Hacking at Boekelo
Happy Columbus Day Eventing Nation! Today we celebrate an Italian explorer’s discovery of The Bahamas as part of a quest to find Asia for the Spanish monarchy. If your company, like the US government, celebrates the occasion, then thank you for sharing a small part of your vacation with us right here on Eventing Nation. One group of US eventers is reversing Columbus’ journey this weekend–segue, for the win!–and heading from North America over to Europe to compete at Boekelo as part of the FEI’s Nations Cup competition.
Samantha, Kate, and Jenni have given us a fantastic look at three members of the US team so far [PD, Clark, and Jennie] and I get to finish our series with a conversation with Jon Holling, who was kind enough to speak with me from the Netherlands this morning. Jon missed out on representing the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games after a heartbreaking final vet check benched Downtown Harrison “Will”. Jon responded with the true eventer spirit of positivity and hard work, and 12 months later he finds himself on foreign soil representing the USA with Will.
Traveling to Boekelo: Jon traveled to the Netherlands on Saturday with the horses and grooms, while the rest of his fellow riders competed at Morven Park in Virginia this weekend. Jon told me that the trip went really smoothly and that the horses are all looking great. He was especially thankful for Downtown Harrison’s smooth trip because Will is the least experienced traveler of the bunch. The horses hacked/walked on Sunday and Downtown Harrison did some flatwork in a jumping saddle today.
Jon & Downtown Harrison at The Fork this spring, photo by Samantha
Venue: Jon has European experience from competing at Burghley as well as the World Cup final in Malmo (Sweden), but he said that Boekelo is different in that it is a “complete local event.” The course is placed on 30 separate pieces of property situated right in the local community, leading to a ton of atmosphere. The main dressage arena is situated, as Jon described, right in the middle of the trade fair with one end next to a party tent. It appears that the Europeans understand the key to enjoying dressage. Estimates are that 25,000 spectators will show up for cross-country and Jon joked that he didn’t know if they all would fit. As for footing, Jon explained that Boekelo got a ton of rain on Saturday but the weather has been picture perfect since then and the footing is a sandy pete moss that feels great under hoof.
Mindset: The challenge for Jon at big events is to stay relaxed rather than getting too amped up too early. Nonetheless, he said that he was already pretty pumped and that competing in a foreign country adds an additional element of excitement. Jon is, in my opinion, one of the best mental competitors in the US and his focus on one clear goal was apparent throughout our conversation. He explained: “This is absolutely the opportunity I have been waiting for. It’s a huge honor to represent the US, and we didn’t come all this way to lose.“
The Team: Jon’s compatriots arrived at Boekelo earlier today. Jon echoed my feeling about the toughness and quality of this US squad–“Everyone on this team is really focused. Our goal is to put the world on notice this weekend.“
Quick Turnaround: Traveling, training, and then competing internationally is an exhausting experience and my guess is that this (relatively) young Boekelo team will benefit from the quick turnaround between arrival to competition. At the very least, as Jon described, it doesn’t give much time for an onset of complacency. I asked Jon about going from being part of a full training program at Willow Run Farm to riding one horse for a week. He laughed and explained: “Yes, it is ridiculous, but you can make a whole day out of riding one horse, getting coffee for the grooms, and everything else.“
I want to extend major thanks to Jon, Phillip, Jennie, and Clark for chatting with us in the lead up to Boekelo. We wish them the very best of luck this coming weekend, and we can’t wait to cheer them on.
As an aside, I also want to wish Karen a swift and speedy recovery. Karen is as tough as they come and I know nothing can keep her from the sport that she loves for very long.
Last, but not least, happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian readers. I’m incredibly thankful for our team here at EN, especially to Kate for holding down the fort on this most hallowed of holidays. We are all in turn thankful to you for joining us on EN each and every day for your eventing news, commentary, and ridiculousness. Now, more than ever, go eventing.
