With the recent 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. This winter, we’ll be spotlighting the E25 and E18 riders as they prepare for their training sessions with Leslie Law.
Madison Tempkin and Kingslee at NAJYRC 2015. Photo by Samantha Clark.
We first met Madison Temkin in the fall of 2014 as she was preparing to tackle her first CCI1* at Galway Downs. The then 14-year-old from Sonoma, California was planning for a big season ahead and looking to qualify for the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships the following season. Having now achieved that goal, she has her sights set on more future success.
Maddy has been chosen as a participant in the Eventing 18 Developing Rider Program since its inaugural session in 2014. “Each year has been so much fun,” she said, “I am so lucky to have opportunities like this and can’t wait for this year!”
“I really enjoy riding with Leslie and taking in all the knowledge that he shares with us. Whether it is about riding, on the ground horse management, information on how to approach different cross-country fences, or setting and riding a good show jump course; I value all of it so much and love to listen and learn.”
Representing Area VI at NAJYRC was Maddy’s first experience riding on a team as well as her first time competing in Kentucky. She says the experience is one she’ll never forget: “Trotting down the Rolex ramp into the stadium for the first time was amazing, as was galloping on fields champions have galloped on and competing at the Kentucky Horse Park period.”
Maddy had a very successful weekend in Kentucky, placing 5th individually and 7th with her Area VI teammates in the CCI1* out of 45 starters. She attributes Leslie’s coaching during last year’s training session with helping her to be successful this year.
Madison Temkin and Kingslee. Photo by Jenni Autry.
“One of the main things that Leslie helped me with was my straightness and cadence in my dressage. Having worked on that, it also carried over to my jumping – especially show jumping – which really helped me be successful this past year.”
Now 15 years old and a high school freshman, Maddy is looking forward to building upon even more knowledge from Leslie at this year’s training session as she and Kingslee, an 18-year-old OTTB owned by Debra and Geriann Henderson, prepare to move up to Intermediate.
Maddy is hoping to represent Area VI at NAJYRC again in 2016, this time on the two-star team. With the help of her mom and coach, Beth Temkin, she’s planning on tackling two Intermediates and two CIC2*s prior to NAJYRC in order to prepare. “I really plan on taking it one show at a time and one day at a time,” she explained. “I would also like to do some jumper and dressage shows to keep him going and get in the ring some more.”
Maddy says that having her mom as her coach is “truly amazing, but can be hard at times” and feels very fortunate to have her. “She is an amazing coach and really helps my horses go well from the ground as well as when she gets on them to school them. I learn so much from watching her school horses and from watching her teach,” she said. “She does tell me to stop asking her questions all the time on what the plan is, though… especially when she is lying on the couch with the mini pig!”
Ginger (pig) and Thompson (dog) take a nap at the Temkin household. Photo courtesy of Madison Temkin.
As for long term goals, Maddy has no plans for slowing down. She would like to eventually be an upper-level professional and trainer and her ultimate goals include representing the U.S. at the Olympic Games, the World Equestrian Games or the Pan American games someday – maybe even all three!
Maddy is currently working on bringing along a 3-year-old Thoroughbred that she and her mom pulled off the track this past summer in addition to competing one of her mom’s client’s horses at Training level. “Only time will tell where they both end up!” Maddy said.
Maddy would like to add that how thankful she is to be part of the Eventing 18 program and to be able to learn from such amazing coaches; that she is also thankful to her mom for her coaching and support; and to Kingslee’s owners and Hawley Bennett for pairing her up with her equine partner.
“Without all the help from all of these people and many more whom I call ‘family,’ I would not be where I am today.”
