Having grown up with two eventing-crazy sisters myself, I know firsthand what a “unique” experience that can be. Instead of fighting over clothes or boys, we argued over whose horse was “the best” and were perpetually trying to one-up each other in lessons and at shows.
Just below surface competitiveness, of course, we were one another’s biggest cheerleaders. Eventing brought us together in a way that transcended sibling rivalry and left us with memories that we’ll carry with us for a lifetime.
Family spirit is out in force this week at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships. There are four sister combinations, as well as two mother-daughter duos competing. Among them…
Haley and Amber Curry
Haley, 16, and Amber, 18, are both competing in the Jr. Training division. And after the dressage and cross-country phases, they’re sitting in 5th and 6th places respectively, separated by just 0.2 point! We caught up with the sisters from Canton, MS, this afternoon.
Amber and Haley Curry. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Josephine and Anna Duggan
Josephine (Josie), 11, is competing in Jr. Beginner Novice 14 and Under, while big sis Anna, 16, is in Jr. Training. They hauled a LONG way to get here, all the way from Millbrook, NY, and their excitement about experiencing the AECs is evident. (P.s. We entrusted Josie and her friends Carina Ericksen and Isabel Finemore with a very special, top secret EN assignment this afternoon, so it won’t be the last you hear from this crew!)
Anna Duggan with Kildare’s Chesca and Josephine Duggan with Kildare’s Buster Keaton. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Jordan and Barb Crabo
What’s it like to have a top eventer as your mom/coach? That’s what we asked Jordan, from Scottsdale, Ariz., who is currently tied for 4th in the Jr. Novice division. Barb has several horses competing this weekend, including Eveready, with whom she is sitting in 4th place heading into cross country in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final division.
Oh, and also… happy birthday Jordan!
Jordan Crabo with Wildwych Eclipse. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Elizabeth and Emma Fettig
This sibling pair from Lake Geneva, WI, have the biggest age gap between them of any of the sisters we interviewed. Emma, 17, is competing in Jr./YR Prelim; Elizabeth, 10, is in Jr. Beginner Novice 14 and Under. Fun fact: Her pony, Hercules, is 27 years old!
Emma Fettig with Spanning the Globe and Elizabeth Fettig with Hercules. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Ashton and Kimberly Willnow
It’s clear that this mom/daughter duo from Burleson, TX, keep one other on their toes! Ashton is competing in Training Amateur; Kimberly is competing in the Novice Area Training Championships.
Kimberly Willnow with Ashes to Ashes and Ashton Willnow with Zydeco. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
I’m bound and determined to track down the final pair, Elise and Maddalyn Hunt of The Woodlands, TX, so check back with an interview with those two soon!
Go Eventing.
#AEC15: Website, Schedule, Ride Times/Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram
