A Transition from Young Rider to Professional by Lauren Lambert

August 2011, a turning point- I rang up my boss on the way to an event and told him it was time for me to make my way home and get back into eventing full force.  I was done being a working student, it was time for me to go my own way.

The previous year, as I was grinding away at the show jumping in Derek and Gwen Braun's pristine arena in Lexington, getting Baba Creek ready for the Young Riders Championship, he asked me for a third time what I did in the winter.  He finally got to the point and asked if I would be willing to take a riding/working student position with them in Wellington for the winter.  They would be leaving the end of November.  I told him I would think about it, and asked him to email details.

Well, Young Riders came, and going into show jumping in 1st and finishing in 6th pushed me over the edge-I replied to the email as soon as I was back to the barns and told Derek I would take the position.  I did my time as a young rider, working for many great top professionals in eventing, and ten months in a show barn.  Being in Wellington, I was quite isolated from the eventing world, (besides discovering Marcia Kulak at the opposite end of my street!), but it couldn't have come at a better time- the year I would transition from young rider to an adult.   I was in a different world, having a the chance to polish my riding and improve my weakest links.  Watching the best every day at WEF on all types of horse flesh, walking courses, riding all types of warmbloods everyday; learning how the best ride a show jumping track.  Thinking back, Kent Farrington is probably the rider I learned the most from by simply observing the way he operates. He has a plan, he goes into that arena with such focus he nearly looks possessed, and he executes his plan to a T.  I wouldn't trade my experiences working in a hunter/ jumper barn for anything, but quite frankly, it only made me love and appreciate eventing all the more.  Eventers may be a bit rough around the edges, but it's so awe-inspiring to see the relationship event riders have with their horses, they are more than just a commodity to us, they are our partners and our comrades.

September 1st of 2011, I returned to my family farm in the beautiful Goshen, KY to begin planning a big winter in business with Mother Martha.  It is finally time for me to step away from the working student roll, and begin to fill the shoes of 'professional rider'.  We arrived in Ocala December 31st.  I have five amazing horses to compete this winter, and staying true to my roots, all five are Kentucky bred Thoroughbreds which Mom, or I, have developed from scrappy race horses to eventing machines!  There's Sally Abell's Honour Mission, who's tricky on the flat and one freak of a good jumper- this horse has all the talent and scope I could ask for in a Thoroughbred.  Then there's Fine With Me, affectionately known as Frank, who belongs to my Aunt, Margie Darling.  Margie rode Frank with Buck in a clinic last fall, and if Buck told me once, he told me a million times to be very nice to my Aunt Margie.... Love you Auntie!!  I have a redhead named Lil' Birnie,  whom Mom found in a field in Lexington over the summer.  When I returned home in September and sat on the horse, I informed her we wouldn't be selling him any time soon, as he has some serious raw talent and is one good looking beast.  Then there's the snarky little Opera Ghost, who came from my good friend and amazing horsewoman, Ann Banks, as a three year old.   He is finally 6 and ready to play like a big boy.  This little thing is so much fun!  He won the Blue and a lovely exotic African bull's foot trophy at the inaugural Longwood Horse Trials (seriously great show!).  And finally, the cross-country maniac, Baba Creek (Miles), had a minor injury last fall.  He's down here getting back into the swing. This horse is such a ball of nerves he's really a nightmare to get going every year, but that's Miles.  We've been together since I was 15, and a horse that takes a young rider around three CCI ***'s without a single xc penalty (and always very quick), all I can do is accept and love him for who he is.  This horse owes me nothing, he has given me a taste of the big time, and has kept me safe through it all.  I'll have him back in action this spring, and we'll see what he wants to do- it's quite likely he will just want to run and jump.  Perhaps I'll be able to coax him into doing the other two ' things'  respectfully.

So, I'm feeling pretty lucky to be down here in sunny Florida with horses I love, and involved with the people who love these horses.  Walking back to the trailer after the first competition of the year, a friendly stranger informed me how happy I looked.  I replied 'I am happy, I am in the sunshine riding and competing these amazing horses, and it's my job!'.  Even when things get rough, it's the horses that keep us going, and the drive to be better riders and horsemen which keeps us coming back day after day.  

I am excited and honored to be doing this blog through the Profressional Riders Organization, thanks for reading and stay tuned for more throughout the year!

Photo credit: Allie Conrad

Go East Young Women! by Whitney Weston

When attending school in Philadelphia and working with Phillip and Boyd, I remember Phillip asking, "Is there eventing out there in Oregon?" Why yes, yes there is! But a very different sort, attitude, and culture than on the east coast. I am asked all the time which I prefer, east or west coast, and the answer is: "I love Eventing, no matter what coast I'm on", but it certainly is a different ball game played by the same rules 3,000 miles apart.

For a bit of history on myself:

I was born in Philadelphia. Then my family moved to Oregon, where I grew up on a farm, competing up and down the west coast. I returned east to attend Bryn Mawr College, and had the opportunity to be a working student and rider all over the east coast and even represent the USA on a catch ride team in Switzerland. With my new found knowledge of the business, I returned home and have been running a training, lesson, and competition facility at Westwood Stables in Oregon. I have spent the last five years bringing along prospects, teaching, clinicing, and generally running around Oregon, Washington, and Cali.

An opportunity came up to travel to Ocala to train with Buck Davidson. I haven't been able to focus soley on my own riding for a while, am planning to move to advance with my fabulous mare, Rock-On Rose, so no better time then the present! I sold my sale horses, found other homes for my students and working students, packed up and made the trek out east in early January.

So far this move has been magical (all besides the actual drive across the country). I am learning like never before and really able to focus on my craft with Buck on his beautiful 600 acre farm here in Ocala, FL. We just completed Rocking Horse Trials in Altoona FL this past weekend. I had a blast getting to know a new event, and had some interesting observations:

1. Hauling in vs. overnight stay

On the west coast, events are very spread out. I don't usually bat an eye at having to drive 6-12 hrs to get to an event. We get there several days early so the horses can rest, set up our stable area, and get a feel of the show grounds. This has a very methodical and routine feel to it, much like a marathon. All this compared to the "sprint" on the east coast, where there are several shows within a few hours of our stable. It is much more convenient and economical to haul in and out each day. The haul-in situation felt very hectic at first; driving in the dark for early rides, horses having to be loaded and unloaded several times throughout the day to access a specific horse, and quick tack changes. When I win the lottery I will be buying a straight load trailer, a "must-have" for easy pony access!

2. One discipline per day?

Back home, we all know that friday is dressage day, saturday is for cross-country, and sunday finishes with show jumping. Not so in Ocala! Having dressage, show jumping, and cross country on different horses in a single day forced me to adapt to this quicker paced schedule, which actually helped me relax and just....ride! 

3. East coast vs. West coast people

What I am about to say will surprise all you west-coasters: I found the show environment out here to be very....relaxed! Despite the saturation of legends and Olympians, everyone seemed easy going and having a great time. I truly think that because less time, energy, and money was spent to actually arrive at the show, everyone had less pressure to perform. Each ride was "just another ride", and not a measure of worth for the week. After the first day, I was able to catch on to this attitude, and possibly had the most fun competing I have ever had!!

I am very excited to be moving all my horses up a level next month, with the goal of Jersey Fresh *** this spring. Thanks Pro for the opportunity to have me on as guest writer! 

Check out my personal blog for daily shenanigans and like us on FB!

http://whitneywestonwestwoodstables.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Weston/144699698921475 

 

Jump like you mean it!

Whitney Weston

Photos provided courtesy of Whitney Weston

How I Became A Professional Groom by Pamela Nunn

From being a keen but not exceptionally talented amateur rider all my adult life, I made the transition in 2000 from a successful career in sales to training and working with horses professionally. I trained in England, close to childhood home at the renowned Yorkshire Riding Centre, under the watchful eye of Olympian and Badminton winner Christopher Bartle and his team. A well structured working student programme and a wide variety of horses to ride enabled me to obtain my British Horse Society Groom’s Certificate and Preliminary Teaching Qualification. This experience gave me a taste for working at professional stables and a particular interest in the care and management of upper level Event horses.

Meeting up with Morag and Selena O’Hanlon in 2004, was the start of a match made in heaven. I started working for them as a working student. I was rapidly promoted to barn manager and competition groom. My first experience grooming for Selena was a hectic day at a horse trials, where we had four horses in two trailers parked miles apart with Selena having to do all three phases with all the horses in one day.

Surviving that was like a light bulb moment. Hurrah!  I had found my new niche. I could use all my organisational skills to care for the horses and ensure my rider had only to worry about riding.

Luckily for us all, at about the same time as this great revelation, Colombo came into our lives. 

Mr. and Mrs. Davies, who owned the farm where we were based brought back a horse that was recovering from surgery. He came to Hawkridge with the understanding he was to be rehabbed and then sold once he was fit and going again. He had competed at the higher levels, but had developed issues with water and so it was felt that he wasn’t cut out for the upper levels. Colombo seemed to be a rather grumpy sort of horse who could be a bit awkward with people working with him. Selena started by hacking him all over the property and would walk him through the water every time they went out. Eventually, they started schooling and jumping. Gradually his attitude towards work changed, flying changes were no longer a source of anxiety and he would happily jump in and out of the water. As Selena was without an advanced horse at this time it was fun for her to work with Colombo and when she did take him out to compete he did well. The Davies changed their mind about selling him and agreed that Selena would compete him and see how far they could go.

Colombo showed us he had a long way to go. I had the thrill of grooming at Rolex for the first time. What a blast! I was now more than ever convinced that this was what I wanted to do. Unlike the majority of young working students who see the experience as a stepping stone in their own riding career, I was totally focussed on grooming as a way of fulfilling my desire to be involved in top level eventing.

When Selena and Colombo were named to the Canadian Team with me to go as their groom our excitement knew no bounds.

Training camp and going to Beijing for the 2008 Olympics were an amazing experience. I learnt so much about the care and preparation for a major competition, especially the treatments and therapies for maintaining optimal fitness, as well as the travel including flying across the world. Being part of the support team for a rider representing their country was a thrill. It was also interesting to realise just how much the huge support team of grooms, vets, farriers, physiotherapists, masseurs, stable manager, and the coaches and national federation people all contribute behind the scenes to a rider's success. After years of  packing for the horses to go to Florida and other big competitions, I thought I had packing down to a fine art, but I was sorely challenged trying to get all the tack, equipment and supplies into two trunks to be flown to Hong Kong.

Standing on the podium inside the big ring wearing my team uniform, watching Selena and Colombo do their best dressage test ever, at their first Olympic Games brought tears of pride to my eyes. Cross country day was tough as they has some mistakes, but they were able to complete all three phases which was a great achievement. As a groom, I have seen serious accidents were riders have been hurt, or sad times where horses have died or been injured whilst competing, so my measure of success is simple, that both horse and rider finish the day sound and well - placings are a bonus.

Pamela Nunn is a freelance groom, who worked for Selena O'Hanlon during both the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2010 World Equestrian Games. Pamela is BHS trained and certified, an experienced barn manager and is available as a freelance competition groom or for full time short term contracts to provide emergency barn staffing.

What I Learned From Mary King by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is from Bristol, Tennessee. She is a novelist and training level adult rider who is lucky enough to train with the wonderful Cathy Wieschhoff and the CW Event Team. Photo courtesy of Katie Bradley.

Wow!  After meeting Mary King, that was just about all I could say.  Wow!

     Other than my 13-year-old daughter, Katie, who rides Beginner Novice, I’m the only event rider in Sullivan County, Tennessee.  Along about the middle of January I usually start feeling like the only event rider in the entire world.  So when Cathy Wieschhoff posted on Facebook that she’d invited Mary King to speak at the Area 8 annual meeting, I grabbed Katie and went.  (Katie was a little doubtful.  Sure, after Rolex last year and the WEGs the previous autumn, she knew about and admired Mary King.  But sitting in a conference room for 10 hours listening to her?   Really, Mom?)

     Really.  Several times throughout both days, Katie and I poked each other—pay attention here, she’s talking to YOU.  You do that with your hands, Mom.  That’s what I’m trying to tell you about your leg position, Kate.  Etc.  We took notes, and on the way home we discussed changes we were going to make in our riding, starting the very next day.

     Here’s what I learned from Mary King:

1.  Expect at least as much from yourself as you do from your horse.  Her training philosophy is ridiculously simple.  Tell the horse exactly what you want it to do, then don’t accept anything less.  If you ask it to walk, be sure it walks straight, round (as round as it is capable of), and forward.  Don’t accept less.  Ever.  What this requires is discipline—self-discipline. 

2.  Be honest with yourself.  Understand not only your goals, but what is preventing you from achieving them.  If your dressage is bad, why is it bad?  The answer is not, “Because I’m bad at dressage,” but it may be, “Because I consistently fail to keep my horse in front of my leg.”  The second answer—the honest one—lets you move toward a solution.  Videotaping can help you understand exactly what is going wrong.

3.  When things go wrong, find reasons, not excuses.  Mary King has always watched video of her falls.  She figures out where she screwed up (she says that it is almost always the rider’s fault, not the horse’s) and plans how she will ride similar fences differently in the future.  Instead of saying, “Oh, now I’m afraid of Normandy banks,” she says, “I can’t wait until my next Normandy bank, so I can get it right this time!”

4.  Understand that things will go wrong.  Eventing is not a sport for pansies.  Every one of us at some time will face a difficult situation.  Move on.

5.  Decide what matters most to you, then make those things your priorities.  This is something I’ve read before, but Mary seems to live it:  not taking students so she has more time for her family; having only 6 competition horses so she can train them all herself. 

6.  Dream hard; work harder.  How many of today’s young riders dream of the Olympics?  And how many would be willing to scrub toilets for two years in order to afford to keep two young horses, that they might someday be able to sell so that they could buy better horses, that might someday—might—be able to go advanced?  Yep.  If you really truly want to do something, don’t just sit on the couch and think about it.

A fair bit of learning, that.  I got home late Sunday night; on Monday morning it was time to put it into practice.  I had writing deadlines, a business luncheon requiring dressy clothes, no clean dressy clothes, dirty laundry up to my hips, no groceries, and a Christmas tree forlornly shedding needles in the corner.  The dogs were at the kennel and it was pouring rain.

What Would Mary King Do?  Put a load of dressy clothes in the washer, get the dogs, wrestle the tree onto the porch.  Notice that the rain is stopping.  Make plans to write at the coffee shop after the dressy luncheon, but before picking my daughter up from school; pack laptop accordingly.  Dressy clothes into dryer.  Horse in from field.  Dressage saddle; arena soggy but safe. 

Walk.   Horse lifts head.  Halt, re-establish contact.  Walk.  Horse lifts head.  Halt, re-establish contact.  Walk.  Horse goes forward on bit.  Halt.  Horse lifts head.  Re-establish contact, walk, halt.

Twenty minutes later, horse (an opinionated but established training-level eventer) throws a hissy fit.  Wait.  Re-establish contact.  Walk.

Twenty minutes later, horse is doing pretty damn good dressage.  Because I accepted nothing less.  Hmmm.  Interesting. 

Forty minutes later, wearing clean dressy clothes, I head for my lunch.  I spend the afternoon writing hard.  When I pick my daughter up from school, she asks if I’ll videotape her riding.  Sure, I say.  As soon as we pick up some groceries.

Thank you, Mary King.

Professional Management Tip # 4 - It's A Team Effort

Are you seeking success or significance? Are you striving to help others or just yourself? Equine professionals are striving for both! Write down three ways you can help your team (sponsors, owners, barn manage, grooms, students, etc.)...and more importantly get their feedback. Then write down three more ways you are helped by helping others. We ride as individuals, but it is always a team effort. It's not all about you!

Imtiaz Anees represented India at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. He lives in Moreland, Georgia where runs Springtown Stables. Imtiaz is a member of PRO who has a special interest in what makes professional success achievable for individuals pursuing careers in diverse fields. Imtiaz acts as a business mentor to young riders and he will be sharing his professional management tips and advice for riders of all 

                                                            levels on the PRO Blog.

 

Professional Management Tip #3: Time Managment

Imtiaz Anees represented India at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. He lives in Moreland, Georgia where runs Springtown Stables. Imtiaz is a member of PRO who has a special interest in what makes professional success achievable for individuals pursuing careers in diverse fields. Imtiaz acts as a business mentor to young riders and he will be sharing his professional management tips and advice for riders of all levels on the PRO Blog.

 

 


Prioritize your time. Everyone is busy with school, homework, activities, work, family, kids etc. You can't always manage your time, but you can always manage yourself. Look at how you spend your time, does it match up with your current goals?

Pick three things to start doing that will help you get more focused, and more importantly and much harder to do, stop three things that you are currently doing that are not productful. Time management is very important in order to be successful in whatever you choose to do in life. As I said before make a plan for your day, week and month.  Begin each list with the most important daily, weekly or monthly goal in the priority spot on the very top of the list.

Evaluate your time management. Don't get stuck in a rut, take the initiative to make positive changes that help you get the most out of your day, week, and year and help you achieve your goals.

A Look Back at Galway Downs International by James Alliston

Galway Downs in Temecula was the site of the last big show of the season. This show was huge with not only many entries from the east coast but also one competitor from the Netherlands too. All the CCI divisions had a ton of entries which was great to see. In particular the 3*, in only its second year, has clearly become a great success with the east coast riders recognizing the great footing available at this time of year, the top-class Ian Stark designed course and substantial prize money available.

The show was a great result for my horses. They went into it bang on form after Woodside so I was quietly confident but I also realized there were some top horses and riders on the start list so it was going to be a hard fought competition. The weather was far from ideal with a lot of rain throughout but thankfully cross-country day was beautiful and the ground by the time the 3*went in the afternoon was lovely.

The 3* course was substantial with questions all the way round and some big ditch fences. Parker jumped great but was pretty strong and I was pretty tired at the end of the round. Needless to say he was comfortably inside the time which gave me a nice gauge for how quick to go out on Jumbo’s Jake. Jake cruised round and gave me a fabulous ride. As I approached the brush corner four from home I realized there was no flag on it which concerned me slightly as it was pretty big anyway even with the flag. I needn’t have worried though as Jake pinged it and we went on to finish the round bang on the optimum and snatch the lead from my neighbor for the week Nate Chambers. I was on cloud nine after a great day of cross country for me with four CCI horses round inside the time; the only downside being informed that if I had been wearing the right gloves I would have won $2,000! I was a little upset with myself for not cashing in on this great opportunity offered by SSG gloves, but congratulations to Australian Kadi Eykamp for capitalizing on Sunday and pocketing $3,000 for the clear round nearest the optimum.

Show jumping day offered some thrilling climaxes to the international classes. Lots of rain throughout the jumping made for difficult conditions and, particularly in the 1* and 2*, clear rounds were hard to come by. My day started with an excitable Mojo in the 1*. He was pretty lit up and after an early rail I was concerned we might put up a cricket score in the pouring rain. However, he held it together to come home with just the one mistake and luck was on our side as those in front also had rails leaving Mojo a delighted and surprised winner.

In the 2* Tivoli jumped a lovely clear to pile on the pressure and very nearly came out the victor. Amber Levine pipped us by less than a point so many congratulations to them for a great weekend. I’m very excited about Tivoli for next year, he has all the ability in the world and the cross country round he gave me was effortless for him.

First up for me in the big one, the 3*, was Parker who jumped a great clear which boosted my confidence for Jake to follow. Jake did not disappoint, jumping clear and culminating a great weekend for myself and everyone at Graceland Equestrian Center with a win. I’m delighted for the horse and owner India Mcevoy as the horse has had a fantastic year and really deserves the recognition he got with this big win. Many thanks to Chuck and Peggy Moore for your ongoing support, Ken Nicholson for making the trip down and particularly to India and Peggy for being fabulous grooms all weekend. I must be the only rider who has his owners grooming their horses at the shows and am extremely lucky and grateful to have them.

Lastly, a big shout out to my parents John and Petey who made the trip across the Pond to support and help. I think they must be good luck charms and as always it was great entertainment having them around.

Photo of Jumbo's Jake by Samantha Clark/ Eventing Nation