EN’s Rising Stars: Karri Bellamy

EN’s Rising Stars is a new weekly series about up and coming riders in the sport of 3-Day Eventing who are exceptional in their performances and personalities. Spotlighting riders under the age of 15, the series is meant to call attention to the next generation of talent before they even become Young Riders. Have a child, sibling or student who you think deserves some notice and praise? Tip me at [email protected], and be sure to include contact information for the nominee!

 

Karri & Chops on XC (credit to Palmer Photo)

Name: Karri Bellamy

Age: 14

Hometown: Scotia, New York

Horse: Black Swan (Chops), a 16 hand, 12 year old bay Trakehner gelding

Level of Competition: Novice, but moving up to Training level soon!

 

How did you get started in Eventing? “I started riding when I was six, but I actually started with Western. I switched a year later to English but I was stuck doing hunter jumpers. This sounds cheesy, but the movie Spirit really inspired me to pursue Eventing. There was something about the freedom of that movie that made me want to ride cross country!”

“I’ve always been really single minded about my passion for riding, even before pre-school that was all I wanted to do. In 5th grade, I had a teacher who noticed my determination and enthusiasm, and he knew Marcia Kulak, and introduced the two of us. I went with my mom to meet Marcia, and I had a couple questions written down and stuffed into my jeans pocket because I thought we were just going to sit down and talk. I got there, and Marcia says, “So Karri, how long are you staying for?” It turns out, my mom was just dropping me off at the farm, and it was shocking and unbelievably exciting at the same time. Like a dream.”

“I’m only leasing Chops, and I really only started going Novice last year for the first time. He stays down in Florida with Marcia during the winter, and I get to go down and ride and compete a few times (when school allows it!). This year I got to audit the Yogi Breisner clinic and I watched George Morris give Sharon White some lessons, and both of those experiences were amazing!”

Recent Accomplishments?  “Last year I won the Novice level at ENYDCTA, and won the blue ribbon award in Novice from the USEA, which means you have 3 or more placings above third position for the year. This spring, I had a dressage score 23.5 at Rocking Horse Winter HT, and we won that. I also did the Welcome Back to White Fences Dressage Show, and I got a 73.4% at 1st level with Chops, so I was pretty happy with that. I’m also very determined to keep my school grades up, and I like to keep a grade average of 96% or more for each class. I’m in all the advanced classes, even though I’m in 9th grade. I think it’s really important to be successful in both at the same time.”

Karri & Chops in the Dressage (Photos by Michelle)

 Best Memory in Eventing? “My favorite memory would be of last year at ENYDCTA going Novice level and winning. But it wasn’t the winning that was most memorable (well… winning is a bonus), it was the look on my dads face as he came over for a great big hug. My dad, along with family and friends were catering, since my dads catering business “Ridge View Catering” was supplying everyone with food, he was right there when I finished cross country. To give you a picture of it; I was bathing Chops and giving him a well deserved pat when my dad calls to me as he crosses the road to where the trailers were parked. His face was filled with joy, and I caught some tears sneak out as he swept me up in a great big hug.”

“I knew right then and there I was hooked, without a doubt. Seeing him that happy made me even more grateful of what a wonderful family I have and how fortunate I am to be apart of this sport. It truly is special.”

Favorite Thing About Eventing? “Everyone who events has the most amazing work ethic. Everyone knows what it’s like to work hard, and sometimes get what you want but also to be disappointed. Eventing is so full of ups and downs, but you never lose sight of your goals and what you want.”

“The other great part is that you never stop learning. No matter what level you are doing, there’s always a different type of horse, a different question on course, something new all the time to keep you on your toes. The biggest leap that I’ve had recently is learning how to turn a negative experience into a positive learning one, which is really important in this sport.”

 

Karri & Chops up a bank (Photos by Michelle)

“The support I get from team Kulak and my family is the most amazing thing ever, and the community feeling of Eventing is one of a kind. There aren’t a lot of sports that encourage you to look out for your “competition” the way we do. For example, I was watching a basketball game at school with some friends recently, and I smiled and waved at the other team members as they passed, and all my friends told me that I wasn’t allowed to do that, but I didn’t understand why not! Eventing is different that way, the community is amazing.”

“As for my favorite phase…I actually prefer Dressage, and it’s because it’s a solid base that I can always relate back to. When everything goes wrong, I have the flatwork to rely on. If you don’t have the proper training on the flat and you get into trouble during a jumping course, what can you do? You have to have a well trained horse to succeed in Eventing, and that starts with the Dressage.”

Plans for the Future? “I’m moving up to Training level this summer, and I want every level of success. I don’t just want to survive Training level, I want consistency in all three phases. I’m aiming to get the blue ribbon award for Training level from the USEA. I’m a part of the Triple Crown JR YR Scholarship Program, and I want to win the scholarship to ride with Sinead Halpin for a week. However, I also want to keep school and college in the mix, I have to keep my grades up too. Eventually, I want to get to the Young Rider Championships, and I’d like to go internationally and be a professional. I know there will be a lot of ups and downs and a lot of small goals, but that just makes me more determined.”

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