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.
Sam & Cinder in the dressage (photo by Maria Filsinger)
Name: Sam Kelly
Age: 14
Hometown: Mound, Minnesota
Horse: Cinder (Midnight Starbuck), 15 hand, Black, Quarter Horse
Level of Competition: Novice
How did you get started in Eventing? “I moved to Elysium Farms from a small private barn where I rode dressage and Hunter Jumpers. They didn’t have pastures for the horses and I felt Cinder needed more space. I was looking for a change too, as I was one of the oldest students and feeling like I wanted to do more than just dressage riding. We moved to a new barn where there were mostly Western riders and I was one of the few English riding kids. I was there for about 6 months when I saw a sign up announcing an eventing trainer was coming to the barn, Liz Lund. I called to see if I could use her jumps and also asked my mom if I could take a lesson from her – she said yes and I’ve been riding with Liz ever since. I also joined my local pony club, Lead Hound Pony Club, Northern Lakes Region in Minnesota. I really like the people in Pony Club and will be testing C1 & C2 level this year. Last spring, I signed up for Cinder’s and my first cross-country schooling with Liz and she was awesome! From then on, I was hooked and knew I wanted to be an eventer.”
Sam & Cinder show jumping (photo by Maria Filsinger)
Recent Accomplishments? “Cinder’s and my first recognized event was at Roebke’s Run Horse Trials where I placed 8th overall in Beginner Novice. I placed 7th in BN at Otter Creek Summer HT with one stop in XC. We placed 2nd in BN at Otter Creek Fall HT and won the division at Roebke’s Run Fall HT where I moved up to Novice and got my lowest dressage score ever. Roebke’s Run had the pony club challenge where you compete in both Roebke’s Run horse trials and they combine your two scores. Whoever has the lowest scores wins money and I placed second in Pony Club Challenge. I also went to the Hagyard MidSouth Team Challenge in Lexington, Kentucky at the Kentucky Horse Park where the Rolex event takes place. Individually, I placed 11th out of 25, with one rail in stadium jumping in the Novice division. As a team, “Gallopin’ Green” Placed 12th. It was pretty fun to be riding where the Olympic riders for Rolex ride.”
Favorite thing about Eventing? “I love riding in a non discipline-specific sport. I enjoy the variety that Dressage, Jumping and Cross Country provides you. You have a connection and relationship with your horse in three different disciplines. I like the bond that is created through this variety. I love all of the friends I have made in eventing as well as the experiences that have come through teamwork and going to horse shows.”
Cross Country! (photo by Maria Filsinger)
Plans for the Future? “I have found a discipline in horseback riding that I love and hope to be doing for the rest of my life. My goal is to compete in the North American Young Rider Championships. I would like to become a professional and reach the highest level of Eventing – maybe even compete in the Olympics some day. I know that’s a high goal for a 14 year old but, as long as I have a healthy horse under me still together I hope that goal/dream will come true some day! I recently started looking for a new horse to allow me to compete Novice and above in the 2013 show season. Someday, I would like to start an Eventing program to teach young girls the joy of riding and teamwork to help them achieve their equestrian goals.”
