We hear all the time about horses at the top of the sport, but what about the next generation of equine talent? EN’s Got Talent introduces the future superstars of the sport, interviewing riders about how they’re tackling training with these youngsters. Have you spotted a spectacular young horse at an event you think should be highlighted in this column? Tip me at [email protected].
Lauren DeNeve and Forrest Nymph at Rocking Horse I. Photo by Jennifer Marriott.
Last week we met Forrest Nymph, a 14.3-hand New Forest Pony mare who successfully moved up to preliminary last month. Ridden by Lauren DeNeve and owned by Beth Davidson of Black Dog Farm, this plucky mare has the movement and scope to go far up the levels. At Farrah’s first preliminary at the Ocala Horse Properties Winter I Horse Trials, Lauren was very pleased with her overall performance.
Despite a bobble in her canter work, Farrah still earned a 30.9 in dressage; jumped clear on cross country with time; and pulled one rail to finish 10th. “She felt really good and is becoming more rideable after each event,” Lauren said. “She’s definitely starting to improve.”
Jumping comes very naturally to Farrah, who Lauren says has springs for legs. “The only thing that’s presented a challenge is water,” Lauren said. “She really didn’t like water at first, so I override her a bit to the water. It can be a bit unnerving to ride her as the fences get bigger because of how small she is. Her neck disappears going down drops. But the size of the fences doesn’t faze her at all. She needs to learn to brush through things on cross country because she still tries to clear it.”
Lauren DeNeve and Forrest Nymph at Rocking Horse I. Photo by Jennifer Marriott.
Lauren and Farrah have trained with Grand Prix show jumper Debbie Stephens, who labeled the mare “an international-type show jumper. She lands far out from the fences,” Lauren said. Leslie Law has also seen the mare and commented on how talented she is. Wynn Norman, breeder of superstar pony Theodore O’Connor, has compared her to Teddy himself. Wherever Farrah goes, people are immediately interested in her. “People see she’s entered in preliminary and are intrigued that a pony is running at that level,” Lauren said.
Lauren and Beth’s plans for Farrah don’t stop at preliminary. The mare has already schooled the intermediate water and coffin lines at Longwood. “We are working with Debbie and Leslie on her jumping,” Lauren said. “Getting her flatwork to where it needs to be will be our challenge. We’re tentatively planning a move up to intermediate late this year or early next year.” Lauren plans to aim Farrah at the Ocala CCI* in April, and Beth would like to see Farrah run at the American Eventing Championships this year.
Farrah will be available for syndication in the very near future, according to Beth; her profile was recently added to the Experience Eventing website. While details of the syndication are still being finalized, the tentative plans are to offer embryos along with shares. “Everyone compares her to Teddy because you just don’t see a pony going at the upper levels very often,” Lauren said.
“If Karen O’Connor was riding her, I definitely think she could go all the way. If I had the balls to do it, I think the pony could do it. I’ve ridden through the two-star level, and growing up doing eventing, I always hoped I would have the opportunity. I never thought I would be running a pony at the upper levels. Even though all the jumps look huge, I’m very happy to have the ride.”
Next week on EN’s Got Talent: Elizabeth Billings told me about Anna Bella, a stunning 6-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Kurt Martin. Imported as a 3-year-old from Europe by Windsor Farm Sales in Upperville, Anna Bella became a mommy before being sold to Kurt as an eventing prospect in late 2011.
“She went from being a completely green, rank ball of power to going novice and then training in one month in Aiken,” Elizabeth said. Kurt sought training with Mara DePuy and Boyd Martin, both of whom were very impressed with the mare. After winning several preliminary events at the end of last year, Anna Bella is poised to tackle the upper levels this year. Thanks for the tip, Elizabeth!
