Bunnie and Rise Against, taken by Captured Moment Photography
I still remember my first event: it was a Pony Club rally in Las Colinas, Texas and I was riding at the “D3 level.” The jumps were so small they had to drag standards onto the course. Only ten years old, I didn’t realize there was a predetermined speed limit, or that they timed you at all. Keep in mind at the D3 level I probably should have walked for a least a quarter of the course. But no, I thought the object was to go as fast as possible. I rode my ring sour hunter pony around the course at a flat-out gallop (way before the days of dangerous riding penalties). All controversy aside, I don’t know which of us had more fun, and from then on we were eventers. The Area VI Spotlight, Bunnie Sexton, understands this completely. As the owner of Shepherd Ranch Farm in Santa Ynez, California, she has supported her local Santa Ynez Pony Club since its inception almost 35 years ago. Santa Ynez has been based at Shepherd Ranch since 1978. There they keep their own donated horses and have facilities where they host two recognized events per year, plus numerous schooling shows.
Bunnie is the organizer for the event and the manager of day-to-day operations on the farm. In addition she competes at the highest levels of our sport and is a Level Three ICP Instructor. As the Santa Ynez website will tell you, one of her beliefs is that Pony Club should provide access to horses of all levels to better educated its members. Pony Club liked her idea so much they added it into the National Pony Club Policies. Next week she will compete in the CIC** at Woodside. Are you impressed yet? She has given so much to our sport over her career it is my honor to introduce her to you, EN, so that you can read about her accomplishments too.
How did you get into eventing?
When I went to Foxfield Riding Academy Summer Camp at age 12, I did dressage and Hunter/jumpers. Living on a horse and cattle ranch, I was used to jumping anything that happened to be in the way- including our baled hay, picnic tables, and a line of trashcans or two. At the conclusion of camp, they offered this eventing thing- who knew I could do dressage, show jump , and jump fences in the open without getting in trouble! I was hooked immediately. Within two years we had started a pony club in the valley and eventing rallies spurred me on to switch over from hunters completely.
Who are you currently competing?
Last year I had been running three horses Preliminary that I had started as babies when within one month each developed an issue- While I still had my young horses to show, I felt I needed an upper level ride to keep me sharp while my three were rehabilitating. I decided to actually buy a horse that for once was not a baby as an early 50th birthday present for myself- luckily my friends Ruben and Sonne Arce had just put their eventer turned show jumper on the market, named Rise Against, and although he had never been keen on the dressage I felt he was extremely athletic and hoped with time we could work out his flat issues. With the help of my friend and fellow eventer Debbie Rosen we did just that- and are headed for the CIC** at Woodside next week after just 5 events together.
My first event horse to take me to advanced was an OTTB named Hark who was donated to our pony club for rearing. After buying him from the club we found that he had no vision in his right eye and now he is still going strong with one eye- taught me early on that most issues have a cause that once discovered can often be trained through. Something I try to teach all my students: to deal with the emotional issues of a horse that go hand in hand with the physical and can pay huge dividends for the horse and rider.
What defines Area VI for you?
Area VI is most defined by the camaraderie between competitors- I know on any day if I get in a jam I will have someone’s help and vice versa. Whether it is Deb helping me just when I feel I am at an impasse with my horse in dressage, or Gina Economou riding my horse for me when I’ve been recuperating from a back surgery, or another trainer taking on my students at the drop of a hat when a family emergency has come up- I feel a true sense of family within our Area.
Favorite area event?
Since my first event at the novice to my first at advanced level, RamTap has always felt like home. Although our area has an amazing array of top notch events to choose from, there is a sense of both sentiment and history I feel at RamTap that is dear to my heart!
Favorite non-area event?
With 4 children, 30 horses and Pony Club residing at our ranch, I don’t get out of area often- but when I do there is so much beauty and professionalism at Rebecca Farms it would be hard to top- unless of course I happen to qualify for Rolex- then you might ask me again!
What do you consider your crowning achievement so far?
My first response would be attaining Leading rider for the area or taking an unwanted/ difficult horse and turning it around to be happy and successful, but that isn’t truly my biggest achievement. I believe my biggest achievement would have to be the number of children’s lives I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years and being a witness and contributor to the amazing effect eventing can have on creating strong, giving and exceptional adults.
What is the history of your farm and event?
As the last of nine children, I was born into what was then a Morgan breeding farm where my mother also ran Angus cattle. As my parents divorced when I was 10, my mother was able to put her energy into what she loved most, kids and horses, giving me the opportunity to hunt, show hunter/jumpers, do dressage and also run amok on my ponies- something I think all children could benefit from! When I was 14 Betsy Raine and Heather Sorenson got together with my mom and decided we needed to reincarnate the Santa Ynez Valley Pony Club. Naturally, within two years we turned our ranch over to become home base for the club, so that we could always have kids and horses and the addicting controlled chaos that entails. Next year will be our 35th year of SYVPC at the ranch. At first we ran Hunter Trials- actual SBCRC show hunter classes over natural grass as well as in the arenas- but then as my addiction to Eventing grew, we progressed to the two recognized Events we host each year which also serve as fundraisers for our Pony Club. It allows our Pony Clubbers to experience the quality of competitors they could only have done before if they had means to travel and or own their own horses, utilizing their leased pony club mounts at far less expense- therefore opening our sport to so many who otherwise might never get the chance to participate in a recognized event.
From an organizer’s perspective, what is the most important lesson you have learned about eventing?
I have learned that for the most part, organizers, officials and the immense number of volunteers that run an event do their very best to be fair, helpful and user friendly- I have tremendous respect for all the work that goes into every event I attend and truly appreciate how much it takes to get an event off the ground-and as an exhibitor, I try to do my best to help out and give back to those who provide us with these venues!
Any laughable low-points that you have had throughout your riding career?
Lets see…skipping finish flags while in first at Intermediate Championships, learning the wrong dressage test at my first advanced…..No, those are too many to count. I would have to say tearing my meniscus a few years ago when I had four great horses to event- sliding down a fireman pole at a playground…in high heels…while waiting to go out to dinner. A really embarrassing way to need 4 months off- and no, alcohol was not a factor- that is just my m.o.!
Who was your first pony?
My first pony was named Telestar- a fabulous welsh morgan cross my mom had raised. He was an amazing jumper, handed down to me from my sister Wendy. I, of course, had to supplement his show hunter and jumper career with tricks to make him mine…. like teaching him to stand on his hind legs while being ridden when I applied hand and leg in unison. Some might consider that a vice- especially when I was asked to demonstrate rein back and had to convince Telly the trick was no longer as cool as I thought it was… I loved him so much it took a judge to tell me at age 18 it was time to stop showing him as a Jr. Hunter at 3’6″ and give him to an actual child. Life is full of harsh realities- just one more lesson of letting go that horses have helped me learn!
Good luck this weekend Bunnie, Go eventing.
