What are you thankful for this year? That’s the question we asked EN readers for the 2018 Thanksgiving Challenge from World Equestrian Brands, and your responses were numerous and heartfelt. Over the holiday weekend, we are honored to share your special stories. You can view an archive of them here.
Photos courtesy of Izzie Blumenthal.
Izzie Blumenthal:I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes it’s hard to be thankful. To be fair, the past few years have been extremely difficult. In four years, I went from perfectly healthy to chronically ill. I’ve had a TBI, a fractured leg, multiple severe mental health diagnoses and interventions, and I lost both of my parents. It has become so easy for me to lose track of what I have in a life that has suffered so much loss. But in a world where I have undergone such severe trauma, there is still good. If I hadn’t gone through what I did, I wouldn’t have met the people who I now call my family.
There would be no Kati to be mischievous with, no Ashley to cheer me up when I’m down and rub my head until I fall asleep, no therapy to resolve my traumas and help me heal. I wouldn’t have gotten my cat *ahem* dog Bradley or have gained the wonderfully sassy family that I currently live with. My mother would’ve never let me get a pony if I wasn’t independently working for her. If my mother had not died, I would have never met the amazing women who I call my sisters or have a hilarious memory of my therapist nearly getting his hat stolen by a horse. And I may not have gotten to event in almost half a decade but I am going to be strong enough to do it again. For all of that and more, I am grateful.
My therapist says that I am wise for my young age from everything I’ve been through. I’m not sure if that’s true or not but I would like to impart some wisdom upon you, EN. Be thankful for your friends, your family, your barn family, the privilege to compete, your pets, the moments that have broken you and made you stronger, those who have helped you patiently figure out how to ride your horse, and most of all be thankful for your horses for with them we achieve dreams. Be thankful for everything you have. Just be thankful.
Go thankfulness. Go eventing.
Debbie Snead:Here I am at 67, almost 68 years old. The old mantra of I have always loved horses is true. There are many stories along the way and I don’t want to bore anyone with those details. I have grown from the I would ride almost any horse to the horse I ride now must be pretty safe.
Three years ago my gelding spooked and I flew off his back. Ended up breaking mine. Couldn’t ride for several weeks and drove my husband and doctor both crazy asking how soon could I ride again.
Fast forward three years, and I have become less confident, but I still get back on my gelding almost every day. I am thankful for him. He is my heart horse. I’m lucky to have had two of them. Callahan died at age 32. Amos is almost 12. I’ve had him since he was a yearling. No, I probably won’t show him. Lessons still make me nervous.
I still take lessons on him or lately my trainer has been teaching him piaffe, passage and canter pirouettes.
I am thankful I have a horse in my life. I thank him even if I only ride for a few minutes. I am working on building my confidence. I’d like to try the half pass at canter again. Until then he gets his kiss on the nose, his treats and my whispered thank you.
Emma and the American Warmblood she leases, Magpie. Photo courtesy of Emma Goltz.
Emma Goltz: My name is Emma Goltz and I am a C-1 Traditional pony clubber from the Northeast Region USPC. I am thankful for my instructor, Mary. Last year, I was jumping 2’9” and schooling Beginner Novice cross country. I was competing in jumper shows and riding all different kinds of horses.
Then, something shifted. I fell off a couple of times and suddenly my confidence plummeted. I started to second guess myself even stepping up to the mounting block. An 18” crossrail now felt like a 3’6” oxer. I only felt comfortable riding our barns safest school horses.
Yet, through this difficult time, someone stuck by my side. Mary. She cheered me on when I finally cantered the full arena again. She told me not to give up when tears rolled down my cheek when I was nervous to jump. She believed in me. Eventually, cross rails turned back into small verticals and those turned into jumping the barrels once again. Last week, I even did a three jump grid. This is like night and day, from my nervous rides last fall. So I want to thank Mary for keeping cheering me on and being my inspiration.
Parand Jalili: I’m thankful for so much this past year! Like every year, there are ups and downs, but we most certainly grow from every life lesson we encounter. This year I purchased my first horse (I’m from a non-horsey family, so you can imagine how wild of an experience this was!)
I’m so thankful to wake up every day and go ride. I’m certainly thankful for finding a horse that will put up with my amateur mistakes, still forgive me, and loves me back. I’m thankful for what I learned whether it was what to do and what not to do. I’m so thankful for the support of my family and genuine friends! I’d have to say 2018 has been a pretty amazing, definitely exciting, and somewhat wild year. Of course not every day is perfect, but at the end of the day, we grew from it all. I’m thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to grow and not get stuck! Also very thankful for our awesome vet and amazing farrier 😉 They had our backs!
Photos courtesy of Molly Forney.
Molly Forney: I’m thankful I finally found a horse I can trust. My beloved heart horse, Doc, was a great partner, but I thankfully retired him when his ringbone was too much to keep riding with. He is spooky and did not travel well. He instilled fears of showing and travelling in me. He would decide jumps that he had already done were randomly terrifying.
I bought and sold two horses in short order after his retirement. One was bold and talented, but couldn’t take a joke with my amateur hands. The other hated our mostly ring-based program and developed an attitude issue. My confidence was shot after a bad fall and, at this point, years of not jumping consistently.
My trainer found my horse online. She just knew. Ollie was woolly, underweight, and 19 years old. He was also kind, quiet and sound. He has a canter that instills confidence in you. While it’s been a year and a half since I bought him, he has taken me from crossrails back to 2’6″. We have done hunter shows, combined tests, and my first recognized horse trial.
I recently went on a trail ride on a horse I had never met before. We cantered through the woods and trotted through sloppy fields. Had it not been for Ollie, I would never be able to step out of my comfort zone. Ollie has been the perfect horse for me, and I cannot be more thankful he came into my life.
Abby Basner: I am thankful for my amazing eight year old OTTB gelding Tucker. We started our partnership two years ago and even though he has never seen a cross country course or been in a dressage arena before, he gives me his whole heart. It has been a wonderful two years learning together with many ups and downs along the way starting at Beginner Novice and moving up to Novice this year. We placed 5th in our first ever recognized Novice event at Champagne Run at the Kentucky Horse Park which qualified us for the Area VIII Championships. After our amazing first run at Novice level, we headed to Cobblestone Farms in Dexter, Michigan a few weeks later. I figured this would be a walk in the park for us since we school there often, but we were uncharacteristically technically eliminated due to refusals on cross country. At that point, I knew something wasn’t right. After checking my saddle fit, getting him adjusted, and everything else I could think of, I took him to the vet to have him examined. We concluded that he had gastric ulcers and we started treating him right away even though it was a huge blow to my pocketbook. It was all worth it though. He now feels better than ever and we just placed 2nd at our last schooling event at Cobblestone finishing on our best dressage score we have ever had. I appreciate every day I get to spend with my amazing partner.
What are you thankful for this year? That’s the question we asked EN readers for the 2018 Thanksgiving Challenge from World Equestrian Brands, and your responses were numerous and heartfelt. Over the holiday weekend, we are honored to share your special stories. You can view an archive of them here.
Photo courtesy of Tiffany Morey.
Tiffany Morey: This year I am thankful to be lucky enough to have a life with horses in it. Although they have a way of making things more interesting and complicated at times, there is nothing like the companionship and love of a horse to make everything better at the end of a long, hard day. Happy Thanksgiving and go eventing!
Photos courtesy of Jeanna Epping, with extra thanks to JJ Silliman for the photo of Jeanna pushing her stroller.
Jeanna Epping: I am so thankful for my crazy this year. For all the members who help in the crazy that is my new life and all the members who at least don’t comment on my crazy (in public). I spend my days (poorly) balancing my 14-month-old, my eventing and horse career, my bartending job, and my family. Finnic is the best baby I could ever ask for and allows (most days) me to get everything I need to get done at the barn with him in tow. My circus is quite the show, and the barn family is always helpful and never judges when I push the stroller halfway across the farm with horse in tow so I can ride in the arena. My faithful dog Lincoln is always there to lend a happy (muddy) face when needed. This is the front stage view of the circus.
Behind the curtains is a very very patient husband that helps keep it all together. He never says no when I have a crazy idea on how to get it all done or judge the amount of coffee I consume or the fact the barn might be swept when the kitchen is not. I may not have reached any of my goals this season or even completed a single event with my horse BUT we showed up and we did it! Hopefully next season is smoother and more accomplished, but I’m so thankful for the process right now.
Photos courtesy of Nicole Virden.
Nicole Virden: The beginning of 2018 was a rough one. I was having some serious health issues that started impacting my ability to work as a nurse, and the side effects of the medications my doctors gave me started to cause rapid weight gain with little symptom relief. As I headed into Spring, I was depressed and starting to feel hopeless. I lost my dear Aunt unexpectedly… and I lost the ride on my lease horse (on top of everything else). I was devastated.
Then my miracle happened: I met my new health coach and gained a new horse-friend in the process! With her help, I set out on accomplishing some new goals … get healthy, get fit, and get riding! As the pounds started coming off, I test-rode a mare that ended up being a great fit. She was feisty and fun, and even with my experience, she gave me a challenge! I just needed to find a barn to move her to. My friend came to the rescue again, offering me a spot at her private boarding facility.
What am I thankful for? This year, it seems I’m thankful for everything! I’m thankful for my wonderful friend and coach, my new barn friends and my wonderful trainer! I’m thankful for the sweet mare I get to ride every day, and the progress we are making. I’m thankful for my husband who supports and understands my horse addiction and its role in helping me heal. I’m thankful for my improving health and fitness. As I look ahead to 2019, I’m excited to continue my journey in health and horses, in the show ring and beyond. So much to be thankful for, I feel truly blessed!
Photos courtesy of Sara Kolenda.
Sara Kolenda: What am I thankful for? The forgiveness of my horse. The trust my horse has in me to navigate over the terrifying obstacles and scary terrain that we eventers tend ask without even thinking of the horse’s perspective. I’m thankful that God gave us the gift of these incredible creatures. And I’m thankful for the love my horse gives me in return. Love shown in nickers and excitement when I walk in the barn. The love that brings me out of the darkness of my depression on those long, hard days. The love that has built a bond so strong that we can conquer anything. These are a few of the things I am thankful for, not just on Thanksgiving, but every day I am alive.
What are you thankful for this year? That’s the question we asked EN readers for the 2018 Thanksgiving Challenge from World Equestrian Brands, and your responses were numerous and heartfelt. Over the holiday weekend, we are honored to share your special stories. You can view an archive of them here.
Photo courtesy of Kayla McCoy.
Kayla McCoy: This year I’m very thankful for getting back in the saddle. In 2017, I ruptured my gastroc tendon which made me unable to ride for almost a year. Now I am able to ride again and will be able to begin competing again next year. I am also thankful for my job that I was offered this year. It is an amazing experience to train the endangered Cleveland Bays. Also for all of the opportunities my employer has given me with taking me to shows and letting me foxhunt with her! A special thank you to Riverspring Cleveland Bays and to all of the people that have supported me getting back to what I love!
Winslow and Will: “I’m not sure if it’s a coincidence, but both of them are solid dark bays.” Photos courtesy of Maggie Hitron.
Maggie Hitron:This year I am thankful for my horse, Winslow. When my heart horse, Will, tragically died in 2012, I knew that I would never find another horse like him. I was convinced that heart horses are a rare blessing, like a soul mate, and it’s a one per person type of deal. When yours comes and then goes after what feels like much too short of time together, that’s it — you’re done. You should be happy for the time you had together, because some people never find the one special horse that sings to their soul on the deepest of levels.
This past year has proven to me how very wrong I was, and I am so thankful for that. I met Winslow in December of 2016 when I responded to an ad I found on Facebook for a free horse, but it wasn’t until sometime this year that I realized that over the past two years, he’s become more than just another horse to me. Winslow can still be the athletic, opinionated horse with a bad attitude that I initially brought home, but even these traits have become endearing to me. I’ve loved, and still do love, the horses I’ve had since losing Will. But Winslow has become so special to me and has filled the hole in my heart that I didn’t realize was still there.
Every morning that I hunt him down in a dark field to bring him in, every evening when I clean his stall, every day that I swing my leg over his back, I thank my lucky stars that I found Winslow. I think having had Will, and lost him, has made my experience with Winslow all the sweeter. Thankfulness just doesn’t seem like an adequate feeling to describe the all-encompassing feeling of gratefulness that I have every time I take a step back and realize how lucky I am to have found a second heart horse.
Photos courtesy of Sabrina Salley.
Sabrina Salley: At 16 pain became my closest acquaintance when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. If you aren’t familiar with it, fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder of unknown cause that leaves me in chronic, constant, severe pain. At 16 I had to face the harsh reality that there is no cure to my condition, and that until a cure or treatment is found I will live at a constant 7-10 on the pain scale. Every day I wake up to a different body — some days I wake up and I am sore in my hips, but otherwise fine. Some days my roommate or sister has to help me get out of bed and get dressed for class.
This year I am thankful for my support system — my friends, my family, my horses, my boyfriend. They have helped me accomplish my dreams- from riding at USPC Championships to attending the school of my dreams. I am thankful that every day I wake up and need help there is always someone willing to lend me a hand, whether that be reminding me to do my assignments or bringing me food because I’m curled up on a migraine day. I am blessed to have friends that will do anything for me to help me live my dreams, including lend me their fancy warmblood so that I could break my 6-year bad luck streak and ride at USPC Championships East.
As I look back on this year I realize how many goals I’ve achieved of mine — placing in the top 10 at Championships, earning my H-A/H-M certification in Pony Club, being valedictorian of my high school class, riding a Pas de Deux with my twin sister, going to the last Warped Tour with my friends, doing well in my first semester at my dream college … all because of my support system. Every day I am grateful for the sacrifices my parents have made for me to continue to ride, working long hours and using their vacation time on competitions, feeding our collection of misfits and doing whatever they need when they hurt themselves.
This year has been incredible, and every day I am thankful for this life I live and the people I get to spend it with. Life isn’t easy for anyone, and we all need our support network to get through the hard times. I will spend my Thanksgiving break studying for finals, riding my heart horse, and laughing with my friends and family. How will you spend yours?
Photo by Nicole Garrison, courtesy of Emma Young.
Emma Young: I squirt a big, green, wet blob of epsom salt poultice onto my horse’s hoof. Then I grab the roll of vet wrap and quickly wrap it before my horse gets bored with the whole ordeal. Next I slide his hoof into his boot. I pause for a second before I unclip him from the crossties. I give his left hoof, his abscess, a dirty glare before realizing all the reasons I should be thanking it instead.
For one, I’m thankful it’s only an abscess. When my horse came in for dinner on the cold first night of November, he was three-legged lame. I had never seen him in so much pain. In the half an hour it took the vet to reach us, I fretted over the possibilities of what could be wrong. What if he broke something? What if he has laminitis? What if I can never ride him again? What if..? My thoughts got more irrational by the minute. I will never be more thankful in my life to hear that my horse has an abscess than I was that night, because it could have been so much worse.
I’m also thankful that his many abscesses this year have allowed me to become quite good at wrapping hooves. I know how to soak hooves, apply poultice, and wrap vet wrap better than I ever thought I could. Before this year it would take me sometimes half an hour to do one hoof. Now, thanks to abscesses, I can do it in under five minutes.
While I haven’t been able to ride or compete my horse near as much as I had hoped to this year, these abscesses have allowed me to spend more time with him in other ways. Days that I normally would have been schooling dressage have now been spent grooming his coat to a shiny perfection. Days that we normally would have set up a gymnastics line, we have shared quiet moments while I take him on hand walks and let him eat the grass that always seems to be greener outside his pasture. Days that we may have trailered away for a lesson or a fox hunt, we instead hung out in his stall; him munching hay and me singing him songs or telling him the latest news in my life. His abscesses have allowed us to get to know one another in a different way. I will always be thankful for the calm afternoons these abscesses brought us.
Finally, I thank his abscesses because they have given me opportunities to ride more horses. While my guy was sidelined, I got to show both my trainer and her friend’s horses. I got to hunt several people’s horses in my hunt club too. I would have loved to have taken my horse to all these shows and hunts this year, but taking others is an opportunity I’m truly blessed I received.
We here at EN have a lot to be thankful for year-round. We get to work in the service of the sport we love and participate in it in a wholly unique way. It’s a gift that isn’t lost on us, and years like 2018, with all of its rewards and challenges, peaks and valleys, have bound our team closer together than ever before.
Here are a few of the things we’re thankful for this year:
Jenni Autry, Leslie Threlkeld, Shelby Allen and Leslie Wylie at WEG.
Shelby Allen: Thanksgiving rolling around at the end of the season is a perfectly timed opportunity reflect on the incredible year we’ve had. I’ve gone back to school and competing has taken the back burner, so I am extremely thankful to stay involved with this amazing sport through EN. I was especially thankful to spend a wild week with a few of them in Tryon for WEG. It was a long, slightly crazy week, but there’s no one else I’d rather do it with.
I am thankful for many things this year, but finding my new horse, Derry, has to top the list. Photo by Steve Berkowitz.
Jenni Autry: A wise man once said “choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I’m not sure I so much as chose this job as it chose me. The people I’ve been fortunate enough to meet along the way have become dear friends and ultimately family. The doors EN has opened, not just for my career but for me personally, have greatly enriched my life. From a riding standpoint, I took a giant leap forward this year thanks to working with amazing coaches who pushed me and believed in me when I needed it most: Dom and Jimmie Schramm, James Burtwell, Liz Halliday-Sharp and Joseph Murphy. I am thankful beyond words as I look ahead to the 2019 season with a supremely talented horse and the goals I have dreamed about my entire life finally within my grasp.
Ain’t no memory like a blurry memory from a Polaroid camera — but what could be better than a brilliant first four-star performance for a brilliant friend? Tilly Berendt, Hallie Coon, Celien, and Praire StipeMaas Tobul at Pau.
Tilly Berendt: Honestly? I’m thankful that there’s only a mere 102 days until the eventing season begins again! (I joke, obviously — that is a horrendously long time to wait.) In all seriousness, I feel so, so lucky to have come to the end of another year absolutely bursting with love and pride and inspiration, all because of this mad, wonderful, occasionally infuriating sport. Every season has its ups and downs, and this one has been no different — there have been some tough times, for sure, but the highs have been something seriously special. The 2018 season brought with it some indescribable joys: I welcomed my beautiful mare, Bella, into my life this spring, and she gave me the chance to get back out competing myself. The chance to set real goals again in that realm has been such a blessing, and I have to pinch myself every day when I see her silly face hanging over her stable door. But life as EN’s resident roving Brit has been pretty incredible, too — I’ve had so many brilliant adventures this year at a plethora of three- and four-stars, and I’ve once again found myself at the beating heart of a sport that means more to me than I could possibly say. I’m enormously thankful for several things: the chance to live my dream week in and week out, the vibrant and vivacious eventing community at large, old friends and wonderful new ones, and, of course, the phenomenal EN team. I spent years reading Eventing Nation and daydreaming about being part of the madness — actually doing so has exceeded every expectation I ever had, and I feel so lucky to work alongside some of the most talented and passionate people in the business. May our paths cross far more often in 2019! /end soppiness
Photo courtesy of Meagan DeLisle.
Meagan Delisle: Once a year I sit back and am reminded of just how lucky I am to live a crazy, pony-filled life. I could go on and on about all of the things I am thankful for and never reach a dead end. That being said, I will just give a massive thank you to the team at Altamonte Show Stable for coaching me, making me laugh, helping me to realize my dreams could be a reality and convincing me that no, I would not die if I went cross country schooling. A jumper at heart, this little barn family is slowly turning me to the dark side of things. And while my plans of competing at my first recognized event were shattered not once, but twice (maybe this is a sign?!?) I am very much looking forward to finally giving eventing the ole’ college try in 2019. #JumperGoneRogue
Photo by Allison Howell
Kristen Kovatch: As Eventing Nation’s token cowgirl (insert collective gasp here) I’m so thankful this year for all of my colleagues and friends across Nation Media for reminding me what a great community we’ve built. For me, it really hit home earlier this autumn at the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover, hacking around the Kentucky Horse Park with field hunter/competitive trail Meagan DeLisle of Jumper Nation and eventer Kate Samuels of Eventing Nation — the first time all three sites had ever been represented simultaneously in person. We had never met before face to face, but here we were riding and talking and laughing together like we had known each other all our lives. Back at home, the rest of the team was cheering us on every step of the way, regardless of discipline. That’s a special community, and one that I’m so thankful to be part of.
Photo by Mily Mallard.
Abby Powell: You know how the saying goes that this is a sport of high highs and low lows? This has been one of those years on the lower end of the spectrum for me personally, but it’s made me incredibly thankful for the friends and family that I have in my corner who somehow seem to know exactly when I need a hug and a helping hand versus when I need a kick in the pants to get back on the metaphorical (or literal in some cases) horse. I may not have been able to compete as much as I wanted to this year, but ultimately I have a healthy and happy horse and for that I certainly have to be grateful as well! Plus, I’ve gotten to spend another year contributing to EN alongside this wonderful, wacky, hard-working, and talented bunch and for that I am #blessed.
Grateful for ponies that make me smile like this mid-course. Photo by Nicole Patenaude.
Kate Samuels: I’ve never been much of a big picture person, and I mean that in a good way. I’m always grateful for tiny moments in life, like the memory of a perfect jump on a young horse, the happiness of your dog when you come home, a good laugh with friends when horses inevitably drive you insane, the unfailing pleasure of said horse running to meet you every morning when you stumble outside bundled up against the elements, the satisfaction of a freshly swept aisle at the end of the day, and everything in between. I love that I am part of an absurdly witty, supportive, badass feminine powerhouse like EN, and I’m so grateful that it continues to help me make real life friends and connections even after all these years! Also, I’m very very thankful for mashed potatoes with stuffing and gravy because it is my favorite part of this holiday, if I’m being totally honest.
A good herd can help you get you to the other side of pretty much anything. Photo by Amanda Charlton.
Leslie Wylie: I feel especially blessed this year to be surrounded by such an incredible herd of family, friends, co-workers and, of course, horses. Life is so much more fulfilling when you feel supported; the good times are better when you have loved ones to share them with, and the rough stuff is made a little smoother when you’ve got a friend to call or a horse’s neck to hug. My husband Tommy and I are excited to announce that our herd is about to grow a little bit bigger, as we’re expecting a baby boy in April. Due date: the second day of Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage, naturally! Nothing like a dressage live stream to soothe the nerves while one is in labor — that will be something to be truly thankful for, indeed.
“Uncle Bailey” showing Leslie he still knows a thing or two at 19 years young. Photo by Heather Lynn.
Leslie Threlkeld: I’m not one to wax poetic or get particularly emotional, but with all the sadness and frustration in the world, I consider myself to be a very lucky individual. I’m generally very healthy and so is my family. My husband and I live in our dream house on a farm we have big plans for in an area of the country we absolutely love. My mom just happens to live nearby and we get to ride together all the time. On top of that, my young Thoroughbred turns out to be a natural foxhunter and it’s been a thrill to ride to hounds with my mom and old reliable “Uncle Bailey”. Above all, I am lucky enough to have turned a little girl’s horse crazy obsession into an incredibly rewarding, fulfilling career working with the most talented and inspiring team of journalists. I am never bored and there is nothing better than writing about, photographing, and cheering for the incredible people and horses in this sport. I urge you all to be true to yourself, follow your dreams, treasure those close to you and enjoy life’s wild ride to the absolute fullest. We’re right there, galloping alongside you. Thanks for being part of the EN team, dear readers. Gobble, gobble.
Showing off my amazing husband, super star horse and Best Conditioned award at Midsouth. Photo by Megan Lynn.
Maggie Deatrick: I’m sitting in Belgium, writing this full of beer and spaghetti (as apparently one does in Belgium), after Jenni kindly reminded me that I’d had yet to find the time to contribute. That I can drop everything and head overseas speaks volumes as to what a fantastic support team I have in my life, not the least of which is the incredible EN team, my husband, Matt and Cecily Brown at East West, and my supportive parents. I’ve finally completed the first full competition season on a talented but difficult horse that I bought two years ago, culminating in a solid T3D. The future is bright and I couldn’t be more thankful to have ended the year with an optimistic outlook.
EN is all-hands-on-deck and reporting live from the 2018 Tryon World Equestrian Games! Check back here often for thoughts, observations, updates and other assorted WEG detritus.
Tuesday WEG spectator parking has been moved. Spectator parking for the WEG is now located next to our Sandy Plains Volunteer Headquarters for Monday and Tuesday. Follow Department of Transportation signs to the parking lot. Parking at the Steeplechase Lot will reconvene on Wednesday, September 19. [Parking moved]
SUNDAY, SEPT. 16
BREAKING: Show jumping will take place tomorrow at 10 a.m. EST in the U.S. Trust Arena. — Jenni Autry
We can confirm Leslie T is alive and well and did NOT get run over for the sake of getting ‘the shot,’ but it was a close call, indeed! Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
BREAKING: The final horse inspection for eventing at WEG has now moved to 2 p.m. in Ring 2. Click here for the starting order. No horses have been withdrawn prior to the horse inspection at this time. There is flooding spread throughout the venue. A time has not yet been confirmed for when show jumping will take place on Monday. — Jenni Autry
SATURDAY, SEPT. 15
The final horse inspection has been confirmed for 3 p.m. EST Sunday. Location TBD. This is subject to change so keep checking back for updates — Jenni Autry
Bernard Fonck and What A Wave make history by claiming the gold medal for Belgium. Photo by FEI/Liz Gregg.
Belgium’s Bernard Fonck made WEG history by taking individual gold in the reining — the first European to do so in the sport’s WEG history. Aboard What a Wave, Fonck rode a huge pattern to mark a 227, a score that held through USA’s Daniel Huss and Ms Dreamy (226.5), as well as Cade McCutcheon and Custom Made Gun (225). McCutcheon’s score, riding in his first WEG at the age of 18, tied with Brazil’s João Felipe Andrade and Gunner Dun It Again; McCutcheon took bronze in a run-off. Fonck’s victory symbolizes the incredible growth of reining on the international equestrian scene in the past decade, and Europe’s ability to hold its own against the discipline’s home nation. [Fabulous Fonck Shocks Americans] — Kristen Kovatch
There is still no confirmed time for the final horse inspection, as of 9:30 p.m. EST. The very second we get this information, we’ll pass it along to you. Jim Wolf, WEG Director for Eventing, did confirm to EN that the jog would be held tomorrow saying: “We have no intention of cancelling the competition. It’s likely that we’ll have to jump on Monday, have the horse inspection tomorrow, but we’re going to finish this thing.” I would like to add that this has not been confirmed officially by the FEI. Check back here! — Shelby Allen
Here comes the storm. Heaviest rainfall is set to hit the Tryon International Equestrian Center at 8 p.m., and the media center is being shut down early. Because of this, reports may come out a bit later than we would like, but we are working like mad to bring you all the latest from WEG cross country day as soon as we possibly can. In the meantime, catch up on the live updates at this link. Thanks for your patience, loyal readers! — Shelby Allen
The Dressage Freestyle has been cancelled. Following yesterday’s announcement that the dressage freestyle would run Monday morning due expected inclement weather, officials announced today: “The logistics of putting all necessary elements into place in time have proved insurmountable. As a result, and very regrettably, the Dressage Freestyle will now be cancelled.”
“We know this is desperately disappointing for the 15 athletes who had qualified their horses for the Freestyle, and of course for all the spectators who had bought tickets, but the weather has simply left us with no choice. Horse welfare has to be the top priority and flying the horses out on the same day as competition doesn’t work, so sadly the decision to cancel the Freestyle had to be taken.” [Helgstrand Dressage Freestyle cancelled]
Meanwhile, in the post-cross country press conference, WEG Director of Eventing Jim Wolf clarified that while endurance and dressage have both suffered from competition abandonments, this eventing show WILL go on: “We have no intention of cancelling the competition. It’s likely that we’ll have to jump on Monday, have the horse inspection tomorrow, but we’re going to finish this thing.” — Leslie Wylie
Weather incoming! There’s a little bit of a menacing “storm’s a comin” feeling in the air on the dawn of cross country day. As of 9:30 a.m. the National Weather Service’s forecast for Mill Spring was as follows: “Showers, mainly after 1 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 78. North northeast wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.”
Our amateur meteorological analysis is that it looks like the slow-moving, rotating storm is going to creep up on us and it’s going to start raining between noon and 1 p.m. but we’re going to be mostly on the edge of it during cross country. Pack your rain gear and keep your fingers crossed.
A number of changes have been made on account of the impending inclement weather. Cross country will run today as planned, starting at 11 a.m. EST with horses running at 3-minute intervals and fences 23A and 24B removed from the course. Eventing’s show jumping phase has been postponed until Monday, as has Sunday’s Dressage Freestyle. Read our “Final Thoughts Before WEG Cross Country” here. — Leslie Wylie
Radar at 9:30 a.m. via Weather.com.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 14
Friday End-of-Day WEG status:
— EN Staff
Isabell Werth of Germany was again unstoppable in the Grand Prix Special, taking home another gold medal. She earned her first individual medal since 2006 at a world championship aboard her once-retired Bella Rose 2. But USA’s Laura Graves and Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin put the pressure on: Graves and Verdades danced for the home crowd in their second WEG, and Dujardin and Mount St. John Freestyle floored everyone in the duo’s first world championship and fewer than ten Grands Prix to the mare’s name. [Werth Makes Good On A Promise With WEG Grand Prix Special Win] — Kristen Kovatch
Charlotte Dujardin GBR on Mount St John Freestyle. Photo FEI / Liz Gregg.
The endurance fiasco has taken a turn for the tragic. In a press conference this afternoon, theFEI confirmed that an endurance horse was euthanized following Wednesday’s race. The identity of the horse, who was euthanized off-site at Tryon Equine Hospital, was not disclosed but will be released later in a statement. Over 50 horses received veterinary treatment during or after the abandoned race for heat-related metabolic issues.
FEI President Ingmar de Vos, FEI Veterinary Director Göran Akerström, and President of the Endurance Veterinary Commission Thomas Timmons emphasized in the press conference that equine welfare was the reason for the race’s abandonment, while the circumstances surrounding the misdirection of riders which solicited a restart are still being investigated. They took a few reporter questions but many hands were still raised when the nearly 25-minute press conference was ended. Update: See full story here. — Leslie Wylie
A.m. parking update: Spectators this morning are saying that time from parking to entrance really isn’t bad. The lines are long, but they’re keeping plenty of buses in the rotation. We hear that the tricky part is just parking — no one is directing anyone is the spectator lots, so it’s a bit of a chaotic free-for-all. Apparently someone in a minivan hit one of the shuttle buses yesterday: party foul! More details on the parking situation on the website here. — Shelby Allen
An access road under construction in the galloping lane at the end of the WEG cross country on Friday morning. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Pardon the dust. A construction crew is currently hard at work building an access road across the galloping lane at the end of the WEG course. You can see fence 25 in the distance of the photo above. They assured us the road will be complete and covered in footing well ahead of tomorrow’s cross country. All jumps aside from the final fence have now been placed on course. Check out EN’s updated course preview here. — Jenni Autry
Leslie Threlkeld is suited up for battle. Photo by EN’s personal pharmacist/dermatologist/human winky face emoji Kate Lokey of the USEA.
Feeling hot, hot, hot. We’re braced for another blisteringly hot, humid day here at WEG, with a high near 90 and sauna-esque humidity. That equals a heat index you can’t take lightly. So, to reiterate lessons learned in LT’s cautionary tale below, do all the smart hot weather things: chug water, dress appropriately, wear sunscreen, and take breaks in the shade. Considered yourself mommed!
Temps are supposed to cool down a bit but get wetter for the weekend — see the latest National Weather Center forecast here. Hurricane Florence, now downgraded to a category 1, made landfall this morning some 300 miles west and slightly south of TIEC. As it disperses over land, Florence will make its way along the North Carolina/South Carolina border for the next couple days then move generally northward across the western Carolinas so … straight at us, basically. The sun is out in full force now, folks, but rain is on its way.
Saturday’s cross country start time is currently scheduled for 11 a.m. We will let you know if officials make any changes to schedule or course on account of the weather. — Leslie Wylie
THURSDAY, SEPT. 13
#OverheardAtWEG — There is currently only one tweet on Twitter that has ever used this hashtag, dating all the way back to 2010 when America last hosted the WEG in good ol’ Kentucky. Please join me in saluting the American hero who tweeted this gem: “I need to take this photo — hold my bourbon.” #OverheardAtWEG
We’re getting this hashtag started with a few things we’ve heard so far at Tryon this week.
“DADDY!!!” — screamed by a female fan as Boyd Martin exited the dressage arena
“Today was a better day. No sports got cancelled.” — wife calling home to her husband
“Is it too early to start drinking?” — heard this multiple times already and it’s only the first day of dressage
We trust that you — the great people of Eventing Nation — will not let us down in carrying this forward. Go forth and tell us what you #OverheardAtWEG. — Jenni Autry
This is a cautionary tale. As repeatedly reported, it’s hot here in Tryon. They’ve already cancelled entire sports due to the heat and humidity, and we’re really concerned about the effects of the weather come Saturday cross country. Well, after a blistering first horse inspection Wednesday, I woke up this morning thinking I was smart to wear a dress and stay cool while photographing an entire day of dressage in the sun. I was still not prepared.
After a warm but bearable morning, I walked in the media center with two dressage groups left to go later in the afternoon, and I thought the EN girls might strap me to my chair and take my camera away. I was too hot and not hydrated. I escaped back out to the ring with a lifesaving packet of electrolytes Shelby forced upon me, but it was nevertheless an uncomfortable afternoon.
What I’m trying to say is, please be careful. Do as I say, not as I do, folks. Don’t try to play tough. Drink more water than you think you need, wear a hat and breathable clothing, apply sunscreen, seek shade. Feeling groggy? Find some air conditioning. Feeling dizzy? Find the medics. The heat index here is no joke. Stay safe, sports fans. — Leslie Threlkeld
Laura Graves and Verdades for Team USA. Photo FEI/Liz Gregg.
Germany, long known as an international dressage powerhouse, clinched team gold today with USA taking silver and Great Britain earning bronze. Germany’s Isabell Werth surprised many with her selected mount Bella Rose, coming out of four years of retirement, and still managed to score not only a personal best of 84.7% with that mare but comfortably take over the lead. USA’s Laura Graves and Verdades put the pressure on but could not overtake Werth; the pair’s performance cemented USA’s silver medal position. For thorough coverage, we’ve included three links here with three perspectives:
Endurance dramz continue. The Spanish Equestrian Federation has lodged an appeal against the FEI’s decision to abandon yesterday’s endurance competition. Had medals been awarded at the time of abandonment (no official timestamp has been disclosed), Spain would have won team gold.
In its appeal, Real Federación Hípica Española noted that more than 80% of the distance had been completed by the race leaders at the time of cancellation. They also pointed out that while there is no legal precedent for the situation, but in previous competitions cancelled for reasons other than the weather medals were awarded according to placement at the moment of suspension (they cited the 2012 FEI World Endurance Championships as an example). “All of them are the reasons why we ask the FEI to reconsider its decision of not awarding medals to this championship,” the appeal concludes.
Pro tip for spectators: bring a few toiletries for an overall more comfortable experience. I haven’t struggled too much with availability of toilets, but none of the porta potties seem equipped with hand sanitizer, and there aren’t any hand washing stations. A few are beginning to run out of toilet paper as well, so pack accordingly and make your life a little nicer this week. — Shelby Allen
#Tryon2018 WEG pro tip: Bring your own hand sanitizer. I’ve yet to find a porta potty that has any sanitizer or washing station #BYOHS
Here’s a live stream hack for all you watching dressage at home! We’re getting some great commentary on the FEI TV live stream, but unlike the Burghley live stream for example, the stream does not show any marks for the movements as they come in from the judges. However, you can get a nearly real-time look at the marks from the live scores page.
First off, you’ll notice that when a test is going on, the rider is listed on the leaderboard in the place that they’re currently trending. If you click on the number in the points column, it will bring up a new window with a copy of the test and marks from each judge. This window updates automatically and tends to be a smidge ahead of the livestream. Not quite as awesome as having the scores right there on the screen while you’re watching the test, but it’s pretty darn good! — Abby Powell
Voila! Real-time scores!
Parking lot/shuttle update: In yesterday’s Spectator Guide we noted that the parking/shuttle situation was an issue. Early birds saw a much-improved situation this a.m. (although we still heard concerns that the ground would deteriorate with continued rain); later on, however, it seemed to get much worse, with seriously long lines for the shuttle at Lot F. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more, but for now we strongly recommend leaving yourself ample time for the trip. — Leslie Wylie
FEI TV giving you grief? We’ve gotten comments from several readers that they can’t access the live stream. Please note that even if you have an annual FEI TV subscription, you still have to purchase the $26.99 WEG pass. Lame, we know. UPDATE: Looks like FEI TV subscribers can now watch WEG for free — just go to “Subscriptions” and add WEG. [How to Watch the 2018 World Equestrian Games on TV + Online] — Leslie Wylie
Weather update (8:30 a.m.): Now a category 2 hurricane, Florence is expected to make landfall on Friday then begin a slow, soggy parade over the Carolinas as it disperses over land. At last update from the National Weather Service’s WEG station, “The projected weather pattern here at TIEC will be heavy rain on Sunday evening into Monday and possibly Tuesday, with winds peaking on Sunday evening at 30mph with gusts of up to 40mph.” They note that the thunderstorms we’ve been experiencing are unrelated to Florence. Currently there is no change to the arranged flights for competing horses.
Geography reminder: Tryon is about as far inland as you can get and still be in the Carolinas, some 350-400 miles (560-640 kilometers) west of the mandatory evacuation zones along the coast. So while we’re definitely going to get wet and we’ll likely get buffeted by some storms, we’re not about to get swept out to sea. In the event of severe weather, TIEC addressed the venue’s “robust” contingency plan on Tuesday — read our report from that here.
View WEG weather updates here; text “WEG2018” to 888777 (U.S. phones only) to receive immediate notifications about weather and updates on schedules and programming. — Leslie Wylie
Tryon is north of Greenville (shown on this map) near the North/South Carolina border. Image via Weather.com.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12
Controversy ruled the day in endurance, which was ultimately canceled. Numerous factors came together tragically to spell total disaster for endurance: a hot, humid day, the still-not-quite-finished state of the endurance course itself and a large part of the field getting misdirected off-course in the first loop of the race this morning. The FEI made the decision to run as a shortened 120 km track, throwing out the first loop entirely, but by 6 p.m. announced that due to high heat and humidity, the endurance event was canceled and would not be rescheduled. With the leaders just a few kilometers from the finish, the announcement was met with a near-riot and police were called in to restore order. [FEI Cancels WEG Endurance Mid-Race] — Kristen Kovatch
We’re heartbroken for eventer-turned-endurance rider Hilda Donahue, who was representing Ireland before the race got called. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Germany takes the expected lead in team dressage, but plenty of combinations have yet to show tomorrow. Germany is arguably the world powerhouse in dressage, but there’s plenty of competition. Sweden holds strong in the silver medal position and Team USA is currently in third. Team medals will be awarded after tomorrow’s competition. [Germany Remains On Top After Grand Prix Day 1 at WEG, U.S. in Third] — Kristen Kovatch
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera of Germany lead the individual dressage rankings on a score of 76.677%. Photo by Sportfot.
Team USA defends reining gold! Belgium took silver and Germany took bronze, but it was Team USA leading the way with 18-year-old Cade McCutcheon at the top of the pack with an incredible score of 229. While today crowned the team championship, it also served as the first individual qualifier; tomorrow’s consolation round will allow a few more individuals to the finals on Saturday night. Click here to watch the winning rides.
In the past four years, FEI Reining has demonstrated remarkable growth, with more countries furnishing teams as well as individuals for WEG competition. As the only western discipline at the World Equestrian Games, this all-American sport has taken off all over the world in the 16 years since it was first included. [McCutcheon Steals The Show As United States Retain Reining Team Title] — Kristen Kovatch
Cade McCutcheon and Custom Made Gun of Team USA. Photo by Sportfot.
There are plenty rules of thumb regarding how to properly acclimate an OTTB to his/her new career in the hunter/jumper industry. Ground poles, lots of turnout, haul them around to plenty of shows so they can get a feel for the environment, the list goes on and on.
The team at Brookwood Farm Sport Horses in Conyers, Georgia decided to try a new approach for preparing their 2018 mount, Frankie, for life after the track. Watch as his rider, Kaelya Markl, introduces Frankie to a wee bit of yard work.
JC Name: Franchitti is a 2012 gelding who tried his hand….err…hoof at racing a whopping six times, only to bring home lifetime earnings of a whopping $785. Despite his less than successful race career, it appears as if Frankie is loving life off the track and taking every little step in stride.
Here’s to OTTBs and their awesome sense of adaptability. Now….where did I put that leaf blower?
As what has been labeled a “sexual assault epidemic” in America continues to unfold, EN has encouraged discussion within our own equestrian community. One positive step forward has been the USEF’s embrace of Safe Sport policies as a safeguard against sexual misconduct and abuse, but the onus is on us all to utilize the resources now available. To quote a memo from the USEF issued last week: “It is essential that all members educate themselves regarding Safe Sport. Not only to understand when and how to report, but also to recognize the signs in order to prevent abuse before it occurs.”
What are the red flags we should be looking for? Who is at risk? Young people, in particular, are among the most vulnerable to being exploited by those with more power and influence than themselves. Today we share an anonymous letter recalling a working student experience that began with hope and ended with disillusionment.
Dear Olympic Hopeful,
I know you. I was you. Let me start off by saying, “you CAN do it.” If you work hard enough, seize every opportunity to learn, have self respect and integrity, you CAN do it. You will find many people throughout your life that will tell you that you CAN’T. Don’t let them use their own insecurities and failures to weigh you down.
Sometimes though, when you least expect it, things will happen to you that are out of your control. You just can’t predict the way people will behave. Some people have no humanity and therefore will try to take yours for themselves. It’s an unfortunate reality, and I am very sorry for that part of life.
A story:
When I was 22 years old, I got a job with my HERO. The man I had looked up to my whole life. The man who would teach me to be an Olympian. I left my life, family and friends, bought a horse which we were going to train together, and moved to a different state. I was going to be his assistant. I was completely under-qualified, but I was ready to seize every opportunity to learn.
I found a place to live that I couldn’t afford, moved there with the horse I was making payments on, only had a bicycle for transportation as I couldn’t afford a car, and just figured I would MAKE IT WORK. That’s what you do when you have dreams and goals. You just make things work.
My first day on the job, my “hero” asked me to come up to the house after I was settled in. I knocked on the door and he answered with two Budweisers in hand. I asked where his wife was, but she was out at the time. I took it and went to sit down. However, before I could do that, I was quickly pinned up against the wall, and this man — who was decades older than I — was inches from my face.
I stammered, “What are you doing?” He replied calmly and without stopping his forward motion, “I am trying to kiss you.” I quickly replied something like “Umm, no thank you,” and awkwardly left. Even as I write this almost 20 years later, my stomach is in knots, my face is hot, and I am ashamed and embarrassed. Why? He did it, not me.
In one moment, he crushed me. My hero was human. And a pig. And a liar. My hero was a human pig with zero class or respect for me or my dreams.
It should come as no surprise that two days later I was “let go” due to “financial reasons.” So now I had a horse, no car, no job, living in a place I couldn’t afford. Thanks, fallen hero. Thanks a lot.
Why am I telling you this story? Because people will try to take your power. Don’t let them. I am sure there are other victims of his out there. And if not his, others. It’s a sad story in all aspects of the world. Those who have power think they can take from those that don’t. Don’t let anyone take your power. You have your own.
Don’t give up on your dreams. My Olympic dreams ended, but other dreams began. And I poured my heart and soul in to those, and you know what? I am happier than I could have ever imagined.
You can do it. The only person you have to answer to is you. You take care of YOU. You are your first line of defense. I hope this never happens to you. But if it does, maybe hearing my story will leave you a little more prepared.
I will be cheering for you to win gold, Hopeful One.
New allegations continue to surface daily in what has been labeled a “sexual assault epidemic” in America. More and more Silence Breakers are starting to feel like they have a safe space to share their own stories, with the #MeToo movement on social media playing a critical role in empowering those who once felt like they had no voice. It should come as no surprise that our equestrian community is not immune from the epidemic. Today we share an anonymous letter we hope will give others in our community the courage to find a voice. You are not alone.
In solidarity,
The Nation Media team
Dear younger self,
I remember you. The horse-crazy kid who gets dropped off at the barn after school every day and loiters there from sunup to sundown all summer long. Mucking stalls, riding everything you can, bombing around bareback without a care in the world. You are eager to learn, to be the very best, and you hang on your trainer’s every word. You devour horse magazines cover to cover, cutting out photos of top riders and pinning them to your bedroom walls.
I remember you. The starry-eyed teenager with gold-plated Olympic dreams. Jumps are getting higher; things are getting serious; the sport of eventing has become your whole world. Your trainer takes a particular interest in you, gives you the ride on a nice horse that will take you to the next level. You are the star student and you thrive on the attention — it makes you feel special, even exceptional. It makes you feel seen.
You are also naive and impressionable, and so you feel confused when your trainer’s attention moves from verbal praise into the realm of the physical, the sexual.
Molestation is an ugly word, so you don’t use it — after all, it isn’t like you are kicking and screaming to get away. Another word you don’t use is “no,” and as a result you feel responsible for the blurring of boundaries. You feel complicit. Besides which, what if you tell someone and the nice horse gets taken away, or your parents take away horses altogether? None of these seem like risks worth taking, so it goes on, for years.
I remember when your secret begins wearing you down. How when you drive to and from the barn, you start to fantasize about stepping on the gas and veering off the road. It feels like your only option for escape. One bitter winter night you finally do it, but it doesn’t go as planned. Your car is wrecked but you are uninjured, and so the nightmare continues.
At 18 you finally make your getaway. You take a working student position several hours away, in a top-level barn with positive, healing energy. You start over with a young OTTB, who will eventually become your own self-made upper level horse. You are alive, healthy and happy again.
But acts of sexual predation are widespread, scaling all strata of equestrian sport — even the sacred iconography that adorned your childhood bedroom walls. Like the time you go out to dinner with a group of riders at a three-day event — you’re maybe 19 by now — and the big name rider sitting next to you begins rubbing your thigh. Under the table, with his wife sitting across from you. He doesn’t even know your name and he is groping you. You begin to realize that the powerful take what they want, when they want it. You sit stiffly and pick at your dinner, laughing it off later with friends.
Life goes on.
Your first trainer is still out there, teaching young girls and running summer camps. And, as you’ll eventually learn, you aren’t the last “star student.” Some years later, within the statute of limitations, you consider pressing charges but — more horse-poor than ever as a struggling young professional — you can’t afford a lawyer.
As for the big-name rider who thought it was OK to feel up a random teenager under the table? He went on to represent the U.S. on the world’s biggest stages.
So what happens to you? The good news is, you’ll be fine (with the help of some good therapists of both the horse and human variety). In fact, you’ll be amazing. You’ll grow smarter, stronger and more adventurous. You’ll keep riding, marry a wonderful man, surround yourself with great friends, and land your dream job. You may or may not make it to a four-star, but you’ll find a place for yourself within the sport that fulfills you. Moreover, you’ll find your voice. And you’ll use it to talk about things that have meaning. Like this.
Know this, younger self: You are not alone. You are neither the first nor the last victim of a rider, trainer, owner, sponsor, employer, auxiliary, etc. who has used their power and influence to involve themselves sexually with someone younger and more vulnerable than themselves. You’re not as isolated as you feel, and you have access to more support* than you know.
To be clear, this is not a one-size-fits-all conversation. The two anecdotes I have shared from my own life exist at opposite ends of the spectrum, in terms of intensity and duration, but it is the same spectrum. The common denominator is a lack of awareness of power dynamics — who has power, who does not, and how it can be abused. And that needs to change.
I am writing this letter as acknowledgement that my voice is, and always has been, worth listening to. And as a warning against allowing my sense of self-worth to become entangled with the value of my body. And to give myself permission to let go of the guilt, shame and pain I have carried around for so long, regarding not only these incidents but others that would accumulate in the years to follow. It has taken the emergence of a broader cultural conversation to say these things out loud, even if under the veil of an anonymous letter.
I wish I was braver, like others who have come forward with their stories in full transparency. But perhaps my story is more poignant with no names attached, no fingers pointed. Who am I? I could be anyone: your friend, your student, your daughter. A face in the cross country warm-up. The rider stabled next to you at an event. Perhaps my story resembles your own.
If this letter resonates with any of you reading it, then I am writing it for you, too.
I realize that by declining to name names, I’m not exactly ripping down the veil of silence. As individuals and as a sporting culture, we have historically protected abusers. We sweep stories like mine under the rug because they disrupt the narrative about our beloved sport that we wish to believe, a narrative that does not include the degradation of its most vulnerable athletes.
But this letter, my letter, isn’t about specific names. It’s about a deeply troubling dynamic of exploitation that has long permeated equestrian sport at every level. Surely, there is something I — we — can do to throw a wrench in its gears, for the sake of this and future generations of at-risk young riders to come. Hopefully this letter is a solid first step.
I remember you. Love,
Me
*Editor’s Note: For support, information, advice or referrals, we recommend contacting the trained support specialists at RAINN, Safe Horizon and SafeSport, a function of the IOC dedicated to stopping child abuse in sport and creating a safe culture in sports programs across the country. You may also contact the author directly at [email protected].
