Featured Article (December 2006)

During this horse show season I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you who have read my articles in the Virginia Horse Journal. In my article discussing my return to the competitive show ring after a four year absence, I described my first horse show at Culpeper on my green horse Spatz. The show was for me a triumph!! I was just showing in the 2’6" schooling division, as I was still dealing with seeing those distances and learning to calmly get my green horse around a course.

By June I was able to move up to my division, the adults. I made my debut at The Upperville show and will admit to being a bit overwhelmed "by the occasion." It was one of those moments where I asked myself, "should I really be here?" However at Upperville, the fences never looked very big and were very inviting. It was more a matter of adjusting to the changing terrain. No ribbons, of course, just the satisfaction that I had participated. You know, it’s the old Woody Allen mentality, "90% of success is showing up!"

By June I was ready for the Warrenton Pony Show. At this show a professional cannot show your horse in any divisions. This was a challenge for me. I knew my trainer could school my horse before the division or get on him in the schooling ring, but I was the one who’d be taking him around for his actual trips. This is where one builds on previous experiences and a healthy mental attitude. Actually it was quite empowering and I earned my first series of ribbons in a real 3’ division.

A return to Culpeper in August brought good ribbons and more positive coping experiences. Spatz might be very calm in the warm up ring, but sometimes seems to have a bit of "stage fright" when he gets in the ring. This required me to stay as calm as possible.

In September I participated in the Mike Henaghan clinic at the Barracks in Charlottesville, VA. This turned out to be an incredibly challenging experience, definitely not for the faint of heart. (Though Mr. Henaghan would have been very patient if one were to feel a bit timid). It was a great preparation for Middleburg Classic two weeks later.

This year the weather was beautiful and we were permitted to ride out on the steeplechase course. I had such a wonderful time galloping my horse in the early morning with the sky brushed in pink, yellow and blue light. Isn’t this what riding a horse is all about? I had two respectable rounds at Middleburg but no ribbons. I had a wonderful time and came away from the experience with a great respect for my horse.

My horse show season ended with the famous Hunter Classic at Summerplace Farm. The course was beautifully decorated with the final fence looking like something that was definitely going to be for the 3’6" division. The obstacle was stacked hay bales covered completely by evergreens with big pillars for standards, each topped with a large vase of flowers. That was indeed going to be the last fence in our division too!! Clearly here was ANOTHER situation where I was going to have to dig deep, be brave and ride confidently down to that fence. My friend, Lynn Harrington, told me that the same fence had been in the class last year. She had been worried but encouraged me by telling me that the fence rode great.

My first trip I made a mistake at the two stride, but as I headed for that "last fence," I listened for my rhythm, kept my eyes up and there it was. I had ridden that evil last fence perfectly! My second trip I worked everything out and had the third highest score of the day - enough to put me in the ribbons.

For me this was a wonderful way to end my horse show season. I’ve learned to rely on the important riding skills we all need to see us through a competition; making a decision about our distances, keeping our eyes up and probably for me the most important, REMAINING THE RIDER not the passenger.

I got to share the day with my friends and fellow competitors who each had their own victories and accomplishments for the year.

This was my winning season. I accomplished all the goals I had set for myself in January of this last year. I renewed some old acquaintances as I "had gotten back in the game." I have shared some very special moments with my friends from the "Thrill of Victory to (believe me) the Agony of Defeat!" I had a wonderful time!! Thank you to my trainer Jonelle Mullen-Stern. Thank you to my wonderful friends. Thank you to Blue Ridge Equine for the successful state of the art surgery that has enabled my horse Spatz to continue his competitive career and bring me such joy.