The Landing

Everyone thinks riding horses is soooo easy and that our horses are just point and shoot. Unless you have been in the saddle galloping up to a sizable oxer, it is hard to understand just how important every nanosecond in the ring is. One of the most important parts is finding the ever illusive “perfect” distance. In fact, sometimes that take-off spot just comes up wrong no matter how hard you plan.

For example: this rider had planned this line to be a four-stride but, it came up a hair long. As her horse decided that this was the perfect opportunity for an “ummm nope” moment, she parted ways with her mount only to find herself in a bit of an unusual spot.

Sometimes I wish there were style points in jumping…. 10 points to Gryffindor for this fantastic landing!

Best of JN: Bring Me Back to Miami Beach

It is no secret that we LOVE the Longines Global Champions Tour here at Jumper Nation. This week the tour ventures to US soil for the luxe Miami Beach stop and, despite cloudy skies, we are LOVING it. This beautiful beach side horse show brings the show jumping world straight to the community in a way like no other. Spectators can watch from their beach chairs surrounding the perimeter of the temporary arena set just along the water’s edge. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Instagram moments from this year so far and years past, thanks to some help from the team at Kentucky Performance Products.

View this post on Instagram

Take me back ❤ #lgctmiamibeach

A post shared by Lynne Blore (@looopylynne) on

Best of JN: 10 Stretches You and Your Horse Should Be Doing

In an effort to be the best rider I can be for myself and my horse this year, I have started working out in the gym each week. I have truly loved this process and have honestly felt an improvement in my strength and conditioning. When I started this process, I imagined that I would be running a lot and lifting weights (which I am), but I am also doing a lot of stretching.

I feel like stretching is an underutilized tool in an equestrian’s toolbox. We typically start and end each workout with quite a bit of stretching to optimize performance and prevent injury, and it got me to thinking: why don’t we stretch more before and after each ride? So I picked my trainer Lori Robinson’s brain as to what key stretches would be beneficial for riders, and then partnered up with Draper Therapies to investigate stretches we should incorporate into our horses’ routines as well!

Stretches for Riders

Lori Robinson of Forever Fit in Southeast Missouri is a certified personal trainer, nutrition specialist and yoga instructor! What I love most about working out with Lori is that she truly understands my body’s needs and has created a workout plan that will help me with my riding. One of the unique parts of Lori’s program is the routine yoga work that we blend into our strength training. I sat down with Lori to discuss a couple of stretches she felt equestrians could easily incorporate into their daily lives.

Single Leg Kneeling Groin Stretch

Photo courtesy of Lori Robinson

The first stretch that came to Lori’s mind was the single leg kneeling groin stretch. I LOVE this stretch as it really opens up and loosens up your hips and groin, which is so important when riding. Executing this stretch is simple: start by positioning yourself on your hands and knees. Extend one leg straight out to the side and let your hips sink just a hair. Once you have mastered this movement, you can open up the opposite leg a little wider to really open up your hip angle and get a good stretch! As with any stretch, take it slow and steady and never push yourself into an uncomfortable position.

Child’s Pose

Child’s pose looks simple, but it is, in my opinion, one of the most effective stretches when practicing yoga. It helps to stretch your hips, thighs and ankles without placing a lot of stress on the body. I find this position so relaxing and beneficial.

Photo courtesy of Lori Robinson

To execute position yourself on your hands and knees. For beginners, I recommend keeping your knees and thighs together, but as you acclimate to the practice of stretching you can perform this movement with your knees widened while keeping your big toes together. Next, you will lean forward, relaxing your upper body completely, and rest your forehead on the floor. Your upper body will be folded onto your upper thighs. Keep your arms fully extended, tucked in beside your body and take some long deep breaths. I always envision myself melting into the floor while in child’s pose. You can hold this position for up to a minute or longer. Don’t rush when coming out of this position! Slowly walk your torso into an upright position with your hands.

Stretches for Horses

Just as we need to stretch and warm ourselves up before and after we ride, so should our horses! I have always loved this video by professional eventers, Dom and Jimmie Schramm. Dom and Jimmie go into great detail when explaining the proper safety measures to keep you safe when stretching your horse and to keep your horse from sustaining an injury. As with humans, it is possible for a horse to become over-extended when stretching which could result in soreness or an injury, so take it slow!

I personally prefer the carrot stretches listed in this video as your horse is in control of their range of motion. Plus, these stretches are a great way for you to work with and bond with your horse when out of the saddle!

Go Jumping.

Best of JN: 10 Terrifying Texts Your Trainer Sends You

The invention of text messaging has definitely made communication a lot easier, but along with that came text-induced anxiety. Every time my trainer’s name pops up on my phone my heart stops for a fraction of a second as my finger slides across the screen. What will this text bring? Good news? Bad news? You never know, but there are a handful of terrifying texts sent by our trainers that can really put a damper in our day. What messages have you been on the receiving end of that have shot chills down your spine?

“See you in ten minutes. Go ahead and take your stirrups off for the day.”

 

“I think we should school the open water today.” 

How I imagine that working out for me…

 

“I’m sending you a new invoice. It’s a little more this month.” 

 

“I think he needs X, Y, and X injected.”

 

“Remember that wall he kept stopping at a few months ago? Yeah, I put that back up in the ring today.” 

I can see into the future…

 

“I feel like you don’t realize that you are doing that, but you definitely are.”

This text is usually accompanied by a video of me failing horribly.

 

“She went outside today and really enjoyed herself…”

 

“Someone forgot the latch the gate!!!”

 

“Just be warned, no one has had any turnout lately…”

 

And the absolute most terrifying text of all…

“So, I have an idea.”

Who knew three little gray dots could be so horrifying?

Go Jumping!

JN Reports: Barn Fire at Kelli Cruciotti’s Serenity Farm Claims Lives of 3 Horses

A firefighter has been hospitalized and three horses have perished after an early morning fire broke out at Kelli Cruciotti’s Wellington, Florida base, Serenity Farm. Calls were placed to local emergency response teams around 1 A.M. on Thursday, March 14th. Firefighters described the sight to local news sources as “a pretty bad scene.”

Cruciotti posted about the incident early Thursday morning on Facebook. She shared that while 18 horses were able to be removed from the facility safely, three horses unfortunately died as a result of the fire. There were no human fatalities.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Tonight every horse owners worst nightmare came true at our farm in Wellington-A barn fire. My team did an amazing job…

Posted by Kelli Cruciotti on Thursday, March 14, 2019

The entire barn was lost in the blaze, in addition to all supplies in the tack and feed rooms. A Go Fund Me page was created to assist with expenses related to the fire. As of 10:00 A.M., over $9,750 of the $50,000 goal has been raised.

The whole Nation Media team wishes to share our condolences with the entire team at Serenity Farm and the families of those who lost their horses in the fire.

This post originally appeared on our sister site, Jumper Nation

Who Run the World: In Celebration of International Women’s Day

Reigning World Champion Ros Canter and Allstar B (GBR). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Happy International Women’s Day to all of you kick-butt equestrian ladies out there! We tip our helmet to you for going out there and pursuing your dreams. The beauty behind equestrian sports as a whole is that men and women get to compete on the same field, side-by-side as equals. So take a moment to cheer on your fellow lady riders today.

In addition to that moving tribute, the FEI also shared this video featuring the FEI Against All Odds award winner, Leila Malki from Palestine. Leila is a true example of women overcoming cultural stigmas to pursue their dreams and we think she is pretty darn cool.

Celebrate yourself today, ladies, and remember that there is no wrong way to be a woman!

Go Eventing.

Best of JN: Fiery Mare, Fiery Hair

Just in case you missed it, here’s Dani Goldstein’s winning round aboard Lizziemary during this weekend’s #SaturdayNightLights! 👀 This lightning-fast performance was definitely one to remember 🙌🏼 #WEF2019

Posted by WEF – Winter Equestrian Festival on Monday, February 25, 2019

We all know Danielle Goldstein for her trademark feathered locks and love of yoga pants, but her partnership with her spicy red-headed mare Lizziemary is even more special. For the second year in a row, this duo captured the win in the same CSI5* Grand Prix last weekend.

It was Goldstein’s immaculately executed inside turns and leave-out options that placed her in the leading position after her jump-off round. If you watch, you see that Goldstein comes in meaning business, taking the first inside turn after fence one to sneak up to fence two at an angle. “Wow,” both of the commentators said as she landed from fence two in spectacular form. Lizziemary showed off her huge stride between fences three and four, nailing the distance on seven strides. From that point on the round was neat and tidy, while still keeping the pace extremely competitive for those who would follow. And it proved to be a time that couldn’t be beat, sealing the victory for the second year running for this fiery pair.

Best of HN: Essentials for a Properly Packed Ring Bag

If I am not sitting on a horse at a horse show, I am sporting my husband’s Drago military backpack at all times.

People make fun of me, sure. I have been called Dora and I am used to people walking behind me singing, “Backpack Backpack,” but when things go south (and at horse shows they can go south rather quickly) I am the first person they come running to.

Why? Well, I am a bit over prepared for any and every situation. I can’t help myself, I adore organization and the files in my desk at my big girl job are all color coded and beautiful. With the unpredictability that comes in the horse world, a good ring bag is ESSENTIAL.

I typically don’t buy the standard ring bags at the tack store. Don’t get me wrong — they are so very nice, but I need lots of room for storage and optimal organization. My mom bought my husband a Drago backpack this past Christmas to use while hunting and I immediately stole it for my own purposes. It has multiple compartments and lots of loops and clasps that can house all the bits and bobs you need for ultimate organization.

Notice all the loops and Velcro patches that I can attach things too. And the pockets … sooooo many pockets! We even were able to attach the face of an old watch upside down to one of the straps so that while I am running around I can just look down at my strap to catch the time. Photo by Wayne DeLisle.

First things first — the essentials. My spurs are AT ALL TIMES hanging from one of the loops on the side of the bag. Easily accessible and ready to hand off to any rider whose first trip lacked a little life, keeping your spurs on you can make a quick difference in the way that the day goes for someone from your barn. And trust me, I am waiting by the gate when their class is over and taking them off their feet before they even dismount or else I would never get them back. I don’t carry a crop, but if you buy a bag similar to the one I have (er, borrowed) then you can easily secure it in one of the loops on the side as well.

Spare hairnets are a must: I do this mostly for myself because I am bad about thinking I stuck them in a pocket only to have them fall to the ground and never to be seen again. Chapstick, extra deodorant, gum, an extra pair of gloves and a fully charged juice pack for my phone are all stored in one of the smaller compartments.

Keep a class list on you at all times. If you are paranoid like me, you can print it out before the show and laminate it at home so it won’t get crumpled up at the bottom of your bag (yes, I told you I have a problem). I can’t tell you how many times I have heard someone cry out in a panic, “wait, is my class next?” It is also nice to keep boot polish and leather cleaner, a few spare rags, and a hoof pick in a separate compartment so that the oils and dirt doesn’t get on your other items.

Now, the things that earn you bonus points. You can save some serious lives here, people. If you have an extra pair of nice quality reins, fold them up neatly and tuck them in the bottom of the bag. It won’t happen frequently enough to justify carrying them all the time, but it will happen one day and you will be glad you have them. Extra white rat catchers for show shirts (those things just waltz off), Neosporin and bandaids and an extra bottle of water that you haven’t already been drinking out of will be nice on a given day as well (super mega bonus points if you have a place to tuck away teeny little Dixie cups so that spare bottle of water goes a long way with more than one rider).

If you know how to braid, keeping rubber bands, a thread hook, and some yarn in your bag can help in the instance of a loose braid. Heck, even strap a bottle of show sheen in there (I have been known to pour some in a travel sized spray bottle). A notebook and pen can come in handy if you are obsessed with writing down class placings as announced to ensure everyone grabs the right ribbons. Extra feminine supplies are a nice addition as well.

I have an unhealthy attachment to this bag and I don’t care. I can fit SO MUCH STUFF in it. Photo by Maddy Gemison.

 

The stuff people will make fun of you for …. Snacks. Snacks of all kinds. Fruits, gummies, those little packets that go in your water. People will call you a walking pantry — THAT IS, until they get hungry and then suddenly you are besties. Extra number strings are easy to tie to the outside of your bag and trust me, at some point someone will lose theirs. Peppermints for all of the good ponies. A little nail kit because hang nails happen and hurt like heck. A spare set of keys to my vehicle if I am driving, because seriously, who wants to get stuck at 8 PM when the horse show finally ends and you lost your original set? Emergency contact list for myself and any of my riders who aren’t laughing so hard at me that they can choke out their answer. What can I say? I like to be prepared.

You can always carry one of those breakable ice packs that only get cold once broken and pray no one needs it. Baby powder and baby wipes are helpful for naughty horses who like to lay in poo for pre-ring touch ups. Disposable razors (stray hairs on a muzzle drive me nuts!) Scissors are the one thing I cannot ever find and always desperately need. But don’t be cheap, buy a little safety pouch for them to hide in so you don’t go stabbing yourself while digging around in your bag.

Yes. I fit all of these goodies and more in my ring bag, and YES I sound like a walking Christmas tree jingling and jangling about. In the case of an emergency, though, I am the girl to go to. And another thing — when I go to a horse show I never take a purse. Throw my wallet in the ring bag and I am good to go. That being said, if we happen to dine out at a fancy restaurant all that junk usually winds up going with me…

What’s in your ring bag? Share your tips in the comments section!

Best of JN: A Little Horsey Limbo?

Free jumping a horse is a great way to see what kind of scope they might be bringing to the table. Some thrive in this structured environment, others don’t know quite what to do with their feet yet. And then there is this horse …

10 points for creativity. -10 points for athletic ability. Hey, I can’t say I blame him. I wouldn’t want to jump that either!

Go Jumping.

Best of JN: #AdultAmmyProbs Why This Jumper is Giving Eventing a Whirl

As we all know, showing hunter jumpers on the A-circuit isn’t exactly known for being budget-friendly, but lately Facebook has been full of turmoil as show fees seem to be rising across the country. USEF raised the fee for lifetime recording of a horse from $200 to $300 in one year. Meanwhile, class fees, stall fees and nomination fees are rising, while prize money is staying the same. Here I am, scrolling through my phone and thinking: how the heck am I supposed to get time off work and save up the funds to attend more than two shows this year?

A few weeks back, my trainer and I had a heart-to-heart about my riding goals versus my budget. It has always been my goal to be as successful as possible, all the while growing through the levels at a decent pace. I had big dreams of hauling to some of the most dreamy venues like WEF, Devon or Live Oak and showing against top amateurs across the country, but with each check I write it becomes increasingly obvious that I can’t keep up with the Joneses on the A-circuit. As I rattled off some ideas of ways I could cut costs or bring in supplemental income to afford my habit, my trainer piped up and said, “or you could try eventing.

Flash and I at our first eventing derby. Photo by Jen Robertson.

The unique thing about my barn, Altamonte Show Stables in St. Louis, Missouri, is that they focus on both jumpers and eventing. I have gone on a few cross-country schooling opportunities and competed in an eventing derby in the past, but have never been brave enough to make the switch. In truth, I am horribly stubborn and once I set my sights on one day competing in the upper echelons of show jumping, I didn’t want to defer from that dream.

Initially, I brushed the idea off. I wasn’t interested in a discipline switch. I could figure it out. And then one afternoon while I sat at home staring at my projected budget and realized I couldn’t force the numbers to add up, I did some research.

Costs related to showing in the hunter jumper ring on the A-circuit include (but are not limited too):

  • Membership for the USHJA is $85 for one year or $240 for three years.
  • Membership for US Equestrian is $80 yearly.
  • Stabling fees range from $75-1,000 a week depending on the show.
  • Class fees for one division will typically add up to be around $150-300, depending on the show.
    • Also keep in mind that jumpers have nomination fees of around $100+ per class.
  • Office fees, medic fees, zone fees, ticketed schooling, etc will add up to be another $150-300, depending on the show.

If you are calculating on the low-end, I have found that I need to save around $1,500 for each show, and that number does not count trainer fees, hauling fees, hotel or food. If I did one show at around $2,500 a month, every other month, I would spend $15,000 alone in show-related expenses. As supportive as my husband is, there is no way I can convince him to support that number on top of other horse related expenses.

Costs related to competing in a USEA sanctioned horse trial include (but are not limited to):

  • Membership for USEA is $95 for one year.
  • Membership for US Equestrian is $80 yearly but only required for Preliminary level and up.
  • Entry fees range from $150-400 per weekend.
  • Stabling ranges from $80-200 per weekend, but some venues that charge higher entry fees include the cost of stabling.
  • Some events have additional fees such as grounds fees, medic fees or office fees. Typically these fees are less than $100.

I did the research on the USEA sanctioned horse trials in my area and after paying my membership fees, I am only looking at around $600 a show INCLUDING my trainer fees and other expenses. And another perk? Most events are Saturday and Sunday, while some are stretched out over three days. One day of vacation every other month versus one week of vacation every other month is definitely more realistic for a working amateur rider. (Note: The cost of an FEI competition does go up in comparison to horse trials. My research placed an average FEI competition at around $1,200 a weekend in total for my expenses.)

Showing at the Kentucky Horse Park had always been a dream of mine. Thankfully, my participation in the Retired Racehorse Project made that dream come true! Who knows, maybe I will be able to return either as a jumper or an eventer. Photo by Meagan DeLisle.

In the long run, if I wanted to go back to the schooling show circuit I could definitely afford to show quite frequently in the jumper ring. There are many tiers to the hunter jumper circuit and it can be quite feasible to show at the lower levels. However, with the practical non-existence of B-Rated shows anymore, my only alternative would be the local schooling circuit. One of my life goals has been to qualify for some sort of final but, in reality, I cannot afford to compete enough to even qualify for finals like the North American League. I can, however, throw all of my funds into trying to qualify for the American Eventing Championships and have a much better shot, financially, at being able to show enough to qualify.

There is no doubt that the eventing community is doing something right. The affordability and flexibility of schedule is definitely attractive for this jumper lover potentially gone rogue. But what does this mean for the USHJA and the other riders who share my pain? When will enough be enough and the powers that be realize they are pricing the majority of their competitors out of the game?

I challenge the members of the USHJA committee to think about their stance on the “grassroots” of the organization a little differently. Think about your working amateurs who are maxing out the time clock to afford to show, your hungry junior riders who are working off the cost of their lessons, the professionals who are scraping up every penny just to get by and get their young horse seen. There is this awful saying that my parents recite to me every chance they get, “how do you make a million dollars in horses? Start with a billion.” But I challenge you to ask yourself: does it HAVE to be that way? Or have we just made it that way? How are we impacting our industry by doing that? Are we killing it?

I have to think that in some way, we might be.

So what do we do? We make our voices heard. We remind the governing bodies of our sport that affordability and accessibility is key. We remind them that, for the majority of us, this is a hobby and if it becomes a hobby we can’t afford, we may have to turn elsewhere thus resulting in a decline of membership numbers. We remind the leaders of our industry that we are present and that our concerns should mean something to them.

For now, I am going to don a cross country vest, grab a little mane and give a few horse trials a go. I won’t give up on the jumper ring completely, but I definitely aim to supplement my show schedule with eventing throughout the year. Who knows, maybe along the way I will find that my wallet and I love it and that my riding benefits from crossing disciplines.

Best of JN: Behind the Scenes at the HITS Ocala Pony Ring

When we think of large horse show venues such as HITS Ocala, we often think of International Hunter Derbies and large, Saturday night Grand Prix classes. Some of our favorite classes here at JN, however, are the always adorable pony classes! From big bows to tiny braids, these ponies and their jockeys always seem to make us say “awwwww.” Check out some behind the scenes shots taken by Jumper Nation’s talented Dominique Gonzalez!

Horse showing= a lot of hurry up and waiting. Photo by Dominique Gonzalez

We are a sucker for a cute grey.  Photo by Dominique Gonzalez

At the in-gate. Photo by Dominique Gonzalez

Show ring preperation. Photo by Dominique Gonzalez

Best friends. Photo by Dominique Gonzalez

This pony made us all go “squeeee!” Photo by Dominique Gonzalez

Pats for the best pony. Photo by Dominique Gonzalez

Those knees! Photo by Dominique Gonzalez

Go ponies and Go Jumping!

Best of JN: Why This Jumper is Giving Eventing a Whirl

Flash and I at our first eventing derby, Photo by Jen Robertson.

As we all know, showing hunter jumpers on the A-circuit isn’t exactly known for being budget-friendly, but lately Facebook has been full of turmoil as show fees seem to be rising across the country. Just yesterday I saw where USEF had raised the fee for lifetime recording of a horse from $200 to $300 in one year. Meanwhile, class fees, stall fees and nomination fees are rising, while prize money is staying the same. Here I am, scrolling through my phone and thinking: how the heck am I supposed to get time off work and save up the funds to attend more than two shows this year?

A few weeks back, my trainer and I had a heart-to-heart about my riding goals versus my budget. It has always been my goal to be as successful as possible, all the while growing through the levels at a decent pace. I had big dreams of hauling to some of the most dreamy venues like WEF, Devon or Live Oak and showing against top amateurs across the country, but with each check I write it becomes increasingly obvious that I can’t keep up with the Joneses on the A-circuit. As I rattled off some ideas of ways I could cut costs or bring in supplemental income to afford my habit, my trainer piped up and said, “or you could try eventing.”

The unique thing about my barn, Altamonte Show Stables, is that they focus on both jumpers and eventing. I have gone on a few cross-country schooling opportunities and competed in an eventing derby in the past, but have never been brave enough to make the switch. In truth, I am horribly stubborn and once I set my sights on one day competing in the upper echelons of show jumping, I didn’t want to defer from that dream.

Initially, I brushed the idea off. I wasn’t interested in a discipline switch. I could figure it out. And then one afternoon while I sat at home staring at my projected budget and realized I couldn’t force the numbers to add up, I did some research.

Costs related to showing in the hunter jumper ring on the A-circuit include (but are not limited too):

  • Membership for the USHJA is $85 for one year, $240 for three years or $1,500 for lifetime membership.
  • Membership for US Equestrian is $80 yearly or $2,500 for a lifetime membership.
  • Stabling fees range from $75-1,000 a week depending on the show.
  • Class fees for one division will typically add up to be around $150-300, depending on the show.
    • Also keep in mind that jumpers have nomination fees of around $100+ per class.
  • Office fees, medic fees, zone fees, ticketed schooling, etc will add up to be another $150-300, depending on the show.

If you are calculating on the low-end, I have found that I need to save around $1,500 for each show and that number does not count trainer fees, hauling fees, hotel or food. If I did one show at around $2,500 a month, every other month, I would spend $15,000 alone in show-related expenses. As supportive as my husband is, there is no way I can convince him to support that number on top of other horse related expenses.

Costs related to attending a USEA sanctioned horse trial include (but are not limited too):

  • Membership for USEA is $95 for one year, $1,500 for lifetime.
  • Membership for US Equestrian is $80 yearly or $2,500 for a lifetime membership (it is important to note that this is only required for preliminary and up).
  • Class fees range from $150-400 per weekend.
  • Stabling ranges from $80-200 per weekend, but it is important to note that many shows that charge higher class fees include the cost of stabling in that fee.
  • Some shows have additional fees such as grounds fees, medic fees or office fees. Typically these fees are less than $100.

I did the research on the USEA sanctioned horse trials in my area and after paying my membership fees, I am only looking at around $600 a show INCLUDING my trainer fees and other expenses. And another perk? Most events are Saturday and Sunday, while some are stretched out over three days. One day of vacation every other month versus one week of vacation every other month is definitely more realistic for a working amateur rider. (Note: the cost of an FEI Three-Day event does go up some in comparison to horse trials. My research placed an average weekend at around $1,200 a weekend in total for my expenses.)

Showing at the Kentucky Horse Park had always been a dream of mine. Thankfully, my participation in the Retired Racehorse Project made that dream come true! Who knows, maybe I will be able to return either as a jumper or an eventer. Photo by Meagan Delisle.

In the long run, if I wanted to go back to the schooling show circuit I could definitely afford to show quite frequently in the jumper ring. There are many tiers to the hunter jumper circuit and it can be quite feasible to show at the lower levels. However, with the practical non-existence of B-Rated shows anymore, my only alternative would be the local schooling circuit. One of my life goals has been to qualify for some sort of final but, in reality, I cannot afford to compete enough to even qualify for finals like the North American League. I can, however, throw all of my funds into trying to qualify for the American Eventing Championships and have a much better shot, financially, at being able to show enough to qualify.

There is no doubt that the eventing community is doing something right. The affordability and flexibility of schedule is definitely attractive for this jumper lover potentially gone rogue. But what does this mean for the USHJA and the other riders who share my pain? When will enough be enough and the powers that be realize they are pricing the majority of their competitors out of the game?

I challenge the members of the USHJA committee to think about their stance on the “grassroots” of the organization a little differently. Think about your working amateurs who are maxing out the time clock to afford to show, your hungry junior riders who are working off the cost of their lessons, the professionals who are scraping up every penny just to get by and get their young horse seen. There is this awful saying that my parents recite to me every chance they get, “how do you make a million dollars in horses? Start with a billion.” But I challenge you to ask yourself: does it HAVE to be that way? Or have we just made it that way? How are we impacting our industry by doing that? Are we killing it?

I have to think that in some way, we might be.

So what do we do? We make our voices heard. We remind the governing bodies of our sport that affordability and accessibility is key. We remind them that, for the majority of us, this is a hobby and if it becomes a hobby we can’t afford, we may have to turn elsewhere thus resulting in a decline of membership numbers. We remind the leaders of our industry that we are present and that our concerns should mean something to them.

For now, I am going to don a cross-country vest, grab a little mane and give a few horse trials a go. I won’t give up on the jumper ring completely, but I definitely aim to supplement my show schedule with eventing throughout the year. Who knows, maybe along the way I will find that my wallet and I love it and that my riding benefits from crossing disciplines.

Best of JN: Olympic & WEG Jumpers to Be Auctioned Online Following FBI Seizure

Photo by Alissa King / JN.

After being sentenced to ten years in prison for money laundering this past November, Alejandro Andrade’s string of top showjumpers are set to be sold via online auction. The horses were seized by US authorities on November 17th after Alejandro plead guilty to money laundering. As part of his plea agreement, he agreed to forfeit $1 billion and any assets related to the corruption. Those assets included real estate, vehicles, watches, aircraft and fourteen top-notch performance horses.

The horses, previously ridden by Alejandro’s son, Olympic showjumper Emanuel Andrade, will be sold February 19th-26th through CWS Asset Management and Sales.

Before you get too excited thinking you might get the deal of a lifetime on some exceptional horses, there is a catch. According to an article by Horse & Hound, interested buyers must submit a deposit of $50,000 to participate in the eight-day long auction.

That makes sense when you recognize that one of the horses listed for sale is Emanuel’s 2016 Olympic mount, Hardrock Z. Another interesting listing is Clouwni, whose resume boasts several Nations Cups performances and the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Rounding out the list of available horses are Ricore Courcelle, Reus De La Nutria, Anastasia Du Park, Boy IV, Bon Jovi, Cortina 186, Dipssy, Jenni’s Chance, Joli Jumper, Leonardo RGS, Quilina VD Laarseheide Z and Tupac Van De Vrombautshoeve Z.

Registered bidders may preview the horses at the Delray Equestrian Center in Florida January 28th-February 4th. CWS Asset Management released a statement that the horses are currently being brought back into work by a professional and are receiving first class care.