In compiling the results of the 2011 EN Census, we found many supportive parents of eventers. Which made us think: we would love to hear from you! We certainly wouldn’t be where we are today without our wonderful moms and dads. It would be great to share the Parent’s Perspective here on Eventing Nation. If you have thoughts or experiences to share, please send them to [email protected] with “Parent” in the title.
Photo by Amy Barbarino
Riding Through my Daughter’s Eyes
Amy Barbarino
Plum Borough, Pennsylvania
My daughter, Maddie, has been riding horses since she was 5. Not sure why she ever wanted to start riding. She wasn’t around horses…. Didn’t know anyone with a horse…. Just came home from day care asking to learn to ride. Ever since, I’ve enjoyed watching her progress to the rider she is today – gutsy, daring, loving, competitive. I LOVE IT!!! Many times I’ve found myself actually “riding” with her simply by standing on the porch at our barn watching her or standing outside when she jumps. It’s thrilling for me to watch her and the other riders at our barn do the things they do with these animals. Many times I’ve found myself holding my breath when they are jumping these jumps or racing around the grounds… hair blowing in the breeze with big smiles on their faces.
I remember “back in the day” her riding around on the barn’s school horses… Maddie in her pink boots sporting a huge smile. Well, the pink boots are gone, but her “passion” and love for her horse and trainer are unmatchable.
She’s almost 17 now, gone through a few school horses and leased ones, too. We went to a number of various shows with other horses but placement wasn’t what I knew she could do. So, in February, 2011, I was finally.. I mean FINALLY able to afford to buy her “Plenty of it Face Off”, lovingly called “Puck” an 8 year old Quarter horse that quite honestly surprised many people on his ability.
After only having Puck for a few months, her trainer suggested we take a trip to Kentucky in May to compete BN in May Daze. I’m sure a number of the readers have had the opportunity to visit and compete at the Kentucky Horse Park. The place, to me anyways, is sacred equestrian ground. The drive into the park is breathtaking and you can feel the electricity in the air.
Ok ok…back to May Daze. The team of Maddie and Puck were outstanding. First in Dressage. tied for First after Stadium, then down to a tie breaker in Cross Country which placed her in Second. This horse of hers never did up banks, water, or even had cross country experience. Watching the two of them ride over the course you could see the excitement and enjoyment they both were having. I could hear her talking to him “Come on Puck,” “What a good boy you are,” “We’re almost there,” “Come on Puck… hit the water,” and the last comment I heard before the finish line was “YESSSSSSS WE DID IT”!!!! Clear course only determined by time for placement. Needless to say both her trainer and I were in tears hugging her to pieces. I think that experience she’ll remember forever. It took that many years to finally find a horse that completed her “Team.” Maddie and Puck.
Well, the summer of 2011 came and went with other shows that Maddie and Puck competed in and did very well in. A very memorable summer for her as well as me. I truly lived through every ride, every competition, and every heart break she’s had over all these years. Good and bad. A great learning experience, yes. She’s had the opportunity to ride many horses and train with a number of great trainers, clinicians, and fellow riders that have helped her along. I can’t thank two particular trainers enough – Pamela McCready, trainer for IC Eventing and Krista Tycho-Noone, trainer of IC Dressage at our barn. Their experience and expertise has really helped Maddie grow as a good rider.
In September, 2011, Maddie had to have major ankle and foot surgery of a pre-existing condition that has her out of the saddle until December (earlier if you ask her). Sad that her season had to be cut a bit short but reflecting back on it, it was a great one.
One good thing that came out of this “time off” for Maddie is that I now have the opportunity to finally take lessons. I had only ridden a horse once in my life on my honeymoon. I can now actually experience the excitement, anticipation, and sometimes, nervousness she has had over the years. Every day I have a lesson, the day can’t go fast enough. I look forward to getting to the barn and getting on a horse. I have wanted to do this for so long and finally it’s my turn. I’ve had four (4) lessons now and I love it. I don’t think I’ll ever be as gutsy as my kiddo but at least I get to experience all the joy I hear from my friends who ride. After working in an office for eight hours, it’s a true release to get on that horse and focus on something that you love.
