View Classifieds
Articles Written 173
Article Views 267,146

Lila Gendal

Achievements

Become an Eventing Nation Blogger

About Lila Gendal

Latest Articles Written

The Upcoming Season And Daunting Factoids

By on Mar 17, 2014 9:00 am -

For some, the 2014 competition season is well underway. Riders are entering their fourth, fifth, or sixth event for this season. They are definitely in it, so to speak. That unmistakable and unavoidable “rusty” first event of the season is long gone. Then, there’s the rest of us, or the masses, who are just now starting to think about and start planning our 2014 eventing calendars. I don’t know about the rest of you, but entering an event when there’s 462 inches of snow in your backyard seems daunting on multiple levels.

Daunting Factoid #1. I have been very lucky because I have an indoor riding arena I can use, but I have not been able to hack my horses since November because of all the interminable ice. Although, indoor or no indoor it seems very unlikely that I will get the opportunity to go cross-country schooling prior to my first event, which will be the case for most Area 1’ers. Of course, that won’t stop from me going to a competition, but being able to get your horse out running and jumping even once before your first event is preferable.

I often wonder how crazy or wild my horses will be at their first event? Will there be airs above ground? Bucking, leaping, snorting, and/or bolting? The answer at this point is up in the air, which seems like an appropriate answer under the circumstances.

Daunting Factoid #2. We can’t blame our horses. Presumably, some of our horse are fit or have a decent base on them, so one could expect one’s horse to exude enthusiasm after not competing for six or seven months. I like to take my first event with a grain of salt. You sort of have to go with the flow and withhold any unreasonable expectations. For example: Dressage: If I can stay in the ring and attempt each movement, that would be great. Cross country: If I can make it over every jump, even if my horse takes off or leaps out of the start box, that would be great. Show Jumping: If I can make it over the first and last jump, I just might be a happy camper. 

Daunting Factoid #3. Of course, there’s the inevitable worry that you and your horse are not fit enough to compete. Have I pushed myself as hard as I could this winter? Can my horse gallop without having galloped since September? Of course, I’m not really talking about Prelim and up competitors, I’m talking about Beginner Novice thought Training competitors. If your horse is relatively fit and if you have been riding him or her for most of the winter, chances are your horse will not keel over from a Beginner Novice cross-country course!

Again, I’m not sure about the rest of you, but I have been riding with me and myself only. This winter I have grown accustomed to riding in front of a bird, and on an occasion, a squirrel, and these creatures tend to not judge you or laugh. Which brings me to:

Daunting Factoid #4: How do I not humiliate myself in public at my first event? Fortunately, most of us are sailing around in the same boat. We have been hibernating all winter, and the thought of not only riding but looking like we know what the heck we’re doing in front of the masses seems unnerving to say the least.

Daunting factoids aside, I cannot wait to get out and compete. I have been dreaming about galloping and jumping for months now, and to think I could be competing at the end of April is thrilling beyond words. The first events are so exciting. Of course, there are nerves and fears, but there are goals waiting to be met and smiles waiting to be put on and adrenaline waiting to take over.

Plus, there are so many fabulous venues in Area 1 to kick off your season. For some, there’s UNH, for others, King Oak, Hitching Post, or perhaps a low-key schooling three-phase at Pirouette Farm. Wherever you compete first, just know in the back of your mind that nobody is there to point fingers or to judge you. There’s an unspoken understanding in the eventing world, at least in this area, that we are all in the same boat and we are all out there trying our best because we love this sport. We are there to have fun and cheer each other on, no matter how glorious or horrific your ride.

Do YOU Believe? Anna and Vega’s Story

By on Mar 13, 2014 3:00 pm -
Anna and the gorgeous Vega Monster. Photo credit to Jodi Kelly Photography. Anna and the gorgeous Vega Monster. Photo credit to Jodi Kelly Photography.

I have always been a skeptic by nature. I don’t really trust people I don’t know. I find overly cheerful and bubbly individuals peculiar. I think if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I would describe myself as a pessimist, a realist and, at times, a conspiracist. Trusting someone or something has been a challenge to say the least. And the answer is yes, I do have friends. How do I have any friends … that remains a mystery.

This idea of trust and believing in something really came to mind after I visited with my buddy Anna Loschiavo last week. For those of you who know Anna, she is the epitome of cheerful and bubbly, but she is a badass, hardcore event rider underneath all that positivity. Therefore, I do not find her odd in the least. She is tenacious and almost fearless as an event rider (and as a person), and her passion for this sport is contagious. We chatted for hours about all things horses. She told me a story about her amazing retired two-star gelding Vega Monster that really made an impression on me.

Anna: “Vega (Lucky Light III) is an imported Danish Warmblood who my aunt bought at age 5 to be a dressage horse. The only problem was Vega didn’t want to be a dressage horse. She worked diligently with him for 6 years. Unfortunately, Vega wasn’t having it. Not only was he difficult in the dressage arena, he wanted NOTHING to do with the trail. I remember when I was 11, my mom and I would drive up the driveway and look at him in the neighboring pasture to ours and say, ‘Wow, he looks like he could be such a cool event horse!’ We, of course, were partly naïve, but as Jimmy Wofford said in ‘Training the Three-Day Event Horse and Rider’: ‘You will never enjoy yourself as much as you would riding a horse that you fell in love with at first sight.’

Anna and Vega Monster at Chatahoochee Hills CIC** in Georgia, their last event together. Photo credit to Hoof Clix

Anna and Vega Monster at Chatahoochee Hills CIC2* in Georgia, their last event together. Photo credit to Hoofclix Photography.

Vega and I were no exception. My parents bought him for me in 2005, and although I have ridden amazing horses since, he will always be that horse for me. At the time of purchase, I was 14 and had competed in one Training level event with another horse; Vega was 11 and was moderately to quite explosive in the arena and couldn’t go so far as beyond the end of the driveway without complete refusal (bucking, spinning, leaping, airs above ground, you name it …). So our relationship began.

I decided to take a new approach to my misbehaving horse who only wanted to fly backwards, and when he didn’t want to go somewhere, we backed there. Strangely, it worked. After a bit of a fit, I could back him almost anywhere. We even crossed over our first stream backwards. I would frequently turn him around and ask him if he wanted to go forward, and when he threw a fit, we proceeded to quietly back up. I still remember crystal clear the first day I came back to the barn from a ‘hack’ with Vega and exclaimed to my mom, ‘Guess what! We went the WHOLE way away from and back to the barn going FORWARD today!’ It was turning a point!

We began taking lessons with Jane Hamlin, and in addition to our formal lessons, I came up with a formula to cure his ‘spookiness.’ If I said jump, Vega had to. Yes, I was young and naïve but determined. I scoped out all obstacles first, but I would ask him to jump almost anything ‘jumpable’ that I could find on trail rides and around the barn. Vega did it. I said jump, and he learned to say how high.

For me I feel like the rest is history. We went to Young Rider Championships in 2009, where we put in a double-clear cross-country and finished fourth as a team. In 2010, we went and trained with Phillip Dutton and moved up to Intermediate and completed a CIC2*. Vega was 16 at the time, and after an injury after the event, the two-star marked the last event of our career together. People say it’s not the destiny but the journey that’s important, and I completely understand that. Everyone has a special horse at some point in life, and although I hope to compete beyond what Vega and I did, I’ll be hard pressed to find another who can compare to who Vega was to me. Vega wouldn’t leave the property in 2005 and had never jumped a cross-country fence, and in 2010 I competed in a CIC2* and could take him for a hack bareback in a halter and two lead ropes at the drop of the hat with full confidence.”

"One of the fences on our first Intermediate at Southern Pines, 2010." photo credit to Melanie Loschiavo

One of the fences on Anna and Vega’s first Intermediate at Southern Pines in 2010. Photo credit to Melanie Loschiavo.

Anna and Vega’s story inspires me beyond words. I lack some qualities as an event rider, one of which is complete confidence. Sometimes I leave the start box wondering if I will in fact make it around the cross-country course, or if my horse will like number 10a, or if I will crash and burn at the skinny out of the water? Then I look at people like Anna and think if she can do this, and she can make a horse who wouldn’t go down the driveway into a two-star horse, why can’t I believe more in myself and my horses? If I don’t believe in myself or my horses, how the hell am I ever going to accomplish great things as an event rider? We only get to live once, and these are the years to see what we are made of, so, for me, it’s now or never! Thank you, Anna, for inspiring me!

Where’s August?

By on Mar 9, 2014 5:00 pm -
What I would do for summer right now... What I would do for summer right now...

Last week I trailered over to Sue Berrill’s for a couple jump lessons. I have not jumped in front of anyone since December, and to say I felt rusty would be a major understatement. I was anxious about riding in front of a professional. I was worried about my horse’s fitness and ride-ability. I was wondering where my three stride eye had vanished off to.

Fortunately, I had minimal expectations. I arrived at her farm with a simple mission: Get my horses away from Tamarack Hill Farm for a day, and make sure they go over every jump I point them at. This might sound incredibly pathetic, but whenever I expect a life changing ride I am setting myself up to fail, and to be disappointed. I have discovered that riding is less stressful when you remain open minded and go with the flow (something I have not always been accustomed to). Not only did my horses meet my slight requests, but they ultimately exceeded my expectations.

Even though my horses jumped fairly well and felt pretty good under the circumstances, I couldn’t help but wonder how you can go from feeling like you are on top of the world in the midst of the summer, to feeling like a useless individual who seems like they have only been riding for three weeks in the winter?

As a rider, my biggest challenges are my expectations of myself. Whenever I am having a rough ride, or a difficult lesson, I am not mad at my horse, or my trainer, but rather I am furious with myself. If I have the innate ability at certain moments in my life to ride a certain way, then why can’t I tap into those skills all the time? If I can ride a certain way in August, why can’t I ride similarly in February? Why do I feel like I have lost half of my skills, and muscle memory? Why do I feel like I am coming out of the winter ten times worse than I came into it? Is it because am I not competing? Is it because I am not getting any help from Denny or Lindle? Is it because my horses have lost fitness from not hacking? Is it because I have lost fitness? How can you become worse at something you care so much about, and work so hard at on a daily basis? When does this rust start to peel off?

Whether you have been riding out in the snow, up and down dirt roads, or have been stuck inside all winter, many of us feel agitated and trapped by this never ending season. Not all of us have the privilege of packing up our belongings and heading south to Aiken, Ocala, or Southern Pines for the winter. This does not mean that we don’t want it just as badly as those who can afford to leave want it. This does not mean that we are inferior to all those southerners. This does not mean that we are incapable of progressing.

What does this mean for all of us frozen icicles?  For starters, we are tenacious. We trudge through snow banks. We hammer out frozen ice buckets. We have chapped lips, and dry cracking hands. We push ourselves beyond what we think we can handle. We have drive. We have dedication. But what we really want is for this winter to be over. We want trail riding on warm spring days. We want to see the color green. We want to hear water rushing through rivers. We want to watch our naked horses roll in their fields. We want to wiggle a nozzle, and watch water instantaneously trickle out. We want to give our horses baths. Even though it would be uplifting and inspiring to offer some grand advice for all my fellow sufferers, all I can tell you is this: start praying now!

Life With A Farrier

By on Mar 7, 2014 3:30 pm -

How many of you dream about meeting, falling in love with, and living happily ever after with a farrier? How many of you deal with hoof issues on a regular basis? How many of you cringe when you look at your latest shoeing bill? How many of you pray that a sweet, loving, caring, helpful, attractive, and talented farrier will miraculously walk into your barn one morning and never leave? We are all well aware of the fact that farriers are needed, and always will be needed. Horses and farriers go hand in hand; one cannot exist without the other. Brace yourselves, because you may or may not hate me after this next statement. Hi, my name is Lila Gendal, I am an event rider and I am in a relationship with a farrier, and we have been together for over eight years now. Should I stop now, or continue on?

Life with a farrier obviously has its perks. My horses always (or eventually) get cared for, and my bills are negotiable. I live with the man, so reminding him when my horses are due is not a problem. If I have a shoeing, or a hoof emergency I don’t have to wait a very long time to get help. I always get an honest and realistic opinion. Plus, I have learned a lot from watching him, and asking questions.

Perks for others. If I happen to enjoy your company, or I think somewhat highly of you, then maybe, just maybe I can assist you when you are at Tamarack and you are in need of a farrier. Truth be told, this man is like Where’s Waldo’s brother for most of the summer. If he’s not building fence, he is sawing lumber. If he is not at the sawmill, he is welding. If he is not welding, he is fixing his tractor. If he is not fixing his tractor, he has left for the afternoon with his dogs and god only knows where he vanished off to. So, if I am in a good mood on a particular day, and some poor suffering working student desperately needs to get a hold of this man, I might be of some assistance. So, future Tamarack working students, this information might be worth a mental note!

Life with a farrier also has its challenges. Laugh all you want, but as the years have passed, getting my horses trimmed, or shod can turn into a battle, a strategic mind game, a trade off, a one sided compromise, or an argument. For example: ME: Hey there oh wise one…you look especially buff today, have you been working out? HIM: The answer is NO. ME: But you haven’t even heard what I am going to… HIM: NO. ME: okay, IF I make you homemade chili, fold the laundry and buy you a 30 pack of your favorite adult beverage, would you consider shoeing Valonia? HIM: Hmmpfff…fine, but only when I have time, and you have to cook dinner for a week. ME: Done. Deal!

Again, not a hypothetical conversation. This occurred several days ago. Unfortunately I have to already start planning my negotiating scheme for the next shoeing cycle. Relationships, I am learning are built on compromise. This concept is not revolutionary, it’s been around since cave men were crawling around. If we want something from someone else, we give them something of ours that’s valuable. Unfortunately, I have very few real world skills, unless I am doing something with a horse. However I am becoming a better cook, baker and can perform simple and basic physical tasks, such as stacking wood, or raking leaves, which in this household are desirable skills. I’m learning that the art of trading, or compromise is key in some relationships, especially when your significant other has total power over your horse staying sound or not.

When Is It MY Turn?

By on Mar 2, 2014 9:00 am -
Valonia Valonia

Evidently, the man who came up with the infamous phrase, patience is a virtue, clearly was not a struggling event rider. Perhaps he dealt with other challenges back in the 13th, or 14th century like the Plague, or The Hundred Years War that lead him to such a saying. Regardless, this patience game is some kind of a double ended sword. In other words, the idea that patience leads towards immense goals and rewards seems luring on one hand, and yet simultaneously daunting at the same time. How can we remain patient when we want certainty, and immediate answers and results? How can we wait around an indefinite amount of time when there’s no guarantee that what we want, and what we most desire in our lives will be waiting for us?

Patience is something that I have been learning about. I have become more patient as the years have gone by, but every now and again I question myself, my riding, my training, my abilities, and basically I question my entire horse obsessed life, in a nutshell. Even though I feel incredibly juvenile saying this, I often wonder to myself when is it going to be my turn?  Obviously every rider has traveled up and down various paths that have led them to where they are. I would never in a million years regret my path, but I do from time to time question when it will be my turn. When will I be able to compete at the upper levels? When will I travel up and down the east coast just to compete? When will my horse get his or her passport? When will I get to wear that shadbelly? When will people start watching me, interviewing me, and aspiring to ride like me?

Skybreaker

Skybreaker

When I was old enough to really understand the sport of eventing, I knew that this was my niche and that someday I would go advanced. Looking back at my teenage years, I was so arrogant, and so blind sighted in so many ways. I thought I would be going Prelim by the time I was 18, and by the time I was 23 I would be going advanced. Well, none of that happened. Unfortunately this boils down to timing, ability, funding, training, and the right horse. In other words, I had none of these things. All I had was ambition.

So all of a sudden, I wake up one morning and realize I am almost 30 years old. I have never competed past Training level and feel like the clock is starting to tick in more ways than I dare to count. Several of my friends that I grew up with have either gone Advanced, or will be going Advanced this summer, which obviously makes me beg the question, why not me? What’s wrong with me…why can’t I do this?

For many of us, these thoughts are quite common. I would love to say that I never compare myself to other riders that I grew up with, or that I care what other people think of my riding. But I do care, and I do compare. It would almost be unnatural to not have these feelings, or to never question your riding. All I know is this: I am absolutely positively head of heals for horses, eventing and the training. I would never trade in my life for anything. Instead of freaking out every second of every day and feeling pathetic and small, I want to stay focused and keep setting goals. So I grew up without having the right horse. So I grew up without any money. So I missed out when I was young. So what? I have the rest of my life to set goals and become the best rider I can become.

I want to dedicate this blog to anyone that feels like they are floundering around in a highly competitive horse world. I want to tell anyone who is questioning what they are doing, to keep going out there and keep practicing. Not everyone’s time is when they are between the ages of 16 and 25. Not all of us had the chance to ride great horses when we were young. Not all of us had mommies and daddies who paid for every entry and every pair of tall boots. Maybe our goals have not been met yet, but this does not mean that our time isn’t waiting for us. If we give up now, we will have lost everything. If we keep pushing through and reaching out towards something (whatever goal that may be) than maybe, just maybe our time will come.

 

Training vs. Instinct

By on Feb 25, 2014 10:30 am -
Skybreaker at our THF jumper show last summer Skybreaker at our THF jumper show last summer

Saturday I went to another indoor jumper show at Stoneleigh-Burnham in Greenfield MA. Instead of riding, I was there to watch, help out a friend, and be a groom. Going to a show, or an event horseless makes for a completely different experience. For starters, I am a hundred times more relaxed. I can eat without feeling like I am going to explode after I ride, and I can even learn courses quickly, without forgetting them. And yet, despite the tranquility, and the increased, or normal appetite, I found myself desperately wishing that I was in the ring, riding in front of everyone. I wanted those nerves. I longed for that pressure. I wanted to ride. I might get nervous, and I might feel like I want to puke, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t live for the experience.

So, instead of feeling bummed because I wasn’t riding, I started really watching some rounds. When I got there, the fences were only around 2’9”. The three foot and over classes had fewer and fewer riders, but I still watched them like a hawk. I saw a couple really stellar rounds, and several nail bitter rounds. One round, in particular really stood out, and that was my friends round.

Perhaps I am biased because she is my friend, but I think I am at the point in my life where it’s safe to say I can spot good riding when I see it. This wasn’t good riding. This was great riding. This type of riding is what separates the little guys from the big guys. This is not to say that all upper level riders are superior because they compete at the level they are at. I know what separates Advanced riders from Beginner Novice riders. This distinction means nothing to me. I think you can be a fabulous rider that others can aspire to ride like, even if you are only ever going to go Training. Good riding is irrefutable.

Regardless of the upper level riders, I found this round particularly interesting because I have witnessed this rider and her mare when they have been less than perfect, and I have seen them pull out flawless rounds. Saturday, they looked absolutely perfect…probably the best I have ever seen the two together. I watched her warm up and thought to myself, wow, they are on it! All she needs to do is go in the ring and ride EXACTLY how she rode in there…that’s it!

Well, I could see the wheels turning in her brain when she entered the ring…and instead of getting nervous and uptight, she rode exactly how she rode in the warm up. She had a clean, forward, soft, supple, flawless 3’6” round. Every distance she nailed. Her position looked perfect before, during, and after each jump. The horse was patiently, but confidently looking for the next jump. The horse jumped out of her skin and my friend couldn’t have been happier.

So, what did I get out of this experience? I realized that training CAN and NEEDS to overcome your instincts, which is a concept Denny constantly drills. Instead of reverting to bad habits when riding under pressure, or competing, we need to step up to the plate and ride like we know how to ride. Sometimes our instincts are correct, but for many, our instincts can get us into trouble. I know that when I compete, I get nervous and forget about a solid lower leg, or waiting for the right distance to come along. When I get nervous I react out of pure instinct rather than allowing my training, knowledge and experiences to lead the way. I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed that kind of riding on Saturday because I can use that mental image of my friend riding whenever I please. I can replay that round in my head when I’m in the start box, going down center line, or entering the ring to jump.

StressLess Riding with Andrea Waldo

By on Feb 21, 2014 10:30 am -
Andrea Waldo and Serendipity Traveler soaring over the massive intermediate ditch and brush at the GMHA Festival of Eventing last summer. Andrea was a bit worried about this fence, but they rose to the occasion! Photo credit to Elizabeth Parenteau/ Flatlandsfoto. Andrea Waldo and Serendipity Traveler soaring over the massive intermediate ditch and brush at the GMHA Festival of Eventing last summer. Andrea was a bit worried about this fence, but they rose to the occasion! Photo credit to Elizabeth Parenteau/ Flatlandsfoto.

Sunday afternoon, I did something I normally don’t do. I actually left the farm. Shocking news, I know, but every now and again, my little hermit crab self has to put on real people clothes and leave the nest. I drove to one of the most (in my opinion) gorgeous places in the state, Shelburne, Vt. This is where Lake Champlain collides with our stunning Vermont Mountains, providing an irresistible ambiance that lures people from all over New England. Truly something to see!

Stopping on my way home from Shelburne VT to catch the view!

Stopping on my way home from Shelburne, Vt., to catch the view!

I went to Andrea Waldo’s StressLess Riding Workshop. Andrea is a friend, a fellow competitor and an upper-level event rider. She is somebody I admire and respect, not only as a rider, a trainer and a teacher, but as a person. This workshop combines Andrea’s background and knowledge as a psychotherapist, along with her passion and lifelong commitment as an event rider. The clashing of these two worlds that Andrea knows so well results in the study, pursuit and understanding of how riders can effectively learn to cope with their fears.

As riders, we feel a certain amount of fear. Some riders are deathly afraid to go down centerline at A, others are terrified of show jumping, and countless individuals fear cross country. We are all scared of something, and while we live for our various equestrian sports, we do feel fear. We have to learn how to handle this fear and be able to differentiate between what Andrea refers to as “real vs. imagined threats, or physical vs. psychological threats.”

Competitive jitters are fairly common. Personally, I am a mess right before cross country. I become very quiet, and I experience major butterflies in my stomach. Once I am out of the start box and galloping on course, those butterflies slowly subside and pure excitement and adrenaline kick in. Oftentimes, I am anxious and concerned about one fence. Usually, I imagine something horrible happening at the fence I am worried about, which only adds fuel to the fire. Andrea says in order to deal with fear, we have to first “acknowledge and accept your fear without judgment or criticism.”

One of my favorite parts of her lecture revolved around the concept of offering yourself reassurance: “Ask the worry: What makes this so terrible? Is this likely to happen? What’s the most likely thing that will happen?” Then, she says to come up with a plan. For instance, if I am freaking out about a certain jump, like an enormous ditch, I would offer myself a plan such as, SHOULDERS BACK & LEG ON! Everyone’s plans are going to be different, but being able to offer yourself reassurance and a plan in such stressful situations is comforting.

Andrea also points out common “brain traps” that we succumb to, when reacting to fear:

1. Catastrophizing

2. Remembering the anxiety, not the success

3. Overgeneralizing

4. Minimizing abilities and exaggerating weaknesses

5. Perfectionism

6. Comparison

I know I personally suffer from number 4 and 5. Andrea suggests we figure out which brain traps we fall under and then come up with some alternative solutions so that we are not always falling victim to these inevitable “traps.”

My other favorite part of her workshop was the “Deep Practice” topic. Deep practice is a concept extracted from a book Andrea says all event riders should read, “The Talent Code,” written by Daniel Coyle. Coyle argues that deep practice is the most efficient way to learn. Andrea described a giant circle with three zones:

1. Comfort Zone

2. Growth Zone

3. Fear Zone

Eventually, we want to leave our comfort zone behind, steer clear of the fear zone and really spend some quality time in the growth zone. This is the trial and error zone, where we make mistakes, and where our riding is not always “pretty.” This is where we learn how to ride.

I could keep going, but you’ll just have to sign up for her workshop to hear the rest! Andrea’s workshop was a lot of fun, incredibly helpful and I highly recommend going to one! For more info or to contact Andrea visit Triple Combination Farm and StressLess Riding.

How Carol Gee Launched the Fernhill Empire

By on Feb 19, 2014 1:30 pm -
Fernhill Sea Top Boy. From Carol: Fernhill Sea Top Boy. From Carol: "Coming 8-year-old. Toppy is the only horse in the yard I do not own. He is owned by a great friend for whom I have ridden and produced horses for over the past 20 years, Deidre Lannigan." Photo used with permission from Equus Pix.

Fernhill horses are everywhere. We are seeing more and more at every competition, and they are, without a doubt, steadily climbing the ladder in eventing. These horses are athletic, scopey and lovely. Whether you have competed against, watched in amazement, currently own or generally daydream about these horses, you are not alone. Quite honestly, after spending the last five years completely in awe of Fernhill horses, I decided it was time to interview Carol Gee, the owner of Fernhill Sport Horses in Kilkenny, Ireland. Without further ado …

Lila: When and how did Fernhill Sport Horses begin?

Carol: “The Fernhill brand has been around since 2005. I thought long and hard for a name that was catchy, with a good prefix and that would be easily remembered. Friends and family used to call and text me at all hours of the day and night with suggestions, but it was a local taxi driver that inspired me in the end. While out hacking one day, the cab driver stopped and asked me if the hill I was riding up next to my farm was called Fernhill. I was not sure of the answer, but informed him it would be from now on! I love the name, and love that the company logo is not a horse jumping a fence, which is commonplace in the horse industry. I think the fern is a strong plant that grows anywhere, and when all around it is struggling, it seems to grow thicker and stronger. A fitting symbol, I thought!”

Owner, Carol Gee riding Fernhill Mayhem on the sunshine tour in Portugal!

Carol Gee rides Fernhill Mayhem on the sunshine tour in Portugal!

Lila: What is your background in the horse world?

Carol: “I started riding at a very young age. My father was an active sportsman and encouraged me to accompany him whenever it was possible. I swam and ran with my Father, but riding was always my passion, so with my parents support I learned to ride properly with private tutors and quality ponies.

My parents were less than thrilled about building a career around horses, instead they told me to ‘get a proper job so you can afford to pay for your horses.’

So I did just that. I picked up the telephone directory and started to look for inspiration. I started working at the bank Barclays. I worked for them for 15 years, starting at the bottom and worked my way into the marketing department, where I learned about customer service and gained most of my selling skills.

While working for the bank, I continued to ride, compete and sold a few horses to help fund the expensive discipline that eventing is.

After 15 years, I decided to leave a well-paid job with a good pension, cheap mortgage, company car and a decent expense account to combine my selling skills with my passion … horses. My parents were thrilled … NOT! At that time, I was living in England but had an Irish passport, as my mother is Irish. So I fled to Ireland — the land of the horse — to trace my roots and try to make a living as a horse dealer.”

photo (6)

Fernhill Casano. From Carol: “Very exciting 6-year-old that could be very competitive at the World Breeding Championships in Le Lion if we manage to keep him that long!” Photo used with permission from Equus Pix.

Lila: What makes Fernhill horses so undeniably special and unique?

Carol: “I feel I have a great skill for matching the right horse to the rider. I think because I came from a business background I always think of the long term goals and am happy to wait as long as it takes to find the right client for my horses. I intend to be in this business for the rest of my life, so sometimes when the mortgage is due and the feed bill is mounting up, it could be tempting to sell to the highest bidder, but I have learned that whatever level the horse is or has the potential to be, the home and rider are of paramount importance to his/her success.”

Lila: Did you ever imagine that so many Fernhill horses would dominate the eventing scene and that it would be as successful as it is today?

Carol: “I had hoped that through my integrity and ambition that my horses would be market leaders. I read the book “The Secret” when first setting up Fernhill, which helped me believe that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. When top riders start trusting me to select horses for them and they are successful with them, I think that made me realize that Fernhill would be a household name in the eventing world. Many are out there not carrying the Fernhill prefix. I think I counted 12 at Pine Top that were formally Fernhill.”

photo (7)

Fernhill Casa Nine. From Carol: “Six-year-old gelding that just arrived in William Fox-Pitt’s yard after having a very successful season as a 5 year old, both show jumping and eventing. Photo used with permission from Equus Pix.

Lila: Do you try and keep track of your sold horses and the progress they’ve made?

Carol: “I try my best to keep track of the horses. It’s difficult when the names are changed, and it’s a big job going down the results each Monday morning of every country I have sold horses to. They do not all have Eventing Nation!

I love reading my Monday morning emails and getting reports from riders and owners on how my horses have performed over the weekend. It’s amazing how many purchasers keep in touch and are really enthusiastic about sharing their success with me. Some of the top riders are actually really good at this, and to be honest, that’s worth more than any money.”

photo (8)

Fernhill Calmore Max winning the 6-year-old show jumping class in the main arena at the Royal Dublin Show last year. He will now have a career change to eventing. Photo by Carol Gee.

Lila: What advice or information can you offer to those in the U.S. that are interested in a Fernhill horse?

Carol: “As my business and connections have grown in the States, I have looked at ways to make my horses more available over there. Recently, Julie Richards and I have imported several of my nice young prospects so that they can be tested on American soil and be more accessible to people in the States who don’t have time to travel to Ireland. Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Mara DePuy and Heidi White are a few of the people who have enjoyed buying Fernhill horses this way. I intend to keep this system in place in the future to make life easier for clients under pressure to travel. This is also particularly helpful for those who like to have their trainer present when making a purchase, which isn’t always a possibility when you’re traveling abroad.”

Lila: What are your plans and goals for the future of Fernhill Sport Horses?

Carol: “I am as happy as anyone could ever be in what I do, the horses I sell and the people I have met through this business. I have no intention of changing anything in the foreseeable future. Why change a winning formula?”

Love Is In The Air?

By on Feb 15, 2014 9:00 am -
Awww, happy(?) couple in Colorado Springs last summer Awww, happy(?) couple in Colorado Springs last summer

Normally, the sheer thought of Valentines Day makes me want to puke. I mean, come on people. A holiday solely dedicated to make those poor, lonely individuals feel even more alone and depressed. Not to mention, the ridiculous amount of pressure the holiday puts on those already in a relationship. Damn, I forgot to buy her an expensive bouquet of flowers that she will undoubtedly let die in 2-3 days. Oh, dang, I forgot to make reservations at that outrageously expensive restaurant she loves. I am not afraid to say it; this ridiculous holiday creates an unnecessary amount of pressure, and is built on the idea that commercialism is acceptable.

Phew, got that out of the way. Now time to get real. Yesterday morning, while trudging across the street to the barn, through this Snowpocalypse we are having right now, I thought about what this sappy day means to me. Honestly, nothing immediately came to mind. All I was thinking about was how incredibly long it was taking to me walk across the street, a journey that normally requires about five three minutes, or less.

Snowpocalypse

Snowpocalypse

I got to the barn, only to realize the barn was completely snowed in and no amount of shoveling was going to get the horses out. SERIOUSLY…VERMONT YOU ARE KILLING ME RIGHT NOW. So, I went about my routine, gave the horses their grain, hay and fresh water. I started cleaning my stalls, even though the horses were shocked and confused about this shift in their normally clockwork schedules.

As I made my way into Skybreaker’s stall, I heard that incredible sound of the tractor running, and pushing snow around. It was him! Rett came to the rescue and plowed the entire farm, every pathway, every door opening, everything. He even took my wheelbarrows full of manure and drove it down to the manure pile. What a guy!

Like I always say, living on a horse farm is not glamorous, especially in the winter. For me, Valentines Day isn’t about chocolates, roses and cards. Instead, it’s about having someone to listen to me when I babble on about my horses, or issues I am facing in my training. It’s about lending a hand when there’s 97 inches of snow outside. It’s about teamwork, and it’s about support.

Let the Barn Rats Unite

By on Feb 11, 2014 12:00 pm -
Used to be (maybe still are?) barn rats hiking last summer. Used to be (maybe still are?) barn rats hiking last summer.

BARN RAT. Definition: An individual who spends the majority of his or her life on a farm, in particular a horse farm. Oftentimes, these people will have an unimaginable amount of dirt, sweat and/or hay clinging to various body extremities. Anyone from the age of being old enough to hold a pitchfork to a teenager can be considered one of these. These individuals would rather spend their entire day with a horse than with another human being. These creatures can be found on any given day, whether it be a holiday, a snow storm or a birthday, in almost any horse barn performing routine horse chores. They can be found sitting in a dusty corner, rolling around in arena dirt or playing in a shavings pile. Dirt and horse hair don’t find them, but rather, they are magnets for such grime.  

Example of a Barn Rat used in a sentence. “I dropped my daughter off at horse camp early on a Friday morning with clean paddock boots, clean breeches and a clean shirt. However, when I picked her up that evening, she was in true barn rat form, covered with dirt from head to toe.”

Being a barn rat is nothing to be ashamed of and should never be used in a derogatory manner. I would know; I used to be one. Those of us who grew up in barns, moving hay, shoveling horse manure, sweeping aisles and riding tons of horses have everything to be thankful for. We learned the ropes at a young age, and those early years made a serious impression on many of us. We either had the addiction, or we did not. We either wanted to be at the barn, or we didn’t. We never were told by our parents that we had to go to the barn on any given day, but rather our parents, outside friends (if those even existed) and our siblings actually, at times, begged us to stay home. We went home at night only to count down the minutes until we could go back to the barn the following morning.

For me, my barn rat years began at Hitching Post Farm in South Roylaton, Vt. I grew up riding with an amazing group of girls: Lindsay Dyer, Ariel Grald, Kylie Lyman, Kaley Maxfield and Caitlin Romeo, all of whom are still riding today. I had the absolute best time there and wouldn’t trade that introduction into the horse world for anything. We had amazing trainers: first, Rozo McLaughlin, and then Laurie Hudson. There were kid’s camps, swimming, bareback riding, bareback jumping, sleepovers, holiday rides, Christmas drill teams, ice cream, competitions and so much more. Those memories shaped who I am and what I hope to accomplish.

Every aspiring young rider should begin their early years as a barn rat. There’s no life that guarantees more humility or passion than this kind. Arriving at the barn where a pristine pony is waiting tacked up and ready to go, then handed off to some groom at the end of the ride, doesn’t teach horsemanship or life-man-ship. Working that hard at that age is something that every child or teenager should experience. Nothing beats a good work ethic. Whether you have thousands of dollars waiting in your college fund, or you are working  five jobs, knowing how to work really hard will lead toward success in the saddle, in the office, in your house and in your life. Here’s to all of you who used to be, are currently or will be barn rats. Let the barn rats unite!

Superheroes, Or Ordinary Humans In Disguise?

By on Feb 8, 2014 10:30 am -
Lila the competitor Lila the competitor

Because I have been trapped in my house for over four days now, surrounded by Vitamin C, Puffs Kleenex, cough drops, and a roaring fire, I have had ample time to contemplate my life as my ordinary self (if the word ordinary is applicable here) versus my competition self. These thoughts only came to mind after being mesmerized by the Sochi Olympics last night. So far, I have watched crazy and insanely awesome Snowboarders, Men’s Figure Skating, along with Ladies Mogul Skiers. In broad daylight, these athletes look like ordinary human beings. They appear to eat like us, breathe like us, enjoy conversing with one another like us, and generally take on the appearance of “ordinary” civilians.

And yet, what looks like average human beings, are actually individuals taking on the form of some other species. Obviously, they are not aliens invading from some other planet. They seem to be real life humans, and yet, when they skate out to the center of the ice, right over the top of that infamous Olympic symbol, or they are hurling themselves twenty feet into the air, while doing a 360 degree turn, they are not the same as us. They are their competitive selves. They are practically superheroes in the making. During the day, they are Bill, Joe, and Amy, but at night, once that red lipstick goes on, or once their skis are attached, or as soon as those goggles are pulled over their eyes, they are someone else, and almost something else.

This got me thinking about my life as a rider and how there is the first Lila, the odd and cynical little lady who rides horses by day, and sits frantically typing on her computer in-between rides. Most people are familiar with Lila standing behind door number one. This is the girl who drives to the quaint general store in her town just to get a special creamer for her coffee, while wearing her standard getup consisting of breeches, a tank top, and bizarre looking tall socks. This is the girl who is an introvert, and drowns in public, or group settings. This is the girl we all know and dare I say love?!

Skybreaker at Hitching Post Farm, photo taken by the Horse Pesterer

Skybreaker at Hitching Post Farm, photo taken by the Horse Pesterer

Then there’s Lila, who stands behind door number two. Let me introduce Lila, the competing maniac. Once her horse has been perfectly braided, the tall boots have been shined for the hundredth time, and the trailer is packed and ready to go, she takes on her alter ego. Actually, she has refined her alter ego over time. She use to be a spoiled little brat who could not stand the thought of anyone looking at her, supporting her, or talking to her at an event….and I don’t blame them. I was so nervous, and shy, and did not want to be bothered as a child, or as a teenager.

Thank god, she grew up, and decided she really did need the help and support from those she cared about. She realized she could still be an intense competitor, while simultaneously being pleasant to others. She never wanted to lose her edge, but never wanted to lose her aficionados. The girl behind door number two is pretty intense. She has to be. She is competitive by nature and turns into some other creature the second the trailer is parked at the competition. Normal Lila might be worried about number 8 and 9 on cross country, but competitive Lila knows she has to rise to the occasion by eating that course up. Competitive Lila seems more focused, more confident, and more determined than normal Lila. My competitive self still has a ways to go. She needs to sharpen up, and become even more focused, and even more determined. She has high hopes for her alter ego.

Try thinking about your normal self, versus your competition self? How are they different, or are they different? Which person do you like better? Which person do you admire? Do you think you are a better competitor, or a better trainer at heart? Would you do better as a rider if you rode at home as if you were competing, or competed as if you were casually riding at home? We are all different, which is part of what makes this sport so alluring. For those of us who compete, I am betting that tons of riders would agree that we take on two different personas: our normal everyday selves, and our alter ego competing selves. So, are we superheroes, or are we simply human beings in disguise?

My Competing Self, plus the Cool Skybreaker! (video taken by the Horse Pesterer)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-zmImZZWvE

 

Who Are We Riding For?

By on Feb 4, 2014 12:00 pm -
Skybreaker at the GMHA Jumper Challenge last year. Photo credit to David Frechette. Skybreaker at the GMHA Jumper Challenge last year. Photo credit to David Frechette.

Last week, I found myself walking through a revolving door into a hospital. As I made my way in, I was completely caught off guard by the talented pianist playing right smack in the middle of the lobby. Even though I only see my doctor once a year, never before had I come across live music. I stopped, stood there and this eerie calm overtook me. I knew I had to check in with the receptionist, but that piano lured me in, and I was helpless. After three solid minutes, I took a deep breath, smiled at the pianist and made me way towards the waiting room.

That music hit me hard. Otherwise, what would have been an ordinary and uneventful Wednesday afternoon turned into a series of painful, yet desirable memories, along with sudden nostalgic flashbacks. Hearing music coming from a piano instantaneously reminds me of my father, who was a professional pianist. He was everything to me, and I can still hear him playing music for my sisters, my mom and I. Hearing music like that instantly takes me to my childhood, where there were soccer balls, ice cream, fights with my sisters in the back seat of our station wagon and not a worry in the world. I never want to forget my father, and hearing music coming from a piano from time to time reminds me of who I am and who I want to be.

Does it ever cross your mind who you are riding for? Do you ride for you and nobody else? Is your riding, your horse and your training solely about you and nobody else? There’s no right or wrong answer here, but rather individual stories. What makes you get up every day and go ride your horse? Why do you ride, and what made you start riding in the beginning? Do you actually love horses, or are you extremely competitive? Do you wish someone could watch you ride who has never seen you ride? Is a support system important for you, or could you care less if you have others to share your happiness with?

I would like to say I ride for me alone and nobody else. But that’s no entirely true. My family and I are joined at the hips, and we are extremely close. What appears to be my life and my world is actually my entire family’s lives and my entire family’s world. For me, it’s all interconnected, and when I have a family someday, I went to pass along this closeness and this undeniable support network to the next generation.

If I could have one person see me ride today, it would be father. If I could have him back just for one day, I would show him what I have learned and what I am so incredibly passionate about. He was fanatic about music, the piano and his family. That passion was transferred from my father to me, and I am eternally grateful for this captivating and consuming way of life. I would love for him to see me ride and compete. I would love for him to see me teaching, and taking lessons. I would have loved for him to see me jump 4’9” last fall, to see me training my mare and to see it all. I would love to say that I ride for me and nobody else, but in reality, I think sometimes I ride for my father, and thinking about his tenacious personality keeps me motivated and keeps me reaching out toward my dreams.

A Riding Epiphany

By on Feb 2, 2014 4:30 pm -
Valonia Pirouette Farm, Norwich VT. Valonia Pirouette Farm, Norwich VT.

Have you ever been riding your horse and all of a sudden, like magic, you have an epiphany? Where you actually get off your horse when you’re done riding, and think to yourself,   how stupid can I be? Or, good god, why didn’t I think of that years ago? I probably have one of these “lightbulb” moments twice a year, if I am lucky. Once in the summer, and once in the winter. I never plan on these breakthroughs, or sudden realizations, they just occur out of the blue.

So there I was, yesterday afternoon, riding my mare on the flat. I wouldn’t say that my ride was awful by any stretch of the mind, though things could have gone smoother. She was a bit unsteady in the bridle, and I wasn’t helping her unsteadiness at all. In fact, I was being incredibly unsteady. Sometimes when my ride is not going as planned, or I hit a rough patch, I like to stop my horse completely, let her breathe and reboot, which allows me to breathe and reboot. There’s nothing in the Dressage Constitution that forbids halting and analyzing for a minute or so.

In that moment, as the two of us chilled out for a second, I jogged my memory and thought back on 2013. I revisited Valonia schooling on the flat, versus, Valonia in dressage competing. Arguably, these were two different horses, and my dedicated dressage trainer (Lindle Sutton) would completely back me up on this notion. Valonia schooling on the flat was challenging to say the least. I don’t think I have ever had a more inconsistent year with a horse. She was up, when I attempted to work her down. When I wanted to work her up, she fought to be heavy on her forehand. When I asked for more gas, she slowed down, and when I asked her to wait, she sped up. It was as if I was trying to communicate with her using a foreign language. Neither of us knew exactly what was going on. Hence the struggle.

Valonia Stonleigh-Burnham 2013

Valonia Stonleigh-Burnham 2013

And then, miraculously, by some grace of god, I would take her to an event, and would nail the dressage. I am by no means gloating. In fact, I would be just as surprised as Lindle was. It actually was sort of hilarious. I am really funny about discovering my score at an event. Part of me can’t wait to see the results, and the other part of me simply does NOT want to know. Often times Lindle would come back to the trailer, with a telling expression on her face, and she would bluntly ask, so, do you want to know, or not? I would say, sure, why not. Lindle: well, you won’t believe this, but you’re in second…though I’m not sure how? Lindle is amazing, and would NEVER sugar coat anything for me, which I completely appreciate and respect. Some tests were not as amazing as others, but I was consistently in the top three at every single event, so evidently something was clicking.

Back to yesterday afternoon, I tried to dissect Valonia schooling, vs. Valonia competing, and I realized that no matter how amazing, or how wretched my mare felt in warm up, when it came time to enter the ring, I had to throw my worries aside, and damn well compete. I had to leave my pathetic, wimpy, and worrying self in warm up, and put my game face on. Every time I enter at “A,” I am trying to be the best rider I can be. I am super competitive, and want to impress the judge. I want to have seamless transitions, and look like I actually know what I am doing, because I have been riding for twenty years.

So instead of continuing down a rocky road in my school yesterday, I recreated a scene that would help improve the situation. I needed to change the atmosphere completely. So I went around the ring, just as though I was at an event, and I proceeded by turning down center line at “A.” I don’t know what test I rode through, but it was a test nevertheless. The test got us both on the same page, where she was steady, focused and thinking, and I was right there with her. We were in sync, and we were bringing out the best in each other. I am not suggesting that everyone needs to ride through a test every single time they school on the flat, but sometimes putting yourself in competing mode can bring everything to a new light!

Valonia at GMHA August Festival Of Eventing 2013, taken by the Horse Pesterer:

Exploring the Why

By on Jan 27, 2014 1:30 pm -
Valonia in a Miguel Ralao clinic two summers ago. Valonia in a Miguel Ralao clinic two summers ago.

I have never felt the need to talk excessively about anything, even horses. Perhaps growing up with two extrovert sisters forced me to look inside and examine early on. I recently watched an interesting story on CBS News all about personality traits that are directly linked to birth order. There have been studies that have shown that middle children are the most difficult to pin down. Furthermore, they are almost guaranteed to act as the opposite of their older sibling. The middle child attempts to cope with the fact that the older sibling gets all of the attention, while the youngest gets away with murder.

Due to the supposed lack of attention, the middle child can be secretive or has trouble expressing his or her own feelings openly. Lastly, because middle children feel misplaced at times within the confines of their families, they seek friends and outside relationships to fill that missing void in their lives. We also have the ability to read people well; we tend to act as peacemakers; we are independent and imaginative; and many middle children are entrepreneurs by nature.

So what? Speaking from a middle child’s perspective, I would have to agree with almost everything. Some people think I am extremely odd. Others think I am deathly shy. I have always been fascinated in examining situations and dissecting moments, which probably answers the question of why I always ate lunch by myself or spent an endless amount of time alone. I can’t help it. This is who I am, so get used to it, or stop reading now.

Obviously, middle children are not the only ones who want to dig deeper and evaluate certain situations. We are not the only ones stuck inside our own minds. I think as riders, we need to focus heavily on the why. Why is my horse reacting the way she is? Why is my horse twisting in his neck when I ask for this movement? Why does my mare have certain phobias? Why can’t I seem to ever get in right to this jump? Why won’t my horse load? Why, why, why?

I think it’s crucial to not focus solely on what you and your horse can’t and won’t do and start looking at your riding and your horse from a different perspective. Denny Emerson constantly tells his students and riders in general to be more analytical and to actually think about what’s happening. This goes hand in hand with being more present, but that’s another blog. Instead of asking your horse to do something, whether it be shoulder-in, leg yield, counter canter, you get the point, and you’re not getting results, try asking your question differently so your horse does understand.

Looking beneath or beyond issues that stand right smack in front of you can help your riding and your training immensely. I was not always an analytical rider, but I have forced myself to become more observant and to figure out the WHY. I don’t always have knights in shining armor waiting to be at my beck and call; instead, I have to figure out certain issues on my own. Stop dwelling on the negative and start pondering ways in which you can get results. Start examining your riding from a more scholarly point of view, and start by asking yourself why, and how can I solve this equation.

So It’s Winter, Now What?

By on Jan 21, 2014 3:00 pm -
Ahhh ... summer days spent schooling cross country! Ahhh ... summer days spent schooling cross country!

To say that the thrill of the winter season has worn off would be an understatement. Oh, it’s not all horrific; in fact, there were lovely moments where my town, the village, and parts of this state looked like images extracted directly from a postcard. My uncle from Georgia always comments on the snow acting as a cleansing blanket for the earth and how natural and beautiful this weather can be. Couples want to retreat to romantic getaways in Vermont ski lodges, where fireplaces and cozy surroundings make their journeys worthwhile.

Except after six to eight weeks, the newness of the frigid temperatures and the various winter sports become old news. The cleansing blanket covering New England ought to be torched, and the excitement of skiing, sledding or skating lose the edge, and reality settles in. Mostly, life on a horse farm in the winter is far from glamorous, particularly this winter. The weather gods have been playing dirty tricks on us and stabbing us in the back every time we get an inkling that a sunny day might be around the corner.

After the holidays come and go, some of us react to the weather patterns negatively, to say the least. Depression begins creeping closer by the day, and you start to lose your summer motivation, and in some ways, your grip on reality. Not seeing the sun for weeks, along with minimal human interaction, can cause serious negative repercussions. Many Vermonters actually follow in their wildlife’s footsteps, where hibernation becomes a viable option. Once the New Year comes and goes, there comes this long stretch of nothingness where you either need to shape up or ship out.

Valonia and Pippa playing in the mud!

Valonia and Pippa playing in the mud!

So, here I am, not financially or emotionally prepared to ship out (quite yet), so I am going to shape up! Yes, the temperatures are miserable and the ice beneath the thin layer of snow is treacherous, but losing focus is not an option. I came into the winter and into the indoor with set goals, and I am going to reach those goals if it’s the last act I accomplish before the ice takes my life with one wrong step.

I came inside this winter determined to dramatically improve both my horses on the flat. I will get a stronger seat, and I will push myself to sit the trot for longer periods of time. I will use every inch of the indoor to the best of my ability. I will not ride randomly, and every day I will ride with a clear set of goals in mind. I will improve my ability to see three strides in front of a fence, and I will improve my jumping position. I will get better. I will get stronger, and I expect the same for my horses.

So the weather in New England and around the country has been off the charts this year. So the ice has created a skating rink that completely surrounds the main barn. So most of my friends have migrated to the southern regions in the U.S. So I can’t go trail riding in the snow because of the conditions. So — the list goes on forever. What am I and what are we going to do about it? Can we reach our goals? Can we turn gravel into diamonds? Can we shake this dreary, cold, depressing atmosphere and make the most out of a freezing situation?

The beauty of the winter months for me is that I am offered this extended period of time to practice and see what I am made of. Nobody but myself is around to tell me to work, or try harder. It’s up to me to reach my aforementioned list of will dos. It’s up to us to take our lessons, our competitions and our training and exchange those experiences for something grander and more valuable. Now is the time to study and do our various assignments. Not only do we hope to pass, but we long for perfect grades, so if I can reach these goals, so can you!

Giving It Our All

By on Jan 19, 2014 3:00 pm -
Skybreaker down the bank THF Skybreaker down the bank THF

Last night I watched the 2014 Figure Skating Championships in Boston, MA. I have always been a huge fan of figure skating, especially right now, considering my friend Brooklee Han has been chosen to represent Australia in the ladies individual figure skating for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. I can’t even imagine what’s going through her mind right now, but I am so unbelievably thrilled for her and cannot wait to see how she does!

Back to the Boston Championships, I watched this one girl, Mirai Nagasu, the 2014 Bronze Medalist, who apparently did not get chosen to go to Sochi. She skated her heart out in Boston, and seemed to be a crowd favorite, from the overwhelming applause and standing ovation prior to her performance. She skated to the middle of the rink, took her position, and you could see her crying, while trying to hold it together. She was overwrought by emotion, and that moment actually brought tears to my eyes. I don’t know this girl. I’ve never seen this girl skate. Really, I had no connection to her. But watching her stand out there, being supported and cheered on by thousands was astounding. You knew she gave it her everything, and she worked incredibly hard to get to where she is today. She clearly had her sights set on Sochi, and yet this was not the year.

2014 Bronze Medalist Mirai Nagasu

Watching Mirai skate her heart out last night got me thinking about the avid competitors and athletes in the world of eventing. Those of us who want nothing more than to be the best riders we can be. Those of us who are desperate to wake up in the morning, go feed our horses, and ride from sun up till sun down. Those of us who are anxious, excited and thrilled to compete every other weekend. Horses are our lives, and this is it, and we want nothing else, or not much more.

But then life gets in the way, and some of us have families, and have full time jobs that have nothing to do with shoveling manure. Some of us have countless other responsibilities. When do we have time to pursue our dream of becoming famous? When do we have time to ride ten horses a day, when we only have one horse to ride? How do we even compare ourselves to those established four star riders, and all of the up and coming super stars waiting to take the spotlight? How do we expect to become the best riders we can possible become when we only ride 40 minutes a day? Do we throw in the towel, or keep pursuing our dreams, and our immense goals?

Valonia, aka The Beast

Valonia, aka The Beast

I say keep going. I say, never stop trying. No, we are all not going to Rolex someday, or Badminton, but that doesn’t mean we cannot dream, and we cannot set other goals, right? If I got anything out of that amazing performance last night, it was that you can work really hard, give your soul to a certain sport, give your blood, sweat and tears, and still not quite make it. Watching Mirai last night, and thinking about Brooklee Han going to Sochi is inspiring.

Their stories provide serious motivation and make me want to try harder, work longer hours, and study videos, books, and photos to help me improve. They make me want to keep going, regardless of the level I am competing at. So, I have no sponsors. So, I am not on anyone’s radar, because I am going novice and training at small events in Area 1. So, I am not working for Boyd, Will, or Sinead. That doesn’t mean that I am nobody. That doesn’t mean that YOU ALL are nobody. We are here, we are trying, and we can succeed if we give it our all.

Legendary Stallion Contender Passes Away

By on Jan 15, 2014 3:00 pm -
Contender granddaughter, Valonia. Contender granddaughter, Valonia.

Very sad news in the horse world today: Contender, one of the top stallions in the world, has died. The gorgeous Holsteiner, foaled in 1984, would have turned 30 later this year.

Some of Contender’s famous show jumping offspring include Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum’s Checkmate 4, Nick Skelton’s former ride Carlo 273 and Ludger Beerbaum’s top mare Chiara 222. Contender was one of the most influential sons of Calypso II, an advanced showjumper that Michael Rüping rode. Contender was out of the Ramiro daughter, Gofine, who was by the Thoroughbred sire, Ladykiller.

Contender was reserve champion at his 1986 licensing and won the 1987 Adelheidsdorf stallion performance test with a jumping index of 146.62.

When Contender won his 100 Day Test, these were some of the remarks: “Significant sire with fabulous lines, good expression and great presence. Overall sire of exceptional class. Top conformation. Very well balanced, regular strides … Jumps as his pedigree would dictate with great ability, form and skill. Produce: Really good foals of his type.”

He leaves behind 127 approved sons, including Contendro I.

I feel lucky to have a Contender granddaughter, Valonia (Contester x Parlona), show above. Here’s a short video of the amazing stallion:

Rest in peace, Contender.

Being Private Investigators for Our Horses

By on Jan 15, 2014 12:00 pm -
Skybreaker Skybreaker

I have always been fascinated by detective and investigative work. I’m not entirely sure where this interest originated from, but nevertheless, untangling mysteries and problem solving has always been at the forefront of my mind. Perhaps this enthrallment comes from the nerdy, math side of my brain. I actually used to get excited when my high school math teacher would ask me to come to the blackboard and solve a calculus problem in front of the entire class. Like I said, I’m a definite nerd and proud of it!

Today while I was riding a new addition to my clan, I started to think about how riding horses could be seen, in some instances, as detective work. Who is this horse? Where did this horse come from? Why does she react like this when I do that? What makes this horse tick? What makes this horse upset, and why? How can I connect mentally with this horse? How can we become a team?

Arguably, every horse has a story, and it’s our job to put the pieces together in order to solve the mystery or to better articulate the way they are. Wouldn’t it be delightful if we could go up to our horse and ask them the following: Excuse me, why are you so miserable today? Or, where does it hurt? Or, what is it about THAT jump that you detest? Or, come on, can’t we just compromise, or can’t you just get on the god damn horse trailer? Or, can you please stop spooking at the same tree you spooked at yesterday and the day before?

Valonia SBS 2013, taken by David Frechette

Valonia SBS 2013, taken by David Frechette

Yes, being able to ask our horses whatever questions we desire and to actually have them respond would be simultaneously hilarious and fascinating … but we can’t because that’s just not the way the world works. So, for now, we need to use our non-verbal forms of communication in order to have an unspoken dialogue with our horses, which is precisely where this investigative work comes into play. We need to get to the bottom of every story and be good detectives. No, actually, we need to be great detectives. We need to solve the why, the when, and we need to fill in all the blank holes.

Whether you have you raised your horse from day one, or whether you went out and purchased a 14-year-old event horse that has had six different owners, we are all attempting to communicate with our horses on a daily basis. We are trying to unravel their story, their history and their life. Getting acquainted with your horse can take a great deal of time, as we all know. But the better we know our horses, the more effectively we will be able to converse with them overall.

Whenever you become exasperated, think about how you would react if you were being paid to unravel a high-profile story. Think about the intrigue, and the mystery and how amazing you would feel once you started putting some of the pieces together. In the horse world, any unknown variable often has a negative connotation attached to it. People don’t generally like what they don’t understand or what they don’t know. The unknown can cause fear, anxiety and can be very frustrating.

And yet, these unidentifiable issues that present themselves in the horse world are practically daily occurrences, which is precisely why we must throw the fear, the anxiety, and the angst aside and start thinking of ourselves as private investigators, or detectives who need to carefully and thoughtfully put our horses puzzle pieces together.

Ice, Ice, Baby…

By on Jan 12, 2014 9:00 am -

Perhaps if Vanilla Ice had been born and raised in Northern Maine, opposed to Southern Dallas TX, he might have reworked the lyrics in his song, such that the word “ice” was not as prevalent, mostly because New Englanders do not need any reminder of the extreme weather conditions. Of course this song has absolutely nothing to do with weather, or climate change, but for one reason or another this song recently came to mind, probably because THIS is what Vermont looks right now (refer to the picture above, taken from the front steps at my house this morning).

The extreme fluctuation in temperature has been problematic, to say the least. One day it’s negative 20, and the next (like today) it’s in the 40’s and raining. The only reason I am permitted to complain right now is because I am a native New Englander, and these rights have been grandfathered in by previous generations. In fact, in order to move from some other state to Vermont, you actually have to take a written, and verbal test, in which your local constituency determines your level of grumpiness and your ability to complain. If you are too upbeat, and too optimistic, then you get the boot. If you are a cynical and slightly despondent individual, then your likelihood of residing in this state increases exponentially.

This ice kingdom surrounding us right now, came in about three weeks ago, totally uninvited. Here’s a major dilemma when living on a horse farm, or any farm for the matter: How in the hell do I get my horses out of the barn? How do I get from point A to point B without either; 1) personally dying, 2) both horse and owner dying, or 3) breaking a bone? Simple solution you may be thinking. Of course, this girl needs a truck load of sand and salt. Well, you’re partially correct and partially incorrect. There’s not enough salt and sand to cover every dangerous spot on this farm, nor do I have the funds to have this place fully sanded. Sand and salt do not grow on trees. Yes, I can make small pathways to get the horses from the barn to their paddocks, but there are still major issues.

a silver lining to living in Vermont in the winter...

a silver lining to living in Vermont in the winter…

I can cope with freezing temperatures and non-stop snow storms. What I CANNOT deal with is ice. That’s it. I have had enough. If I could have one wish granted, it would be for all the ice in this state to spontaneously disappear, like a magic act. The slipping, the falling, the worrying, and the anxiety simply is not conducive to a healthy living environment. My blood pressure must have increased during this month from all this angst. Not to mention, I literally cannot sleep these days. I have this horrible feeling in my gut that the horses will either escape from their paddocks, or from the barn, attempt to scurry across the ice, and die. This sounds dramatic and horrible, but I actually have these thoughts, and think to myself, how can I make this safer? How can we get through this ice phase?

This ice is reality and these conditions are horrid. People are going off the road, animals are in danger, and dealing with this ice truly tests our character. Are we brave? Are we determined? Are we worthy of living in New England? Are we insane? I long for warm summer days, birds chirping, and green grass. I long for sunshine and riding my horses outside without any major suicidal risk. For now, I am looking into investing in a pair of Yaktrax Walkers, and never veering too far away from our fireplace.

 

GMHA Festival to Offer Inaugural CIC*

By on Jan 10, 2014 3:30 pm -
Andrea Waldo and Serendipity Traveller in the Open intermediate at GMHA last year. Used with permission from Flatlandsfoto. Andrea Waldo and Serendipity Traveller in the Open intermediate at GMHA last year. Used with permission from Flatlandsfoto.

Forget the wind, ice and freezing temps — let’s have a look at what Area 1 has in store for all of us diehard event riders! Have you heard? GMHA (Green Mountain Horse Association) in South Woodtock, Vt., has exciting news for 2014. The association is offering — now brace yourself — a CIC* as part of the annual Festival of Eventing. Last summer, this event was so exciting because an Intermediate division was held for a second year in a row.

The 2014 Festival of Eventing will be held over a very long weekend, starting with the much anticipated Novice/Training Classic Three-Day on July 28-31. Then, the Festival of Eventing clinics starts Aug. 4-6, featuring clinicians such as Bobby Costello and Bonnie Mosser, in addition to several others.

To top it all off, the actual horse trials run Aug. 8-10 and will be offering levels Beginner Novice through Intermediate, as well a CIC*. Plus, the GMHA Festival will award $10,000 in prize money for the Intermediate division. There will also be trade fairs, competitors parties — oh, and did I mention there’s a CIC*?! Come join the fun, volunteer, compete or be a spectator at the gorgeous Green Mountain facility. I am already starting to count down the days!

To get you excited for the Area I season, here’s Andrea Waldo and Serendipity Traveller competing in Open Intermediate at the GMHA Festival last year (video by The Horse Pesterer):

Losgelassenheit: How Do You Keep Your Horse Relaxed?

By on Jan 10, 2014 9:00 am -
Valonia ... always trying to preserve her losgelassen! Valonia ... always trying to preserve her losgelassen!

I’ve been riding with Denny for over seven years now, and the word “losgelassenheit” has come up in conversation maybe 4,368 times, more or less. The first time I heard this word, I thought to myself, Huh … come again? Basically, this German word refers to relaxation. When a horse is losgelassen, he is without tension, active without rigidity, and allows his or her energy to be manipulated by his or her rider without starting World War III.

Seeing how I spend most days in the winter riding and training by myself, I have an endless amount of time to think about these various concepts and how they apply to me and my horses. Most of us are familiar with the German riding scale: Rhythm, Suppleness, Connection, Impulsion, Straightness and Collection. Losgelassenheit directly corresponds with the second layer in this pyramid, or the “suppleness” category.

Thousands of riders, trainers and coaches will argue that the most important thing a horse must do is go forward from the leg. I couldn’t agree more. That being said, I think this idea of relaxation and calmness almost ties for first place. For me, one of the most challenging pieces of the riding puzzle is dealing with a horse that demonstrates physical AND mental rigidity. Trying to calm, or coax a horse into relaxation can be easier said than done, and some riders are simply better at this than others.

I have ridden my fair share of tight, nervous and/or aggressive type horses. I think my borderline type A personality actually clashes with these particular types, and I am more drawn to naturally calm and low-key types of horses, which has taken years to discover. Both horses I am riding right now are pretty low key. Skybreaker is a very relaxed and calm horse, which he shows me every time I sit on him. My mare, Valonia, possesses a slightly similar attitude in that she is not frantic, nor high strung, but has a bit more gas stored away in her tank. Still, even with two fairly relaxed horses, I feel as though my job is to not only preserve that natural state of relaxation, but to combine that calmness with more energy and more liveliness. I never want to get rid of their losgelassen, but rather meld their relaxation with more aliveness.

So, where does your horse fall under the “relaxation” category? Is she or he generally pretty calm or hot to trot? Depending on your answer, how do you deal with relaxation and calming your horse down or gearing your horse up? What types of horses are you generally drawn towards, and why? I think it’s really important to realize and understand what type of horse you work with the best and why. It’s great to be well rounded and have the ability to ride all types, but finding your type helps tremendously. Regardless of your dead quiet or hot ticket horse, relaxation will always play a dominant role, and learning methods that help with relaxation or that will help preserve calmness is key in our horse’s training.

10 Things You Just Don’t Say …

By on Jan 7, 2014 1:30 pm -
Valonia at Hitching Post 2012 Valonia at Hitching Post 2012

Have you ever been in a grocery store, Best Buy, Kmart, or a local cafe and seen an infant that you thought was absolutely hideous looking? I mean, you actually thought how could someone reasonably good looking produce that? C’mon, we’ve all been there. Out of respect and common decency most people see children and/or babies as cute, sweet, adorable, and precious, the list goes on and on. But there are some children who are just not very attractive. Perhaps they grow up to be on the cover of Vogue…who knows? Regardless, these children and infants do exist. I have relatives who are undeniably attractive, and yet some of their offspring are not the cuddliest looking creatures. General rule of thumb: You never EVER tell parents, particularly the mother, that their baby, their pride and joy, and their entire universe is ugly. You just don’t!

Same rules apply in the horse world. Some people are just more blunt than others and voice their opinions, while most equestrians acknowledge this unspoken rule. Let’s be honest, there are certain things you just do not sayabout someone else’s horse and here are a few don’ts…

That horse is ugly. You just don’t say that someone else’s horse is ugly. It may be true, it may not be true. Are all horses created equal? Well, that’s open for debate. For instance, I think I have two very attractive horses, Valonia and Skybreaker. Valonia’s conformation is not perfect, which I vivdly see every single day, though I do think she is lovely. Does everyone else think my mare is the most gorgeous creature in the world? I guarentee you not, but I don’t want to actually hear about it! Skybreaker is one of the most beautiful horses I have ever seen. Some people think he is too much of a hunk, with plates for feet, that his front legs are too short for his body, and he looks like he should be plowing a field….but I don’t want to hear it, because I am infatuated with my horses.

Bad Jumper. For all those trainers, teachers, and coaches, I am sure there are more tactful ways of telling someone their horse SUCKS at jumping. Clearly, not all horses can jump, and not all have impeccable form, and not all are extremely scopey. Haven’t you ever been fence judging, or been watching some cross country at an event, and thought to yourself, “Yikes…that is one horrible jumper.” Yet, this is not something you can openly tell someone, because it’s just not!

Bad Mover. Again, there are more diplomatic ways of telling someone that your dog is a better mover than their horse. Not all horses float like Totilas across the ground, and get perfect scores for movement. It’s really hard to go up to someone and tell them one of the reasons they are nineteenth out of nineteenth in dressage is because their horse is a bad mover. This is not something you can tell someone.

And here are a few more things you just DON’T say about someone else’s horse…

            Bad Manners.

            Evil Eye.

            Unbroke.

            Too Skinny.

            Obese.

            Witchy.

            Dumb.

For many, if not most, our horses ARE our infants, our babies, our life, our pride and joy, and we’ll be damned if others don’t like our “children.” Did I forget any other insults, or is the list complete?

Expecting Instantaneous Results

By on Jan 5, 2014 10:30 am -

Skybreaker Hitching Post May 2013

I’m reading this thought provoking book right now called “The Circle,” written by Dave Eggers. I am only about seventy-five pages in, so I cannot come to any grand conclusions yet, though so far I am intrigued. Basically there’s this girl, Mae, who has recently been hired at one of the most prestigious and fastest growing internet companies in the world: The Circle. The California based company links users’ personal emails, various social media accounts, banking accounts, and any online purchasing with what they call their universal operating system, which offers a single online identity, as well as a new age of human behavior and transparency.

I immediately gravitated towards this book as I read its brief description on Amazon, mostly because we live in a digital age. I remember being in middle school and my entire class would share one giant and ancient computer. I remember not having computers in my life, and now I cannot imagine life without iphones, ipads, or computers. My generation lives in a fascinating time because we were alive when there was minimal technology and now we are completely surrounded by such power. Most of this technology has redefined life, and yet there are major flaws. Namely, this new age is about instantaneous results and endless communication, which results in high expectations, less patience, and less time to ponder ideas and concepts.

So, how do we merge our fast paced world with that of our horse lives? Can they coincide, or coexist? What positive attributes can we draw from the digital world, while injecting those conveniences into our horse world? Just because we live in a world that is moving a million times per nanosecond, doesn’t mean this madness has to follow us into the barn, into our lessons, or into our riding…does it, or doesn’t it?

Valonia summer 2013

If I have learned anything over the past eighteen or so years, it would be this…Riding horses does not translate into instantaneous results. Unless you are extremely fortunate, or have a box buried underground filled with $90,000.00, then you know that learning to ride, or training a horse takes a great deal of time. Denny always lectures all of us on the art of patience. He continues to stress the fact that learning how to do something WELL, takes a great deal of time. You cannot learn to ride, see a distance, or make perfect riding decisions over night.

These decisions, these techniques, and these skills require time, practice and patience.  You can wish, pray, cry or scream, but nothing takes care of learning how to ride like time does. In this small horse filled world, we long for magical solutions, quick fixes and overnight success. Of course there are some instances in our riding world where instant gratification takes place, but mostly we are building are towers of success day by day. We can’t miss any blocks, and we can’t leave any holes left unfilled. Rather, we have to take the time and energy into creating our masterpieces, so that one day we can sit back and begin to reap the benefit.

Back to merging our worlds… it can be done. We have to start by extracting those positive benefits from our digital world. For instance, having someone record you ride on their ipad can be very rewarding and helpful. You can go back, watch, pause, replay that video and study what you like and what you don’t like. You can send updates of you and your horses to your family with one click of a button. There are countless benefits to living in this fast paced age. Similarly, the slower, more methodical horse world can teach us to slow down, relax and enjoy what’s right in front of us. Do you ever go on a two hour hack, just you and your horse, and get lost in your thoughts, while leaving your iphones, ipads, and ipods at home? Living in a fast paced world is exhilarating and frightening at the same time, though when joined with your horse life, the results can be fascinating and extremely insightful.