Jon Holling coached the Area IV Young Riders this weekend and he was kind enough to send us his weekend recap for Eventing Nation. As always, thanks for the insights Jon and thank you for reading.
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From Jon:
Young Riders 2012 is in the books and I thought a wrap up blog on Area 4 and our combined teams was in order. Our area has spent this year and last rebuilding our program. That meant that we only had two one star riders and one two star rider. I have to say that it has been a struggle to field teams for this competition since the area lost all of the recognized competitions at the fantastic Lamplight Equestrian Center, and the adjacent forest preserve that hosts the cross-country. I sincerely hope that everyone involved is doing whatever it takes to bring back the fantastic series of competitions at Lamplight and the Wayne Forest Preserve. These events used to be the pride of area 4. They were a training ground for all of the areas young riders, and a huge part of the local eventing community. I seriously worry that we will continue to struggle sending full teams to the championships if the present situation continues. Enough of that, on to the good stuff.
Our one star riders were Becca Gall and Lizzie Foos. Both of these girls were attending Young Riders for the first time this year. It can be pretty overwhelming competing at the horse park, and I thought they both handled the pressure incredibly well. Both girls put in decent tests, but I am sure they would agree that the nerves may have gotten to them just a little on the first day. While they were not at the top of the leader board, they did a good job and were within striking distance of the leaders. I thought the cross-country course was up to the level but not over the top in difficulty. Becca was our first team member on course and she did a fantastic job jumping a double clear round. Lizzie was the third team member out for our combined Areas 4, and 8 team. Lizzie made a great effort, but unfortunately things did not go her way this time. After a couple of disappointing stops Lizzie fought through and finished with an impressively fast 40 penalty round. Our teammates from Area 8, Margaux Lander and Mackenzie Spaes both had a fabulous day. Our team finished Saturday in fourth place.
One of the great things these kids learn is that even when you have had a tough go, your team still needs you. I am certain that one of the hardest things for Lizzie to do was to show jump on Sunday after her disappointing day on cross country. Not only did she jump but she put in a beautiful double clear round. She certainly proved to me that she can pick herself up and fight. I predict a top finish for Lizzie at next year’s championships. Becca rode a text book round as well. Unfortunately I think the stress of the day before got to her horse a little. He tried to leave them up, but he was just a little tight in his back and had three rails. My hat goes off to Becca for keeping her chin up, and continually regrouping throughout the course. Again Margaux and Mackenzie were fabulous and had just one rail between the two of them. In the end the team just missed out on the bronze by .3 of a point. I think fourth place is the toughest spot to be at the end of a long hard week, but all of the girls handled it with style and grace.
Connor Husain, Jamie Doolittle, Lexi Scovil, and Molly Curtiss all rode great. All four of them posted double clear rounds on Saturday, and they jumped valiantly on Sunday. In the end the team finished in silver by 5.2 points. Pretty darn great if you ask me.
I could not be more proud of Lexi Scovil and Sky Showthan I am right now. As a coach in this sport I see a lot of people who work hard for their dreams. The truth is that everyone has a story as to why they think their student or kid deserves to win, but this is my post so I am going to tell you about my student. Lexi has been riding with Jenn and me for about five years. Jenn even found this horse for Lexi from our good friend Scott Keach. I will freely admit that I have not always believed in the horse as much as Jenn and Lexi. He has been a supremely talented, slightly sensitive, pain in my butt for years. Lexi has never given up on “Chester”, even when I have told her to. She first brought Chester to Young Riders in 2009 and had a decent performance in the one star. The following year Lexi returned with the red devil to take a shot at the two star. The morning of the first jog Chester was found with his leg hung up in the bars of his stall. After some very intense moments, and a lot of diagnostic work by the vets, Chester went on to not only pass the first inspection, but actually finish the competition. It was weeks later when it was discovered that Chester had actually fractured his leg in that accident. A few months after that another surprise came when the Vets discovered a fracture in his knee. Chester never once stopped trying for Lexi; I guess that is why she never stopped trying for him. 2011 was a light year for Chester, in part due to his rehab schedule. That meant no NAJYRC for him. When Lexi informed me early this year that she was coming back this year to take her final shot on Chester in her last year of eligibility, I was honestly just hoping she did not end up too disappointed. I knew they were both very capable of delivering a great performance, but history told me things just did not go in this horses favor at this competition. After seeing them at a few clinics throughout the summer I got very hopeful. It seemed he was much happier this year and willing to work harder than usual. Once I saw him work last Tuesday in the warm-up at Kentucky I knew this was going to be Lexi’s best chance so far. The rest is history, they did it. Lexi and Chester put in two perfect jumping rounds on a weekend that came together like some corny Disney movie. You know the one about the little girl who loves a horse that her coach doesn’t completely believe in? Then he breaks his leg, only to come back and win an individual bronze medal at the junior Olympics? Buy the rights to that story right now Lexi.
