Rider profiles have been pouring in since yesterday’s announcement of the return of the Lower-Level Event Rider Profile. Today we meet Emma Poole from Raleigh, NC and her pony Indy. Want to be featured on Eventing Nation? Fill out the Questionnaire and send it to [email protected]! Reminder: we must have permission from the photographer to use any photos.
—-
Photo by Pics of You.
–
Name: Emma Poole
Age: 23
Location: Raleigh, NC
Primary horse’s name: “Indy,” Indiana Jones
Age, breed, pertinent info: 15, Quarter Horse x Pony
Level currently competing: Beginner Novice
Short term goals this spring/summer: Finishing on dressage score at SPHT 1.
Year-end goals: Place in Top 5 Beginner Novice Amateur Rider
Overall goals: My overall goals are to have a blast with my horse and
fellow eventers.
What’s the best thing you’ve learned recently? Any big epiphany or light-bulb moment? What are your strengths/weaknesses?
My biggest epiphany recently is realizing that being a lower level eventer is just fine! Indy, as a 14.1 hh pony with less than ideal conformation, was never destined for the big leagues. However, I had originally hoped that he could at least compete through Training. After owning him for several years, we discovered that he has very advanced arthritis in his left hock (like REAL advanced, we’re talking all 4 joints within the tarsus). Thanks to my wonderful parents and veterinarian, we have been able to get him sound and consistently running Beginner Novice. However, after several MRI’s and more lameness exams than you can count on one hand, I think that most likely, Beginner Novice is all Indy will ever do. And you know what?
That’s okay.
The whole point of eventing is to show the strength of the bond that exists between you and your horse. Whether you are performing a dressage test, cruising around a show jumping course, or blasting through the water complex, it doesn’t matter if the fences are 18 inches or 4 feet. The fact that we can do this at all is amazing! Indy loves his job, and is the reason I decided to pursue veterinary school and a career as an equine practitioner. If he needs to stay at Beginner Novice, then that’s what we’ll do. Because we love it.
Favorite eventing moment/story? (can be anything, something you did, felt, witnessed, realized…?)
My favorite moment was running clear through the AEC’s beginner
novice cross country
Emma and Indy at the AECs. Photo by Pics of You
Photo by Pics of You.
Photos purchased from AEC’s, Pics of You
