The Rocky Start Stables' Crew circa 2008. Enjoying their horses and loving life! That's what it's about!
With all of this talk of the Olympic teams being chosen, I have been doing a lot of thinking about my calling in the eventing world. We all have to make a decision with our riding and competing. Where do we want to go with this? Let’s just be honest, as youngsters, we probably all were sure that we would find our “Pie” and ride off into the sunset like National Velvet. Finding a horse that no one else could ride, training it ourselves, and going on to compete at the Olympics is something that most aspiring youth riders dream. Been there, done that.
Fast forward to the real world. I have been riding all of my life, but I have only been jumping and eventing for 8 years. Only eight years, you might ask. Aren’t you going Advanced? Yes, yes, I am. I always dreamed that one day I would be here, but as I got older, I was not sure how much was reality, and how much was a wisp of smoke. Honestly, for me, finding THE horse was what proved to me that I can do it, and I deserve to do it. I believe that is what pushed me to this level.
Enough about me, though, what about you, Eventing Nation?!? Do you want to ride on a big scale, or are you happy to ride Novice? As eventers, we picked this sport for its ability to keep us on our toes, no matter what level, right? I don’t think it matters what you want to do with your riding, as long as you are having fun and doing what YOU aspire to do. Enjoying horses and enjoying what we do with them (no matter what level that is) is the whole point, right? We are here to have fun! (and win lots of ribbons!!)
My point in all of this is to remember why you are here and what you are all about. You don’t have to dream the same dreams as everyone else. Accomplishing your dreams is important whether your dream is to go to the Olympics or to do your first Training 3-Day.
This picture is probably my all time favorite. I love the shots of my horse and I soaring over huge XC fences, but there is just something about this picture that touches me. It shows the indescribable bond between my horse and I. People that don’t ride don’t really get it. There are even people that do ride that don’t really get it. That makes me sad. The trust that I have in my boy and he in me is something that makes me feel complete. I don’t have children, nor do I really have any desire to have any, but I think that is probably the only other thing that compares. (I know, I know, there is NOTHING like being a parent) My horse gives me his all, and he trusts me to take care of him and make the right decisions for him.
Sinead Halpin just wrote a very good blog about the reasoning behind the decisions she made for her horse. I admire her horsemanship, and her willingness to put her horse’s best interest first. Decisions like that can make or break your dreams. Owning a horse at any level takes a lot of responsibility. However, now that I am riding at the upper levels, I have found that the amount of pressure you feel is so much greater. The reward can feel that much bigger, but the consequences of a bad decision can be that much more.
I tend to run through the online forums now and then, and it never ceases to amaze me how many people criticize the decisions that others make about their horses. Yes, if you are going to be an upper level rider, you are asking to be in the spotlight. People are going to judge you. That is human nature. However, as fellow horse lovers, I would think that people would cut them a little slack. I am by no means a BNR (Big Name Rider), but I am already feeling the pressure of making the right decisions. I feel like I have worked very, very hard, and I am living my dreams. I don’t want to make one wrong step and have it all come crashing down.
After my Bromont debacle, my competitive nature wanted to run right back out and compete. I wanted to prove that I could do it. That I wouldn’t let that one split-second mistake shadow my season. I had applied for the grant to go to Rebecca Farm, and I had every intention of going if I got it. However, during my vacation, I started thinking long and hard. Was that what was really best for my horse? Was I doing it for myself or for him? Were we really ready to head straight back out on a big trip? When I was honest with myself, I realized the answer was “No” to all of these questions. The other day, I got the e-mail saying I had received the grant. It was with a heavy heart that I had to write back to them and kindly decline. I was so honored to receive this grant, and it was so difficult to turn down. All I had to do was go out to the barn and have my amazing pony push his head into my chest. That’s all it took. I knew I had made the right decision. It was just not fair to him to turn around and make another huge trip. We aren’t ready.
My point in telling this story is not to make myself look good. Trust me, I battled my inner competitor for a long time. I am telling this because I want people to understand how difficult it is to be put in that sort of position. To have to fight what you *think* you want with what is really right. These amazing athletes of ours can sometimes make us feel like we can do anything. We have to force ourselves to stop and think about what is reality. One of my favorite quotes came from a magnet on my parents’ refrigerator, “Don’t give up your long term dreams for what you want today.” I’m not sure who said it, but I love it.
I know that all of the riders prepping for the Olympics are feeling a lot of pressure right now. I give a lot of credit to Marilyn Little-Meredith for making the decision that was right for her horse, even though it went against what she really wanted. That is true horsemanship. We, as spectators, need to trust that our riders are doing what is best. If things backfire, instead of pointing fingers, we need to remember that we are all human. We all make mistakes. We can hope and pray that the results of bad decisions do not cost us our horses. Hindsight is 20/20.
I hope that we can all unite as horse lovers, crazy eventers, and friends and support each other. You never know when a big decision will fall in your lap, and you will need all of the support you can get.
Well, summer has finally arrived, and with it, the oh so comfortable heat and humidity that comes with living in NC! Bug has been on vacation since Bromont, and I just spent the last week in Florida with friends. I must send out a huge thank you to Eric and Daryl Bush for treating my husband and I to an amazing trip to Ocala and Orlando!!
During this trip, I did a lot of thinking about my horses, competition, and life in general. With the Olympics upon us and stress levels so high, it is hard to remember that sometimes, we just need to let go! All horse people, pros and amateurs alike, tend to get swallowed by this thing that we live, breath, and love. I know that I spend 95% of my day thinking and doing horse things. When I’m not with the horses, I’m probably planning something horse related or writing something horse related or dreaming something horse related. Sometimes, I catch myself telling my poor husband the twentieth horse story of the day. I find it very hard to turn that part of me off, as it IS who I am. I am sure that I am not the only one that feels that way!
However, I believe that it is so important for we horse people to live “normal” lives now and then. We tend to get so involved with our horses, that we sometimes forget how to deal with humans. Love them or hate them, we still have to be able to deal with others on some level! Professionals must learn to deal with humans if they want to be prosperous in this sport. Let’s just be honest, those that are good at dealing with people are doing much better than those that are not. Sometimes, it is not the best trainers that have the most students and horses, it is those that can talk the talk and deal with others. Unfortunately, those that get along great with animals are not always the ones that interact with people very well.
I tried very hard on my vacation to act like a “normal” human being. Of course, my husband and friends will still tell you that I talked about my horses and texted my working students regularly to check on my “babies.” However, I did put forth a concerted effort to be normal. Not only did my horse need a break from me and the sport, but I found that I feel so much better after my trip. I had time to get away from the stress of everything and take a look from far away. Sometimes, distance can make the picture so much clearer. Stepping away made my path for this journey that much clearer to me.
I am back from vacation and ready to rumble! I have new plans and new ideas. My brain is clear and my body is ready to get kicked into shape! I hope that after all of this Olympic stress, that all of those involved will get a good brain cleanse too!
How many of you are planning some way to be non-horsey for a bit this summer??
I don’t know about anyone else, but when I have a big show, my brain is like a huge crockpot of stress turned on high. If I don’t keep it entertained, it will boil over onto the counter and create a huge mess. Who wants to come home from work to find that?!?!
After going through the long journey to Bromont and back, dealing with the stress of my first big 3*, and dealing with the disappointment that it brought, I have come up with a fun list of must haves on a big trip like this!
The Rocky Start Crew! Coach, Groom/PR Rep, Rider, Team Cooks!!
1. Be surrounded by amazing people! The better your support group, the more you can keep your stress down.
2. Bring someone on the drive that won’t mind when you start talking gibberish in the wee hours of the morning. For instance, I may possibly have started a discussion on why it would be a cool experiment to clone George Washington and Abe Lincoln and see if they could fix the country. Where did that idea come from? Starting the trip at midnight and an extra strength 5 hour energy that petered out with 11 more hours to the trip!
Coach!! Kid in a candy store.
3. Have a coach who isn’t afraid to have fun and keep things light! Yes, you want someone who will push you and get the best out of you, but you also need someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously!
I think Jordan is ready for the Duck eventing 3*!
The proper way to clean a sheath....
Jordan taking advantage of the "Employees Only" outhouse
I see hula dancing in my near future
4. When the jumps are 3* level, one must have FUN with them while walking the course to keep from having a heart attack.
Poutine!
5. Enjoy the local food! Who knows what you might find tasty!
Our layover in Vermont on the way up.
6. Stay somewhere amazing when you layover on the trip. I suggest Vermont in summer no matter where you are traveling. It’s worth going out of the way.
Jordan having a nice, tall glass of Bonnie.
7. Take pictures of random things that make you laugh. One can always go back on a grumpy day and have another chuckle!
All of this sounds crazy, I’m sure. However, I definitely found myself having a great time at Bromont without feeling like I was going to vomit every other hour. Not only did I have an amazing time with my horse, but I enjoyed the trip itself! Isn’t that what we’ve been learning?? Enjoy the journey no matter what!!
All photos and video taken by Jordan Lambert and used with permission.
Bug showing off his big boy trot
I know many of us have dealt with disappointment in life. With horses, one had better get used to it. We make plans in pencil, and by the time the season is over, the paper on the calendar is worn through from being erased so many times, right?
Driving to Bromont was a long haul. (of course, not as long as The Team Wallace/Holling Eventing/Law Eventing escapade) When we finally made it to Bromont, I was amazed at the beauty of the place. What a gorgeous venue! Bug settled in quickly and really enjoyed the Canadian water. He drank more buckets of water than he ever drinks at home! I guess I will have to start having it shipped in for The Superstar.
Passing the jog
Bug jogged up great for the first horse inspection, and we were ready to rumble. He was a bit stiff in his work when we first got there, but after following Bonnie’s plan closely, he was feeling great in the warmup before our test on Thursday. He didn’t seem fazed by the atmosphere of the bigger venue. He went in and performed the best test of our career thus far! It was clear that all of our hard work is paying off!!! Yes, we have a lot of work to do to create more collection and softness, but we are definitely on the right track! The process of watching it all come together has been quite fun. I know, I know….I just admitted that dressage is fun. Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone.
Our test scored a 59! In my book, that’s not too shabby for our first big 3 star. We were sitting in 9th place. I was THRILLED!
Bonnie and I walked Derek di Grazia’s course a few times. The course was big and bold with a lot of tough questions. I knew I was going to have to be on my game to get it done. The optimum was just under 10 minutes, and the course included a lot of terrain. I was really hoping that all of the fitness work I had done with him had paid off. This was going to be a true test.
Saturday brought a lot of nerves, but I felt that we could tackle the course. Bug felt great out of the box over the first part of the course. He went through the first few questions like they were easy peasy. We came up to Fence 10, which was a big max table. As he took off, he jumped huge and really drifted to the right in the air and landed off the track. I wanted to be sure he was straight and listening to me for Fence 11, as it was an ABC combination in the water. He added in at the A element, a big rail into the water. I really kicked him on landing to move him up to the brush log in the middle of the water, which he jumped great. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite stay out enough on the bending line to the big brush corner and went more straight toward it. The next part happened so fast, that I don’t really remember much. Bug was a bit too far right on take off and jumped up over the high brush of the right side of the right flag. (the brush was about 6′ tall, so this was no small feat!) Honestly, I had my eyes up when we took off, and I was sure that we were between the front flags and had drifted right in the air. However, after seeing the picture on the COTH, I realized that we weren’t even close. …back to the story…. Anyway, we landed and I kept going. In my head, I was thinking, “Was I inside the flags? Well, if I wasn’t, they’ll pull me up.” If I had more experience and had been thinking faster, I would have landed and gone and jumped the option. It would have been a 20, but at least it wouldn’t have been elimination! On I went!
The corner debacle from another angle
Bug and I jumped all of the way to Fence 23ABC before they pulled me up. He jumped all of the rest of the course like a champ and wasn’t far off of our minute markers. I am SO THRILLED with him. Am I beyond disappointed?!?!? Yes. Have I and am I still kicking myself in the butt?!?! Yes. I am so upset with myself for missing my line and causing such a debacle. However, a lot of people have talked to me about this whole thing, and I have realized that this was a great learning experience for me. Bug and I are so new to this level, that we are bound to have things like this happen. I am very thankful that we are both fine and ready to fight another day. I learned that my horse definitely has what it takes to be a 3 star horse (and take up Grand Prix show jumping if he feels the inclination!). I learned what to do in this sort of situation if it ever happens in the future. There are many things that I have taken away from this experience. It also helped to hear that Peter Barry and his wonder horse did the same thing later in the CIC***.
We are home and happy. Bug is getting a mini vacation, as he definitely earned it! Where to next? I am not quite sure yet. I have applied for the grant to go to Rebecca Farm. If that happens, it looks like another huge road trip will be in order. (Must make sure the iPod is updated with new fun things this time!) Without that grant, I will probably just wait and start the fall off with Millbrook. After Bug’s down time, we will be back at our training with a new fervor.
The log in the water before the corner
I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to have such an amazing horse, amazing opportunties, and an amazing group of people supporting me. SOOOOO many people in the eventing community stepped up to support us, and I appreciate that so much. I also am so thankful to Bonnie Mosser for all of her insight and training, and to Jordan Lambert for being my official groom and press secretary at the show. Also, a big thanks to Snider’s Elevator, Ariat, Stubben, and ADM Nutrition for believing in me. I greatly appreciate everything everyone has done for me. It has been a fun journey, and I can’t wait for the next one!
