It’s Father’s Day on Eventing Nation! As part of our tradition of showing lots of love to eventing parents, we’re celebrating the contribution of Dads to our great sport. Eventing Dads participate in many different ways, from the super involved Dads to the ‘I’d rather be golfing’ Dads, but they all undergo an incredible amount of stress and play an integral role in their families’ eventing experience. Enjoy these stories of how Eventing Dads have impacted riders at the top of the sport. [Father’s Day 2010] [Father’s Day 2011] [Father’s Day 2012]
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Bruce and Buck Davidson with Buck's Land Rover. Photo courtesy of Land Rover.
From Buck Davidson: I’m thankful for everything my Dad taught me and everything he’s done for me. He’s been the best Dad I could ask for. It hasn’t always been easy, but he’s been amazing to me and taught me some tough lessons. There aren’t a lot of warm and fuzzy moments with my Dad, but there are a lot of great memories.
A moment that sticks out to me with my Dad is at Kentucky this year when I won the Land Rover. We had to take pictures with the Land Rover, and my Dad was going through the car looking in the front seat and back seat seeing how it would work for him to drive it. As he was sitting in the back seat, he asked, “This is your car? You won this at Kentucky?”
We were standing right by his statue at the Kentucky Horse Park, which made it so funny when he said, “Man, I need to get back into this sport!” He’s done so much more than me in this sport, but he never won a car at Kentucky. It shows how far the sport has come, and that’s a moment I’ll never forget.
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Steve Symansky cheering for Lynn at Rolex.
From Lynn Symansky: Steve Symansky is hard to miss. He can usually be found at an Area II event riding his bicycle around in a pair of shorts even when it’s below 30. He’s also the one with the reeeeally loud voice. And if you can’t find him, just shoot him an email — he usually responds in less than a minute no matter what time of day.
My dad is amazing and has found ways to be involved in my riding career my entire life. When I was 3, we rode double on trail rides in the Shenandoah Mountains. When I was 5, he rode with me in a 15-mile endurance ride (even though he got eliminated for draping his reins over his own neck at a vet stop). He was DC of my Pony Club and secretary and organizer of Difficult Run Horse Trials for many years. When I was old enough, he taught me how to drive the rig for the first time on the most winding, narrow road in the suburbs of Vienna, Va. He figured if I could drive there, I could handle anything. We foxhunted together, did low-level events and schooling shows together, and trail rode on the weekends all the way up through high school.
Once I started competing at the upper levels, he had a hard time staying involved as a parent/spectator. At my first two-star, he came to the barns after walking the course right before I went cross country crying, worried for my safety. At my first Rolex, he refused to come watch, as he was too nervous and watched me from the live feed at home. Instead of coming to watch at my big events, he prefers to show his support by staying busy behind the scenes. He helps out quite a few organizers and secretaries at Area II events, runs scoring for the weekend, and he’s the chairman for Area II. This is all a hobby for him, and he does it merely because he loves to help people and be involved in a sport I love so much. I don’t tell him enough how much I appreciate everything he does, but it means more to me than he will likely ever know.
I competed at my third Rolex this year, and yet again he wanted to stay home. I was adamant that he attend this time! Someone asked me what my favorite parts of the weekend were and the first thing that came to mind was when I heard him cheering throughout my cross country ride. I was able to hear him all the way around the course over everyone else with his distinct Symansky cheer. That moment will stick with me forever. Thank you to all the amazing fathers out there who do so much to continue to show their love and support. I think I have a pretty great one.
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Elise and Rick Wallace
From Elisa Wallace: Through the years, the relationship with my Father, Rick Wallace, has grown and developed into something very unique and special, especially our bond and passion for horses and Eventing. It is a relationship that I am very lucky to have and will always cherish.
To me, my Father is a best friend. We talk to each other almost every day and have the freedom to talk about anything. I love when we get to spend time together, and can just hang out as friends — albeit it mostly occurs at horse shows.
To me, my Father is a great coach. He has always pushed me and given me confidence. Whether it was doing trots sets at the age of 2, or riding “hot” Thoroughbreds at the age of 10, or when he would put of a 5-foot vertical and say, “You can do it. You’re fine.” He always had faith I could do anything.
To me, my Father is an inspiration. He is always a go-getter, always positive, and always smiles or makes a joke. I am so proud of him achieving his dreams … and hope we will someday compete at Rolex together!
To me, my Father is my hero … Love you, Dad. Happy Father’s Day
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Dan Shea, Mackenna Shea, Zac Brandt and Stephen Boyer at Jersey Fresh.
From Mackenna Shea: My Dad, Dan Shea, is not only a supporter and a provider for me in this sport, but he is my number one fan. He is always there for me, through the highs and the lows. He is always proud of me, no matter what, and never lets me forget it. He has dedicated so much of his time learning about the sport because I love it. He knows more than I could ever ask him to know, and all because he went out and learned it for himself. I can always find him watching the other rides at the event (even the dressage) or playing with my dog (the one he didn’t want me to adopt).
My Dad and I recently drove out to New Jersey from California for the Jersey Fresh CCI3*. He helped me drive, helped me load and unload at our stops every night, put up with all of our travel mishaps, let my dog sleep on his lap, and still arrived with a smile and ready to help. He held groom bags, walked in the rain to fetch things from the trailer, and drove miles and miles to find Starbucks in the morning. He was there to give me a pat on the back after I won the dressage; a smile and a nod towards the vet box after completing cross country; and a huge hug, wisdom, and support after I was spun from jogs.
I appreciate him more than he will ever know, and strive to be more like him every day. I hope to give my family the incredible life he has given to me. Thank you, Dad, for all that you do! Landioso, Forrest and I love you so much and wish you the happiest Father’s Day ever!
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Happy Father’s Day, Kyle Carter! Just as Eventing Dads work very hard to support their kids in the sport, professional riders who are also Dads strive to find a work-family balance. When I asked Jen Carter to send in a surprise video of her daughters Riley and Trista wishing Kyle Carter a Happy Father’s Day, I didn’t know I was going to receive the cutest video EVER in return. Happy Father’s Day to Kyle and ALL the pro riders who are also lucky enough to be Dads.
Go Dads!
