With the naming of the 2016 Eventing 25/18 Training Lists, there are a lot of talented young riders who are ready to take the eventing world by storm. We continue our profiles of these riders this week with Lexi Scovil.
Lexi and Charlie in the dressage. Photo by Lively Manor Photography.
Lexi Scovil has only partnered with Charleston VI (Charlie) for a year this spring, but that hasn’t stopped them from making their mark on the eventing world, and landing their first spot on the Eventing 25 list. Beginning in May of 2015, together they haven’t placed outside the top five in any horse trials, and completed their first CCI2* as a pair at Fair Hill in the fall.
Originally hailing from Mequon, WI, the 24 year old now lives and trains in Ocala, FL, under the direct tutelage of the indomitable Leslie Law. As a full time working student for the Law program, Lexi is able to have access to some of the best education in the country, and highly values her everyday opportunities there. She has worked for them for a year and a half now, and loves every minute of it. She credits much of her success to the generosity of spirit that both Leslie and his wife Lesley embody.
“He’s very open about his training process and he’s happy for me to incorporate pieces from other programs I’ve worked with into my own system,” she says. “He honestly and freely discusses his experiences and philosophies in riding, teaching, and running a business. I love that he’s not opposed to changing tack or bits or boots if they can help you, but he emphasizes good basic training over using gadgets and shortcuts. He’s very positive in his lessons but I rarely come out of a lesson feeling like I haven’t improved in a noticeable way, especially in the dressage.”
Lexi has competed several other horses at the upper levels, including an individual bronze at the 2012 NAJYRC CCI2* with Sky Show and an Advanced horse trial before that with her previous mount, Laugh Out Loud. However, with Charlie, she hopes to have found her first solid three-star mount.
Lexi & Charlie in the show jumping. Photo by Lively Manor Photography.
