Lee & JD getting ready to ride, photo courtesy of Tom Waters
I ran across a trailer for this documentary a few days ago, and although it’s a short video so far, it truly tugged at my heartstrings. I contacted the Executive Producer Tom Waters, who is a lifelong horseman, and (wait for it…) an Eventer! Tom was excited to share his film with me, and most of all, excited for Eventing Nation to see it. The documentary, called The Best Thing for the Inside of a Marine is the Outside of a Horse (a twist on the old Winston Churchill quote), is currently in post-production mode, and Tom hopes that through the production of this film he will raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Horsemanship Program, which is privately funded and operates without government funding.
From Tom:
I started eventing in southern California in 1982, winning my first event! I was a member of the board of the California Dressage Society and competed through Prix St. Georges. In 1986 I was named as a candidate for the Pan Am Games Team and was “long listed” for the ’88 Olympics..I moved “back east” in the early ’90’s taking over Karen Stives’ Stonhenge Farm in Dover, MA. when she retired (yes, that Dover. Jimmy Powers, the owner of Dover Saddlery boarded with me!) I had the pleasure of winning at such great events as Groton House, Ledyard, King Oak, Stonleigh Burnham and more. In 2002 I was once again long listed and remained on the long list until just recently as I started to “semi-retire” from upper level competition (that’s code for: I was tired of riding crap horses after my sponsor retired and had no new prospects). I continue to teach and clinic throughout the U.S..I have long term relationships with Lucinda Green, Mike Plumb, David O’Connor and Stephen Bradley. I credit David with getting me back into top form again after a particularly bad rotational fall at Waredaca in 2001. Two horses at two on Tuesday was the schedule with David for several years. Mike taught me the discipline and simplicity of the day to day training and after David, Stephen kept the bar high (literally and figuratively) with a twice weekly schedule of unsurpassed dressage schooling and the most amazing jump schools. Lucinda taught me the “right” way to teach horses and riders to jump cross country safely and with confidence.JD spends a quiet moment with Peanut
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I was invited to Camp Pendleton this past winter by a girl that knew me from Eventing and had heard I was getting back into the acting/producing/writing world again. I attended the Warrior games and awards banquet plus an afternoon at the Hope and Care Center and then a day cutting cattle with these guys and was just amazed at the absolute bravery of these men and women. It’s one thing to be brave enough to gallop down to a 4′ table on cross country or face an enemy in battle, but it takes a bravery beyond imagination to face life after sustaining some of the injuries these men and women do. And unlike preparing for battle or for a CCI, there is no way to train for what these guys have to endure beyond the battle field. Having horses as a way to help these soldiers heal both physically and mentally is a fantastic rehab tool. And the proof of the power of a horse’s spirit comes from statements like JD’s in the film when he says, “I haven’t had a nightmare all week“.
If you read this article and watch the video, and find that it affects you the same way it did me, please take a moment and consider supporting the effort. Promoting the use of equine therapy on our wounded warriors is an excellent cause, and something that can really make a difference in many lives. Tom is currently raising money through his Kickstarter website to put the finishing touches on the film, which in turn will hopefully raise awareness of the Wounded Warrior Horsemanship Program and increase the number of military men and women whom they are able to help.
Here’s the trailer for the film:
Here is the fundraising video:
Go Eventers changing the world!
