Classic Eventing Nation

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Mar 17, 2022 12:03 am -

Photo courtesy of Stateline Tack.

Dear horses, why do you have to be doing so many midnight hijinks? Is it spring fever? Are you just feeling fitter after the winter break? Or are you trying to give me some form of sleep deprivation anxiety? Because it’s working, and now you can stop. Specifically, I would love it if my horses stopped showing off their athleticism by jumping out of their fields in the middle of the night to graze on my yard. I know the grass is great, but you have grass in your field that is just as good.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Ocala Winter II H.T. (Ocala, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Pine Top Spring H.T. (Thomson, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

One thing that eventing and parenthood share in common is the amount of dedication required to get it right. Aiming for excellence in horse showing and child-rearing is taxing enough on its own, but combining the two and things can get a little more challenging. For many, eventing truly can be a family affair. We have some first-hand advice from USEA members sharing some of their favorite eventing parenting tips, tricks, and hacks to make juggling all of the pieces just a little easier the next time you head out to the barn to ride or make your way to the start box. [Balancing Barn & Baby Time]

Best of Blogs: A Turd In Your Feed Tub

 Just how fit do event riders, at the lower levels, and their horses have to be? In this article with Craig Barrett, he discusses how to organize your horse’s fitness and yours for lower level competency. Depending on your horse’s age, breed, and experience, the answer can be different, and the same goes for riders! [Fit to Event]

As air vests have become more popular, especially in other disciplines, it stands to reason that we would also begin to see turnover in the products as people upgrade to new technology or find a better fitting vest. This means that we’re starting to see more air vests available for purchase in used condition. But is it safe to buy a used air vest? [Buying A Used Air Vest]

Experts from the University of Nottingham have found that the sex of a jockey doesn’t influence any aspect of racehorse physiology and performance. Shocking, I know. The findings of the study, published at Research Square, offer a new perspective on the possible balance of elite male and female jockeys on the start line of races. Studies assessing the effect of the sex of a rider on racehorse performance and physiology during training have not been reported, mostly due to the lack of available data for female participants within the sport. [Hot on Horse Nation]

Diet balancers aren’t just for the easy keepers anymore. In today’s world of high hay prices and various hay shortages, making sure your horse’s diet is balanced can be a challenge.  Hay alone will not supply 100% of the nutrient needs of any horse.  All forage types will be short in critical vitamins, minerals and trace minerals.  Most forages, even the best alfalfa hays, will fall short in meeting a horse’s needs for essential amino acids that impact their topline, performance and growth.  This is where a diet balancer comes in—it supplies the essential nutrition not found in forages, and allows for very specific feeding rates to meet those needs – even by forage type. [Using Diet Balancer for Essential Nutrition]

 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Ride Around Red Hills CCI3*-S

By on Mar 16, 2022 5:00 pm -

I’ve never been to Red Hills, but it’s one of those events I love to watch from afar from my (ordinarily drizzly and cold) perch in the UK. Relative warmth, sun-scorched ground, Spanish moss gently floating in the breeze and catching the sunlight? Absolute bliss, and no matter how many of my Floridian friends try to tell me that the moss is actually heaving with insect infestations, I will merrily plug my ears and keep enjoying how nice it all looks on a livestream.

Or, indeed, on a GoPro round-up. Queen of the hatcam Elisa Wallace is back, and this time, she’s taking us around the CCI3*-S at Red Hills aboard Sharp Decision. Heels down, eyes up, and watch out for the bugs!

Elevate®

Performance horses are susceptible to exercise-induced muscle damage. Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, limits the damage caused by everyday oxidative stress. It maintains healthy muscle and nerve functions, and supports a strong immune system in horses of all ages.

Elevate was developed to provide a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) to horses.

Check out this KPP article: Vitamin E and the Performance Horse – A Winning Combination.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®. KPPusa.com

Equestrian Australia Names High-Performance Eventing Squad for 2022

By on Mar 16, 2022 3:00 pm -

Australia wins silver: Kevin McNab, Shane Rose and Andrew Hoy. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

It’s that time again: with the Tokyo Olympic cycle well and truly – and finally – put to bed, we begin again with our sights set on Paris 2024. As such, governing bodies around the world are busy putting together their tiered squad lists, which feature their country’s biggest stars and brightest up-and-comers, whose performances can be honed and developed with a view to selection over the next couple of years.

The latest country to release their squad list is Australia, who emerged from a tricky and contentious couple of years to take team silver at last year’s Olympics. Their three-part squad system features an elite tier, called the Gold (Podium) tier, a Green tier, for Podium Ready and Podium Potential athletes, and a Generation Next tier for Developing and Emerging athletes.

It’s particularly exciting to see some friends of EN feature in the line-up as Australia’s eventing squad enters a crucial developmental period following the departure of Sam Griffiths, who will now serve as coach to the New Zealand eventing team, and Chris Burton, who is focusing his attentions on showjumping instead.

Here are the riders named to each tier:

GOLD (PODIUM)

  • Andrew Hoy
  • Kevin McNab
  • Shane Rose

GREEN (PODIUM READY AND PODIUM POTENTIAL)

  • Sammi Birch
  • Sonja Johnson
  • Bill Levett
  • Sam Lyle
  • Hazel Shannon

GENERATION NEXT (DEVELOPING AND EMERGING)

  • Olivia Barton
  • Emma Bishop
  • Lauren Browne
  • Catherine Burrell
  • Annabel Cargill
  • Andrew Cooper
  • Isabel English
  • Jade Findlay
  • Thea Horsley
  • Ema Klugman
  • Shenae Lowings
  • Emma Mason
  • Jessica Rae
  • Dominic Schramm
  • Katie Taliana
  • Gemma Tinney

 

 

Two Ways to use Positive Reinforcement Training for the Competitive Event Horse

By on Mar 16, 2022 12:00 pm -

Chelsea Canedy and Little Einstein. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Missed part one of Chelsea’s blog? Catch up here!

In my last blog, I wrote about how much more my eyes have been opened to positive reinforcement training and all of the ways that we can use the horse’s “happy hormones” in training instead of leveraging his fight or flight instinct alone.

While I think every person who trains horses should know that this exists, there’s a big caveat to r+ training: You CAN mess it up.

In fact, I think this is why r+ gets a bad rap sometimes – because we’ve all probably met a horse who was morphed into a total walk-all-over-you, crazed cookie monster after his owner started using “positive reinforcement” (or thought that’s what they were using, at least!).

Let’s talk about two important ground rules before we proceed: First, you must create significance to the clicker. Yes, food is a big part of the process too, but the clicker is the most precise tool in terms of timing. The clicker allows you to pinpoint the exact moment that the horse is behaving how you want, in a way that you simply cannot while fumbling around your pocket for treats.

Next, your first foray into r+ is setting polite boundaries. Your horse should learn to walk with space between you and him, next you, not in front of you, and to not reach into your space for treats. How do you achieve this? You reward him when he’s doing that precise combination of things all at the same time, and never when he’s pushing into your “invisible box”. You have to be very present and observant to catch that moment.

Now, let’s get to the real heart of this blog. How do I practically use this type of training in my competitive event horse? I think it’s important to hear about the practical applications of r+ training to understand how it can fit into your daily life with horses.

#1: Eliminating the Cross Tie Dance

My horse Albert can get a little edgy in the cross-ties when we’re somewhere new. He doesn’t do anything dramatic, but he does a lot more stepping forward, fidgeting, and learning ahead into the cross-ties than he does at home, simply because he’s not as relaxed. So, I want to not only teach him to stand still for my own sanity, but also that the cross-ties are a place to relax. That’s the beauty of r+ training.
In the past, when he moved, I’d stop his movement and put him back where I wanted him to stand, over and over, to get him to plant his feet. That’s great, but it doesn’t necessarily cue his body to relax, and it could be quite monotonous and laborious.
So, I tried it with r+. It took, kid you not, about 5 minutes, maybe less, before he was standing quite still, lowering his head, and looking soft and relaxed in his eye and jaw.
How’d I do it? Whenever he would take a step back from his leaning forward position in the cross ties, I’d click and give him a treat (note that he was already very familiar with the clicker and what it meant from some liberty leading sessions in a round pen). When he stood relaxed for one second, click and treat. Another couple of seconds, click and treat. And so on, until I could see him thinking of stepping forward, and then watch him choose to rock gently back and settle instead.
#2: Establishing a Relaxed Way of Going in Any Gait
Our connection with the horse’s mouth can still be a major part of our ridden work with them, but we can reinforce what we want with r+ training. This is where I love Shawna’s approach to r+: it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Yes, you can still put your leg on. Yes, you can still take a feel of the reins. It doesn’t work against you because you’re still able to reward the horse with the clicker in the moments that feel just right in the ridden work.
With my horse Albert, as we progress in flatwork, I’ll use the example of reinforcing a nice, relaxed frame in the trot. Forward, soft in the mouth, up in the withers, pushing from behind – a nice working trot that would be appropriate for a dressage test. I can certainly get him there with my usual leg, hand, and seat aids, and then when he feels like a rockstar, I can click and treat.
This makes him want to find that way of going. It simply changes the tone of training – it feels more like a happy game than a serious, consequence-laden session. This gets the feel-good hormones going and I am combatting much less of his natural anxiety in his training – anxiety that would surely catch up to us at some point in his progress.
If you’d like to learn more about this method of training, Shawna Karrasch has lots of blogs and podcasts on the topic. Find her work here. She also appeared on the Equestrian Voices podcast (which I’ve also been a guest on!) to break down this approach.
Also, I’m hosting a clinic on the basics of R+ training at my farm in Wales, Maine on April 9. Sign up here!

Stable View Presents: 10 Questions with Tamie Smith

By on Mar 16, 2022 9:00 am -

 

It’s all about team spirit: Jennie Brannigan and Tamie Smith at Boekelo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ahead of Tamie Smith‘s first-ever East coast clinic, which is set to take place on March 28, 29, and 30 at Stable View in Aiken, SC., the organizers sat down for a coffee-break chat with the Tokyo reserve and globe-trotting superstar to get to know what makes her tick. Want to nab your spot and learn from one of the best ahead of her busy spring five-star campaigns at Kentucky and Badminton? Sign up here!

Do you remember the moment you decided to commit to riding full time?

I never intended to become a professional. It wasn’t until after I had my son, who is in high school now, that I considered it and I’m very happy I did.

You have said that to better understand the horse, you have to think like a horse…with that in mind, what do you see as the fundamental things riders fail to observe about their horse(s) that will get them that much further with their equine partner(s)? 

Horses do not think and reason like humans, so my best advice is to read books, watch YouTube videos, or clinic with someone who provides an understanding in this area. But also, so often when we get on our horses we just stop thinking altogether. We freeze and react instead of being proactive.

What advice do you have for young riders who want to run their own competition barn as a business?

I feel that getting an education and a job that requires you to clock in is your first step to building a better foundation as a business owner. Learning to communicate over the phone and face to face is key. It is also essential to understand how to be hard working, have integrity and patience. Like with any business, it takes time to develop a good reputation and it takes one wrong thing to destroy it, so be wise and thoughtful.

Who do you turn to for advice, for anything from horse care to mental preparedness?

I have several people that I lean on to help me through these things. Like with any athlete, it takes a village.

Do you recommend any books or podcast or websites or videos that you have found helpful?

YouTube is a super tool to search for riders who are great for learning. There are several books I love about mental toughness; Relentless by Tim Grover is a great one. I will say mental preparation to me is one of the most important factors to success.

Being on the West Coast, what differences or distinctions (or similarities!) do you observe with training or competing on the East Coast?

Training is always the same … it is a system, no matter where you are in the world.

Mostly, here in the U.S., I see a variety of approaches to training but not necessarily a system in place. I think our country is working on developing a more standardized system like what the Germans have developed. I recently wrote a blog about this for Noelle Floyd.

As far as venues and footing, the places that we event in California are very different than the East Coast. We are lucky to have manicured tracks for galloping, and the venues would be a variety of properties, which is nice to have.

You have also said that lack of patience gets in our way of training progression … How do you teach patience to riders?

Riding can’t be emotional, and it has to always be rewarding for the horse. This is why thinking like a horse is so important.

You travel often to compete … Where is your favorite destination and why? Is there a place you have not yet been that you’d like to visit?

I am very fortunate that I’ve been able to travel all over to compete. I have several favorite places but generally competing at high level events with world class riding is so amazing.

What do you like to do in your “free” time?

The off-season these days is typically the only time I have to do any extracurricular activities. I love snow skiing. I really enjoy going to my son’s basketball games and luckily his season is during my off-season. If I actually have any free time I typically fill it up with teaching clinics.

This is your first clinic ever on the East Coast … What are you most looking forward to?

It’s always great meeting new people and sharing my experience with everyone.

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Mar 16, 2022 12:01 am -

Something we don’t talk about often enough (I think, at least) is the character-building traits horsemanship cultivates. I feel like I always hear parents expressing gratitude that their kids found horses versus partying in high school, and I have to believe that isn’t only because horses take up a lot of time. Spending time around horses builds work ethic, compassion, empathy, awareness, dedication…the list is basically endless.

This is one reason why I really love the PERCS program at Detroit Horsepower. This program, which teaches Detroit-area youth how to ride and care for horses while also building character traits, centers around five core focuses: Perseverance, Empathy, Responsible risk-taking, Confidence, and Self-control. Through this value-charged approach, Detroit Horsepower is producing not only knowledgeable horsemen and women but also better-equipped humans. You can learn more about this incredible program and how you can support it here.

#WomensHistoryMonth Bit of the Day:

Ok, bear with me here. For today’s moment in women’s history, let’s talk about the sidesaddle. I got to wondering: what was the origin of the sidesaddle? Well, I went down a rabbit hole and what I found was…interesting. There are plenty of women warriors who have ridden into battle astride a horse, but then men decided they needed a say, and that protecting a woman’s virginity was more important than riding “normally”.

It was Princess Anne of Bohemia who was on a journey to wed England’s King Richard II. On the journey, it was decided that the princess’ virginity must be preserved, so the sidesaddle was used. Excuse me — really?

True West Magazine writes: “By 1600, riding aside was the only way a “decent” woman could ride a horse without scorn. Most women went willingly along—except for Catherine the Great, of course, who was so powerful, she decreed her court would all ride astride. The reins, both of personal power and individual equestrian control, had been taken away by men who now restricted a woman’s political and equestrian destinies,” CuChullaine O’Reilly wrote for the Long Riders Guild Academic Foundation.”

As time went on, women began to leave the sidesaddle behind, a choice that was soon associated with female liberty. ““The fall of the sidesaddle is linked to the rise of female liberty, for it was the dawning of political freedom which brought about the overdue death of this repressive equine invention,” CuChullaine O’Reilly wrote in her article “Sidesaddles and Suffragettes, the Fight to Ride and Vote“.

At any rate, it’s an interesting history lesson. I know I learned something new. You can read the full article here.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Ocala Winter II H.T. (Ocala, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Pine Top Spring H.T. (Thomson, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Wednesday News & Reading:

Calling all volunteers! The Ocala Winter II H.T. at Florida Horse Park is still in need of volunteers this weekend. The Advanced division will run on Friday, and volunteers are needed to jump judge on cross country. Click here to sign up and earn some VIP points!

It’s time to apply for the next round of Strides for Equality Equestrians’ Ever So Sweet Scholarship! If you’ve missed any of the cool things winter recipient Sierra Lesny has been up to, you’ll definitely want to follow the Ever So Sweet Instagram page — talk about FOMO! Now’s your chance to apply: click here to learn more.

Canadian rider Dana Cooke is hot off a great weekend at Red Hills and has some exciting horses coming up in her string. Read all about her weekend and learn some more about her horses in this write-up from Equestrian Canada.

I think it’s safe to say the Swedish know a thing or two about horse management — just ask their Tokyo gold medal-winning show jumping team. Get some insight and perspective on turnout from Peder Fredericson in this interview piece from The Chronicle of the Horse.

Watch This on H&C+:

Did you miss any action from this weekend’s Dutch Masters? You can catch the replay on H&C — and then don’t forget to tune in next week for Carolina International!

Wednesday Video Break:

Just another highlight reel from “back in the day” — this one comes from the 1978 World Championships held in Kentucky!

Tuesday Video: 8 Times Amanda Cousins Nailed ‘Mare Vibez’ on TikTok

By on Mar 15, 2022 5:30 pm -

Full disclosure: I’m a mare person. I don’t mean to engage in gender stereotyping — certainly not every mare subscribes to the boss-beotch “outta my way” equine Beyoncé variety, but I certainly am a fan of those who do. And Amanda Cousins of ACE Equestrian in Hume, Virginia, really has her impersonation of that varietal down.

She’s been nailing all things The Life Equestrian, and in particular eventing, with her TikTok account (@pewpewsnponies). By turns hilarious and heartwarming, we’ve loved following her adventures on social media, and no doubt all 30,000 of her followers cheered loudly when she got back in the tack after a broken arm (and I mean a REALLY broke arm) when her horse had a bobble (but she didn’t fall off!) in the two-star at Great Meadow last August.

Now she’s back on form — even posting videos of her shooting her brace in a field (pew-pew, get it? And the girl is a FIERCE shot.) Let’s all wish her luck this season and have a giggle at these TikToks, too.

@pewpewsnponies Can’t even #horsesoftiktok #equestrian ♬ original sound – Marcial

@pewpewsnponies Thanks for 30k followers! And welcome if you’re new! #horsesoftiktok #eventerproblems ♬ got nothing in my brain – user10101010*•*

@pewpewsnponies Best one I’ve done yet #horsesoftiktok #equestrian #eventerproblems ♬ Halloween party at Wayne Manor – 🇨🇦 Canadian Native Cosplayer

@pewpewsnponies Life with mares #horsetok #farmlife #equestrian ♬ original sound – Tik Toker

@pewpewsnponies Never get in an argument with a mare #equestrian #horsesoftiktok ♬ I remember when – Teo Domani

@pewpewsnponies She’s definitely Karen Walker 😂 #horsesofinstagram #Equestrian #over30club #farmlife ♬ original sound – Tatiana Turan

@pewpewsnponies♬ original sound – Tik Toker

@pewpewsnponies Don’t come for me, I love mares 😂 #horsesoftiktok #equestrian ♬ original sound – Kylie Hernandez

Applications Open for Summer 2022 Ever So Sweet Scholarship

By on Mar 15, 2022 3:00 pm -

Sierra Lesny, recipient of the second Ever So Sweet scholarship, and her OTTB Pea. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Now in its third cycle, Strides for Equality Equestrians has opened its application period for the Ever So Sweet Scholarship! Applications will be accepted online here until April 15 and the recipient will be chosen by May 1 for the summer term which runs June-August at Sara Kozumplik’s Overlook Farm in Berryville, Virginia. It is made possible by Edy Rameika, Sara Kozumplik, and the USEA Foundation who have supported SEE from the very beginning. Without them this one of a kind program would not be possible!

This is an outstanding opportunity for a young person who wants to expand their riding, horsemanship, and equestrian network on their career path as professional horseperson. It is an immersive program with busy days and lots of learning. Prior recipients Helen Casteel and Sierra Lesny had ample time in the saddle with exposure to truly top class trainers. They met world class vets and farriers and learned from the best organizers and grooms in the business as well. You can follow along with past, present and future Ever So Sweet recipients on Instagram and Facebook.

This is a fully funded scholarship provided through Strides for Equality Equestrians and its partners mentioned above. It includes all expenses associated with board & training of one horse, rent for the recipient and a small stipend, transportation to Virginia and to competitions, entries, lessons, and farrier care. It is truly a unique program that gives riders a head start or a step up in their career.

If this sounds like a program that you would benefit from on your professional pathway apply today at www.StridesforEquality.org.

Ride iQ & United States Pony Clubs Announce Partnership

By on Mar 15, 2022 1:00 pm -

Today the United States Pony Clubs (USPC) and Ride iQ announced their strategic partnership, bringing together USPC’s trusted educational curriculum with Ride iQ’s innovative learning platform. Ride iQ is a first-of-its-kind coaching platform with listen-while-you-ride audio lessons taught by world-class coaches.

Technology is helping to significantly improve athletic skills and performance across all sports, and equestrian athletes stand to benefit, too. One of the greatest limitations to a rider’s progress lies in ineffective independent schooling. Ride iQ transforms independent schooling and empowers equestrian athletes to progress toward their goals through access to world-class instruction.

“With Ride iQ, riders have a phenomenal coach in their ear providing direction, insight, and reminders for every step of their independent rides. Through our collaboration with USPC, Ride iQ’s audio lessons will help Pony Club members of all levels develop fundamental horsemanship skills, strengthen their partnerships, ride more safely, and achieve their next certifications. It’s an absolute game changer,” said Jessa Lux, co-founder of Ride iQ.

Ride iQ was founded in 2021 by two Pony Club alumni, sisters McKinsey and Jessa Lux. While the Ride iQ mobile app and audio lessons are foundational to the platform, other Ride iQ membership benefits include access to weekly live virtual Office Hours with Ride iQ coaches and guest experts, a private Facebook community for members and coaches, and a selection of exclusive podcasts.

The Ride iQ platform currently features 18 coaches across eventing, hunter/jumper, and dressage disciplines. Every Ride iQ coach has proven their ability to produce highly capable riders and has earned a reputation for exceptional horsemanship. Given that selection criteria, it’s not a coincidence that several Ride iQ coaches have strong Pony Club backgrounds, including “A” graduates Ema Klugman (5* event rider), Doug Payne (US Olympic event rider), and Gina Smith (Canadian Olympic dressage rider). Two Pony Club national examiners are also in the process of recording Ride iQ lessons that will be available soon.

Ride iQ’s growing lesson library already has over 300 audio lessons to choose from. Every audio lesson is marked with a Pony Club certification level to help Pony Club members navigate to suitable and relevant lessons. Lessons range from exercises at the walk to working on advanced skills.

Ride iQ membership includes unlimited access to the audio lessons and all other Ride iQ benefits for $29.99/month or $249/year. Through the USPC-Ride iQ partnership, Pony Club members will get discounted access to Ride iQ. As a partnership launch promotion, Pony Club members and their friends and families are invited to use the promo code “USPC” for 50% off their first Ride iQ membership payment (i.e. $15 for the first month or $125 for the first year). The 50% discount will be available for 72 hours, from March 15 through March 17. After that, the “USPC” promo code will generate a 15% discount off the first payment. “The USPC-Ride iQ collaboration represents a significant step forward in enabling Pony Club members to take ownership of their own development through innovative equestrian sports technology and expanded access to top-tier coaching,” said McKinsey Lux, co founder of Ride iQ.

“We are excited to expand Pony Club’s educational opportunities through our partnership with Ride iQ,” said USPC Executive Director Teresa Woods. “As a leader in equestrian education, we feel this technology offers unlimited potential for Pony Club members to enhance their learning as they work toward their goals.”

About Ride iQ

Ride iQ is the first audio-focused training platform for equestrians and offers something completely new: the opportunity to get on-demand, listen-while-you-ride instruction. The private Ride iQ mobile app features 300+ lessons with options suitable for equestrians at every level.

Ride iQ has coaches across hunter/jumper, eventing, and dressage including Leslie Law (British eventer, individual gold medalist), Gina Smith (Olympic dressage rider), Doug Payne (Olympic eventer, Grand Prix jumper), and several others. Visit Ride iQ.com to get started or connect with Ride iQ on Facebook or Instagram.

About The United States Pony Clubs, Inc.

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization that builds the foundation of teamwork and sportsmanship through riding, mounted sports, care of horses and ponies, while developing and enhancing leadership, confidence, responsibility, and a sense of community in its youth and adult members. USPC is proud to offer instruction and competitive opportunities in more than 10 different disciplines through hundreds of clubs and centers across the United States. USPC’s educational standards continue to be instrumental in curriculum development for schools, universities, equestrian professionals, and organizations across the United States. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including Olympic team members, as well as successful business professionals and leaders in a variety of fields, have roots in Pony Club. To learn more visit ponyclub.org.

#Supergroom Series: Nowhere Else Anna Lawson Would Rather Be Than with Sharon White

By on Mar 15, 2022 9:00 am -

Anna and her horse, Cinder. Photo courtesy of Anna Lawson.

There’s nothing else Anna Lawson would rather be doing than grooming for Sharon White.

Sharon White’s farm, situated on the border of West Virginia and Virginia, is like a second home for Anna Lawson, who has been working there since the summer of 2021.

“I know in my bones this is where I’m supposed to be and everything about it feels correct and right. There’s really no one else I’d rather work for honestly,” Anna said.

Anna moved from Georgia to Virginia when she was 17 years old to gain more experience in the equine industry. She started reaching out to people and one of Sharon’s first working students, Christy Hill, introduced Anna to Sharon.

Anna wanted to work for Sharon, but she knew she needed more experience before stepping up to that position. “ I wasn’t quite qualified for the job. I’d never been anywhere at all. I’ve been home my whole life, taking little riding school lessons,” Anna said.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sharon White (@lastfrontierfarm)

Before working for Sharon, Anna gained experience with Natalie Hollis at Destination Farm in Maryland for about three years. Anna started riding with Sharon when she was at Destination Farm to teach clinics and later trailered to Sharon’s barn for lessons about once a month.

“There was something about the way she taught me, I really liked it and I appreciated the effort she put into my riding,” Anna said.

Anna’s mom ended up working for Sharon as her barn manager, so Anna visited Sharon’s farm more often, which encouraged her to work to prove herself to Sharon.

“I didn’t think I was good enough so I kind of made it a point to prove myself to her and get her attention,” Anna said.

While Anna was working off lessons, Sharon needed more help around the barn, and the groom position was open. “She asked me, and I wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity; it’s a fabulous opportunity!”

Anna appreciates the attention to detail that Sharon has for her horses and students. “She’s a visual learner. And in that she also teaches for people who are visual learners.”

Sharon holds a high standard for her barn and Anna makes sure to uphold that standard.

Claus, Anna and Sharon at Tryon last fall. Photo by Sally Spickard.

“I’m a very detail-oriented person. The kind of care I like to give is very personal, like how amateurs spend time with their horses, they spend four or five hours at the barn, or like most people do. I like to do that with each and every horse, and it gets hard when there’s as many as we have,” Anna said.

Luckily, Anna has the support of Sharon’s working students to help around the barn. “I really couldn’t do it without the working students we have here: Lea and Olivia. They’re all very, very wonderful and they’re very good about everything,” Anna said.

Anna’s favorite horse around the barn is Claus 63. “He reminds me a lot of myself; he’s very anxious and nervous. But he tries his hardest in everything that he does.”

The best part of Anna’s day is riding her own horse, Little Red Corvette aka Cinder, who she’s had since she hit the ground. They are currently competing at the training level, with the hopes of moving up to preliminary and eventually running a 2* this season.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Anna Lawson (@_annaglynn)

Their first event back this season was at Rocking Horse and “It was very productive. I went entirely too fast and blew past two fences and a combination, but she was having the time of her life. So it’s okay,” Anna said.

Anna has felt at home since she started working for Sharon and sees herself doing that far into the future.

“There’s no one I can depend on– whether it’s as a boss or a coach– no one who is as invested in her students as Sharon is in all of us,” Anna said.

Go Anna and Go Eventing.

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