Area IV Spotlight: Callie Judy

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Callie Judy is a up and coming young rider from an area not so well known in the eventing world; Area IV.  Originally from Columbia, Missouri, today she divides her time between Florida, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.  She represented Area IV at NAYRC and won individual gold in 2008 in the one star division.     

How did you get into Eventing? 

I started eventing when I was 9.  My coach at the time evented so that’s how I got into it.  I started riding with her and got into right away…My first horse was Caddo Chief.  He was an OTTB and my parents bought him from a college student when I was 10.  Whenever we would go out onto cross country to the start box he would throw the biggest fit, squealing and jumping around, and everyone thought I shouldn’t ride him.  But then he acts up and goes into the box and trots out, such a gentleman after that.  He taught me a lot and I loved that horse, he’s still my favorite horse ever. I wish every kid could have a horse like him.  

Who are you currently competing? 

I am currently competing two horses.  Sportsfield Rafiki is my Intermediate horse, and BadaBbing m2s is going training right now. Rafiki has been going Intermediate all winter and we were working really hard to go to the Florida two star, but his suspensory flared up after cross country so he didn’t make it through.  My plan right now is to look for a new horse.  Basically all I’m doing this summer is riding my five year old at training level and look for a new horse.  

What defines Area IV for you? 

Not a lot of people talk about Area IV but it does have a really good eventing community.  It’s small but it’s there.  A lot of good riders have come out of Area IV, like Michelle Mercier, she was on the Young Rider team. A lot of good up and coming riders come out.  We have a few good events; Longview is a good one, Queeny is good.  We don’t have as big of a reputation compared to the east coast and Florida, but it really does have a good eventing presence. 

 What’s your favorite area event?

I like Otter Creek up in Wisconsin.  It’s a great event to go to, awesome cross country. It’s really beautiful and it’s very challenging. I did the two star there and it’s a lot of fun. 

Favorite event anywhere? 

I like Fair Hill, even though it rains a lot (I hate the rain!). But it’s big and has really good vendors.  The course is usually pretty good.  And I like Red Hills down in Florida. 

What has been the crowning moment of your eventing career so far?

I wont the 2008 one star at Young Riders, I got individual gold there.  That was a big deal for me.  Completing the three star at Bromont was huge, I was just happy to get around there.  

Lowest point?

When I first got Oli, my three star horse.  When I took him to my first intermediate ever I about fell off of him in the middle of the course, and it was just a really awful go. I didn’t think we were a very good pair but we pulled ourselves together by the bootstraps and moved all the way up to the three star level and were pretty competitive.  He is a very hard horse to ride and I didn’t really think we were going to make it very far.  But we did. 

What was it like representing Area IV at Young Riders? 

It’s so much fun because we all know each other from the events.  We have Young Rider camp, usually at Wayne DuPage. We usually bring in Jon Holling (our coach), Allison Springer comes in and gives us lessons.  We pretty much spend two, two and a half weeks together doing team things and going to Young Riders.  I love Young Riders, I wanted to do it this year but couldn’t.  Hopefully next year I can go again.  

Song that plays when you leave the start box? Forever by Drake. 

Go Area IV. 

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