SportHorse 2014

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EquineJournal

2014 2 014 Edit Ed dition

THE ADVENTURES OF THE ADULT AMATEUR

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Sport Horse 2014 For the Love of the Sport Why do yo you u comp compete ete?? Surely the ribbo bons, ns, th the tro ophi phies es, and the vic v tor toryy gallops g s gi give v you momenmo taryy sati tar satisfa s ction, but thos hose are mer me e blip ps on on any a y equest equ estrian’s raadar d . We pour pou our our bloo blood d, swe sweat, and teaars int into o ou our end deavors rs,, then then pu putt it it all on the line when entering the h sho show w ring ring.

Anyone can tell tha that is for mo more re tha t n the questt of a precious blue ribbon. Ins Instea tead, d, it is all for fo the he love of the sport and the love ve of th thee hors horsee.

No matter your age or eexperience level, you’l u’lll f d something in this special edition off the fin th Equine Equ ine Jo Journ u al. Andrea Reynes took a lo ook at successfu su sf l junior rid ders aand how w the theyy hand handle le their mul ultit titude ude of obligations in “A Life in Bal alance.” Meanw while, e our fa favor vorite ite co comedicc wri writer t Ang n e Finn F nn ch check ecked ed out ho how w the t e mor moree “mat mature ure” riders rid ers on th thee scen scenee handle h the p pressure r iin “What the He Heck ck Am I Doing D Here?” No mat matter te the number num ber of candles on theeir las lastt birt birth hday cake ke,, thee passi s on forr horses truly shines e throug ugh h as as riders manag managee thei e r anxieties and wo workl rkload oad..

Ass the horse is at the fore orefro front nt of thee sport sp t, the h U United Stat ates Equ Equest estria rian n Fede Federat ratio ion (USEF S ) is looking to prot protect ect th their ir be best st int inteerests, as well well as those se of the rider rider. In “Ga “Game Chan hanger ers,” s,” Sarah Sarah Wynne Wyn n Jackson expl xplain ainss th the new ew 2014 2014 rul rules es and h they will affe how ffect ct you an and d th the sportt as a whol wh e.

Enjoy the thrill of the competition as you sit back and fllip thr h ough this h issue specially created for you.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR/GENERAL MANAGER

Elisabeth Prouty-Gilbride OPERATIONS MANAGER

Kelly Lee Brady MANAGING EDITOR

Kelly Ballou NEWS EDITOR

Kathryn Selinga

SOCI C AL EDITOR

Jenn nn n nifer Roberts

EDITORIAL INTERN TERN

Jane Carlt Carlton ART RT DIRE DIRECTOR

Daniel Dani el Goodw Goodw o dwin ood in n GRAPHIC GRAP HIC DESI ESIIGNER GNE NE S

Candice Madrid, id, Raqu aqu aq uell Gardn ard dner dn er SALES AND MARKETING NG G STRA TRA RA ATEGI TEG TEG EGIST EGI IST ST

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Contents 4 In Your Words | 9 Points of Interest | 12 Fitness

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13 Getting to Know You

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S Sport ort H Ho orse rse e 2014 2014 | Sport

30 What the Heck Am I Doing Here?

18 High Stakes Who owns the high performance horses?

A humorous look at the adult amateur rider.

BY PAMELA MANSFIELD

BY ANGE DICKSON FINN

24 Balancing Acts Meet four young equestrians who manage their riding dreams with school, jobs, and friends.

BY ANDREA REYNES

32 Game Changers Know the new rules in your division before show season starts.

BY SARAH WYNNE JACKSON

COVER COVE R PHOTO: PH O: PAULA PAULA MAT ATUT TUTE RIDING LEG L ACY’ A YS A AMB BICIIOSO, OSO, OSO S ,O OW OWN WNE ED D BY LE LEGAC GACY CY FAR FA ARMS OF JU ARM UPI PITE ITE TE ER. R. PHOT PHOTO HO O O BY YM MAR RIA GUIMO RIA UIIMO U MO ON. N.

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In this special section, meet the farms and businesses that contribute to the success of top equine athletes in the sport horse world.

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IN YOUR WORDS

I say to myself and my horse, “Yes, it’s a competition, but it’s you and me kid. We’re doing our thing and we’re doing the best we can. So let’s do this.” People must think I’m nuts for muttering to my horse in an empty arena!

-Carly Hazer I take some time to myself before I mount up—usually to do a word search or a crossword puzzle.

-Rachel Hearn I don’t get nervous, I just go with it.

-Lorraine Wasso

I go in confident with my work at home, focus on improving on my last outing, and let the chips fall where they may.

-Emily Conforti

My student says to me, “Find your happy place,” and I reply, “I’m on my happy place—the back of my horse!” That’s all I need and I’m relaxed to enter the ring.

-Jill Riordan I just breathe.

-Joelle Conover I don’t compete, mainly because I get too nervous.

-Darlene Young

I’ve learned that it is better to just welcome the nerves and get them out of the way before I get in the saddle. If I try to hold them in, they will end up affecting me all day long. I focus only on what needs to be done; nothing else exists. I visualize the ride long before I am in the ring.

If my nerves start to hum, I replay the ride I want again.

-Deirdre Kameel

From Our Staff I have to say, my nerves can get the best of me as I’m waiting at the ingate, ready to head in and do my round.

However, once I walk through the gate and take a few deep breaths, I’m ready to do what I came to the show for. Once I cue my horse for the canter, I find that my nerves melt away and I am ready to ride!

-Jennifer Roberts, Social Editor 4

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PHOTO: AK DRAGOO PHOTOGRAPHY

How do you calm your nerves before you compete?

I don’t try to calm my nerves— nerves are adrenaline, and adrenaline keeps my mind sharp and my responses quick.

--Jill Dingsdale Beltran

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Sport Horse 2014

points of interest Featured Photo

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PHOTO: (TOP) SUE DROVER

POWER TO THE FLOWERS

» DANDELIONS ARE KNOWN AS A LIVER CLEANSER AND TONIC,

improving the metabolism and balancing the horse’s digestion. They are also an excellent tonic for the kidneys, spleen, and bladder. Being high in sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium makes the plant a naturally occurring electrolyte. You can feed your horse dried or fresh leaves to help him reap the benefits.

Sportt Horse S H 2014

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POINTS OF INTEREST

Tips To Plan Your Warm-Up Before You Show

MEDIA REVIEW

BY NANCY WESOLEK-STERRETT; HEAD OF DRESSAGE, MEREDITH MANOR INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE WINNING RIDES DEPEND ON A PRE-CLASS WARM-UP SPECIFICALLY TAILORED FOR THE INDIVIDUAL HORSE. At the very least, a warm-up routine establishes rhythm and relaxation while creating a connection to the aids. Trainers and seasoned competitors understand that one of the best ways to win classes is to plan the right warm-up. Here are a few pointers to consider before you leave the barn so you have a warm-up plan that maximizes your horse’s performance and reduces your show jitters.

[ BOOK ]

Pressure Proof Your Riding: Mental Training Techniques to Gain Confidence and Get Motivated So You (and Your Horse) Achieve Peak Performance

BY DANIEL STEWART,

192 pages, paperback, Trafalgar Square Books (HorseAndRiderBooks. com), 2013, $26.95.

While you spend hours in the saddle training your horse and yourself for the next competition, mental preparation is often neglected.

This book takes a look at the emotional challenges as well as clearly defined steps to success in the saddle with a variety of stressmanagement skills, relaxation techniques, and goal-setting tools all presented in a humorous manner.

BOTTOM LINE: Whether you are a serious competitor or just starting out, this book will inspire you to reach for your goals, while having fun with your horse.

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KNOW YOURSELF, KNOW YOUR HORSE E This sounds so obvious. But how many times have you seen someone longeing their horse for hours to tire him out enough so they can feel comfortable getting on his back for a class? Or endlessly drilling on movements until their horse loses his edge before they go through the ingate? These are rider confidence issues and no warm-up routine can fix them. Work at home to find better ways to deal with your energetic horse or to feel confident using and coordinating your aids before you start penciling shows in on your calendar.

CHOOSE APPROPRIATE SHOWS AND CLASSES Your horse’s age, training level, condition, and energy drive will determine how many classes a day he can handle. For a weekend show, it’s ideal to arrive on Friday, allowing your horse time to work the travel kinks out of his muscles, settle down in the new environment, and return to as normal a pattern of eating, working, and resting as possible.

ESTABLISH ROUTINES S Horses are creatures of routine. Develop routines at home and follow them as closely as possible when you reach the show grounds. Build warm-up routines into your training sessions, then make them part of your show ring warm-up. Have a plan and stick to it. The familiarity will help your horse relax and focus on your aids more easily. Try not to focus on your surroundings, just concentrate on yourself and your horse.

HAVE A BACKUP PLAN Develop warm-up routines at home but be ready for circumstances like weather or class cancellations that can abruptly change the best-laid plans. If your class is called early, be ready with a “short program” warm-up routine you can do in five to 10 minutes and be ready to go. However, stay calm and do not let the changed circumstances create a sense of anxiety that you transmit to your horse.

If you are just starting to show a horse, it may take a few shows until you figure out the warm-up routine that best suits a particular horse. Plan your show routines, but also prepare to blow a show or two until you figure out what works for you and your horse.

Remember that the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the journey.

BE AWARE

Products containing valerian root, an herbal tranquilizer, can result in a positive finding of a forbidden substance in the blood or urine of a horse. Therefore, the United States Equestrian Federation recommends that a horse be withdrawn from competition for at least seven days after the ingestion of any product containing this ingredient.

POLL

Sight Unseen We asked: Would you ever buy a horse without seeing him in person?

No

72%

Alreadyy have!

17%

Yes

11%

Want to be included in our polls? Visit us on Facebook by scanning the QR Code with your smartphone.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

BY BRIDGET BRADEN

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A situation where you are working so hard during a lesson your body just quits? Your trainer is probably frustrated and insisting that you push through the fatigue. Continuing around the arena with burning muscles and aching joints, your body finally demands a walk transition for a break. After you’re done apologizing to your trainer for the lack of stamina, take a minute to find out what happened. From here, you can build a training plan to help increase your stamina in the saddle.

I’ve been there as both the student and the frustrated trainer.

When you’re riding and there is absolutely no way to keep going, take walk breaks. Let your body actively recover before moving on with work in the arena.

What is happening in the saddle to cause your muscles to fail?

Maybe you have an imbalance that is causing certain muscles to be overworked. It could also simply be caused by a lack of strength. The body quits when its ability to function becomes compromised by lack of oxygen in the muscle, depletion of energy (ATP), or build up of lactic acid. Essentially, your muscle loses power. Taking walk breaks allows oxygen back into the muscles, lactic acid to drain, and ATP to be regenerated for use. Even if you feel like you are taking a walk break every five minutes, do it to supply your muscles with what they need.

Your muscles becoming fatigued can be attributed to not eating correctly before riding. Muscles need glycogen to be readily available for endurance. If your diet restricts you from properly fueling your body, you will fatigue in the saddle.

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Muscle endurance, itself, needs to be trained in the workout room through strength training. Adding force to your muscle structure (ie. dumbbells, free weights, body weight or pilates) is the only way for the threshold to increase beyond its current state. Riders are very strong and the higher the level in riding, the more endurance you have. If you never lift weights, muscles will always stay efficient for carrying body weight in everyday activities and nothing more. What happens with a horse that pulls or wants to drift? Your muscles need to be strong enough to help fix any of his mistakes and imbalances.

Most riders are extremely dominant in the inner thigh. It’s actually a smaller muscle relative to the surrounding muscle groups (the quadriceps and hamstring). It tends to take on too much of the workload in the saddle. When the inner leg overworks, it gets shorter and shorter, causing the leg to pull out of alignment. A stronger inner thigh usually means a weaker outer thigh. The body gets pulled out of alignment by these imbalances, which could leave you with low back or hip pain. Additionally, position problems will also arise when muscle imbalances are present. It is important to develop symmetry; the only way this can be achieved is through strength training.

BRIDGET BRADEN is the innovation behind the popular BioRider Fitness program, including a full line of video workouts. She is also a USDF Gold Medalist and the head trainer at BioRider Dressage at Sterling Farms in North San Diego County, CA.

Muscle Failure in the Saddle

Most riders are extremely dominant in the inner thigh, but have a weaker outer thigh.

Strength training with dumbbells, free weights, body weight, or pilates will help you build muscle endurance.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BIORIDER FITNESS

Strength Training

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

GETTING TO KNOW YOU In this special section, get to know the farms and businesses that contribute to the success of top equine athletes in the sport horse world.

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Equine Journal Advertorial

Halifax Middelsom, a purebred Knabstrupper stallion (Harlequin Middelsom x Celeste Middelsom).

Cedar Creek Stables

Adding a Flash of Color to the Sport Horse Arena LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF Virginia, Cedar Creek Stables focuses on the breeding and sales of the impressive and unique Knabstrupper horse. With their limited numbers, farm owner and manager Melyni Worth PhD, has worked to bring popularity to the breed while staying true to the Knabstrupper ideals.

Melyni explains, “The Knabstrupper is a rare and unusual breed of horse, bred by mostly hobby breeders in Denmark and Germany; the breed has a long history and several times has been in danger of disappearing altogether. One of the aims and purposes of our breeding program is to help maintain a population so that the breed can stay a viable breed of horse. Of course we cannot do that alone, but we can do our small part along with all the other breeders across the world.”

Founded in 2006, CCS is one of the largest breeders of its kind, and has imported a number of Knabstruppers from both Denmark and Germany, with the hopes of not only producing excellent riding horses but also to breed contrasting bloodlines. Over time, the farm plans to import more horses from England and other countries to join their herd.

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Breeding four to five foals each year, CCS has a selection of selectively bred young Knabstruppers available for purchase, as well as standing the remarkable stallion Halifax Middelsom.

Halifax Middelsom is a fully licensed stallion with the Knabstrupperforeningen for Danmark (KNN), having passed his ridden performance test in 2010. Halifax shows a superb disposition and great trainability, as well as his ability to throw color; he will be tremendously useful as a cross onto warmblood mares producing color, trainability, and great movement. He competes successfully at Fourth Level dressage as well as being a force to reckon with in the jumper arena.

Being a “few spot” Knabstrupper, Halifax Middelsom is homozygous for color, making him an excellent choice for producing a spotted sport horse. Approved registered warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, and Arabians are permitted outcrosses for the Knabstrupper breed, with the resulting foals being eligible for KNN registration.

If you are looking for a top quality horse that will get you noticed with a splash of color, consider the Knabstrupper. With only 70-80 registered horses in America, they are a rare treasure of the equine world. For more information on the farm as well as the Knabstrupper breed, call Melyni at 540-294-3003 or visit knabstruppers4usa.com.

PHOTO: PICS OF YOU

STAUNTON, VIRGINIA

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Equine Journal Advertorial

Meet the Knabstrupper

CCS Theoden, sired by Ecuador Skødstrup (KNN) out of an Oldenburg mare, competes at Dressage at Devon, displaying the kind of quality horse you get with a Knabstrupper/ warmblood cross.

NEW TO THE UNITED STATES, THE KNABSTRUPPER horse originated in Denmark, and has since spread to several countries in northern Europe. They are bred in Germany, Holland, England, Sweden, and Norway as well as the original Denmark.

Believed to have originated from the pre-history spotted horses of Europe, the Knabstrupper is one of the oldest breeds in Europe. Established in 1812, the Knabstrupper started with a single chestnut blanketed mare purchased by a Danish businessman named Flaeb from a Spanish cavalry officer in Zealand, Denmark.

Knabstruppers are valued for their kind temperaments, high level of trainability, strength, stamina, and robust good health as well as for their wonderful color. At the turn of the century, Knabstruppers were very popular in the circuses of Europe, due to their high trainability.

The Knabstrupper horse exhibits the same color patterns as the American Appaloosa, as they share the same color genes. The most popular color pattern is leopard; a solid white background covered with black, bay or chestnut spots. Other patterns include blanket, snowflake, snowcap and “few spot,” an almost solid white horse that, when bred, always produces a foal with a spotted pattern. There are also solid colored Knabstruppers. Breed registration is on pedigree and inspection of body type, not color, though it is for their loud color that most people recognize the Knabstrupper.

But the best part of a Knabstrupper is not the color but the excellent mind, and the work ethic and the willingness to be trained. Knabstruppers make outstanding amateur mounts and can be seen doing just about anything a horse can do.

PHOTOS: (LEFT, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) COURTESY OF KARRI HENNING; PAM STONEBURNER; COURTESY OF PATSY GRAY; (RIGHT) COURTESY OF KARRI HENNING

CCS Silinde (Apollon [KNN] x Linda V Nordstern [KNN]) is a purebred Knabstrupper mare, seen here during the pace track at her inspection.

The few spot KNN mare, Paula v Falkonhorst, with her son CCS Rumil (by RSF Shakespeare), and his buddy CCS Celebor (Ravaldi [KNN] x Demoiselle D’Avignon [Hann]).

CCS Legolas (Don Principe [Hann] x Peony v Falkenhorst [KNN]), was reserve champion in the Three-Year-Old Materiale class at Dressage at Devon in 2013.

Sport Horse 2014

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HIGH

STAKES

WHO OWNS THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE HORSE?

Sharon Whi hite and Wun hit nd de ermaske at The Fork.

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BY PAMELA MANSFIELD

M

couldn’t imagine finding the horse of our dreams, then selling op riders in eventing, dressage, and show jumping typically are le owners of the high performance horses they ride in competin stakes change, they risk losing their best mounts despite their and their love for the animal.

The reality is that talented sport horses cost a lot of money to buy and maintain. It takes patrons, sponsors, and partners that provide financial backing and share a devotion to the sport itself to help keep it going.

SUPPORT SYSTEM “I would go so far as to say that 90% of the riders in the sport of show jumping don’t own their own horses,” says Peter Wylde, one of the United States’ top show jumping riders, who rode on the U.S. Olympic Gold Medal team in 2004 on the mare, Fein Cera. Wylde found partners to buy the horse after the pair had their first victory at the 2001 World Cup. Though not an easy horse, she realized her full potential with Wylde.

“Once a top horse becomes a really top horse, they pay their way handsomely, but it’s getting the horse to that point.

The average rider needs to have support and to be funded. Most of us don’t have that kind of bank account ourselves,” he says.

Six years after making Olympic history with Fein Cera, Wylde found Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof, and he knew he had another potential Olympic mount. Again he found financial backers, and invested a third of the cost himself. But a year later, Wylde and his partners were made an offer they couldn’t refuse.

They agreed to sell the horse to buyers eager to excel in the sport and willing to invest. Renamed Hello Sanctos, the horse went on to win the Olympic Team Gold Medal for Great Britain with rider Scott Brash.

Wylde acknowledges that all riders can be sentimental but, “the reality is that money is important.

I bought a third because I wanted to keep the horse, I knew he was so good. I bought him as a sevenyear-old so that I would have a horse for my future. Eleven months later we were offered more than 10 times the price. I agreed with my co-owners that we had to sell the horse. You would love to say ‘I will never sell my horse’—some have that luxury, but most people don’t.

Even though you’re remembering there is nothing like having a gold medal, unfortunately you have to think the horse could get injured, something could happen, and he could be worth nothing. I just can’t justify not selling my horse for that much profit.”

Brash was fortunate in having the Lord and Lady Harris and Lord and Lady Kirkham as benefactors, and the partnership has been a thrilling one as he and Hello Sanctos are now the top show jumping combination in the world.

“Scott Brash is in his mid to late 20s and had been dabbling toward the top 30 in the sport. When you combine a rider like Scott Brash with two very wealthy individuals behind him, the translation is now ‘he is number one in the world,’” explains Wylde.

THE COSTS OF COMPETING Even the sport of eventing has become an increasingly expensive playing field. Top event rider Sharon White says that in her sport, “Costs are going up.

The caliber of horses is so much greater, that more and more riders are actively seeking co-owners and syndications. We still have plenty of off-track Thoroughbreds owned by people that started them—that’s the wonderful thing about eventing. We have horses imported from Europe for top money, and still have off-track Thoroughbreds who are all of a sudden on the short list.”

She asserts that high performance owners are invaluable to the future of eventing, and the majority of top eventers have more than one owner. The website experienceeventing. com was established to appeal to potential owners with affordable syndicates. Riders like White are featured there along with the horses for whom they are seeking financial partnerships.

Often, it’s the riders themselves who have to find financial backing. “I currently have two Advanced horses, one that I have brought along since he was a fouryear-old, owned by myself and

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Pete Pe terr Wy te Wyld lde ld e on the ssta tall ta llio ll ion io n Zorr Zo rro, rr o, o own wned wn ed b by y So Soci ciet ci ete et e Civi Ci vile vi le De L’ e ecu curi cu riie Me Meut uttry ry..

a good friend. When I was trying to figure out how I could afford to keep him, I approached her. Now we own him together.” Her partner is also an event rider but competes at a lower level. Sharon competes at four-stars and was named to the 2014 High Performance Winter/Spring Training List with their horse, Wundermaske.

Sharon has also experienced losing a horse she loved because the finances were not in her favor. It’s hard to lose not only the opportunity, but also a horse one has cared for.

“In any discipline it’s a risk you take as a rider and you have to come to terms with it. I devote 24 hours a day to these horses—I’m never not thinking about them. So you surround yourself with people you can trust with your life who are there for you.” She likens co-ownership to a marriage where there are “good times and hard times, and the highs are so high and lows are so low. Anyone who wants to be involved in the sport knows that the owners are beyond dear. They do this for the love of the sport and love of the horse and the relationship, because anything can go wrong. Owners go with you to shows. I have a relationship with all of my owners where I feel like I could call at any time.” They share in successes, the love of the horses, and the exhilaration of this exciting sport, as well as the lifestyle.

A good understanding and harmonious relationship is essential, says Wylde. “It’s difficult for any rider when a horse is sold and there is an owner/rider breakdown in a relationship. It’s career changing for somebody when you take away funding. No matter how talented you are, you need to have horse power and financial backing behind you.”

Every rider and owner should iron out all the details of an agreement and have a clear understanding beforehand. Often the horse increases in value under the rider’s training and guidance, and the rider should be compensated accordingly, Wylde says.

Top riders like White and Wylde are not only in the saddle each day, training, warming up, and competing; they are traveling, teaching students or working with a trainer, and overseeing a myriad of details about their

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TRUST AND RELATIONSHIPS

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S ot Sc ott Br Bra Bras assh on on Hel e lo lo Sanc Sa n to nc tos, s, wh s, ho o wass prev revi re viou ouslly ridd ri dden dd en and d pa arrttiia alllly yo own wn ned e

by Pette by err Wyl ylde de.. de

“

YOU WORK HARD EVERY DAY. YOU TAKE CARE OF THE HORSES YOU HAVE AND PRESENT THEM TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY AND STAY INTERESTED IN EVERYTHING ABOUT THAT HORSE. BE WELCOMING TO THE PEOPLE YOU MEET WHO WANT TO ENJOY THE SPORT AS MUCH AS YOU DO.”

horses’ care, stabling, maintenance at peak performance, and shipping by road or air to shows around the world. A horse can sell for as much as $3 to $5 million. Factor in all the costs to maintain and show a horse, travel to shows and fly to Europe, and the expenses can easily reach $100,000 a year for a top Grand Prix horse.

WORDS OF WISDOM How can riders get the support they need to continue to advance in the sport?

“You work hard every day. You take care of the horses you have and present them to the best of your ability and stay interested in everything about that horse. Be welcoming to the people you meet who want to enjoy the sport as much as you do,” says White.

Wylde, who is also vice-chairman and head clinician for the USHJA’s Emerging Athletes Program, says, “Your reputation as an individual as well as a rider means a lot. You are a product or an entity that people are judging by the way you conduct yourself and run your stable. What seems

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to work is, that you not only ride well, but you conduct yourself well in business and treat owners with respect.

Everything is give and take. People notice that—the whole package.”

Wylde likens the sport of show jumping to Formula 1 racing or sailboat racing. “We argue back and forth about which is more expensive. With show jumping as an Olympic sport, there’s no comparison. But it’s not just a rich person’s sport. Plenty of riders come from no money and can get to the top.

Yes, it’s much easier if you’re super rich, but if you’re good enough and willing to work hard enough you can.”

Making important connections and promoting equestrian sports wherever possible should be a way of life for competitors. “We always need more owners and sponsors. The more that people talk about it and welcome others to our events, encourage anyone who wants to go watch horses do amazing things, and make it special and all inclusive, the better,” says White.

In most sports, athletes enlist the help of an agent to manage their

careers. While equestrians have not always taken that route, Wylde is one who has recognized the value in having someone to help him negotiate and manage his sponsorships, and to provide public relations support for him personally, and for his business, Mullenders & Wylde Horses, Inc. Wylde works closely with the Dobbin Group LLC, which helps to maintain proactive communication with the media and his supporters, and to uncover sponsorship opportunities that will benefit the business.

Things are different in Europe, Wylde concedes, where equestrian sports have a large audience and often top riders are given VIP treatment.

But he sees improvements in the U.S. “When you offer a good product for people to watch, like what they’ve done here in Wellington (Florida), it has been great for us. The grand prix are so exciting to watch on Saturday night. Everybody can come and watch or they can watch on the computer.

The jump-offs are brilliant now that the level has gotten so high. People interested in the sport can watch and learn about it. It’s attracting more sponsorship money. Being a big owner in Wellington has a certain stature— owners are so appreciated and a lot of networking goes on there. People are attracted to that lifestyle.”

PHOTO: JILLUANN VALLIERE

- SHARON WHITE

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BALANCING MEET FOUR YOUNG EQUESTRIANS WHO MANAGE THEIR RIDING DREAMS WITH SCHOOL, JOBS, AND FRIENDS BY ANDREA REYNES

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JJacob

Arnold d,

PHOTO: PICSOFYOU.COM

the first carriage driver to win United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Junior Equestrian of the Year (2011), said he realized to be good in equestrian sport, he had to give up playing American Legion amateur league baseball. In 2007, Arnold decided to devote his time to just one sport, and between then and 2011, when he competed in combined driving events, he studied for school during the evening. Arnold was home schooled, as his parents thought that worked better for his education and it turned out that method offered the flexibility for his upper-level equestrian direction.

Jacob Arnold at the 2012 Little Everglades Combined Driving Event.

The lives of teenage equestrians are often at full tilt when they focus on performance showing. The challenge becomes how to balance their lives.

Arnold credits his parents’ time and resources for supporting his aspiration. When Arnold was showing in Florida, he drove the family’s Chevy truck and gooseneck with his horse on board from North Carolina, his mother, father, and brother accompanying him. His parents worked on their laptops for their jobs, which had flexible schedules. He also credits teachers he’s trained with, among them, Ijsbrand Chardon of Holland, who won 11 gold medals.

Arnold, now 21 years old, is the first Apprentice Driver in the Live Oak Combined Driving Inc. Developing Driver Program, created by 11-time U.S. Four-in-Hand Driving Champion Chester Weber.

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in 2011. During the week of the show, she continued working at Hampton Green Farms, an upper-level P.R.E. dressage and breeding stable in Fruitport, MI. Now, at 19 years old, the aspiring trainer is being prepped for managing Hampton Green. Chowanec is close to her family, she says, but she’s had to sacrifice family time for her equestrian aspirations. Living at Hampton Green Farms, riding three horses a day, plus six hours of barn management, she now sees her family in Columbia, CT, usually just at holidays. Her friends are mainly within the show world. As she learned the value of fitness at dressage chef d’equipe Robert Dover’s Horsemastership Clinic and Lendon Gray’s Winter Intensive Program, she spends one to two hours at the gym several days a week.

Chowanec’s plan is to prepare for the Brentina Cup—a championship program helping Young Riders evolve to Grand Prix competition.

Making the Commitment: Worth the Sacrifice:

Rachel

Chowanec

learned how to arrange a full life when she progressed from riding at eight years old with Olympic level dressage rider Lendon Gray to showing Young Riders Intermediaire I Level dressage at 17.

During the 2011 Festival of Champions in Gladstone, NJ, Chowanec, then 17 years old, was doing her homework while sitting in Mouse’s stall—her grey Spanish horse. She had a cooler that Mouse had won wrapped around her to keep warm in the cool October temperatures. Chowanec was working on a 15-page English paper for her online course at Quineberg Valley College in Willimantic, CT. As she wrote about the national healthcare system, her gelding looked out of his metal stall gate, watching horses and riders walk by. In addition to a riding lesson that morning, Chowanec had managed to spring into schoolwork, and drive her parents to the airport, at an event where many riders would have nothing else to focus on but the celebrated event.

Chowanec was awarded USEF Reserve National Championship Young Rider in the Intermediaire Level

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Morgan g Booth

was rece receiving texts from Will Coleman about how to ride the North American Junior/Young Riders Championship (NAJYRC) CCI1* cross-country course two years ago, while Coleman was preparing to compete in the 2012 Olympics.

Booth was a working student for Coleman during the summer of 2012, working six days a week, 12-14 hour days, grooming, exercising horses, and cleaning stalls. She studied for her Advanced Placement (AP) classes in the evening.

“Friends understand I have a big commitment, I don’t spend as much time with them as they do with each other.

I have a couple close riding friends who understand the level of dedication and what I’m trying to do,” says Booth.

“I have a mental list of what to do,” she says, explaining how she keeps up with it all. She prioritizes and plans ahead. Since no one can do all that alone, Booth credits the support of her parents with her venture.

Qualifying for the Young Riders Championship, a highlight competition for riders of various English disciplines age 14 to 21, is an honor. The qualification and selection requires an intensive devotion of time, explains her mother, Roxanne Booth. Only so many can qualify, and the aspiring entrant doesn’t know if they are selected until a few weeks before the competition. While the Booth family has kids with other interests, June and July was reserved for Morgan when she was chosen for Young Riders. “Preparing

PHOTO: COURTESY OF UNITED STATES P.R.E. ASSOCIATION

Rachel Chowanec and her P.R.E. gelding.

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for the event meant focusing on preparation every day,” says her mother. She is an avid supporter of her daughter at shows, going out early in the week to the NAJYRCs, her husband coming out later, and Morgan’s grandfather making his presence there on Skype.

“As a working student, Morgan got to know the lifestyle,” explains her mother, a former three-day event rider. Being a working student at Coleman’s operation instead of paying for lessons was a choice, explains Morgan.

For Morgan, the Young Riders is a phase in her life, and horses may be a career. “There is always the question of how much time one spends with horses— what goes into making a top rider?” says her mother.

“Do you take 12 months a year, and spend every day on horses? To do so can be hard on the budget, hard on the physical being, and limit opportunities to pursue other interests.”

The Booths own Hidden Spring Farm, which has 13 horses, and Morgan helps with farm duties. She says a lot of equestrians she competes with for the Young Riders are home schooled. The method is a way of adjusting to the time demands on an upper-level athlete.

Morgan has chosen to remain at a traditional high school, which often requires complicated scheduling; last spring the CCI1* at the Virginia Horse Trials started in the middle of final exams. The young athlete drove between the show grounds and school several times to enable both to happen. “I try not to sacrifice schoolwork, because it is just a sport at the end of the day.”

As she prepares for college, Morgan is considering mixing academics with competing on an equestrian team contending for an NCAA National Championship.

This is a way to continue to improve her riding without the time constraints of keeping a horse fit for the upper levels of eventing.

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PHOTO: THE BOOK, LLC

Kate Morrison credits parental support and good fortune to sustaining her riding dreams.

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Accomplishing Goals:

Kate

Morrison n,

jumper competitor, rode in the High Amateur-Owner class at the Winter Equestrian Festival in 2013 while wearing a back brace, still healing two ruptured discs after a riding fall. She had some concerns about starting again with her injury, as well as trying to learn what worked with Windoctro, a horse she found difficult to ride. As her coach Angela Moore instructed, Kate had to pick Windoctro back up in the middle of the course. She half-halted him after a steady line. Then she urged him on with her legs. Windoctro rallied and they finished the course successfully. The time Morrison had previously put into learning how to ride Windoctro had resulted in a partnership with the horse that still thrived.

Morrison had taken a year off from school to accomplish her goals. She interned with professional photographer James Parker, a prelude to a shift to becoming a photography major in college. Morrison set up her classes at Savannah College of Art and Design (where one of her showing comrades, Christine Firestone attends) for Monday through Thursday. From Friday to Sunday, she flies to Florida to compete on the jumper circuit for the winter months until April. Following that, she mainly lives life on the road, competing at shows in South Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan, Chagrin Valley, Indiana, and Tennesee.

She credits parental support and good fortune to sustaining such a life. “I’m privileged,” she says. Morrison defines success in the sport not necessarily to winning, but feeling like she is accomplishing something.

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What The H Am

BY ANGE DICKSON FINN

!

PROCEED WITH

I LUST ILL TRATIO T ON BY B DAN D NI N EL E GOO OOD DW WIN N

CAUTION

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have this awkward ard secret about my riding, and I’m going to share it with you right here in this article. You see, even though h I’ve been taking lessons and doing shows aboard a horse for six years, and have been in some big shows show and won some respectable ribbons…I really didn’t know how to ride.

That is, not until I took my first tumble off my horse last year and broke my ribs. r Even then th en, I on only ly llea earn rned ed h how ow tto o ri ride de b bec ecau ause se I w wan ante ted d to gget et b bac ack k in tthe he ssad addl dlee an and dm my y ribs weren’t really ready. The only way I could ride without pain was to tighten my coree an and notice my movement on my horse, and harmonize with her movements.

In other h word ds, rid ide.

Than Th ank an k go good odne od ness ne ss I d did idn’ id n t li n’ list sten st en to to my my doc doc octo torr, to r, o orr I st stil illl il wouldn’t know how to ride. Her face was a study in disbelief when I asked if it was too soon to get back on my horse at three and a half weeks post-break. She said, “I wouldn’t recommend it unless you can be absolutely certain that you won’’t fall again.”” Riiigggght. I would have laughed, but laughing hurt even more than riding.

So tth here I was on my h horse att th the walk lk, hold ldiingg myself steady and realizing, wow, my mare is actually resp re spon ondi ding ng,, sh shor orte teni ning ng h her er sstr trid idee an and d co coll llec ecti ting ng h her erse self lf,, too. This makes me possibly the slowest and densest learner of all time.

There was another thing the whole experience taught me, and that was how much I don’t want to ever fall off again.

And yet I know there are those of you out there thinking I’m a wi wimp mp aand nd ttrryin ingg to cco ount nt up p al alll th thee ti time mess you’ ou’vee ffal alle len n.

Falling-off stories are second only to trailer disaster stories as the favorite anthem of the show set.

But by a certaiin age, a new reffrain i starts to creep in.

Like, “I don’t bounce like I used to.” And, “I just can’t take the chance of being laid up—I have a job/family/life to think about.”

So as th the decad des pass, all ll you who h as k kid ids gall lloped d around the prairies, or hacked the countryside, or jumped anything in your way are now…cautious.

We look at jumps differently. We look at trails differently. We look at the ground differently.

Up until your 20s and 30s, you injure yourself and all you need is a little ice and a day’s rest. In your 50s, you’re still paying for your fun or stubbornness two, three, four weeks k later.

Ther Th ere’ er e s on only ly o one ne tthi hing hi ngg tha tha hatt ta take kess lo ke long ngger tto o he heal al tha tha han n ou ourr bodi dies es: ourr eggo. As As a yo younge nge g r rid iderr yo you migh igh g t havee b bee een n cock cky ky, ful ull ll off ccon onfi fid fi dencee, and denc d wil wil illi ling li ngg to to tak take ke ri risk isks. ks Reac Reac Re ach h a certtai ain in ag agee an and d le leve leve vell off aacc ccom cc ompl pli lis ishm ish hmen hmen entt in in man man anyy oth ot the her ar her area eass off llif ea ifee, if e, and d yyou ou ffee eell di ee diff ffer ff eren er entl en tlyy ab tl abou bou outt it it.. Yo You ma You mayy star st artt as ar aski king ki ngg you ours rsel elf lf, f, aass I do do o on n an aallm lmos lmos ostt da dail dail ilyy ba basi sis is, s, “Wh Whyy thee heck am I here re on my hor orse se’s bac ack,, doing ng g thiss thingg that at I m st I’ stil illl no il nott real all lly ly ggoo ood oo d at at,, wh when hen I ccou ould ou ld b bee do doin doi ing—oh ing oh, h, I don’ do n t kn know ow, an anyt ythi hing ng eels lsee th that at d doe oesn sn’tt eeat at h hay ay, re requ quir iree sp spec ecia iall clot cl othe hess an and d ve vehi hicl cles es, an and d of ofte ten n re resu sult lt iin n eg eggg on m myy fa face ce?” ?

It’ss n It no o su surp rp pri rise se,, th then en,, th that at w wee de deve velo lop p, aahe p, hem m, w wor orkk arou ar ound nds. s. Cop Copin ingg st stra rate tegi gies es.. Av Avoi oida danc ncee be beha havi vior ors, s, eeve ven. n.

Have you and d you ourr ridi idi d ngg bud uddi ddi d es eemp mp ploye y d an anyy of of thee fo th foll llow owin ing? g?

■ PERFOR ORMANC NCE-NUMBING G DRUG UGS. S. Tha ank goodd ness ne ss tthe he ssho how w go gove vern rnin ingg bo bodi dies es are are o onl nlyy co conc concerned ncer erne ned d wi w with th cattchi hingg perf performance-enhancing formance-enhan h i substances in our horses.

That leaves us free to experiment with ways to take the

edge ed ge o off ff ourr own n aan nxie nxie ietty. ty. Wh Whic ich ic h ar aree to too o ma man ny tto ny o coun unt nt, t, in my experience. They range from medicinal whiskey to herbal supplements to off-label uses of legitimate medications. And my personal favorite, acupoint tapping.

Hypnosis and sports psychology and lucky talismans— s— we’’re willing to try them all, if it helps us take even a small percentage of what we had in the schooling ring rin intto tth he sh how riing. g ■ PRE-RIDE PRECAUTIONS. My personal nal choice is jjus ustt to ggo o ah ahea ead d an and d ta take ke tthe he p pai ain n re reli liev ievers e e before I mount up. At least I have a running ng start st on the sore muscles. But there’s a whole indus dustry dedicated to helping you exercise to minim nimize post-ride pain before you mount up. Stretchess and a calisthenics. Workout routines. Mounted yog oga (I can’t do it on the mat, much less le ss o on n th thee ho hors rsee.)) T Thingamajigs you wrap around yourself to sit up stra traight in the saddle. You didn’t need these things as kids ds, did you? Jump on, fall off, jump back on again. i T Th hose os were the days.

■ HID DING (IF YOU CAN). I like pleasure classes because se, if I’m having a bad horse day, I have company.

Comp pany I can hide behind. Or rate behind. Or at least try to ac ccomplish that sleight-of-horse that I hope will distract the judge j (it doesn’t, of course, but we take our comfort wheere we can). If it’s a big class, somebody’s going to be ridin ng off the rail at some point—giving me a chance to hide b behind them! Of course, you risk not being seen, but someti times that’s the point.

■ PRA RAYER. I’m a big fan of prayer, especially when skill is lacki cking. At a recent show one of our junior comp petiitors was wa watching a class, and asking the trainer what wh at tto o do iiff he herr horse ho was trying to cut into the middle.

With Wi tho outt hesita itati tion on,, I supplied sup pp my advice: “Pray. It won’t do aany do ny goo ood d, butt d do o it aany nywa way.” way. I don’t know why the trai tr aine ine nerr fo foun foun und d it sso o fu funn funn nnyy.

I re reli lied do on n th thiis is a lot ot, t, es espe peciial all lly ly iin n th thee pr preee-broken-rib brok br okeen ok days days da y . On Once II’d Once ’d dh hiit it a ccer erta er taiin ta in poi oint int iin n th the he me mellt lt-d dow own n p oc pr oces esss in the ring, g, pra raye yer waas all I had left.

■ HU HUMO MOR MO R. M R. Myy ad dvi vice ice ce:: al alwa lwa ways ys lau laugh h at at yo your urse ur self se lf ffiir irst irst st,, long lo nges estt, and and llou oude dest st. Th That at w way ay yyou ou can can p pre rete tend nd eeve very ryon onee else el se iiss la laug ughi hing ng wit with h yo you u, ins inste tead ad o off at yyou ou. Wh Whyy el else se woul wo uld d I wr writ itee ov over er and and o ove verr in gre reat at d det etai aill ab abou outt al alll th thee humi hu mili liat atin ingg th thin ings gs II’v ve do done ne,, an and d wi will ll llik ikel elyy co cont ntin inue ue to do do, on a h hor orse se?? Sh S e who ho laug ghs llas astt, t, llas astts. ts.

ANGE GE DICKSON FINN is an award-winning freelance writer, western pleasure competitor, and retired horse show mom who enjoys laughing at herself. Visit her at ridewithoutfear.com, or email her at ange@ridewithoutfear.com.

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BY SARAH WYNNE JACKSON PHOTOS BY AK DRAGOO PHOTOGRAPHY

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A

s times change and new problems come to light, the United States Equestrian Federation modifies their rulebook to keep step with today’s horse sports. Oftentimes, changes to the rules simply clarify practices that are already in place. That’s the case this year with changes to the dressage and jumper division rules. Other rule changes protect show horses from unethical actions, maintain a fair playing field, or prevent rider injury.

Some recent rule changes were made on an extraordinary basis. GR151 defines an extraordinary rule change as, “…one that, unless expedited, would create or continue a severe hardship or a gross unfairness to the Federation, its members or their horses, its Licensed Competitions, or its Recognized Affiliate Associations…”

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The Green Status Reinstatement rule was modified to allow horses and ponies to go back to the previous green section only after receiving written permission from the Federation.

GENERAL RULES: HORSE WELFARE Two new rules concern the welfare of horses and ponies competing at USEF competitions. They were created after a noticeable increase in the number of collapses at shows, some of which were covered widely in mainstream media.

The “collapse rule,” GR843, outlines the actions the trainer, owner, or rider must take after a horse “falls to the ground with no apparent cause.” “This rule went into effect on an extraordinary basis,” says Mary Babick, Vice President of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) for the hunter discipline, chair of the USHJA Hunter Working Group, and a member of the board of directors, Executive Committee, and the Emerging Athletes Committee. “Unfortunately there have been a number of collapses and some very public collapses. The one that really kicked things into motion is when the hunter pony Humble collapsed and died at Devon in 2012.”

GR843 directs that the person responsible for the horse must “notify the steward/technical delegate as soon as possible, but no later than three hours after such occurrence of any collapse of a horse or pony.” The Federation, at its expense, may have a veterinarian inspect the horse and test it for drugs and medications. Any refusal to comply with the Federation’s investigation is a violation.

The new “12-hour rule,” GR414, states, “No injectable substances may be administered to any horse or pony within 12 hours prior to competing…”

There are three exceptions: therapeutic fluids, antibiotics, and dexamethasone (for the treatment of acute hives).

These exceptions apply only when administered by a licensed veterinarian no less than six hours prior to competing, and an Equine Drugs and Medications Report Form is filed with the competition office within one hour after the injection.

Malcolm Hook is a member of the USEF Eventing Technical Committee, past chair of the Eventing Technical Committee, a member of the Safety Committee, and co-chair of the Stewards and Technical Delegates Committee. He explains why this new rule applies to both permitted and prohibited substances, “Kent Allen, DVM, Chair of the USEF Drugs & Medications Committee and the Veterinary Committee, has explained that permitted therapeutic medications require a considerable time to achieve the desired effect. Injecting any of them closer to competition [less] than 12 hours is at best an exercise in futility. Any substance that achieves an effect within a few hours stands a good chance of being a suspect therapy.”

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HUNTER RULES The rules governing the green status of hunters and pony hunters received little scrutiny until the advent of the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s Pre-Green Incentive Program, which brought significant prize money to the pre-green section. When it came to their attention that ineligible horses were competing in the greens, the Federation examined those rules, HU103 and HU104.

“The changes to the green rules were extraordinary rule changes. The old rules were vague and unenforceable. Also rewritten at that time were the rules about first years and green ponies because they’re all related,” Babick says.

HU105 Green Status Reinstatement was also modified.

Babick explains, “Horses and ponies can go back to the

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previous green section only after receiving written permission from the Federation. Horses go back more often than you’d think. It could be that the horse or rider was injured so they couldn’t show. Sometimes people try out the higher section and don’t do well so they want to drop back to the previous section. And, unfortunately, there are also those who want to take advantage of the system.”

A completely new section has been added to the hunters: Junior Hunter 3'3". Babick says, “This is a stair step so when riders come out of children’s hunters, they have a place to go without taking that big step up to 3'6". A lot of horse shows already have this, but now it’s a rated section for juniors. A few years ago we instituted the Amateur Hunter 3'3" and it has been really popular.”

Another new addition to the hunter rules is HU179 Re-Measurement, which states that owners may request that a horse or pony be re-measured by a Federation official once in the animal’s lifetime. “The measurement task force created some fairly strong rules that will go into effect for the 2015 competition year. If people are concerned their horses weren’t measured correctly the first time, this rule gives them a chance to have them re-measured before those rules take effect so they can avoid possible penalization in 2015,” says Babick.

The ratings designations for hunter competitions were re-named because people new to the discipline were unfamiliar with the ratings being used. C has become Regional II, B has become Regional I, A has become Nationals, AA has become Premier.

The definitions of the competition types haven’t changed, only the names have changed.

Stirrups with entirely black branches are now prohibited in equitation classes, but still allowed in the hunters and jumpers.

In the Beginner Novice and Novice levels of eventing, riders may now continue after a fall, provided they land on their feet and remain standing. The second fall, regardless of how they land, results in elimination.

EQUITATION RULES Equitation saw only one significant rule change, EQ109 Appointments, which states, “The use of stirrups that have entirely black branches… will automatically result in elimination.”

Babick says, “The hinged stirrups with partially black branches are fine; only completely black branches are prohibited. This rule is simply so the judge can see the placement of the stirrup and loss of the stirrup. Entirely black branches make that extremely difficult to see.”

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EVENTING RULES The rule updates for eventing focus on rider falls and scoring on cross-country. EV113 Medical Requirements now states, “The Ground Jury may direct that competitors who have a fall, not associated with penalties be examined…”

Hook explains, “This rule change is designed primarily to deal with falls in warm-up, a fall between fences on cross-country, possibly even a fall coming out of stabling.

If a member of the Ground Jury thinks it’s a serious fall, they can have the rider examined.

“It doesn’t change anything from the old rules because the Ground Jury’s authority during the event has always been absolute, but this puts it in black and white. It also puts riders on notice that if a member of the Ground Jury stops them, they can’t refuse an examination.”

Two major changes have been made to EV141 CrossCountry Scoring. In Beginner Novice and Novice, a rider may now fall once, provided they land on their feet and remain standing. The second fall, regardless of how they land, incurs elimination. The rule for Training, Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced remains the same as it has been since 2008: elimination on the first fall.

“From 2005 through 2008, we had a disturbing upward trend of rider injury, particularly traumatic brain injury.

So in 2008 we initiated the rule that the first fall is elimination,” Hook says. “Then some people said this rule shouldn’t apply to the lower levels because they aren’t going very fast or jumping very high. We agreed to elimination on the second fall, but only if the rider remains on his or her feet during the first fall, where there isn’t significant risk of brain injury.”

The other major change to EV141 affects Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced riders. Instead of being eliminated for the fourth disobedience on cross-country, they will now be eliminated on the third disobedience.

“We’ve been at four for a long time, but there is a likelihood that those competing at these levels might be riding at the FEI level in the future, which eliminates on the third disobedience. Changing our rules to three keeps it more consistent and helps riders avoid confusion later on,” says Hook.

“We didn’t see any particular reason to change the rule for Beginner Novice, Novice, and Training, plus we want people at those levels to get around and finish the course.

At those levels, horses and riders are still learning; a horse that’s hesitant about water or ditches could use up those disobediences quickly. So for the lower levels we left it at four,” Hook says.

Event riders should also be aware that there are new dressage tests this year. Go to the United States Eventing Association website for more information.

A TRYING TASK Some rules may seem overly strict, others arbitrary.

But the USEF maintains a wide variety of committees comprised of many of the country’s top professionals in each discipline. They take seriously their responsibility to draft rules that are reasonable, fair, and improve horse sports, so the rest of us can enjoy the challenge of competition.

Sport Horse 2014

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