In this, our second annual Mothers Day post, we will again showcase members of the eventing community and how their mothers have shaped their lives. There’s no doubt that eventing would never exist without moms. From those early mornings at horse shows, to those late weekday nights at lessons, moms guide us through the most challenging times in eventing with poise and never ending patience. As part of celebrating eventing moms today, we asked a few eventers to tell us about what their mothers have meant to them:
Michael Pollard:
–“To the two mothers in my life( my own and my childrens), I want to send my love and gratitude today. While the reasons are numerous outside of eventing, John asked that we might try to stay within that context and I will try to oblige.
My mother was certainly one of my first supporters in eventing, and could be seen braiding late nights on many occasions early on. I say late because she got lost on the way to every horse show she ever attended, then she would promptly lose her keys. Somehow through this adversity she kept coming back, and has worn many hats. Contributing everything from grooming, nanning, and owning some top horses (SS Jett). Most of all she is a great friend and wonderful support when things go wrong. Thank you mom. I love you and couldn’t have made it here (wherever this is) without you!
Nathalie, my wife and mother of our children, also deserves a special mention on mothers day. Many people have asked me lately how I do everything I do. I have given several responses, but I think the real reason is Nat. This includes eventing, but extends well beyond, and I cannot imagine how I could do any of it without her. She has given me horses, listened to my complaining, groomed, tried to teach me to do dressage, made our schedules, done our entries, and on, and on, and on. I don’t know where I would be without her, but I’m sure glad I’m not there. Happy mothers day!
Holly Hudspeth:
–“With less than a month to go until my due date of June 4th, I find myself anxiously counting down the days left. While I am more than ready to have my body back, ride again, and go for a run, I am over the moon with the thought of seeing Hailey for the first time! It has always felt like with the horses, I was their mom. My job has been to pick out their clothes, feed them properly, call the vet when needed, make sure they had proper shoes, and aid in the education process. Now with Hailey arriving around the corner, those jobs will carry over to her too, but on a much different level.
Whether she wants to ride or not, horses will be a part of her life in some way through me. I just hope they can teach her the same wonderful things they have taught me over my 38 years. That is dedication, perseverance, hard work, and true meaning of commitment. If she decides to ride, I hope one day she can experience that amazing feeling of when it all comes together, after that disappointing feeling of when it doesn’t. I hope she can truly know what the “first ride” feels like after a year of caring for a sick or injured horse. I hope she can feel the joy of leading a victory gallop after a grueling weekend of putting it all together. And what I hope for the most is she carries the life lessons horses give us into the real world and into real relationships. These experiences and lessons are more important than any year end award, ribbon, or championship. I am so excited for this new journey of motherhood, and happy Mother’s Day to all!
Brian Sabo–USEA President:
–“My mother Kitty Sabo was about as focused on winning as a person could be. Competitive and hard working she became completely dedicated to whatever she set her mind to. Her story was an amazing one as she left home in New York at 16 with her 14 year old sister to dance professionally in many acts in vaudeville shows post depression. Landing in Hollywood she became part of the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans road show as they traveled the country before Roy became a TV and movie star. As a wedding present Roy and Dale gave a retiring “Trigger” to my mom and dad and her passion for horses was ignited. Kitty hunted for years with the West Hills Hunt where she met and became friends with Ronald Reagan. Years later when my interest in riding grew Kitty developed a friendship with a very young Hilda Gurney who lived near our home and together they founded the Woodland Hills Pony Club. As our D.C. Kitty was the driving force behind our club and the push with Hilda to involve all 6 of our members in the sport of Eventing. The club grew to many members and eventing, dressage and vaulting were all part of the program. For my mom I learned the value of volunteering, the skill of working with others and of course that Eventing ROCKS! I miss her today on Mother’s Day but her passion for horses lives on in many other riders and trainers that were born at the Woodland Hills P.C.
Boyd Martin:
–“As the loving son of an enthusiastic, determined speed skating mother from Springfield Illinois, I was reminded as a wild young boy growing up: “I brought you into this world…. and I can take you out of it!!” — Happy mothers day mum!! ~Boyd
Sara Ike–USEF’s Managing Director of Eventing: 
–“Horses are in my blood thanks to both parents, but most significantly my mom. Growing up after school, my sister and I would catch our ponies from the field and our 4:30pm lesson would start. It was guaranteed that once a year, mom and I would have at least one fight during a lesson and she would walk out of the ring. Every time, it ended with me seeing the error of my ways, and begging her to teach me; to continue the lesson. “I promise I’ll be a student, not the daughter.” And that was how we did things. When we were in a lesson, I was the student. She was the teacher. I did as I was told.
In the horse world, I was always known as “Sally Ike’s daughter” and I desperately wanted my own identity. So, I pushed away horses for several years, even worked as a geologist, but the pull of horses nagged at me. Now, in my adult life, I’m still learning from her. She has forgotten more about Eventing than I will ever know. She is a wealth of knowledge, the likes of Jimmy Wofford, but she’s always been behind the scenes. Oh the stories she could tell! Her days timber racing against Carol Davidson to competing at Burghley ’67 and Badminton ’68, to the final preparations for Mexico City.
Nowadays, I’m thankful for the student/teacher dynamic. On a daily basis, she is a huge resource and sounding board for me. When I started in Eventingland in 2007, I always knew her door was open and I could ask a stupid question – to which she would patiently answer for me. As much as I want to have my own identity in Eventingland, I’m proud to be “Sally Ike’s daughter.” Happy Mother’s Day!
Selena O’Hanlon:
–“Eventing mums are the best. I can hear my mum in the crowd no matter where I am. Hong Kong for instance, a crowd of thousands on dressage day and when I finished my test I heard her famous whistle and waved in her direction. People back home watching heard it on tv and cheered wildly. It’s always good to know she’s there and I don’t do four stars without my mum/coach/manager/business partner/sponsor. She has the experience that I learn from and I have met some of the best riders in the world through her. When I am in Florida I miss my mum because there’s no one else like her to share the horse experience with. We enjoy talking about horses, farms, fields, dogs, shows, training tips anything from A-Z that relates to this horse life we have chosen for ourselves. I feel lucky to have my mum to share some of my greatest moments in life and I’m REALLY glad she’s there when they are some of my worst. So cheers to eventing mums all over the world. Love you mum xoxo
Go moms.
