Lynn Symansky was a fan favorite at Rolex this spring with her stunning young Thoroughbred, Donner. They had a superb performance and placed fifth at Donner’s first CCI4*, and now Lynn has her eye on the Pau CCI4* later this fall. Lynn and Donner were recipients of the Jacqueline Mars Training Grant, which has enabled them to pursue this goal, and have been participating in Training Sessions with Coach David O’Connor all year, honing their skills. Lynn wrote this piece for us to bring us up to date on all things Donner and let us participate in their journey. Thanks to Lynn for sending this in, and thanks for reading!
Lynn and Donner at the most recent training session with Coach O'Connor. Photo courtesy of Lynn.
From Lynn:
The fall season is getting closer, and it certainly felt that way at the High Performance Training Sessions yesterday at Jacqueline Mars’ beautiful Stonehall Farm in The Plains, Va. The weather was cool, the horses were fresh (well, at least mine certainly was!) and the feel of the fast approaching fall international three-day season was in the air. The horses and riders heading to Blenheim, Boekelo and Pau checked in with U.S. coach David O’Connor in preparation for their final runs for their respective European three-days.
Tuesday we each had a private flat lesson, and Donner and I started the day off with a productive school. This spring, I feel like Donner and I have been able to pull out consistent, accurate tests to help pick up the marks, but have struggled with the quality of his movement, especially when he gets tense. David hadn’t seen him go in awhile, and we mostly worked on the quality of his gaits, especially in his trot work. After a day full of lessons and a case of Diet Coke, day two brought David up to High Acre for group jump schools. The exercises varied slightly from horse to horse depending on what each of us needed to work on. Donner started out a bit tight and wild, but jumped well, and it was a great final jump school before he heads to Richland next week. We also have some good homework to work on as we continue to prepare for Pau.
I have to be somewhat thoughtful in my preparation with Donner leading up to a three-day. He can be spooky and affected by atmosphere, so he has to get out and compete consistently. However, he also gets fit very easily, and I have to be careful not to peak him too soon. His first outing since Rolex in April was Millbrook two weeks ago where I ran him intermediate. He had a decent dressage that scored us in the 20s in the pouring down rain with a sick pilot; I ran him quite slow on cross country, and he jumped a clean round in show jumping. I plan on having two confidence-building runs at the Richland CIC3* next week and at Plantation in September to get a feel for anything we need to work on leading up to Pau, which the horses are schedule to leave for in the second week of October.
Coach O'Connor and Lynn talk shop. Photo courtesy of Lynn.
I want to extend a huge thank you to Jacqueline Mars for making her amazing farm available to all of us for the High Performance Training Sessions. I’m lucky enough to live just a few minutes away in Middleburg, and every time I step foot on the farm I feel so blessed to be able to train at such a wonderful facility. More importantly, I want to extend my personal gratitude for Jacqueline’s incredible support and generosity to the entire sport and the USEF. I was one of the lucky recipients of the Jacqueline Mars’ Training Grant, which is the only reason I was able to consider competing at Pau. She is helping so many riders achieve their goals and I hope she knows how much it means to us.
I have never been comfortable asking people for help or money. If I needed funds, I just taught more lessons, rode more horses, cleaned more stalls and stayed in the barn until 11 p.m. to get it all done just to start back again before sunrise. (I admit it’s 10 p.m. as I’m writing this in my barn office right now). I’ve always asked the question, “Why should other people pay for my own goals?” However, I have come to realize that there are only so many hours in the day for me to be able to earn enough money to realize those goals while riding at the top level of the sport and owning my own horses. I want to represent the U.S. at the highest level of the sport, and in order to make that dream a reality, I have to swallow my pride and ask for some help.
I started riding in Difficult Run Pony Club in Virginia when I was 5 years old, and have evented in northern Virginia since I was 7. Donner was bred for racing and hails from Dresden Farm, which is literally right around the corner from my farm in Middleburg. I got Donner as a quirky 5-year-old and brought him up through the levels, and for the last five years we’ve had some amazing opportunities and successes along the way. My short-term goal is to be considered for the U.S. team for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy.
Lynn and Donner over a chevron. Photo courtesy of Lynn.
To make this happen, I have to get more experience competing abroad against a competitive international field, gain experience riding over different course design and get exposure to more atmosphere than we have in the States (although Donner may not agree with the atmosphere part!). This is why I’m planning to compete at Pau in France this October. While the Jacqueline Mars Training Grant from the USEF is the sole reason I am able to consider Pau, the expenses of solely owning my own horse at the CCI* level and competing overseas exceed this grant. So, this is where all of you come in!
My fantastic sponsors, supporters, team, clients and friends have banded together to donate a plethora of amazing items at great deals that you’re going to want to get your hands on. I am currently running an online auction on my website, and there are some truly fabulous deals right now that you can’t miss. Even one of EN’s sponsors SpectraVET has a laser available at a highly reduced cost, which has been one of the saving graces to keeping my horses going well. To round everything out, this Saturday I am hosting a BBQ/pig roast at my farm. It’s sure to be a fun time with tasty food, beverages, good people, games and a chance to see the farm and meet Donner in person!
You can check out the auction here. Be sure to scroll all the way down to see all of the amazing items that are offered. If you are interested in attending the party on Saturday (of course you’re invited!), click on my here, and please be sure to RSVP if you are interested in attending! Thanks for reading! And to keep up to date on team LSE, the fall season and my prep for Pau, be sure to “like” Lynn Symansky Equestrian on Facebook.
