Enjoy this video from Coconino Horse Trials I last weekend in Flagstaff, Arizona. A few highlights from the journey are included– like a brief visit to the Grand Canyon (at 0:48). Congrats to Mia Farley as she was first and second in the Junior Training division on The Good Witch (1:08) and Sir Stoney (7:20).
Ella Rak impressed us with her writing ability and fun style so much that she made it to the Final Four of EN’s 2013 Blogger Contest. As with the rest of the finalists, we invited Ella to contribute a weekly piece to the site. Thanks to Ella for writing, and thank you for reading.
From Ella:
Ella Rak, 16, is a High School student, Aspiring Lower Level Eventer, C2 Pony Clubber and Equestrian-procrastinator extraordinare. Defining Characteristics: Strong willed, Easily distracted by horses (I should be studying for final exams right now, but instead cleaned tack and wrote this article), and slightly OCD (that record book WILL be perfect).–
Last week I brought you the story of a rally, and this week I am back with the part of Pony Club I am sure many of us would prefer to forget. Even many of the biggest events fade in comparison to the extreme stress of a rating. Wait, you have to ride well AND be able to talk about what you did?! If my horse has lived 13 years of his life without having his sheath cleaned, why does it need to be spotless now? Next week I embark on an even more frightening prospect: a rating without riding. My first national level rating doesn’t give me the comfort of having a furry friend to lean on. It is entirely knowledge-based and entirely frightening.
Ratings can help you a lot into force-fed effective horse care, but the amount of studying required tests even the most studious eventer’s patience. I am not talking about just skimming through the A manual, hanging around the barn and calling it a day. I currently have a stack of 16 books/instructional DVDs on my bedside table to work through. Conformation, disease, stable management, teaching, conditioning — the list goes on and on and on. You can end up spending more time reading about riding than actually riding, but the feeling of satisfaction you get being able to compare the philosophies of Jimmy Wooford, Phillip Dutton, Sally O’Connor and a slew of others is incredible.
Like the other aspects of Pony Club, ratings make you a very well-rounded horse person, only this time it tests your limits. (Why does this sound more and more like high school?!) You need to be able to teach youngsters, perform basic medical treatments, wrap absurd places you would never need to know until you NEED to know (What the heck IS a spider wrap?!), but most of all, ratings teach you to communicate. The biggest secret to ratings is this: just keep talking. I don’t mean blabber endlessly with no point (I obviously NEVER do that…), but if you can recognize and explain what and why you screwed up and how to fix it, you will be fine. Having trouble telling a horse’s age by his teeth? If you can explain how you do it and make a reasonable guess, you are golden.
Flashcards become your best friend. Oh, you have a final tomorrow? That can wait until you have gone over the equine skeletal system one more time. No matter where you go, any free time must be spent reviewing the nitty-gritty details so you can get the coveted “Exceeds Expectations.” A meaningless check mark is all I ask for (and you thought ribbons were absurd). Yes, I may care a little bit too much about this, but if you are going to drive hours to spend a summer weekend taking a test, why not make it worthwhile?
And just when you think you are done learning everything you can about this animal you didn’t think was smart enough to be so complex, in comes the record book. Sure every horse owner should keep neat and organized records, but do you even want to know the amount you spend on non-essential horse items? I know I don’t. Conditioning schedules, lesson plans, vaccination schedules — that’s all do able. But if you ask me to tally up all that I have spent on horses in the past 18 months and compare it to my net income, that is crossing a line.
As I remove the tack and assorted horse items from my truck and replace them with a plethora of books, binders and flashcards, I slightly question my sanity, but realize what an amazing opportunity this is. I get to go to a new state and talk about horse butt conformation and the life cycle of a roundworm. Go Pony Club!
Area IX Young Rider Erika Carson was nice enough to blog for us a little from the perspective of a competitor this week. In her first blog, she introduced us to her teammates and how she hoped the week would go in Kentucky. However, as we all know, horses don’t always comply with our schedules! Erika and her team had a week of ups and downs, but together they bonded and as resilient young ladies, I know they’ll be back for more! Thanks to Erika for writing, and thanks for reading.
Jacqueline Larouche, Erika, Amy Gilbertson and Kendyl Tracy help cool off Jacqueline's 19-year-old appendix The Gingerbread Man.
From Erika:
After a busy week, I finally found the time to report on the weekend. Any spare time during the event was spent hiding from the sun or sitting comatose in a chair. The event is complete, and Area IX finished with mixed success and disappointment. However, it was a good week and we had an awesome team.
Both Amy Gilbertson and Jacqueline Larouche’s horses were accepted at the first jog, and they all looked fantastic doing so. Unfortunately, my horse Ricardo was spun at the first jog. He should be back to normal very quickly, but sadly did not get to compete this weekend. Instead, he enjoyed long hacks around the Kentucky Horse Park.
Amy had a wonderful dressage ride on her horse One Honest Man to put her in 22nd place on a 57.7 in the CCI*. Amy rode the test very well and gave Area IX a lot to cheer about. Jacqueline also had a great dressage ride on her horse The Gingerbread Man, who is 19 this year! She rode a lovely test to earn a score of 54.8, which put her into eighth place in the CCI2*. Jacqueline was very pleased with her test.
Amy Gilbertson and One Honest Man on cross country.
The first cross-country ride of the day was Jacqueline. She rode a fantastic round on a difficult course. She unfortunately had a stop at a jump that caused problems for a couple of riders, but moved up in the standings to sixth place. I am sad to report that Amy was eliminated on course.
The courses this year were challenging, but fair. They were beautifully designed and built and looked like a blast to ride around. This year the Head of the Lake was included in both the one-star and two-star courses. Overall, I thought they were fantastic courses, and it was a lot of fun to watch everyone ride around them.
Friday was a fairly successful day. Even though Amy and Honest had a bit of a rough go, all of our riders and horses came back safe and sound. At the end of the day, that is all you can ask for!
Jaqueline & Allen down the big drop in the CCI2*
On Sunday, Jacqueline had a great stadium round finishing in 6th place and adding only eight penalties to her cross-country score. This was a fantastic last ride for her and Allen before he moves on to a new home. It was a great end to a wonderful partnership.
Jacqueline was on a scrambled team that included Areas IV, VIII, and IX in the CCI2* division. This team was made up of Jacqueline Larouche (Area IX), Lizzie Snow (Area VII) and Erin Strader (Area VIII). Lizzie finished in seventh on a score of 86.3, and Erin placed fifth on a score of 72.6. Their team received a silver medal at the completion of the competition.
The CCI* combined team of Amy Gilbertson (Area IX), Natalie Kuhny (Area VI) and Brynn Littlehale (Area VI) finished in seventh place. Natalie place 23rd on a score of 82.2, and Brynn finished in seventh on a score of 56.7.
I was honored to receive the Eventing Style award this year. This award recognizes a rider’s “style” throughout the week, not only while mounted, but also in the form of manners and overall demeanor around the competition grounds and at the organized functions. It was such a privilege to receive this award, and it was an amazing surprise.
It was a fabulous weekend here at NAJYRC, and it is sad that it is already over. I met a lot of new people who I hope to see at Young Riders again next year. It was a great learning experience to be a part of a team in what is usually a very individualized sport. NAJYRC is an event that creates memories and friends that are very special.
Erika Carson won the Eventing Style award. Photo by ivegotyourpicture.com.
EN has been following along with Texas eventer Rebecca Brown’s journey to the Maccabiah Games — think Jewish Olympics — since March when she sent in her first guest blog. Now the Games are finally set to begin on Tuesday in Tel Aviv, and Rebecca is checking in with her final blog for the competition starts. Go Rebecca, and go Team USA!
The Opening Ceremonies at the Maccabiah Games!
From Rebecca Brown:
Hello from Haifa, Israel, and the 19th Maccabiah Games! We’ve been here a little over a week and this has already been one of the most interesting experiences of my life. We spent last week traveling all over Israel with the rest of the 1,100 USA athletes — from Tel Aviv to Masada to the Dead Sea. Maccabi USA has done a great job putting together this program, and it leaves you wanting to see more.
While we were in Tel Aviv, we had practice horses to ride thanks to our friend Yaron Zohar. Our daily schedule was a 6 a.m. practice followed by a full day of touring. On July 18, we moved bases from Tel Aviv to Haifa, and after a four-hour bus ride, the Opening Ceremonies, and the longest night of my life spent stranded at a bus station, the Games have officially begun! The morning of the Opening Ceremonies we had the draw for horses. Luckily for the U.S., we had an overall good draw for the dressage and show jumping riders.
This competition is proving to be fascinating, and I’m not quite sure how to exactly classify it. It’s not held at an Olympic level, but catchriding horses at Third Level and 1.30 meters on horses from a country not exactly known for its horse sports is quite the challenging task. The horses are all very capable, but many haven’t competed extensively at the level at which the Games are held. I drew a horse named Milani who is 19 years old, breed unknown, and was at some point the Israeli Advanced Level National Champion. Alexa drew a horse named Epo Van De Rispan, a 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood who is for sale, in case anyone is interested!
We’ve had two practices so far. One was an introductory ride, and the second was a more extensive session. Our practices are highly regulated, with stewards making sure we stick to the correct time slot and time length. The jumper riders are allowed as many crossrails as they want, but are only allowed to jump six jumps of any substance per practice. So, by the time the competition truly begins, the jumper riders will have jumped 18 jumps total on their horses because they are only allowed to jump during three of the four practices. The first class will be held at 1.15 meters, the second class will be 1.20 meters and the final class is supposed to be held at 1.25/1.30 meters.
For the dressage, there are two different levels — the Medium level and the Advanced level. Dressage horses are harder to come by in Israel than jumper horses, so the range of horses is definitely more widespread. Another interesting note about the horses is that some riders took advantage of renting horses prior to the Games. The U.S. did not take advantage of this for two reasons. Firstly, it is much more expensive, and secondly, if your horse goes lame, you are out of the competition. After the official horse inspection, this is certainly a possibility. If you took part in the horse draw, you have the option of riding a reserve horse if your horse goes lame.
Four countries are taking part in the equestrian competition — the USA, Mexico, Hungary and Israel. Chile has sent an individual rider. The range of riders consists of teenage semi-pro catchriders to Olympic riders. So, needless to say, this is going to be a very exciting competition. For more information, check out www.MaccabiEquestrian.com, which we are currently updating, and we will keep everyone posted on daily results. The true competition starts July 23! GO USA!!!!
Many thanks again to Shelly and ivegotyourpicture.com for sharing these awesome photos with us. We will add more to this gallery as they become available. Go Young Riders!
Nicole Doolittle is mobbed by Area III supporters after her win in the NAJYRC 1* Eventing competition. Photo via NAJYRC FB.
Good morning, EN! I hope you all enjoyed the coverage from NAJYRC this weekend. Watching these young riders go out and pilot their horses around huge courses, under such immense pressure really makes me aware of my own shortcomings, as I’m about to turn 25 and am therefor very far away from them in age. I love watching the videos, and hearing the screams of support by team members after a rider has gotten through a difficult competition. I have a friend coming over from the hunter-jumper world that competed at her first event, at BN, last weekend, and she couldn’t stop talking about the camaraderie and feel-good attitude that permeates at horse trials. Great job to all of those that competed at NAJYRC, you should be very proud!
Weekend Results:
Coconino Classic 3-Day Event & HT
Events Opening this Week:
King Oak Farm Fall H.T. (Massachusetts, A-1) Bucks County Horse Park Fall H.T.(Pennsylvania, A-2) Aspen Farms H.T. (Washington, A-7) Five Points H.T. (North Carolina, A-2) Copper Meadows H.T. (California, A-6)
Monday News:
Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace won individual gold in the 2* competition at the NAJYRC, and helped her team, Area III win team gold. Overnight leaders Rowdie Adams and No Money Down slipped to second with a two rail show jumping round. [NAJYRC Results]
Area III won the 1* eventing competition at the NAJYRC in Lexington, KY, and Nicole Doolittle won individual gold. The team, comprised of Doolittle, Victoria Clayton, Ashley Dodds, and Diane Portwood were solid throughout the whole weekend, posting good dressage scores and more importantly, incurring no jumping or time penalties throughout the jumping phases. [NAJYRC Results]
It was a busy weekend at Aston Le-Walls in England, where there were four, count em’, four sections of Advanced horses and riders competing. Andrew Nicholson had another strong weekend, piloting Calico Joe and Qwanza to wins in their divisions, and Pippa Funnell won on Redesigned. Mary King was back in the saddle after her fall, riding Cavalier Venture to a fourth placed finish in Intermediate Section O. [Aston Le Walls Results]
Racing authorities in California are investigating whether or not to put limits on racing during extreme heat, after a two-year-old filly died at the State Fair. While California has seen some of the most extreme heat in years over the past few weeks, its racing board doesn’t have limits like many other venues do. [Sacramento Bee]
Beezie Madden won the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Chantilly in Chantilly, France. She bested second-placed Christian Ahlman with a trio of clear rounds aboard Cortes ‘C’. Click through to Global Champions Tour to see some absolutely stunning photos of the venue in France. [The Chronicle] [Global Champions Tour]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Mw-qId_b8
This vintage video shows the British War Department School of Equitation giving an amazing presentation at Weedon. The officer gives a command and the horses and riders proceed to jump over — and on top of! — a variety of fences and different obstacles. We all love jumping, right? We all work on our balance over fences and work on our positions, correct? Well, check out what these riders do over the fences. It’s pretty awesome! By the way, these horses look like serious event prospects if you ask me! Enjoy!
Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace wjn the CH-Y**
Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace jumped a clear round to win the two-star division at the 2013 North American Junior & Young Rider Championships. Laying in second place by only 1.3 points, Caroline put the pressure on overnight leader Rowdie Adams and No Money Down. Unfortunately, No Money Down looked a little tired and jumped just a bit too flat, having two rails down on the Richard Jefferies-designed course. They held on to the silver medal. Finishing third was Jennifer Caras and Fernhill Stowaway, who had a smooth, quiet round with just one rail down. Only three of the 11 pairs jumped clear in the two-star division.
[Results]
Team Results:
Gold medal Area III Team
Nicole Doolittle and Tops win the CH-J*
Nicole Doolittle withstood the pressure and produced a double clear round aboard Tops to win the one-star division at the North American Junior & Young Rider Championships. The pair had a few rubs around the course, but left all the jumps up to retain their lead after cross-country. Others in the top-5 after cross-country had a heartbreaking rail or two, which proved too costly. With their clear rounds, Ann O’Neal Pevahouse (Don Bosco) and April Simmonds (Impressively Done) moved up five places to second and third, respectively.
Gold Medal: Nicole Doolittle and Tops (Area III)
Silver Medal: Ann O’Neal Pevahouse and Don Bosco (Area V)
Bronze Medal: April Simmonds and Impressively Done (Ontario)
Team Results:
Lizzie Snow sent in a guest blog about her experience thus far at the North American Junior & Young Rider Championships. Lizzie and Ringfort Tinkaturk are in seventh place in the CH-Y** going into the show jumping today. Best of luck to Lizzie and all the other competitors as eventing wraps up today. Go NAJYRC!
Lizzie & Ringfort Tinkaturk at SoPo earlier this year (photo by Crow’s Toes Photography)
From Lizzie:
Cross country day proved to be a very influential day for both the 2* and 1* divisions at young riders. David O’Connor switched up the tracks quite a bit this year and sent all of us in new directions. Both divisions got to jump into the head of the lake which was very cool.
The CH-Y2* course was tough, but definitely fair, with serious technical questions spread throughout the course. An angled brush at 6b and a corner at 13b seemed to cause the majority of the issues, although there were other problems spread throughout. The course was nice and flowing as it usually is at the Kentucky Horse Park and the footing was great.
I definitely learned a lot about my horse while riding around the course today, and I’m sure a lot of other people did as well. There were a lot of questions my horse hadn’t seen before and he rose to the occasion. I made a silly mistake early on but it taught me what I need to think about and how I can ride better. I think David set up a true test for the riders and I think that both myself and my horse are better for having run around yesterday.
The Horse Park did a fantastic job with the ground and there were plenty of big fans and ice in the water troughs in the vet box. Luckily the weather was the coolest it has been all week and there was a great breeze throughout the day.
Hopefully all of the horses will be ready for the jog early this morning and show jumping after! Good luck to all the competitors!
