MARS Bromont Rising recipient Emeline Gilbert and EWSZ Mozart. Photo by Abby Powell.

Though there has been much focus on a weekend of success for the Australian-turned-Americans, there were two sections at MARS Bromont CCI that neither Boyd Martin nor Phillip Dutton could dominate. To be fair, a reverse-aging potion would have to be involved in order for either rider to contend in these divisions, and thus we turn to the youth to see us through the U25 portions of the weekend. Between the CCI2*L-U25 and a spattering of U25 riders in the CCI3*L who made up a youth section of the larger division, Bromont demonstrated a spectacle of the next generation of the sport: the future looks bright.

With the help of the MARS Bromont Rising program, created in honor of the late Steve Blauner in 2019, many of the U25 riders experienced top-level coaching throughout the weekend of competition. Not only was there on-the-ground aid by Germany Olympian Bettina Hoy, but the group also had the opportunity to listen to lectures on all things FEI eventing with a panel of experts. Riders also received financial aid in order to attend the prestigious event.

For the recipients of this grant, the week started with a rider meeting where participants were introduced. During this time, riders spoke with Bromont organizer Sue Ockendon, FEI dressage judge Cara Whitham, Bettina Hoy, and Dr. Yves Rossier, DVM. Cara Whitham discussed tactics when riding a dressage test, and Dr. Rossier spoke on how to best present the horse for an FEI jog. Afterwards, riders were given the opportunity to have lessons with Bettina on the flat and over fences. During these sessions, Bettina’s ability to individualize her approach to suit new riders was remarkable.

Overarching themes were apparent, even in contrasting lessons. Bettina stressed the importance of focus during corners both in dressage and in jumping. This, she maintains, is the best way to regroup the contact with the horse and relax back into self-carriage and rhythm. As such, Bettina also stressed the importance of body language as a focus tool. For horses that are spookier, sitting up when doing dressage and jumping will aid in returning their concentration to the rider’s aids.

Maya Clarkson and Maks Mojo C. Photo by Abby Powell.

Once the two days of dressage commenced, Bettina helped warm up the riders before their tests. She again demonstrated her tactical brilliance in providing focused feedback on final specifics which would provide a difference in the test, rather than fixating on elements that could not be corrected as quickly.

After the two days of dressage, riders were invited to review their tests with the help of Cara Whitham, a celebrated five-star judge. Nadia Sabot, from Uxbridge, Ontario, found this session especially useful: “I sat down with Cara for probably half an hour and she went over every aspect of my test and things I could improve on and really took the time with me. I am so appreciative of that.” Nadia highlights the comprehensive approach to the weekend, in which a high-profile competition such as Bromont presents not only a key event in itself, but a stepping stone for learning opportunities to enhance future successes.

On Friday, Bettina led two course walks, first up was the CCI2*L followed by the CCI3*L group. Her comments proved pivotal for the riders’ success over the challenging, undulating, Derek di Grazia tracks. Again, Bettina’s ability to perceive minute details less perceptible to riders but vital to the horses proved an asset to each pair’s success. She instantly noted that the slight undulations apparent throughout the course would need to be seriously kept in mind. The big, rolling hills of Bromont would undoubtedly create tired horses, Bettina pointed out that though the small differences in terrain within these larger cambers may not seem significant to the horses for the first few minutes of the course, by the last minute these differences could catch out a tired horse, and distinguishing the best route through these undulations would be vital to success.

Bettina Hoy leads a course walk for MARS Bromont Rising riders. Photo by Cara Whitham.

Intel such as this proved especially useful for Maya Clarkson, who finished the weekend in second place in a competitive CCI3*L division aboard her 11-year-old gelding, Maks Mojo C. After an exceptional clear cross-country round within a tough time saw her climb up the leaderboard from equal ninth into second, Maya noted that Bettina’s positivity in working within the framework of each rider’s program but equally providing these selective insights is what makes Bettina so proficient in her role as clinician. Maya also noted the importance of Bettina’s coursewalk coupled with the information Derek di Grazia shared with them about the course earlier on in the week during the riders session. “Something which I’d actually never heard before was fence 9AB [a log to a corner] and there were some trees above it and [Bettina] was like when the trees hit your head don’t close your eyes because you have the corner,” Maya continued. “I’d never heard that before, like when your head feels something don’t close your eyes. That was really helpful”. These small, precise details made all the difference to ensure a successful cross country test for Maya and Maks Mojo C.

Sara Schulman, who proved victorious in the CCI2*L-U25 division on her 7-year-old Cooley Chromatic, equally applauded Bettina’s capacity to provide compelling insight in continuation with riders’ individual systems. Schulman commented that “Bettina was able to work with [my system] and not really change our program hugely, but add in those minor details that you think might help depending on how the course looks or how certain lines are”.

Sara Schulman and Cooley Chromatic. Photo by Abby Powell.

At the end of the weekend, we spoke to Bettina on how she found the MARS Bromont Rising experience as whole; “I’m actually very impressed by everyone, the fact that every piece of information they could get, they really soaked it up. They worked very hard. I could see them try to put it into place, especially in the dressage and cross country”. Bettina continued by saying “especially here, they would have felt the horses getting a little bit tired. Knowing how to deal with that and having a debrief on what can you do better, how can you get your horse, maybe a bit fitter, if they felt they were getting tired. It was great to watch. They are good kids”.

Overall, Bettina said her biggest piece of advice to take away is to “be prepared to change because not everything that they’ve been taught or that they’ve done in the past is how it should be done. They need to be open to change. They also need to learn to be resilient because if you want to make it to the top of the top, you will have some tough times and you will have some really good times. But sometimes, the tougher times make the top athlete, not the good times, so you need to learn to be resilient”.

The entire team behind MARS Bromont Rising provided a wonderful learning opportunity while implementing the support needed when participating in such esteemed competition. Peter Gray, Sue Ockenden, Cara Whitman, Bettina Hoy, Michelle Dunn, Ms. Mars and many more are all to thank for the success of these young stars.

We urge those interested in getting involved with this incredible program to apply for the second installment at Galway Downs in the fall — applications are now open and close on September 1.

Bettina has offered the opportunity for riders to come ahead of time for some training days with her, which only further adds to an already exceptional opportunity. Trainers are encouraged to come, Bettina ensures that “I am not a threat to anyone, don’t feel threatened by me. I just want everyone to benefit from it and for the sport to become better and bigger”. We are excited for the next installment of Bromont Rising and to see what comes of these Bromont Rising graduates in the years to come!

MARS Bromont Rising participants pose with German Olympian Bettina Hoy. Photo by Cara Whitham.

Applications for the next round of MARS Bromont Rising grants are open for competitors aiming at this fall’s Galway Downs International in Temecula, CA and close on September 1, 2023. MARS Bromont Rising is administered by the USEA Foundation.

The MARS Bromont Rising U25 Program was first introduced at the Bromont Three-Day Event in June 2019 when nine riders under the age of 25 were awarded grants to assist with the expenses incurred in preparing for and competing in the Bromont CCI. A complete training program was devised to help the riders prepare themselves and their horses for the competition. An additional six riders were invited to participate in the training sessions and were given free entries to the event.

Grant application forms, hotel information, omnibus forms etc. can be found on the respective websites.