EN isn’t just your leading source for eventing news, results and commentary; it’s a community where fans of this crazy sport come together to share their war stories. We love hearing from readers and, in turn, sharing your thoughts with the world. All reader submissions are eligible for the Omega Alpha Reader Submission of the Month in which they are published. All winners will receive an Omega Alpha supplement of their choosing. Have something to share with EN? Send it to us at [email protected]!
Julie Howard and her Thoroughbred mare Sweetie. Photo via Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
We would like to send a big EN congratulations to Julie Howard, who got her submission in right under the wire for January. Her story, “Confessions of a ‘Master’ Event Rider”, was one of our favorite reader submissions to date.
Owning a horse is so different when mommy and daddy aren’t there to fall back on. I am responsible for it all. Not to mention I have to drive the dang horse trailer alone. I feel like putting a bumper sticker on the trailer a la the “Partridge Family”: Careful — nervous mother driving.”
Julie will receive a free supply of an Omega Alpha supplement of her choosing. Want to win an Omega Alpha supplement? Send in your story, clinic report, video or other article to [email protected]. If it’s published this month, it will be eligible for February’s giveaway. (Month to be determined by date of publishing, not date of submission.) Many thanks to Julie for writing and to Omega Alpha for supporting Eventing Nation. Go eventing!
Here are a few of our other favorite reader submissions from January:
“When you ride with different trainers, you always gain a little more perspective. Sometimes you find out that they have very similar ideas to what you’ve already had yelled at you for hours on end; other times you pick up entirely new concepts. From this clinic, I know I need to refocus on “riding the horse underneath you,” as Boyd put it. He told me it’s very important to react to what the horse is telling you, since issues early on in a course could spell refusals later on, or worse.”
“I tried to have a plan, but the crowds being so large, much of my planned photo route had to be changed. I found myself still in the front half of the course about halfway through the day, so started to hike back through the middle of the course to jumps I had missed. I stopped, though, stood back behind the Hollow, looking south, and could barely fit the long string of spectators in the frame of the camera — it was simply amazing to me that so many people could love my sport of eventing.”
“With regards to health, “Horses will be prone to health issues.” What? Noooo! “They are more likely to be involved in accidents, too. To counteract such bad luck, Horses are suggested to donate blood.” Not sure about you, but typically the blood donation comes concomitantly WITH the accident when my horse is involved. Can I GET an Amen?”
US Eventing Coach David O’Connor. Photo by Ivegotyourpicture.com.
With rough winter weather flogging much of the country, it’s definitely a good year be in the south. Many snowbirds flock to Florida for the ability to ride, train, and compete in the winter, but Ocala also offers some fantastic unmounted educational opportunities. Here’s what the USEA has lined up in the next month:
February 3-5: High Performance Training Sessions (Meredyth South)
Always a favorite, this is the first chance to get a look at the Florida-based riders on the Winter training list working with David O’Connor. Most horses and riders will be knocking the winter rust off, likely with some simpler exercises to build focus and rideability. Open to all for auditing– it’s like free lessons, while stalking your favorite big-name riders and horses. [Complete Training Sessions Schedule – all locations] [Winter/Spring Training List]
The ICP Symposium is a fantastic learning opportunity designed for coaches and trainers– but as a student, you’ll get a lot out of it, too. Dressage sessions are scheduled for Feb. 10 with Canadian eventing dressage coach Jacqueline Brooks, and includes riders and horses from all levels. Jumping will be on Feb. 11 with successful US show jumper Aaron Vale. $50/day for general public, or $90/both days. $35/day for ICP members, $60/both days. [Click here for more info]
February 24-25: High Performance Training Sessions (Meredyth South)
As the second sessions on the calendar, expect some progression from horses and riders– a little more intense dressage or jumping work with coach David O’Connor. With the WEGs at Normandy coming up this fall, the training sessions will be extra important this year. Open to all for auditing. [Complete Training Sessions Schedule – all locations] [Winter/Spring Training List]
The seminar will include lectures and presentations by experienced breeders and judges Susan Graham-White, Marilyn Payne, Robin Walker, and Maren Engelhardt. The session will introduce judges, competitors, and interested parties to the Future Event Horse and Young Event Horse programs. This event is a landmark educational event for breeders, competitors/exhibitors, judges, and anyone passionate about young horses and their development. In addition to the lectures, the seminar will include live in-hand and ridden demonstrations for the FEH and YEH portions, respectively. [Click here for more info] This seminar is free to USEA members.
March 3-4: High Performance Training Sessions (Meredyth South)
We are feeling the EN love! Found by Kate Samuels on the Sporting Days cross country course.
Good morning! I set my alarm a bit early today so that I could begin obsessively checking scores at Galway Downs today. Many of my favorites are out for the first time this season, and I also have a friend who is making her eventing debut this weekend so I of course have to keep tabs on that. Best of luck to riders around the country who are competing this weekend. I’ve also been stalking looking for working students who would like to be interviewed for a new series we are launching titled “Working Student Diaries.” Our first subject works for Phillip Dutton, and she’s got all the scoop on the quirks and personalities of our favorite Dutton horses (sneak preview: Mighty Nice definitely feels his oats every day!). Are you currently working hard for an upper level rider? If so, we’d love to get an insider’s perspective from you! Email [email protected] if you or someone you know would like to participate.
Eventing Nation has been nominated for two Equestrian Social Media Awards! Go vote for us in categories #14 and #15, Best Blog and Best Social Network. [ESMA Voting]
FLAIR Nasal Strips has announced a new award for Rolex this year. The annual award, calledthe “FLAIR Protect & Perform Award” will be awarded to the highest place horse and rider pair who use a FLAIR strip during both cross country and stadium. For more information on FLAIR strips and the numerous benefits they offer, click here.
Are you in need of a serious caffeine mix while traipsing around Aiken? One of our loyal readers tipped us off about the Ridgecrest Coffee Bar. Located at 2502 Wagner Road in Aiken, the drive-thru is even equipped to accommodate horse trailers! I’m sold. [Ridgecrest Coffee Bar]
EN loves photos shot between the ears! If you happen to be out for a hack, are riding in some obscure place or just take some cool photos aboard your mount, send them to [email protected] with a quick blurb about the photo’s story. This week’s View comes to us from Christy Edwards in St. Lucia.
From Christy Edwards: “Just arrived home from our vacation in St. Lucia, where we got to take a spectacular ride through the countryside to the east coast of the island. Best part was a swim in the Atlantic with my horse Sion, who even seemed to enjoy it! Made me miss my horses and so happy to be home, but will never forget the experience!”
And here are the other photos shot between the ears we received this week from around the world:
From Amy Spink: “Just a normal day on the canals in Wellington, Fla. Marcia Kulak let me out of the barn to hack Chops.”
From Ruth Sudduth: “The Chilean horses horses are agile with great lateral work, all good when there are sheer drops off to the side! Pretty cool business trip to Patagonia!”
From Jessica Brown: “The view from snowy North Carolina! The ears belong to my Holsteiner gelding, Quincy, who is currently transitioning from the hunter ring into the eventing world. My son is riding his wonder pony, Henrietta, a Morgan/QH cross. Go snow days with no school! Go riding! and Go evening!
From Jenny Ferro: “The picture is from our latest trail ride at McIver State Park, in Estacada, Ore. It was an incredibly perfect and unusually warm and sunny January day in Oregon. I love this shot because it shows the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and also has the incredible snowy Mt. Hood in the background.”
From Lori Tankel: “The view from my Tucker. The sandhill cranes have been very vocal and active around the farm here in Apopka, Fla. The high on this day was 53, and I don’t think the birds like that!”
From Robin Kelly: “Out riding today in Pilaries Canyon, 10 miles outside of Aztec, N.M.”
"A Horse of a Different Color" features horses and ponies that have been successful in the sport of eventing while representing a unique breed. Do you have a horse that you think would be a great feature subject? If so, email [email protected].
Hanna and D'Jion celebrating at the CCI* at Ocala. Photo from Hanna Bundy.
We know Mustangs are among the most versatile breeds, so a Mustang who has excelled in eventing comes as no surprise. This week, we meet D’Jion, a Canadian Mustang from British Columbia. In 2012, Hanna Bundy, a young rider from Toronto, was looking for a new mount to take her to the next level.
Hanna’s coach, Jessica Phoenix, found D’Jion, otherwise known as Mustard, at Dreamcrest Farm in Ontario. “His previous owner was going off to school and needed to sell him,” Hanna said. “We weren’t really sure exactly what he was capable of, but we definitely knew he could jump. It all happened very fast; within two days, I had sold my old (Preliminary) horse and purchased Mustard.”
Ten years old at the time, Mustard had already shown his chops for the sport. He had competed at NAJYRC at the CCI* level with his previous owner, but Hanna still wasn’t sure what to expect from her horse of a different color. “I definitely didn’t know what kind of horse I had until I took him to his first Intermediate event,” Hannah said. “His stride on cross country is crazy. He covers so much ground; it’s a pretty amazing feeling.”
Hanna and Mustard schooling at home. Photo from Hanna Bundy.
Mustard’s toughest phase has been dressage, as he tends to get a bit tense. Hanna has spent a lot of time working with dressage trainer Jacquie Brooks and has seen a marked improvement since beginning this program. “Every day he just gets more and more solid,” Hannah said. “He definitely still has his days, but it has gotten way more manageable.”
Hanna and Mustard’s partnership progressed quickly, and in 2013 the pair finished seventh in the Ocala Horse Properties CCI* and also completed their first CIC2* at Jersey Fresh. This year, Hanna and Mustard will compete at the two-star level in order to qualify for NAJYRC. Hanna hopes to eventually move up to Advanced, and it’s her hope that Mustard will be the one to take her there. Best of luck to Hanna and D’Jion!
Jenny Furlow’s horse Buddy having a grand time in turnout yesterday.
It’s winter, so the ground is invariably slick, frozen over, covered in snow, or totally muddy and disgusting. You look at the ground and you imagine all of the 36 ways that your horse could go outside and pull a shoe/break a leg/fall and smack his head/run through a fence. Here’s the conundrum: Do you turn your horse out even in the crappy footing, or do you wait and pray for some better weather, knowing that when you do allow him outside he’s more liable to go crazy from being cooped up for a long time?
I totally understand the instinct to bubble wrap, if only for a little bit longer — just in case — to decrease risk. These horses, they cost a lot of money, not only to buy, but to keep in top competition shape! Everything to do with horses costs a lot of money, and the best way to spend more is to have a silly pasture accident. Their lives are precious and even as big animals, they are far more fragile than they seem.
However, here is my theory, and I know it won’t appeal to all of you. If my horse is incapable of going outside on some differing terrain and managing his own body through a few different gaits without putting himself in horrific danger, I don’t really feel like I want to ride him on cross country. Some self sufficiency is required out there, and I’d rather he figure out where his four legs are without me on his back, thank you very much. Especially with young horses, I want them growing up knowing how to buck and fart and run about a little while controlling their bodies to a degree, and it’s nice to know you’re getting on a horse that has the know-how to preserve himself.
This happens sometimes.
I also believe that in terms of general health and soundness, horses that get regular turnout are on the winning side. Living cooped up in a small stall for the majority of the time is contrary to how they are designed to function on a really basic biological level. No, I’m not promoting that you let them live exactly as they would in the wild, as they are domesticated sport horses, and they do require certain luxuries that brumbies do not. However, I am suggesting that the act of regular grazing and wandering in a field for half the day is good for both the body and the mind of the horse.
Of course, as to any general statement, there are horses that will prove me wrong as exceptions. I’ve had horses that positively don’t know how to handle large open spaces and will lose their cool and run around like chickens until they are lathered and lame. I also understand if you spend $1 million on a horse, it’s hard to just … let them go and hope for the best. But, after all, a million-dollar horse is still a horse.
One of the hardest choices that sport horse owners and riders have to make is how to realistically protect an animal that has independent intentions in life. Anybody who has tried can tell you that bubble wrapping only works to a limited extent — and never for the long term. The best that you can do is prepare them for everything in a way that will decrease their future risk, and I believe that regular turnout is integral to preserving the sanity and well-being of any athletic horse.
Abigail Lufkin is a former CCI4* eventer who is now a sports psychology consultant and clinical social worker based in the Los Angeles area. You may remember seeing Abigail ride around Rolex on horses such as Lighter Than Air, Cameo or Jacob Two Two. She was a member of the 1999 Pan Am Team and was shortlisted for the 1992, 2000 and 2004 Olympics. We’re pleased to bring you a series of articles from Abigail about adapting your mental game to promote success in eventing. Have a question or topic for Abigail? Please submit it to [email protected] with subject “Ask Abigail” and be sure to check out her site at www.abigaillufkin.com.
What can you do on days when this is the closest you’ll get to riding? Photo via Lynsey Ekema.
From Abigail:
The main thing I remember about training in England in the winter months was that it got light at 8:30 a.m. and dark at 3:30 p.m. Well that and the fact that I had never felt as cold in my whole life, nor had I ever had such a strong desire to stay in front of the fireplace, watch “Eastenders” and eat packets of chocolate digestive biscuits.
I wish I had known then about mental practice. As I have said before, our minds cannot distinguish between something that our body “really” does and something that we vividly imagine. An extraordinary study demonstrating the power of imagery used four groups of people and looked at their ability to make basketball free throw shots. Each group was assessed for their base line number of shots. Then, for the period of the study, the groups were divided as follows:
Group 1 neither physically nor mentally practiced shooting a ball.
Group 2 physically practiced free throws for 1.5 hours a day.
Group 3 imagined shooting free throws for .5 hours a day (no physical contact with a basketball).
Group 4 first physically and then mentally practiced shooting free throws for 15 minutes a day.
Not surprisingly, the study found that the folks who practiced both physically and mentally improved the most. However unexpectedly, the group who only used imagery improved the second most, improving more than the people who actually practiced with a basketball. If we apply this to riding, it would mean that our ability to see a stride while galloping across country has the potential to improve MORE in our heated living room in New York than it would if we were galloping around the sands of Florida.
Keys to Mental Practice — AKA “a more productive activity for your couch”:
Do be very specific about the skill on which you are focusing.
Do find video footage of yourself or someone you admire doing the skill.
Do watch this short segment multiple times.
Do use music to enhance the process.
Do begin with a short time. I recommend six minutes. You can do anything for six minutes.
Do spend the first two minutes relaxing. Focus on your breath, particularly on a long, slow exhale. Or repeat the mantra “my body feels relaxed and calm.”
Do experiment with your imagery style. Some people are very visual and will see the picture clearly. Others are more auditory and may set the skill to music. Still others are very tactile and focus on the feel of their seat in the saddle or the feel of the reins in their hands.
Do pick a time of day that you will do it. This greatly increases the success rate (think of brushing your teeth).
Don’t take the voices seriously that say, “I am not good at this,” or “This doesn’t work for me.”
Do commit to the six minutes.
As the famous saying goes, “It works if you work it.” And when else in your life can your “work” be done from the couch in your heated living room?
Julie Howard is an adult re-rider in her 50s who hails from New Hampshire and competes her off-track Thoroughbred mare Sweetie in Area I events. She’s also hilariously insightful, and this post is a must-read. Many thanks to Julie for writing, and thanks for reading!
Julie Howard and her Thoroughbred mare Sweetie. Photo via Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
From Julie:
I’ve been reading blog posts on EN from eager, ambitious young riders who show an astonishing wisdom at an early age, begotten, I suppose, from all those lonely nights shoveling manure and sweeping the barn, with perhaps a few falls, bumps and bruises added for good measure. When I read these posts, I think, “I wish I had been that eager young rider and stayed with it.” But instead, like so many aspiring high school seniors in the late ’70s and early ’80s, I headed into the world chasing “Working Girl” (the movie, not the profession) success. There was no room for a horse in my vision of my future.
So, like so many of you, my life took a turn away from the four-legged world. Ivy league college, law school, marriage, children, big house, great job. Life was a whirlwind of trying to get it all done and be everything everyone needed. I was that woman everyone talked about in the ’80s who could and did have it all. I was “successful.”
Fast forward. I’ll spare you the details, but the inevitable crash wasn’t pretty. I gained my bit of wisdom not from falling off a horse, but falling off my white picket fence life. I struggled to make sense of it and to keep moving forward. It was very difficult, as these things typically are. I got caught up in staying busy, working and keeping up with my young teenaged kids. It worked, to an extent. But it seemed I was marking time waiting for my real life to start.
At that time, my daughter’s best friend took riding lessons at a local barn. I’d watch her at shows and think, “I used to do that. I wasn’t terrible. I loved it.” I’d shyly mention I used to ride, and the moment would pass. One day, we went to watch a local event (UNH Horse Trials) and, watching all the gorgeous horses pass by, I yearned to be any of the girls riding those horses. I wanted to tell everyone, “Hey, I used to do that! I wish I could do it still!” Then I’d sigh and go back to reality. Monday morning, I’d snap back to work and my life, nose to the grindstone.
One day after a particularly grueling stint that was my life day after day, I said to my friend, “I’m going to do something for ME for once.” Her daughter, who I had been watching at shows, came around the corner in her riding togs. BAM. The idea was born. I talked my friend into taking a riding lesson with me. If we both did it, and I failed, I could just say, “Oh, wasn’t that fun! What a hoot!” blame my age and move on. A fun experience.
That first lesson was memorable mostly because I rediscovered I could post and sort of remembered what aids were. At the end of the lesson, I dismounted triumphantly and promptly fell, my legs fatigued and screaming, “Excuse us, but what was THAT?! You know you are 48, right?!” There was no “Wasn’t that fun! What a hoot! … Yeah, I’m too old” moment. Instead, I was hooked again. I found myself buying boots on eBay and scouting out tack shops I never knew existed in my area for consignment deals so I would look the part on a budget even if my riding was less than polished. I was having a ball.
Eventually, after leasing a couple wonderful horses and meeting wonderfully encouraging instructors, I dared to take one of the horses to a local event. Aged rider was my name, pre-elementary was my game. I already had the black suit coat from an old business suit — just add a white shirt and a stock tie — voila: Enter “eventer.” I had kept my Pony Club stock pin for who knows what reason, but I dug it out. I even invited my parents.
I bathed, braided, cleaned and clipped my mount, scrubbed my tack as if I was going to a Pony Club inspection. I couldn’t sleep. Would I remember my dressage test? Would my horse halt? Would I look as foolish as I felt? Would I fall off?
No. I didn’t do any of that. Instead, I placed (third out of three counts, right?!). It had gone by too quickly — a walk-trot test takes about the same amount of time it takes to sneeze, I discovered — and I wanted MORE. I set a goal: I wanted to ride in the UNH Horse Trials, that event I had watched enviously as an adult and an event I had ridden in as a teenager. I didn’t know how or when I was going to get there, but if you don’t shoot for the stars, you’ll never get to the moon …
On a whim (a story for another day), I ended up adopting a then 4-year-old OTTB mare named “Isn’t She Sweet” (“Sweetie”). That was two years ago, and this past summer, Sweetie and I entered sanctioned events — her for the first time, me for the first time in 33 years. It was terrifying, exhilarating, embarrassing and, at times, I thought, completely foolish. I still mostly think I’m completely foolish. But, now in my 50s, I DON’T CARE ABOUT LOOKING FOOLISH.
It’s liberating to be a “woman of a certain age.” You don’t have to impress anyone. You realize no one is really looking. If on the off chance anyone you care about is looking, they are just happy you’re up and taking nourishment. When we finally competed at the UNH Horse Trials last summer, I smiled (somewhat crazily I suppose) at everyone I saw from the back of my gorgeous bay mare. I WAS that person I envied years before. The competition wasn’t the important thing. I was just plain happy to be there, to be living my dream. Every time I get on Sweetie, I remind myself, “You are just plain happy to be here.” It changes the experience, and I am much less likely to worry about the result. (True confessions — I do worry about the result despite my best efforts to quell that competitive me inside.)
But this experience, this adventure, of being a horse owner, my own trainer (with excellent professional guidance of course), and my own horse boss is an experience filled with huge highs and lows. The highs of completing an event, of going clean, of finishing in one piece so I can continue to go to work — to fund my eventing of course. The lows of fear and self-doubt are particularly numerous now that I’m in my 50s. Owning a horse is so different when mommy and daddy aren’t there to fall back on. I am responsible for it all. Not to mention I have to drive the dang horse trailer alone. I feel like putting a bumper sticker on the trailer a la the “Partridge Family”: Careful — nervous mother driving.”
As an adult rider (a “master” rider, oh Lord), I worry. Constantly. I worry about injury, my joints, my strength, my hearing, my eyesight (can/should I wear eyeglasses on cross-country?), my memory for dressage tests and stadium courses. I also worry about what I can’t see or feel — my insides and the health of my innards. I worry about my family, my children’s reactions to my newfound passion and my bank account (especially my bank account, but we won’t go there right now).
I way, way, way overthink horse care. The flakes of hay that as a kid I used to throw so carelessly to my horses and ponies I now examine for mildew, dust and any mysterious foreign matter that I should know about but don’t. I read ceaselessly all the magazines advising “feed this, don’t feed that.” When my horse sneezes, I immediately contemplate switching her feed yet again or adding some supplement that will result in the perfect combination of health, weight, coat, hooves, muscles, respiration and a horsey calm mental state that will allow me to stop worrying.
I read books and listen to CDs about horse behavior, horsemanship and “reading the horse’s body language.” I’ve studied books on dressage, hand carriage, leg position, balance, posture, head position and shoulder position. I devour Denny Emerson’s posts on Facebook and constantly take to heart what he says (especially don’t let that lower leg drift, people!). I’ve tried my darndest to ensure my position looks like that of the masters, and I beat myself up if it doesn’t. I want to do it absolutely correctly now that I’ve finally rediscovered this horse thing. I do what I’ve been trained to do by college and law school: research, study, examine, analyze. I drive myself crazy and then crazy again.
What does it all mean? It means I’m LOVING LIFE. I have dear friends now of all ages. I stay active and strong. I get to give back by volunteering at horse gatherings. I travel (to events and to watch at Fair Hill International, but that counts, right?). I have interests and passion. I laugh, a lot. I get to scare myself silly galloping cross country on Sweetie and flying over jumps. Best of all, though, I have the most wonderful soft horsey nose to kiss after a long day in the office. Walking into the barn, smelling that smell, is the best therapy I know for what ails ya.
What got me thinking about all this, my journey into where I am now, was something that happened tonight. I was helping out at the barn where I board Sweetie, sweeping the aisle before graining. It’s a huge barn, some 60+ horses in total. The aisle is long. It was freezing cold, I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes, and the sweeping job seemed endless and discouraging. I mentally cursed every horse owner in the place. Why did they leave a brush there? Why can’t they pick up their blanket straps? Why can’t they put their tack away? Why can’t they pick up every scrid of manure? “Why?” turned into mental whining, and darned if I wasn’t feeling sorry for myself.
Wait, I said to my critical self. Three years ago, you had no horse, yet you were sweeping a barn for nothing in your precious spare time just so you could be around horses. As you swept, you were looking at every horse owner in the place with envy. You prayed fervently — I wish, oh how I wish, I had a horse myself. How can they do it? How do they have the time? What is it about them that they can do it? Will it ever be possible that … I … might do it? There seemed to be no way.
Yet here I was, a horse owner. Freezing, achy, tired and whiny, but a horse owner. I gripped the broom and forced myself to be in the moment. Feel the broom. Hear the broom. Feel your muscles pushing and pulling the broom. Focus on that square-foot spot. Clean that and move on. Take a deep breath and smell that horsey smell. You would have given your eye teeth three years ago to be where you are now. Appreciate it. Love it. Be grateful. Look down the aisle to see your very own horse watching you and nickering when you look up. Your real life has started. You are happy, so happy, just to be here. And I was.
When Hannah Bennett posted on Facebook that she was geeking out over researching European sport horse bloodlines, I asked her to write about the topic for EN. She agreed — yay! Hannah worked for the USEA through last year, so chances are you’ve seen her behind a camera at events, and she still designs Eventing USA magazine. Many thanks to Hannah for writing, and thanks for reading!
Hannah Bennett. Photo via Flashpoint Photography.
From Hannah:
I’ve ridden horses all my life. I started riding like so many of us do — at a week-long day camp at the local eventing barn, and despite my mother’s persistent warnings about horses being dirty, I fell in love. I started taking lessons, bouncing around from barn to barn as I tried my hand at many different disciplines, learning more and more about these mesmerizing animals as I went along. I rode consistently throughout high school and college, but when the time came to get my own horse, it just never quite worked out, due to either poor timing or lack of finances.
I made it work, falling in love with my fair share of lease horses, catch rides and donated IHSA school horses, but I never actually had the opportunity to have my own horse that I could ride consistently and develop a long-term relationship with.I tried very hard, for a year and a half, to buy one after I graduated from college, but after three failed vettings and several thousand dollars down the drain, I was forced to give up.
So, here I am, years later, just as horse crazy as I was when I first started out, but still horseless. In addition to being annoying, frustrating and a major hindrance of progress, constantly needing to ride someone else’s horse makes for a lot of awkward lag time between situations. During these times, I have to grit my teeth and dredge through weeks, sometimes months, when I don’t get to do a lot of riding. Scratch that … I don’t get to do ANY riding.
But, something I try very hard to avoid is stewing over, complaining about and otherwise making myself miserable by constantly dwelling on what I don’t have (considering that I have been given so very much in the grand scheme of things). So, instead of whining, crying, complaining — or my personal favorite — eating my feelings, I channeled my energies in a more productive direction.
Everyone is always writing about their game plan for the off-season and taking advantage of down time to learn new skills, fix holes in training programs and improve upon experience garnered the previous season. So I decided to view my time between rides as a kind of off-season where I dedicated the time I would’ve spent riding to learning all I could about something horse-related. Naturally, I did what any 21st-century millennial would do — I turned my attention to the Internet, and more specifically, using it to research and learn about European sport horse breeding.
Why I Got Started
There are several reasons I decided to research sport horse bloodlines, but my main inspiration came from one of my most favorite catch rides. This spring, after leasing an event horse for six months and burning through most of my savings, I had to make the tough decision to end my lease early and focus on getting my finances in order. I was pretty devastated, because I had set some pretty major goals for the year, and they were all instantly out of the picture.
I still wanted desperately to ride, so, on a whim, I posted a quick ad on a horse-related classifieds website about being available to hack horses if anyone had extras that needed to be ridden. The response I got was pretty unbelievable. One of the first e-mails I received was from a girl about a half hour away who needed help keeping her … get this … Grand Prix show jumper exercised. I read the email a few times over, double checking that I had actually read it correctly, picked my jaw up off of the floor, and immediately replied that I was interested and available.
Long story short, I ended up getting to ride, occasionally jump and even lesson on her horse, Corland, which was an invaluable, somewhat surreal experience (Sitting on a horse that thinks the 4’3” gymnastic you’re taking him through is “small” is … well … I don’t really have the words), and I cannot thank the owner and her family enough for their unbelievable generosity.
But, in addition to riding a pretty unreal horse, I got to experience something that I hadn’t anticipated. Early in the summer, she imported a second horse from Germany, a young Holsteiner gelding with international-level potential. When the horse arrived, he was not yet 5 years old, and within a month, he had flown across the world, gone through quarantine in New York and stood on a trailer for several hours before finally arriving in Northern Virginia.
After a day or two, we decided to take the horses down the road to a park with a larger arena to jump a few fences. I watched in awe as the young horse jumped over flowers, roll tops and brick walls without blinking. He had only been jumped a handful of times in Germany and had had enough changes of scenery in the past month to last him quite a while, and yet he still marched politely into the ring, did his job, jumped his fences and didn’t waste a second snorting, spooking or even glancing at any of the lurking monsters.
Lars and Corland this summer. Photo by Danielle Quinn.
I decided right then and there that I wanted one (surprise, surprise). Not only was this horse stunningly beautiful, well put together and obviously talented, but he had a mind that completely blew me away. As the summer wore on, riding the experienced horse and watching the younger one continue to learn and progress, I was floored at how unbelievably business-like, level-headed, talented and kind these horses were.
Especially the young one, who had been through a lot of upheaval and had hardly been under saddle for more than a few months. He was calm, professional and thoughtful about everything he faced. This was not at all the kind of young horse I was used to (more of the bucking, spinning, refusing variety), and it made it seem possible to envision myself having a young horse and training it, with copious amounts of assistance, without ruining it.
How I Got Started
The biggest dream of my life began to take shape this summer as I started to toy with the idea of importing a horse. I told the owner of the two horses about it, and her first piece of advice was to research the bloodlines of the horses I was interested in so that I could know what kind of traits to expect.
So, I sat down at my computer to start my research, and as I gazed at my blank Safari window, I realized that I didn’t have the first clue where to start. I couldn’t exactly Google “German sport horse breeding for dummies.” I knew absolutely nothing about breeding, let alone breeding in a foreign country halfway across the world. I didn’t even know what questions to ask. I poked around a bit on my own online, to no avail, and quickly became frustrated.
Then, something happened that I thought was totally unrelated, but ended up being the perfect springboard into the deep, vast ocean of breeding research. My best friend from home bought a horse … a Holsteiner. He didn’t really have his own name, as the people who imported him had been calling him by his father’s name, Quality, so I made it my personal project to give him a great show name (remember, I can’t ride, so I had nothing better to do!). To get some ideas, I asked her to send me his lineage, so she texted me a photo of his passport.
My best friend’s new horse, Corbin, by Quality and out of Venecia. Photo via Jordan Coy.
VOILA. I had my springboard. I had never thought of it before, but what better way to start learning about bloodlines than to learn everything you can about a horse you have somewhat of a connection to? It seems obvious looking back, but when there are mountains of information, deciding what first step to take can be really confusing. I decided that my first step turned out to be researching just one horse I was interested in.
So, with the photo at the ready, I returned to my blank Safari window and typed in “Quality sire” in my Google search bar. I was directed to the national Holsteiner site where I found photos and some information, as well as the farm where he was standing at stud. I googled the farm and found more photos and videos of the sire, and again, was blown away by his talent and versatility.
The Sires
I continued to Google each one of the ancestors of my friend’s horse, and I ended up learning about some of the most famous, landmark stallions of the Holsteiner breed, namely Quidam de Revel, Jalisco B, Landgraf I and Cor de la Bryere.
Quidam de Revel is actually a Selle Francais, but he was introduced into the Holsteiner line in an effort to improve the breed, which I have found a lot of during my research, and speaks to the intentionality of those invested in the breed and their proactive approach to refining the Holsteiner lines. Quidam de Revel, who won team bronze and was fourth individually at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 under Herve Godignon, is by Jalisco B, who has sired multiple Olympic and World Championship medalists. For several years, Quidam de Revel was the world’s most expensive stallion.
Jalisco B won the Grand Prix of Paris in 1983 and was on the selection list for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Before he had the chance to compete at the Games, he was injured on the Spanish circuit and later competed for Portugal at the Seoul Olympics in 1988. He was large, moved with great elasticity, had a very long stride and was naturally quite powerful. He had four half brothers but was considered to be the best of the five of his generation.
Landgraf I, one of the “founding fathers” of the Holsteiner breed, was not initially widely accepted as a stallion in Germany, as he was a son of a Thoroughbred — Ladykiller XX. At that time, sons of Thoroughbreds were still regarded with suspicion, but after he demonstrated his ability to clear 6’6” with ease, international riders started to buy his offspring.
Cor de la Bryere is often noted as one of the most influential sires in modern warmblood breeding, second only to Landgraf I. Cor de la Bryere was also a Selle Francais. The Holsteiner Verband had noticed the success that French blood had in the Oldenburg breed to upgrade their stock and wished to introduce it into their own horses. An inspection committee travelled to France to evaluate a different horse and happened to find Cor de la Bryere while they were there. The Verband purchased and imported the 3 year old to Schleswig Holstein, Germany, in 1971. That same year, he was the champion of his 100 Day Test.
Making Connections
After learning about the stallions that made up the lineage of my friend’s horse, I was officially on a roll. I had a starting point, and I was absorbing gobs of information as fast as I could get my hands on it. My next thought was to do the same thing with the horses I rode this summer. I quickly texted the owner and got their information, and I was off again, down the information rabbit hole (I’m getting excited again just thinking about it!).
The more experienced horse, Corland, is by Corrado I and out of Hillary XVI, who is by Landgraf I. Corland’s sire, Corrado I, is by Cor de la Bryere. Cor de la Bryere is also the great-grandfather of my friend’s horse by Quality, who has since been named Corbin, and Landgraf I is Corbin’s grandfather as well. By some incredible stroke of luck, the first two horses I decided to research shared several common ancestors, which made it that much easier to commit their pedigrees and characteristics to memory.
The new younger gelding, Lars, is by Lord Pezi and out of Lanett, who is by Landcapitol. Lord Pezi is by Lacros, who is by Landgraf I, the great-grandfather of my friend’s new horse, Corbin, as well as Corland’s grandfather. Lars’s father, Landcapitol, is by Lanadel, who is also by Landgraf I. Yet again, there were several connections between the first three horses I researched, all of whom were important to me.
These sires seem to, right off the bat, have a distinct knack for siring offspring that perform well in the jumper ring. But, upon further research, I found that all three of the horses also share common ancestors with Chippieh, Kenki Sato’s mount that scored a 42 on the flat at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Chippieh is by Carnaby, who is by Caribo, by Calypso II, by Cor de la Bryere. Chippieh’s dam, Copenhagen, is by Caretino, by Caletto II, by Cor de la Bryere and is out of Nabella, who was by Landgraf I.
I have to say, the ability to look up pedigrees for horses I know and love and recognize the names of was extremely rewarding. However, the unbelievable, exciting, addicting part was seeing the same names across several pedigrees. In a weird way, it made me feel like my continuous string of seemingly unrelated leases, catch rides and horses I’ve simply met along the way were all connected to each other.
Somehow, connecting all of them made me feel that I wasn’t simply bouncing around between situations like a leaf in the wind, but that I was moving forward on my journey as a rider and a horse person. In my mind, I felt that if the horses were connected, and they were all teaching me things, then I’m still making some sort of progress. Even though the progress isn’t measurable — like moving up a level or scoring a personal best in the dressage ring — I’m still learning. I’m taking each lesson with me as I move forward, and I will be able to apply them when I someday begin my journey with my own horse.
When Dreams Become Realities
I don’t profess to know everything about breeding, or sport horses or anything in general for that matter, but I am trying very hard to learn. I’m a firm believer that we’re all given different experiences for a reason, and those experiences lead to dreams, and with some hard work, those dreams can lead to realities. It can be intimidating to dream such a big dream, but the bigger the dream, the bigger the reality.
So, in an attempt to do my dream justice, I’m going to do everything in my power to put together the funds to import my own horse in the next year or two, but more importantly, I am vowing to do my due diligence to know as much as I can so I can make the best possible decision when the time comes to actually pick out the horse. I have no idea what size, color or type he or she will be, but the most important thing is that the horse will be all mine, and I can’t wait to give it a pat and a carrot and welcome it home to the States.
Hannah Bennett, a professional graphic designer and photographer, is based in Vienna, Va. She is the full-time graphic designer for the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America and designs the USEA’s monthly publication, Eventing USA, in addition to ongoing freelance design, website and photography projects. Her website can be viewed at www.Hannah-Bennett.com.
Jonelle Richards and Flintstar at Bramham in 2012. Photo by Samantha Clark.
There’s something really exciting about talking to a young up-and-coming rider who has the drive and passion to succeed. Calvin Ramsay chatted with me last night about his new horse Flintstar, who arrived in Louisiana 13 days ago from Tim Price and Jonelle Richards’ yard in Wiltshire, England. Purchased by his parents Court and Kylie Ramsay, 16-year-old Calvin is hoping Flintstar will help him land a spot on the 2014 Area V Young Rider CCI2* team.
“I went to England over Thanksgiving break to take show jumping lessons with Bumble Thomas,” Calvin said. “I had been passively looking for a higher-level horse, so I went half expecting to look at a horse while I was there. I ended up riding Flintstar, and I fell in love with him. He was so awesome to ride.”
Flintstar, a 14-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding by Zabalu out of Croftlea Firequeen, most notably competed on the bronze medal-winning New Zealand eventing team at the 2012 London Olympics. He’s enjoyed numerous top placings with Jonelle in the irons, including placing eighth at the Luhmuhlen CCI4* last year. He’s also completed Burghley twice, placing 27th in 2011 and 22nd last year.
Calvin Ramsay and Hoodwink at the 2013 NAJYRC CCI*. Photo courtesy of ivegotyourpicture.com.
Calvin and Flint are still getting to know each other, and he plans for their first event together to be running Preliminary at the Rocking Horse Winter II Horse Trials over Valentine’s Day weekend. “Depending on how we do there, the plan is to go to Red Hills to do the one star,” Calvin said. “And if one thing leads to another, we’ll try to qualify for the two-star Young Rider team.”
No stranger to the NAJYRC, Calvin competed on the Area V CCI* team last year with Hoodwink, adding just time on cross country to his dressage score to finish in fourth place on 55.8. He also won the very competitive Junior Novice division at the 2011 American Eventing Championships with Landmark’s Miss Liberty.
Flint has been a lot of fun to have around the barn, Calvin said, and he’s a very different type of horse than he’s used to. “He’s much more keen to the fences just because of everything he’s done in his career,” Calvin said. “I’m just so lucky to have him. If it wasn’t for my parents who funded my trip to England in the first place and then bought the horse, none of this could have happened.”
Jonelle said she wishes the Ramsay family all the best with Flintstar. “Flintstar has been instrumental in getting my career off the ground, and I hope he will do the same for Calvin,” she said. “I look forward to competing alongside them at Rolex in a few years!” Best of luck to Calvin and Flint as they build their partnership together.
Julie Howard and her Thoroughbred mare Sweetie. Photo via Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
