The Plaid Horse - October/November 2016 The Indoors and Equitation Issue

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Ramble On FaRm

PRemieRe Facility OF the PhiladelPhia main line Dominique H. Damico ~ Berwyn, Pennsylvania ~ 484-325-0380

Bit of Laughter & Gabrielle Sokolow Small Pony Hunter

Casan & Kaitlyn Williams USEF Medal and Maclay Finals

Nemesis 11 & Dominique Damico High Performance Hunter

Kingston & Gabrielle Sokolow Large Pony Hunter

Super Cool & Gabrielle Sokolow Medium Pony Hunter

Rockwell & Mia Latran Large Junior Hunter 16-17

Ask about our horses and ponies for sale, from small pony hunters to junior hunters

PHOTOS © 2016 VAL STANILOFF, ALISON HARTWELL,, ISEDORA CHAMBEE 2016, SHAWN MCMILLEN, AND THE BOOK LLC.

best OF luck at indOORs

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Best of Luck WISHES

to Mia Green & Unforgettable in the Medium Pony Hunters

PHOTO © SHAWN MCMILLEN.

Caroline Passarelli and True Colors Isabella White (age 7) and The Pennsylvania National Clovermeade Myat Boyfriend’s Back at Winner USEF Pony Finals USEF Pony Finals 2015 Over Fences 2014

and Washington International Horse Shows photos © briar field farm, shawn mcmillen photography, and Sportfot.

Limited space available for training with Stefanie Mazer and special rates for top quality sale ponies during Pre-Circuit and the Winter Equestrian Festival.

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© Shawn McMillen Photography.

HANNAH HOCH & ANISETTE

Best of Luck at Indoors

S tacey O ppermann Cedar Creek Equestrian Center Cedarburg, wi • 262-227-5197

© Andrew Ryback Photography.

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Durango Farms wishes best of luck at indoors to

photo © beth taylor.

captain 33

Naomi Houillon

photo © susan knox.

citadel

Emma Marlowe trained in partnership with leslie steele. citadel is owned by pam stewart.

David Bustillos • 949-433-4056 • Allison LaJoie coto de caza, ca

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CONGRATULATIONS E rniE and B Etty O arE EMO S taBlES

on the purchase of Belle Glos. best of luck at indoors in the second year green hunters to belle glos and rider jessica harries .

JNL STABLES Dylan and Jessica Harries • Cypress, Texas • 661-331-7771 • www.jnlstables.com a special thank you to bucky reynolds .

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THE EQUITATION ISSUE

Publisher

PIPER KLEMM, Ph.D.

P. 30 WHAT YOU GET FOR $80,000 P. 34 THE MENTAL GAME Ashleen Lee

Art Director

LISA DALY

P. 38 ROAD TO WIHS FINALS Lauren Fisher

Editor

SISSY WICKES

P. 48 TOM O’MARA ON FINALS & FATHERHOOD Sissy Wickes

Web Director

P. 51 CHICAGO HUNTER DERBY

Emily Riden

BETSY KELLEY Advertising

NANCY HALVEY KATIE COOK MALORY SCHALL LIZ DAVOLL Marketing Partner

ELIZABETH HOWELL

CONTACT THE PLAID HORSE

WRITE Piper Klemm, Ph.D., 14 Mechanic St, Canton, New York 13617

CALL 541-905-0192 WEB theplaidhorse.com EMAIL piper@theplaidhorse.com FACEBOOK facebook.com/theplaidhorsemag TWITTER @PlaidHorseMag twitter.com/PlaidHorseMag

INSTAGRAM @theplaidhorsemag instagram.com/theplaidhorsemag

PINTEREST pinterest.com/theplaidhorse GOOGLE + The Plaid Horse Mag TUMBLR theplaidhorsemag.tumblr.com SNAPCHAT theplaidhorse ISSUU: issuu.com/theplaidhorsemag

P. 63 HQC/TPH CROSSWORD PUZZLE P. 68 PUT ON A SHOW: THE COST OF RUNNING A HORSE SHOW Sissy Wickes P. 72 FINALS WINNERS REMINISCE Sissy Wickes P. 76 COVER STORY: LINDSAY MAXWELL Sissy Wickes ON THE COVER: LINDSAY MAXWELL AND TECHNICOLOR, A 6 YEAR OLD WARMBLOOD, A/O CLASSIC, MENLO CHARITY HORSE SHOW. PHOTO © DEB DAWSON PHOTOGRAPHY.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE: In the summer of 2013, I made a move from one of the most densely populated areas of the country to one of the least populated. From Berkeley, California, to Canton, New York: one end of the spectrum to the other. A few weeks after my arrival, I took some lessons and attended a Hunter Derby hosted

by St. Lawrence University.

Here we were in this tiny community enjoying a wonderful morning of beautiful jumps, reasonable costs and Derby competition followed by jumpers all afternoon. Being a consummate amateur, I nailed the first trip only to go off course in my debut Derby handy. But, I was drawn to a horse community that was dedicated to providing opportunity and support at all levels.

So, what did I do? I got involved. That is what this issue is all about – getting involved. Read about how Lindsay Maxwell took her commitment to stratospheric levels with the Pennsylvania National Horse show on p. 84. There are all levels of horse shows – local,

rated, college, and national horse shows.

Spend your time volunteering, donating, contributing, competing – the more we all put into this sport at every level, the better it will become.

2016 will be the 3rd year that St. Lawrence University Derby Day will feature The Plaid Horse $1,000 Hunter Derby, as well as fun prizes, an Equitation Finals, a Mini-Prix, and various under saddle finals. Every single year, IHSA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner and St. Lawrence head coach, Mary Drueding, has built on the success of the previous years to host the community with great amenities, extravagant jumps, and fantastic awards.

Let’s all take some time this fall to show some love to the horse shows we really care about. Most horse shows are excited by monetary and prize donations at every level. Volunteer at your favorite charity horse show, and inspire your local and national communities.

◼ BY TPH PUBLISHER PIPER KLEMM, PHD

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Lanie Walkenbach!

CONGRATULATIONS

PHOTO © SID LOWE.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU AND VERONA AT THE 2016 ASPCA MACLAY FINALS!

So proud of you! Love, Mom, Dad, and Paige

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RIDING: THE MENTAL GAME

Good riding requires you to be both physically and mentally fit. You must be able to feel your horse and move with him. It is important for you both to control them and get out of their way. This, in itself, requires you to be physically fit. Good riding requires consistent thought. Riders must work and rework exercises to instill consistency in the rider, the horse, and the combination of both. Good riding involves repetition and learning to work with the horse through difficulties and misunderstanding in training. Yet,

the most difficult element to master is the mental piece.

Mentally preparing and reacting to the horse properly requires time.

It also tends to be a more influential piece as you age or if you have suffered an accident. The two most common situations that the rider must mentally overcome are basic instincts in moments of physical fear and fear of making mistakes.

Physical fear occurs when the rider feels out of control of their horse. This feeling of panic happens more often with novice riders who

have not learned to adapt. For example, if the horse locks its jaw and bolts a novice rider will tend to lock up and clamp onto the horse with their legs, while also locking the elbow to try to overpower the horse to stop. Basic instincts tell them to hold on. They do not realize in clamping on with their legs, they are communicating to their horse to go forward. It is a trained response to relax the leg when bringing the horse back. While doing so properly requires you to keep leg, it is not a clamped leg. It is a steady

controlled and connected leg. When a rider locks their arms, they are attempting to overpower the horse.

This is impossible. The arm must stay elastic even when trying to reel in a horse that is running away.

Especially in instances where the horse has locked their jaw, the rider must stay elastic in order to supple the horse and unlock their jaw to bring them back properly.

Physical fear can be overcome through training and experience. In an experienced rider, it may reoccur after an accident or traumatic experience.

The fear that tends to reoccur more often in riders is the fear of making mistakes and can happen for a number of different reasons.

Your nerves might come into play during a big class. Maybe it is your first time moving up levels on a young horse and you want to ensure they have a good experience. When riders operate from a place of fear, they tend to miscommunicate with their horse. They begin to either overthink or become incapable of thought for that moment.

From time to time, I personally struggle with the fear of making mistakes. In June, I moved up to the 1.40m with a horse that I had recently partnered with. In our first class, we were double clear and decided to do the Welcome Stake.

It was the same height and similar in difficulty, but the word ‘Welcome’ got the best of me. I misread the bending line and placed him long and weak to a wide oxer. My horse jumped for me and took both the front and hind rails down. Knowing it was rider error and I wasn't going to get it together, I chose to withdraw.

I dropped down to the 1.35m to get my confidence back. Things were going quite well until I jumped into a combination and he struggled to get out. I finished the class. But

theplaidhorse.com • October/November 2016 • 35 all of a sudden, my mental fear power. You make it true. You should kicked in. We had jumped hundreds not give it any recognition; it needs of in and outs, and just one time to be buried until you forget about we struggled, but now it was in it. No excuses, keep riding. my head. As irrational as it was, I The mental aspect of riding is thought I was going to have trouble the most difficult to overcome. Once with all the combinations. The a rider has progressed beyond their moment I thought I had trouble with issue, it may from time to time rear combinations, I did. its ugly head. I believe this is true I would set my eye on the for most riders, and it comes in combination and begin to overreact varying forms. Sometimes it is fear by either pulling through the turn of being hurt, fear of ruining our hoping to find a forward distance horse, or fear of being wrong. Either or lengthening my canter through way, the fear is real. Good riders the turn thinking I needed more work through it when it occurs. pace. All in all, I really just needed Great riders have found a way to to canter. The panic caused me overcome it. While we all feel it, we to make poor choices, making it must learn to transcend the fear as more difficult for my horse to jump counterproductive to our success. clear. The combinations weren’t the Though the fear may be irrational, it problem; it was my irrational fear of is a constant battle for many riders. ◼ BY ASHLEEN LEE making a mistake.

Similar to relationships, it takes years to build trust and only one moment to break it. However irrational the fear was, it was still real. Once I decided I had this problem, I started to pull or leg and misread the distance. I went home and practiced and retrained my thinking until that one combination was a distant memory, a brief moment of doubt flooded by many successes.

As riders, good riders, we think and rethink. We go over what happened, what went wrong, Ashleen began riding when she was and what we could have done five years old. Shortly after, her family differently. Perhaps that's what purchased one of the closest stables to differentiates riders. We do our the city of Chicago. Ashleen grew up best to self- reflect and reason with around the stables and spent every free what happens in that 60-80 second moment with the horses. She has been window in the ring. I was lucky training and teaching professionally enough to have the guidance of a for the past eleven years. During that great horseman, Bucky Reynolds. time, she earned a bachelors degree He told me many things of value, from DePaul University in Business one of which I will never forget.

Management. In the last year, she has It was, “Don't verbalize.” While taken over the family stable, Freedom funny and true in its moment, I Woods, Inc. and has substantial plans understand it now. When you speak of your fear, you give it meaning and for the future.

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The Road to the WIHS Equitation Finals Each year, the top junior equestrians from around the nation compete with goals of qualifying for four major equitation finals, including the coveted Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Equitation Finals. Winning a final is the pinnacle of every junior rider’s career, and once again this year, WIHS will see the nation’s best young talent compete to add their name to the history books.

the top ten riders switch horses – in order to determine the overall winner.

ANDRE DIGNELLI, VICKI LOWELL, AND PATRICIA GRIFFITH. PHOTO © REX REED.

Madden trained grand prix show jumper Brianne Goutal to her junior career wins in all four major equitation finals, and he understands the importance of each final, as well as the different qualification requirements.

Each championship is different, and each competition features a unique format that makes it distinctly challenging. One of the greatest honors a junior rider can achieve, a win in the WIHS Equitation Finals is no easy task.

Just qualifying for the event is a major feat. Riders compete all year to earn points, and only the top 40 riders in the country (30 from the East Coast League and 10 from the West Coast League) are invited to travel to the nation’s capital to contest the final prize.

They then compete in three rounds of competition – a hunter phase, a jumper phase, and a final work-off in which

With 40 coveted spots on the line, the top trainers around the country make it a priority to put their riders in WIHS qualifying classes early in the season. Riders try to accumulate as many points as they can at the start of the year and then perform consistently throughout the summer, to assure their qualification for the Finals in October.

MISSY CLARK AND GRAPPA. PHOTO © ALEX THOMAS.

Many of the East Coast trainers use the 12week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Fla., to get their riders in the ring as much as possible from January through March and rack up points for the WIHS Equitation Finals early in the year. Frank Madden of Old Salem Farm in North Salem, N.Y., Missy Clark of North Run in Warren, Vt., and Andre Dignelli of Heritage Farm in Katonah, N.Y., are three top equitation trainers who know what it takes to get their riders to the winner’s circle.

“The Washington Equitation Final is the newest final of the four majors,” Madden noted. “Only one rider in history has won all four finals and that was Brianne Goutal. The way you qualify for that class is a little different than all the others, with a group from the West Coast and East Coast, and the two phases - a jumper phase and hunter phase. Your more advanced equitation riders make it a goal to get to those finals and be competitive because they want to try to win all four finals.

“If you are a rider who thinks you’re able

LILLIE KEENAN AND ANDRE DIGNELLI. PHOTO © ELENA LUSENTI. FRANK MADDEN. PHOTO © LINDSAY BROCK, JUMP MEDIA LLC.

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to qualify for Washington, it really starts with being quite consistent in Florida,” Madden detailed. “You have lots of weeks in a row down there. So, if you are not having a competitive Washington qualifying circuit in Florida, it is a little bit hard to get caught up. There are a couple of other key shows that bring a lot of points during the year, but Florida is a real jump-start. You have to decide early in the year whether you really want to go after it or not.”

Clark is also no stranger to the winner’s circle at WIHS Equitation Finals and spoke of the experience that the qualifying period gives young riders, stating, “It is a goal that these riders set as an important milestone. It is the journey along the way, of working towards getting to that point where you are qualified, that gives you the experience to be able to ride in a championship event. In our program, we always look at it as a stepping-stone that gives the riders great mileage to move up.

“I am a firm believer that all of our qualifying should come naturally and not come down to who put the most mileage on their horse trailer,” Clark continued. “The great thing about that class is that it does get the people that should be there – the more experienced riders – because you can go to nine billion little shows and not get the right number of points versus having some good success at one of the bigger shows because of the way they weight the points system. I think that formula has worked out well for that class.”

Clark added, “Getting qualified happens naturally – you show in WIHS classes all year. The kids that are showing and having consistent success at the bigger shows are the ones that get in, and the others are getting great mileage along the way.”

Dignelli has had several top riders win the WIHS Equitation Finals over the years and spoke of his qualifying formula as well.

“We prioritize the WIHS Equitation classes in Florida during the winter because if you have a good go in Florida, the points are big,” Dignelli stated. “It is difficult to qualify for the WIHS Finals at the smaller shows during the summer.”

Dignelli added, “I think it is a special class because it happens in a major city, which gives it a special atmosphere. It has become quite difficult to qualify, which also adds to the atmosphere of the class. It highlights a rider’s ability to ride a hunter and a jumper, and that diversity is important.”

Commenting on the atmosphere of the competition as well, Madden stated, “It is so nice to be in the city of Washington, D.C., and the crowds are great. I think having the top ten of the

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WIHS Equitation Finals right before the grand prix really gives the kids an exciting feeling being in front of a crowd.”

“You want a horse that is relatively easy to get into the show ring – a horse with high energy is really hard to deal with at that venue - and with the hunter phase you want a horse that will go around a hunter course relaxed. You need a pretty versatile horse, and it is not the easiest mount to find,” Madden acknowledged.

Clark added, “I remember riding there years ago when I showed myself.

I love Washington. It is one of my all-time favorite shows. Now that it is downtown, it is probably most reminiscent of showing at Madison Square Garden with the atmosphere and being in the city.”

With a year-long qualifying period, only 40 positions up for grabs to compete in the finals, and the added challenges of showing in an indoor city venue with different phases of competition, getting to the top of the WIHS Equitation Finals is no easy road, but for those that make it, the journey is worth the effort.

Held this year on October 25-30, 2016, the Washington International Horse Show will feature the best in equitation, hunters, and international show jumping throughout six days of competition at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. For more information, visit www.wihs.org ◼ BY LAUREN FISHER

The great atmosphere of the arena at Verizon Center, along with the unique setting in a major metropolitan location, requires a special horse to shine on the big stage at WIHS, not to mention a horse that has the ability to excel over both hunter and jumper courses.

“You definitely need a brave enough horse that can handle both settings of the jumper and hunter phase,” Clark explained. “For me, you need a good jumper with good technique – most of the horses have been former jumpers at one point – and they have to be smooth enough to present themselves well in the hunter phase. Also, they have to have an even disposition to handle the setting in the city because there is very little ride and prep time.”

Madden added, “A horse has to be comfortable jumping liverpools. They have to be careful enough, because a lot of the oxers in the jumper phase are square oxers, and the verticals are upright with no ground lines. It is a rule now that if you have a rail, the judges automatically have to deduct four points from your score, so to have a brave horse, and a careful horse, is important.

ANDRE DIGNELLI IN 2010 WIHS PRESENTATION WITH WINNER LILLIE KEENAN. PHOTO © JENNIFER WOOD MEDIA, INC.

ABOUT THE WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Highlights include the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington for the President's Cup, presented by Events DC (Saturday night), the Puissance high jump presented by The Boeing Company on Military Night (Friday) and Kids' Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is currently ranked #7 in the Top 25 Horse Shows by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.

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Top Lovingfoss Junior

Scores at Rider Blenheim The $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby was held at the Blenheim Fall Tournament on September 14, 2016. With 27 entries consisting of mostly professional riders, it was Kaitlyn Lovingfoss of Santa Clarita, California who received the beautiful wool cooler for The Plaid Horse High Scoring Junior Rider Award.

The course was set at 3' and consisted of bending lines and four high options set at 3'5". Lovingfoss chose to take all four high options, giving her and her mount, Zanzibar, a score of 78. “I wouldn’t say there was a specific part of the course that was especially challenging, but my plan was just to put it all together smoothly.” she said. Lovingfoss had a big week

of competition scheduled, with ASPCA Maclay Regionals occurring that weekend. When asked if this course was good practice for Regionals, she said “I think any riding- whether it’s a derby or a warm up hunter class- can be good practice for a big class like Maclay regionals, even if it is on a different horse.”

Her practice paid off as she had a stellar performance on her equitation horse, Hasta La Vista, and qualified for Maclay Finals at the National Horse Show in Lexington, KY. Lovingfoss started riding seven years ago and currently trains with Carolyn Culligan at Old Canyon Farm where she keeps both of her horses. ◼ BY TPH INTERN LAUREN O’NEILL

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AHA Sport Horse National Championships, Ford Idaho Horse Park, Nampa, ID, Sept. 2016.

1. Denise Krause-Spangler in the warmup ring. 2. Kelley Long and MBE Versace. 3. Megan Lefave and AM Antonys Choice. 4. Jane Young and Kenlyn Flair. 5. Julia Werner Mahoney and Czantiago. 6. Kayla Long And Khall Me Luna. 7. Ashley Hollinger Winster Elegante owned by Marge Ward. 8. Beautiful braids at Sport Horse Nationals. PHOTOS © PLATINUM IMAGES.

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Thirty Four Finals. 34.

TOM O’MARA ON FINALS AND FATHERHOOD On November 5, 2016, when TJ O’Mara walks out of the Alltech Arena in Lexington, KY, Tom and Liz O’Mara will be at their 34th Equitation Final. A chapter of their lives that began in 2000 with their oldest daughter, Casey, 26, and went on to include their other three children, Abby, 24, Meg, 22, and TJ, 18, will end. Their lives and the lives of their children have been marked by the endless travel, family camaraderie, and ups and downs of competition that defines the horse show circuit.

Tom O’Mara, 54, claims that his family had it easy because all of his kids ride. While

some parents would call this a curse, O’Mara good naturedly embraces the positive factors.

“The best part of the whole riding experience that Liz and I have had with our kids is the time we got to spend with them. Whatever the cost or the results, we got to spend all of that time together traveling constantly.”

Worried that TJ was buttonholed into riding because of his sisters’ interests, the O’Mara’s insisted that the young boy participate in other sports. They enrolled him in soccer, travel baseball, and football teams to make sure that he was exposed to other things.

Finally, TJ spoke up, “Dad, I just really want

to ride the horses.” So, the family dynamic in riding stayed at a perfect four-for-four.

O’Mara praises the life lessons that competitive riding holds for both parent and junior rider. For the kids, they learn about hard work, organization, and perspective.

The kids learn to work under pressure and to become self-reliant in the ring. Parents learn to let go and allow their kids to succeed or fail on their own accord. As O’Mara explains, “I can’t help my kid when they are in [the ring]. It is a great learning experience as a parent because you can’t help them when they go off to college or grad school. It

theplaidhorse.com • October/November 2016 • 49 helped us as parents to let them fly on their own.”

While the O’Mara family has had more success than most families could hope for, they have had their share of disappointment. In 34 Finals, they have claimed numerous top ten finishes and just one win- Meg in the 2012 Pessoa USEF Medal Finals. Win or lose, each experience has been valuable. O’Mara cites the first Final for each child as uniquely special. While stressful and high energy for all involved, he appreciates watching his kids improve their performance under pressure as good practice for adulthood. The advice he gives to each is, “Ride your best. If you ride for a ribbon, you will fail. If you just ride, the ribbons will follow.” O’Mara believes the best parents can do for their child pre-Finals is “to keep them light when they get tight.”

He recalls one Final when one of his daughters went 295th out of 300 riders. She sat in the arena all day long watching 275 rounds on course before she got on to ride.

She was quite excited about one special fence that day which was toward the end of the course, and continually remarked on how much fun that fence was going to be to jump.

The round went badly from the start as her horse was spooky and intractable. After two refusals, she was excused from the ring. She picked up a canter and jumped that special fence before she left the arena. As O’Mara notes, “Of course, she was disappointed. But, she focused on the positive of getting to jump that one jump.”

O’Mara recounts his favorite teaching moment as the family witnessing Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum in the 2007 FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, NV. MichaelsBeerbaum and her famous mount, Shutterfly, were ranked number one in the world coming into the prestigious competition. In the final round, they were last in the order of go because they were leading. After the second to last fence, horse and rider parted company, a fall causing them to lose the competition. O’Mara reminds his kids of the incident on many occasions. ”It is my favorite teaching moment. The number one horse and rider combination in the world were one jump away from winning the World Cup, and look what happened! It happens to all of you.”

Perspective and positive thoughts are O’Mara’s mantra as a parent of a finalist.

“There are so many variables that they can’t control. I tell them that at the end of the day- no matter the outcome- they will ride again.” Abby and Meg have gone on to ride again as star NCAA Equestrian athletes for the University of Georgia Equestrian Team.

TJ began his college career this fall at the University of Kentucky. He may ride for their IHSA team in the future, but is currently concentrating on his own Junior and soon-tobe Amateur riding with an eye toward a possible professional career. Casey chose not to ride at Auburn University, although she claims all credit for getting her siblings started.

Tom and Liz O’Mara have vicariously ridden many tough courses, missed lead changes and had a foot in the water. They have endured blistering heat and bone chilling cold ringside. They have sent silent prayers up to the equestrian gods and provided a comforting shoulder to their anguished children. It is not a stretch to say that they have seen it all in the equitation ring. On November 5, 2016, this chapter of their horse show lives will end, but the legacy of sportsmanship and stellar achievements of their children will remain.

To the benefit of our sport, Tom and Liz O’Mara remain entrenched in the equestrian world. Liz has resumed her riding career, continuing the family tradition of success in the 2’6” adult amateur ring. Tom is a founding member of the NCAA Equestrian National Advisory Board, created in 2015 to encourage more universities to bring Equestrian to their NCAA athletic programs. ◼ BY TPH EDITOR SISSY WICKES

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ERICA QUINN AND CELTIC FIRE, WINNERS OF THE $50,000 USHJA INTERNATIONAL HUNTER DERBY. PHOTO © AULLMYN PHOTOGRAPHY

CHICAGO HUNTER

ERICA QUINN AND CELTIC FIRE JOINED IN THEIR WINNING PRESENTATION BY NICHOLAS WALKER OF CANADIAN PACIFIC, BILL RUBE OF THE USHJA FOUNDATION AND MAGGIE SCHRAEDER OF RIDER’S BOUTIQUE. PHOTO BY AULLMYN PHOTOGRAPHY

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KELLEY FARMER AND KODACHROME, OWNED BY NINA MOORE, FINISHED IN A CLOSE SECOND. PHOTO BY JUMP MEDIA

52 • THE PLAID HORSE

Erica Quinn, Celtic Fire, and Non-Profits All Win Big at Chicago Hunter Derby 2016 ATTENDEES AT THE CHICAGO HUNTER DERBY ENJOYED THE COMPETITION AND A LAVISH BRUNCH IN SUPPORT OF THE ANN & ROBERT H. LURIE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO, THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE USHJA FOUNDATION, AND HORSEFEATHERS THERAPEUTIC RIDING. PHOTO BY MARCIN CYMMER

Less than six months ago, Celtic Fire was competing in the grand prix ring, but on Sunday, September 11, it was the stallion’s performance over fences more reminiscent of the hunt field that earned him the victory in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Chicago Hunter Derby.

After making the transition from the jumpers to the hunters, Celtic Fire and rider Erica Quinn, of Maineville, OH, both made their inaugural visit to the Chicago Hunter Derby, presented by Canadian Pacific (CP), and it did not disappoint.

“The atmosphere here is amazing,” said Quinn, who rides for Lane Change Farm. “Winning my first time here is a little overwhelming! It feels great though, and I’m just very happy to get the opportunity to show here. I have to say how thankful I am for Larry [Glefke] and Kelley [Farmer] to have given me this opportunity because without them I would not be here; I would not be competing here.”

While Quinn and Celtic Fire would end up with the win, it was Lane Change Farm’s Farmer who gave the duo the closest run for their money aboard Kodachrome.

Following Saturday’s opening round of competition, Farmer and Kodachrome, owned by Nina Moore, came into Sunday as the front runners with a score of 184, but Quinn and Celtic Fire were only one point off with a 183.

Riders returned in reverse order of their standings on Sunday, and Quinn and Celtic Fire quickly shot to the top of the leaderboard with scores from the two judging panels of 80 and 86.

Those scores, coupled with high option and handy bonus points, gave the pair a second round total of 184 and set the overall cumulative score to beat at 367.

As the last pair to return, Farmer and Kodachrome would come extremely close to holding onto their lead, but with a second round total of 181 would fall just two points shy for a score of 365 and second place honors.

Quinn topped off her successful day by also taking third aboard Need I Say. Quinn was not the only one going home from the event a big winner however. The ninth annual event, hosted

by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, raised significant funds for the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation, the USHJA Foundation, and Horsefeathers Therapeutic Riding.

“We had another beautiful day.

Mother Nature is always so kind to us,” said Carl Weeden, co-founder of Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, the organization behind the Chicago Hunter Derby. “It looked like everybody was having a great time under the tent watching. It really takes a group effort. Everybody really pulls together.

We have a great group of ladies that organize all of this, so we’re extremely happy with how everything went this year, and we’re excited to see how much money we were able to raise for the beneficiaries.”

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Learn more about the Chicago Hunter Derby by visiting ChicagoEquestriansForACause.com

theplaidhorse.com • October/November 2016 • 53

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PUT ON A SHOW

Horse shows are expensive. Let us start with this premise; it is an absolute. Big shows or small, huge venue or local grounds, USEF premier or local association, all exhibitors are painfully aware of the price of competition in the hunter/jumper industry. What is responsible for the current cost of horse showing? How do the managers determine their prices? Can rising costs be controlled? The Plaid Horse set out to answer these questions with the help of four horse show managers: Oliver Kennedy, Louise Serio, Tucker Ericson, and Susie Wetherill.

Each of these individuals brings perspective from both sides of the in-gate, having been exhibitors, owners, and managers. The horse shows that they run vary in size, scope, and expense. One thing that they agree on: horse shows are expensive.

Louise Serio began the Brandywine Summer Series Horse Shows in 2011 as an alternative to the shows available in midsummer in the north east. Held at the iconic Devon Horse Show grounds, the Brandywine Horse Shows have had resounding success, including hosting the USEF Junior Hunter Finals from 2014-2016. A member of the Show Hunter Hall of Fame, Serio is one of the country’s greatest hunter riders and trainers.

Tucker Ericson is a prominent USEF “R” hunter and equitation judge who in 2016 co-managed two weeks of the Country Heir Horse Show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. He is also the founder and manager of the newly formed Monmouth at the Team Horse Show held at the USET Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. Oliver Kennedy brings over 30 years of horse show management experience to the conversation, including the Capital Challenge Horse Show. He has managed hundreds of horse shows as well as functioned as announcer, FEI and USEF “R” jumper judge, and co-owner of ESP Farm which exhibits horses throughout the East Coast circuits.

Susie Wetherill founded the Chester County Horse Show Association in 1983 as a local horse show series in Chester County, PA. Thirty -three years later, the series continues to have a schedule of 20 one- day horse shows throughout the year. Her circuit caters to riders from the leadline to 3’ 3” hunters who choose to compete on a local basis.

What inspired you to stage a horse show?

Louise Serio: “I wanted a horse show as an alternative to the shows that were available. I wanted one that was closer and had good footing. And, I think the Devon grounds is an amazing place to show.”

Tucker Ericson: “Too many young trainers and exhibitors don’t understand the tradition in our sport. By bringing our

community together at Gladstone, we can educate everyone on the mission of the USET Foundation and assist the facility with improvements. At the same time, we can raise the bar for horse show standards and offer an alternative to the status quo.”

Oliver Kennedy: “Billy Glass and I got together and thought we could run a show before Indoors. We were going to be the best warm-up for indoors. Then, we realized that we could make it much more, and we got it off and running.

Susie Wetherill: “When I started the CCHSA, there were few unrecognized shows and they were all on each other’s dates.

It was time to offer more quality, a better schedule, and an awards program. Our mission statement is to promote equestrian sport and good sportsmanship.”

Did the cost of running a horse show surprise you?

Serio: “My goal with Brandywine was to show that you could run a top quality horse show for less money. What I found out was that you can’t run a top quality horse show without huge expenses.

You have no idea until you get to the other side.”

Ericson: “One of the most significant things that I learned this year is the staggering cost of running horse shows.”

Kennedy: “We lost a lot of money the first year with start- up costs and low participation. We made a lot of mistakes. I thought, “I am going to lose my house if this happens again.” “ Wetherill: “It is a business, and [like any small business] sometimes I have to put the cash in to keep it alive.”

How intensive is the managerial side of running horse shows?

Serio: “It is a tremendous amount of work all year and you need an expert, committed staff.”

Ericson: “The biggest surprise being on the managerial side of a horse show is the amount of time that the managers must commit all year round in order to pull off a successful event… The amount of work that goes into a good show is overwhelming.”

Kennedy: “I work on Capital Challenge 364 days per year. I take one day off to sleep!”

Wetherill: “I work on my shows for five hours a day all year long. This does not count the twelve hour days before, the day of, and the day after the show. It is a labor of love, but a lot more work than people think it is.”

What drives the cost of a horse show?

Serio: “The cost of the facility and the staff are our biggest expenses. We want to provide a great experience for our exhibitors and it takes a great facility like Devon and a large amount of staff to

70 • THE PLAID HORSE

produce a quality horse show.”

Ericson: “With Country Heir, it cost hundreds of thousands of dollar to rent [the Kentucky Horse Park.] There is a fee from $5-20,000 to rent every ring and every schooling area every day…I was astonished with my Monmouth at the Team show that there were huge fees just to go to Associations…

The managers have to pay deposits, give prepayments, and float the show expenses hoping for a good return.”

Kennedy: “It costs us well over $1million to stage Capital Challenge. I have a payroll of over 100 people. The facility and costs associated with stabling are some of our biggest expenses. People want every amenity in electrical outlets, lighting, water, and tent preparation. It all costs money. “ Wetherill: “The cost of everything rises over time: facility, ribbons, judges, ring staff. It all gradually rises and we have to pass it on.”

How important is sponsorship?

Serio: “We could not operate the horse show without the sponsors. The cost of running shows is so high that we could not afford to have a show without them.”

Kennedy: “Sponsors cover about 25% of the cost of the show. We could not provide the hospitality and quality that we do without our individual and corporate sponsors.”

Ericson: “We have spent a year cultivating sponsors for our Monmouth at the Team Show. We received sponsorship from both equestrian based sponsors and local individuals and businesses. We think it is important to involve the local community and give back to the USET.” Wetherill: “I rely on sponsors for all of the money for our Derbies and for our special prizes. I like to give nice prizes, so the sponsors are important to our shows.”

Why is hospitality important to the success of a show, especially if it is expensive?

Serio: “If you compete at good quality shows, and you become somewhat of an owner of a horse show, you want the same quality. I like good footing, good jumps, and great hospitality which is evident at Brandywine. I want to be thoughtful toward the horses and riders. “ Ericson: “Because there are so many horse shows in our country today, from the unrecognized

series all the way up through the big AA factories, the only way you are going to have a successful event is if you get the details right. People are looking for something special…When you give back, you are going to get it back.”

Kennedy: “I want to run shows for people who want to do it right. I know what it costs to show. When I’m done, I want a horse show that I am proud of, a show that people want to go to.”

Wetherill: “We try to listen to our exhibitors and give them what they want. I try to make the experience as pleasant and fun as I can. I spend a lot of time on prizes and give- aways so that the riders feel rewarded.”

Does your show have a beneficiary?

Serio: “We have always had a beneficiary, even in the first few years when we really weren’t making any money. I believe in giving back in whatever way I can. At Brandywine, we donate a nice amount of money to charities every year. We rotate our beneficiaries each year to reach as many causes as we can.”

Ericson: “The Monmouth at the Team horse show is to benefit the USET facility in Gladstone as well as the USET Foundation. We hope to make needed improvements to the facility and to bring recognition, funding, and focus to our equestrian teams.”

Kennedy: “We donate a sizeable amount of money each year to the USHJA Foundation for their discretionary use, sometimes for the Horseman’s Assistance Fund.”

Wetherill: “I have a favorite charity in Omega Horse Rescue. We do a very successful silent auction every year at one of our shows. Last year, McLain Ward donated a cooler than he had won in a Grand Prix. It was really special and sold well.”

If you think you want to run a horse show, beware of the exigent cost of horse shows in the 21st century. Whether for profit or not, the challenges are the same: facility cost, payroll, prize money, competing events, and don’t forget the weather.

God help you if it rains; and it rains. The need to attract competitors drives up cost and increases risk as in any other market endeavor. A horse show is an expensive day from either side of the office desk.

◼ BY TPH EDITOR SISSY WICKES

LEFT, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

theplaidhorse.com • October/November 2016 • 71

BEAUTIFUL RIBBONS FROM MONMOUTH AT THE TEAM. PHOTO © RIC SCHAEFER. LOUISE SERIO COMPETES AT BRANDYWINE VALLEY SUMMER SERIES. PHOTO © WENDY JANESKY. SUSIE WETHERILL, FOUNDER OF CHESTER COUNTY HORSE SHOWS ASSOCIATION. MONMOUTH AT THE TEAM COMPETITOR. PHOTO © RIC SCHAEFER. WAITING FOR RING TIME AT CAPITAL CHALLENGE.

HAPPY EXHIBITORS AT CCHSA’S CLASSIC OAKS SHOW.

72 • THE PLAID HORSE

Remember When – Finals Winners Reminisce

PHOTO COURTESY DOTTIE BARNWELL.

Andre Dignelli, USET Medal East, 1985 “After we walked the course, my trainer Judy Ritcher went to the tack shop and bought me a stick and bigger spurs. I think that was a sign of how nervous she was.

Rita Timpanaro, AHSA Medal, 1966 “In 1963, at 13 years of age, I won the ASPCA National Equitation Reserve Championship at Madison Square Garden. I rode my horse Nibbles and went first in the class! I think my mom wanted to be certain I was noticed!

The weekend had gone well for me, but in those days there weren’t scores or rankings to let you know where you stood. So it wasn’t until they announced the top four riders that I realized I was one of them, and when I looked around for Judy, she was in her car getting ready to leave. I had to run down the road after her!

In 1966, at 16 years of age, I won the AHSA National Hunter Seat Medal Championship Finals at the Washington Armory.

Just before I was about to get on, my groom came to me and told me that my Hermes saddle was stolen. At first I thought he was joking, but he wasn’t. Carol Hoffman Thompson lent me her Hermes. Thirty-plus years later as a professional, I went to Carol for lessons. In the hallway closet was the saddle I had won the Finals on. She said she could never part with it! I am forever grateful to Frank and Wayne Carroll who I rode with since I was 10, to Lanie Schultz who loaned me First Impression, and to my super parents.”

When the class was over, I loaded my horse into a twohorse trailer that I pulled with a Ford Bronco with flames painted on the sides. I’ll never forget driving over the George Washington Bridge with the windows rolled down, screaming “I just won USET Finals!”

When I arrived home, I called my good friend Kate Stoffel (now Oliver). “Who won?” she immediately asked.

There was no social media or live scoring to update those not at the show in those days! When I told her I did, she called me a liar and hung up to call someone else to find out who REALLY won. A few moments later she called back, yelling “YOU REALLY WON!!!!”

Maggie Jayne, USA Equestrian Medal Finals, 2002 “In 2002 I was getting help from Missy Clark for the Big Eq. She loves kids to get on early and be ultra prepared. I’m all about going over my course and being mentally prepared, but getting on early has never really been my thing. I was so young, and I was supposed to be on my horse, but she couldn’t find me because I was eating ice cream!”

theplaidhorse.com • October/November 2016 • 73

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Robin Rost Fairclough, AHSA Medal, 1974 “I also placed second twice and fourth twice in the Maclay finals. I always had a tough choice deciding which horse to show in finals. In 1974 the Hulicks generously offered “Mai Oui”, a small chestnut thoroughbred mare. Rounds one and two went well and Leslie Howard and I were standing first and second. Leslie rode “Bootlegger”. He had been a bit fresh in the morning rounds, so he spent the good portion of the afternoon on a lunge line. When we went to walk the course that evening the second round course had been reset, and it was apparent that we were changing horses.

Bootlegger was perfect and there was no further testing. Leslie had prepared him perfectly for me! We were now even as she had won the Maclay finals when she changed to my horse “Speech Maker.””

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Nick Haness, 2006 USEF Talent Search West “What a memory!

Winning these finals still would be what I consider one of my most cherished and exciting riding accomplishments to date. The ambiance was incredible; the vibe was bone chilling. The final four, consisting of Hannah Selleck, Amber Levine, Alexandra Conforti, and myself, lined up side-by-side at the back gate of the Grand Prix field at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center to walk the course for the final ride off. I remember being so excited, enthusiastic, and optimistic – yet focused on the exciting switch of horses to come. The crowd gathered and the whole field was surrounded by the audience. It felt like we were in the Olympics! I most remember being excited to ride Hannah Selleck’s famous ex-Grand Prix horse, El Campeons Cirka Z. He was a blast. Being crowned the winner of this prestigious Final was a dream come true. Being added to the list of riders who have won both before and after me is something I will always cherish and be grateful for.”

74 • THE PLAID HORSE Megan Young, USEF Medal and Maclay, 2004 “The journey was an amazing experience, from all the friendships built along the way and all the support I received from so many people. All year Bob [Braswell] and Christina [Schlusemeyer] tried to find me the “right” horse for the finals, but as soon as we found one naturally it was sold. In late August, we got a call from Debbie Stevens and Derek Braun saying they had a horse named “Crescendo,” owned by Cortie Wetherill for me to do in the finals. He was a little spooky and hard at first. But I showed him at Capital Challenge and won the class there and it was obvious we just clicked.

PHOTO © FLASHPOINT.

PHOTO © JAMES PARKER.

I ended up winning both the Medal and Maclay finals on him. I have to thank Bob Braswell and Christina Schlusemeyer for all their support, experience and guidance who not only shaped my horsemanship, but my life as a whole, my mom for being my biggest fan and supporting me the whole way, Kate Conover for being a great friend and preparing my horse perfectly and David Alan for making sure Crescendo was turned out beautifully. Some of the friendships I made, I still have today. It takes a lot of work and dedication but it was so worth it in the end. At the end of the day it may be an individual sport in the ring, but in reality it is a team sport behind the scenes. I couldn't have done it without the people who gave me such wonderful and generous opportunities – and a little bit of luck of course!”

Samantha Schaefer, USEF Talent Search East, 2011 “My favorite would have to be winning USET [Talent Search] Finals on Pioneer in 2011. He was one of my favorite horses that I showed as a junior. But at USEF Medal Finals at Harrisburg… I was on top of the standings at some point, either after the first or second round in 2009, 2010, and 2011, but I never pulled out the win. I had a mistake in 2009, was second to Hayley Barnhill in 2010, and then I thought 2011 was my year. In the second round, I let my horse drift off the ground at a skinny over and tore the entire standard down with my right leg.

And I’ll never forget what Andre [Dignelli] told me afterward. I was pretty upset at myself and he said, “The good news is you never have to do it again. Time to move onto the next thing!” I went on to college and suddenly winning medal finals felt a lot less relevant.”

Stacia Klein Madden, Maclay Finals, 1987 “When I won the Maclay Finals, they were still held at the [Madison Square] Garden.

Everything about that weekend was just wild… I was a huge Patrick Swayze fan back then. A friend called my hotel room to tell me that he was at the show. I ran to the elevator, took it to the lobby, bolted through the door and literally ran smack into him! He had on black pants, cowboy boots, and an eggplant shirt. I will never forget the moment. The week just kept going like that. The morning of the Finals, a little girl holding her father’s hand walked by my mother and me in the stands. She passed us, stopped, and walked back to me.

“Are you the winner?” she asked. “Well, I hope so,” I responded. It was a day full of crazy, great stuff.” ◼ BY TPH EDITOR SISSY WICKES RESULTS COURTESY OF MEDALMACLAY.COM.

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Preserving a Legacy:

LINDSAY MAXWELL on her Sponsorship of the PA National Horse Show

THIS PAGE AND TO THE RIGHT: LINDSAY MAXWELL AND TECHNICOLOR, HER 6 YEAR OLD WARMBLOOD, CHAMPION AND CLASSIC WINNER, OAKS BLENHEIM. PHOTO © MCCOOL PHOTOGRAPHY.

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In a world increasingly dividing itself by means and opportunity, delineating the haves and the have nots, echoing with complaints of cost and profit, it is endlessly refreshing to meet Lindsay Maxwell. Most of our readers have never heard of her, especially those on the East Coast. Californians know her as an amateur rider with a string of successful hunters in the Los Angeles area. Horse show nerds will recognize her as the owner of the 2016 Devon Horse Show superstar, Technicolor, which soundly beat all of the competition in the First Year Greens under Nick Haness in scoring three rounds in the 90’s. Yet, quietly and without fanfare, Lindsay Maxwell is one of the most prominent owners and philanthropists in our equestrian community.

Maxwell is the presenting sponsor of the 70th Pennsylvania National Horse Show, perennially held in Harrisburg, PA. A 27-year-old amateur owner hunter rider, she is an unusual benefactor of this history-steeped competition. Yet, the critical task of sustaining the iconic indoor show resonated with Maxwell. “I have long been aware of a sense of generational obligation in the equestrian community to ensure that the same experiences and memories that helped define my childhood would be available to future riders.” She treasures her memories of showing at Harrisburg as a junior rider, including winning the Junior Sportsmanship Award, a harbinger of good deeds to come.

There are many philanthropic opportunities both globally and locally. Maxwell chose to back the horse show because of its rich history and because of the charities that it supports. The proceeds from PNHS are divided between the PNHS Foundation and the Harrisburg Kiwanis Foundation. The former donates to therapeutic riding programs, while the latter

supports youth organizations. Maxwell prefers to champion the horse shows that cultivate meaningful relationships with local charities. “Even as we see more for-profit shows emerge, I have been heartened by the corporate social responsibility platforms of these organizations and their recognition of the need to support the communities where the shows are held.”

Lindsay Maxwell has a personal interest in charities assisting at-risk and special needs children. Her older brother Benjamin, born with Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy, benefitted greatly from therapeutic riding programs. “ Some of the best memories of my time spent with “B” are going to the barn and seeing the joy that riding brought to his life. “B” passed away in 2003, and, shortly before his passing, I started a therapeutic riding program through a community service initiative at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta.”

Through philanthropy, Maxwell translates tragedy into initiative.

As an owner and rider, Maxwell has had a spectacular year. She has seven hunters in training with Archie Cox’s Brookway Stables in Lake View Terrace, CA. Maxwell compliments her trainer as being “both literally and figuratively a larger-thanlife figure in the hunter world.” She was twice named the Romfh Leading Amateur Owner Hunter Rider at the Blenheim Equisports shows. Throughout the year, she usually competes two horses in both the Amateur Owner 3’6” and the Amateur Owner 3’3” Divisions. On numerous occasions, her horses have been Champion and Reserve Champion in both divisions. Maxwell attributes her success to “the consistently high standard of care and training that goes into competitive showing.” She acknowledges that, “so much of the effort required to be successful happens before the ride, and I am fortunate to work with a talented team of grooms, trainers, and riders

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who always have my hunters performing at a very high level.” The resounding success of her string has lead her to contention for the USEF Leading Hunter Owner Award which she would love to bring back to the West Coast.

Lindsay Maxwell works in the entertainment and real estate industries, yet her passion is clearly the equestrian world. Owner, rider, sponsor, spokesperson, she is a signal of social conscience that could benefit the insular horse show sphere. Give back

to the industry that gives us the opportunity to pursue our passion: horses. Ensure that the next generation of young riders have horse show experiences that define their childhood. Reinforce the underpinnings of this heritage horse show structure for those who come after, and remember those who built it. As Maxwell explains, “There is an esprit de corps in the equestrian community that I find increasingly rare in most other competitive endeavors. This is something we all need to work to preserve...” ◼ BY TPH EDITOR SISSY WICKES

TOP: KINGSTON, A 9-YEAR-OLD WARMBLOOD, YOUNGER A/O’S, OAKS BLENHEIM. PHOTO © CAPTURED MOMENT PHOTOGRAPHY. CENTER AND ABOVE: QUINN, A 7-YEAR-OLD WARMBLOOD, YOUNGER A/OS, MENLO CHARITY HORSE SHOW. PHOTO © DEB DAWSON PHOTOGRAPHY. LEFT: MAXWELL WITH WIDGET, HER BELOVED 11-YEAR-OLD WARMBLOOD AT HIS RETIREMENT CEREMONY AT MENLO CHARITY HORSE SHOW. PHOTO © ALDEN CORRIGAN MEDIA.

theplaidhorse.com • October/November Advice to my younger horse show self... 2016 • 79

ENZO, A 4-YEAR-OLD WARMBLOOD, LOW A/O’S, SHOWPARK SUMMER CLASSIC. PHOTO © CAPTURED MOMENT PHOTOGRAPHY.

• Enjoy the moments, not only the milestones.

Blue ribbons fade much faster than memories!

• You get what you give. Celebrate your competitors – some of whom will become lifelong friends.

• Be kind; be gracious. Always remember and appreciate those who make the competitions possible, from your trainer and grooms to the in-gate staff, jump crew and show management.

• Take care of your horse, and he or she will take care of you. Part of the privilege of the partnership that a rider shares with their horse is the time spent together outside of the show ring.

• Have fun – this is crucial! Cherish the bonds with both your horses and friends and enjoy it!

MAXWELL WITH CATALYST (LEFT), AN 11-YEAR-OLD WARMBLOOD, CHAMPION LOW A/O’S, AND WIDGET (RIGHT), A 12-YEAR-OLD WARMBLOOD, RESERVE CHAMPION LOW A/O’S, AT BLENHEIM SUMMER CLASSIC.

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2015 AWARDS PRESENTATION WITH KELLI CRUCIOTTI AND HER CONNECTIONS, PHOTO © AL COOK PHOTO. BELOW: THE PESSOA BOOTH AT THE PA NATIONAL.

Pessoa’s Peggy Murray on Sponsorship and The Medal Finals On October, 16, as the first rays of sun kiss the horizon above the Farm Show Arena in Harrisburg, PA, horses, riders, trainers, grooms, and parents will have been awake for hours. The day of the Pessoa USEF Medal Finals has finally arrived. The air is thick with anticipation for all involved, including Pessoa’s Peggy Murray. What would the Pessoa USEF Medal Finals be without the broad smile, calm demeanor, and trademark shock of white hair of Peggy Murray? She has been a fixture as the face of presenting sponsor Pessoa for the 21 years that the company has sponsored Medal Finals. Prominently situated just outside of the in-gate, the Pessoa booth and its brand manager have watched thousands of riders pass by. Some are on their way to fame and others to disappointment. Some have the owl-eyed look of stress and sleeplessness while others are stone faced and resolute. No matter the outcome, all of this year’s riders will never forget the experience.

Pessoa USEF Medal Finals is the culmination of years of training and preparation, money and time, learning and practice- all boiled

down to three minutes and ten fences. With time and perspective, a junior will realize that their life was not quantified by those 180 seconds. But, on that Sunday in Harrisburg, PA, in a venue past its prime, it is their essence.

Peggy Murray has spent two decades observing the spectacle of Medal Finals, and 25 years working on behalf of Pessoa. Pessoa became the sponsor of USEF Medal Finals in 1995, when the governing body was called the AHSA and first place went

MURRAY WAS THE SOLE PRESENTER IN 1995 (SHOWN HERE WITH MEREDITH TAYLOR).

PHOTO © JAMES PARKER.

to Meredith Taylor. Murray has quietly and astutely watched the competition evolve as a former rider and lifelong horsewoman. While the equitation division has grown from adjunct classes to its own stand -alone division, Murray maintains the historical importance of the originals: the Medal and Maclay Finals. She has witnessed the numbers of Medal Finals competitors grow exponentially and the level of expertise of both horses and riders increase. “I have seen a big difference over the years in the caliber of horses and riders. I saw Katie Monahan win when I was a kid; I saw Conrad [Homfeld] win the Maclay. I have always loved going to horse shows!”

Murray is conscious of the difficulty of today’s courses.

“It is a lot harder than it looks,” to jump around a Medal Finals course. She supports the efforts of all of the riders, but finds herself rooting for the outsider, the dark horse competitor. “But, ultimately, I hope that every kid jumps around to their satisfaction.”

The benefits of a long term relationship are evident as Murray discusses the lasting partnership. “Long term sponsorships are more valuable. People expect to hear our name at Medal Finals and they see our brand in their minds as well as on paper.” Murray feels that the relationship is still fresh and productive for both parties..

Over the years, Pessoa has expanded its merchandise, thereby offering more product to market at each Finals.

It is a prominent worldwide brand producing an array of

theplaidhorse.com • October/November 2016 • 81 Peggy’s Favorite…

Horse: The horse trained by Ross Reisner that won the “Best Horse” award. Ross and I are both from Long Island and had been friends. His death was so tragic; I was trying not to tear up when his student got a high ribbon.

Post class ritual: Dinner at Outback with Don Stewart and some other professionals after the finals. Dissecting the class is always a highlight.

Clothing: I always make sure that I have a nice outfit and make sure that there are no “repeats”. My joke with some of the perennial trainers of ribbon winners is that they have more pictures with me than people in their families.

Jump: The famous goldfish pond jump. They had an actual pond at the end of the ring. Some REALLY good horses and riders had BIG issues.

Least favorite part: Me and my great ideas. It was MY idea to make a deal out of pushing the button to see who goes first. Over the years I have come to dread that and feel like I am condemning them. One year Erin Stewart was riding in her first ever Finals at 12 or 13. Going up to the “ceremony “I kidded her mother that it would be hilarious if Erin went first. HA HA! She did! saddles and training equipment. Murray stresses the quality of leather and production detail of each product produced by Pessoa.

The legendary rider and trainer, Nelson Pessoa, is the original designer of the saddle and has kept his standards high. Along with his successful son, Rodrigo, Nelson Pessoa has continued to insist that design and production standards are commensurate with their hallmarks of excellence. “Pessoa is synonymous with horsemanship and classical riding,” explains Murray. “What is more fitting to their brand than this American equitation final?”

The Pessoas are a family of classical riders who espouse the high standards and strict discipline of the American style of riding.

They deliberately and enthusiastically support the USEF Medal Finals as a clarion call to equestrian excellence.

For Peggy Murray, the excitement of the special Sunday in October has not waned. From the adrenaline filled riders’ meeting on Saturday evening where she pushes a computer key and announces who has the dreaded first position in the order of go, to the next morning’s wake up call when she thinks, “It’s that day!” Murray is fresh for the task. She humorously notes another difference in today’s Medal Finals: the awards presentation.

Twenty years ago, there would be a trainer, the mounted rider, a horse show official, and Murray in the picture. Today, she calls it “the Conga line,” referring to the myriads of trainers, assistants, staff, and various other dignitaries in the awards photographs.

Though the landscape may have changed over the past two decades, the wise, smiling face of Peggy Murray has remained a constant. ◼ BY TPH EDITOR SISSY WICKES

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86 • THE PLAID HORSE REBECCA HART ENJOYS A QUIET MOMENT WITH SCHROETER’S ROMANI. PHOTO © FERNANDO ORTEGA.

“Para-Equestrian is not well understood in this country. It’s come a long way from its inception, but people often misunderstand that ‘para’ refers to being a paraplegic or being disabled. Para actually refers to being parallel to able bodied sports. It is the same venues, it is the same high performance standard, the same FEI international standard that we have to uphold in order to be able to compete successfully.” Rebecca Hart, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 16, 2016

PARALYMPIANS IN RIO On the final day of 2016 Paralympic Equestrian Competition, the

top riders from all five grades competed for medals in the musical freestyle competition. Rebecca Hart of Wellington, FL, and Margaret Duprey and Cherry Knoll Farm’s Schroeter’s Romani were the sole representatives from the United States to make the cut. In a fiercely contested Grade II division Rebecca and Romani placed 7th with a score of 67.650%. In the grade II Freestyles Natasha Baker of Great Britain took Gold with Cabral earning a score of 77.850% dominating the Grade II division over the 2016 Paralympic Games. In the silver medal position was the Netherland’s Rixt Van Der Horst riding Caraat to a score 76.350%, and after some high level finishes Germany’s Steffen Zeibig won bronze with Feel Good 4 on a score of 74.350%. To see all scores and medal winners visit the FEI’s website. The 2016 Paralympic Equestrian Games finished on September 16, with Great Britain winning the Team Gold, Germany winning Silver, and the Netherlands earning Bronze.

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