We last heard from Texas eventer Rebecca Brown when she was featured on EN’s Got Talent with super pony Belafonte D’Avalon. When Rebecca told us she had been selected to compete on the U.S. dressage team at the 2013 Maccabiah Games — think Jewish Olympics — we jumped at the chance to have her blog about the experience. Visit www.RBriding.com and www.maccabiah.com for more info on Rebecca and the Games.
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Rebecca Brown and Rococo. Photo courtesy of Rebecca.
Hello, 2013 Maccabiah Games! If you’re asking yourself “what in the world are the Maccabiah Games?” don’t worry — I had the same question. My father is always reminding (chiding?) me that “unless it has four legs, you’re not focused on it.” He’s right. So when a student came to me asking if I could help her qualify for these Games, I had no clue what she was talking about. After some research, I learned that the Maccabiah Games are basically the Jewish Olympics, and I had never noticed them because 2013 is the first year that equestrian sports are included! Modeled after the “real” Olympics, they are held every four years in Israel and are a much “bigger deal” than I originally imagined. Lucky for me, I happen to be Jewish because of my mother; in Judaism, you follow your mother’s religion. Without further ado, I’d like to introduce myself as a member of the 2013 Maccabiah Games Dressage Team. I will be guest blogging about my experiences leading up to and during the Games, which will be held July 17-30 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
So, how did an event rider make a dressage team? I shall tell you. The journey began when I graduated college. I competed through the Advanced level during school (read: while my parents paid for my sport), but had always competed in dressage on the side. Upon graduation, my Advanced horse needed a slower way of life. First, I went show jumping with Joe Fargis, but soon after I was weaned off the parental bank account. I could hear my parents thinking: “good luck supporting not only yourself but the most expensive hobby out there” … except for maybe yachting or diamond collecting. I had sold my other horse, an up-and-coming Preliminary horse (you may know him … he’s a CCI**** cross-country beast that goes by the name of Shiraz), so I went abroad for a bit and then moved home to Texas to start a business. It has taken a few years to build my business and collect a quality string of young horses, so in the meantime I’ve been trying to add to my resume in other ways. First, I earned my USEA Level III Instructor Certification. Then in 2012, I was offered the ride by a client, Susan Farrier, on her super talented young dressage horse, Rococo. And here is where the story really starts!
Rebecca Brown and Rococo. Photo courtesy of Rebecca.
Rococo, a confirmed 3rd level but schooling much higher Hanoverian, was sourced in May 2012 for Susan by my mother Becky Brown, a dressage trainer. A small but dynamic athlete, Rococo was an exciting upgrade from her previous horse, so it was decided that I would step in for six months as jockey to help ease the process of getting to know each other. One concern was that Rococo didn’t have much show experience, so part of the process was getting him show miles. We debuted at 4th level at the beginning of the fall season and finished by winning the 2012 Region 9 USDF/ABIG Championships and earning our USDF Silver Medal with qualifying scores at Prix St Georges. In the meantime, I had sent it my application for the Maccabiah Games as an afterthought, thinking it would be fun if it happened but focusing more on the task at hand. In November, I received the official word that I had been chosen to travel to represent the United States, so the journey has officially commenced!
As the third largest international competition in the world, the U.S. will send upwards of 1,100 athletes, managers, coaches and medical staff to the Games this year. There will be two full teams of five equestrians — one team for show jumping and another for dressage. Originally, the qualification criteria was competence at the 1.40-meter level for show jumping and Prix St. Georges for dressage. Now, in order to garner interest and participation by more countries, the competition will be held at 1.25 meters for jumping and FEI Medium level for dressage. The eventual goal by the Maccabiah organization is to increase the level of competition, but as with all things in their infancy, popularity and participation is key and you’ve got to start somewhere!
We have the option to bring our own horses or ride borrowed horses. Because this is the first year that this competition is being held and many details are up in the air, most of the U.S. team members have decided to borrow horses. I will know more details in March when our coordinator travels to Israel to help finalize the details of the competition, but it seems we will get two to three practice rides before the actual competition. I have no idea if I’m going to be given a camel or a well-trained warmblood, but I do know that I’m glad my Texas residency will have me prepared for the Israeli July heat. So, here’s to my first Jewish Olympic experience. I can’t wait to share it with everyone! It’s going to take a lot of support to get there and we are looking for sponsors who are excited to be part of this inaugural equestrian experience. To learn more about me, the Maccabiah Games and how you can help, please visit www.RBriding.com and www.maccabiah.com.
