Your Name: Ashley
Age: 22
Location: North Carolina
Relationship to Eventing: Hunter Rider turned Eventer over the past 2 years
Favorite Eventing moment/story?: Coming out of the start box for my first time going cross country is a moment that will forever be etched in my memory. Feeling my horse’s excitement coupled with his willing obedience as we left the box and headed to the first jump was one of those magical moments that will never leave me. My horse, Domani, is the experienced one of the two of us and, he is the reason that day was so special. Walking up to the start of cross country, I felt that he knew he was at a horse trials and that he had a mission to accomplish. Though I was more nervous than I ever remember being standing at the in-gate of a hunter show and though I thought that the countdown was the longest minute of my life, he was still and patient– working so hard to keep his bubbling excitement to a minimum. It was as if he was trying to ease me into the course, saying, “Come onnnn… This is gonna be so fun I promise.” At the “3-2-1- Have a nice ride…”, he didn’t bust out of box. He waited for me to ease him into the trot then the canter. Then as we left the ground for the first jump and I finally took a breath, I realized how fun our adventure was going to be. I realized then why people who start eventing never go back.
If you had to pick one reason why you love Eventing, what would it be?: I can’t pick just one reason…there are two things that I’ve experienced while eventing that have hooked me on this sport forever… The first is the challenge of having to complete three very different phases all in one horse show… and as my horse and I have progressed, seeing how each of the phases interact with each other so that the end result is harmony and a horse and rider team ready for anything. The second is the process, or journey that one goes on while learning and growing in all three phases. The process never ends… once you find success at your current division, then a whole new phase of development begins as you and your horse move up a level. With eventing, success is not all or nothing like in some other disciplines… there are many milestones along the way and the future opportunities are endless.
Overall Goals in the sport: If I had to pick a division goal, I would say Trainng or Prelim, but more than that, I want to continue to pursue harmony and connection with my horse. I want to continue becoming a well-rounded rider that can transfer between horses and disciplines.
Biggest Role model: my trainer, Ginger Long
Link to blog or website, if applicable: www.equetec.com
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