I am extremely competitive. I practice a lot, and with intensity. I see competition as a test for what I’ve been practicing. I am “in it to win it,” but it doesn’t always go my way – revealing my weaknesses and what needs more practice.
I try to compartmentalize my riding throughout the week – working on individual things that need to tie together: my horse’s fitness (mind and body), my fitness (mind and body), technical skills, dressage and suppleness – and very last… jumps.
Two weeks ago, it all came together with my wonderful equitation horse Cent 15. We traveled to the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, FL for the inaugural WEC Premier Cup – an equitation class in the most incredible venue. It felt like the World Equestrian Games. From the minute we arrived, it was first class accommodations for the horses and a first class experience for us all. The stalls were oversized and everything extra wide, tall and clean – sparkling in fact. My parents remarked how kind and helpful the staff worked on behalf of the competitors and supporters; clearly they put effort into customer service training. The general feeling around the venue was high energy and happy.
The night of the big class was electric. Storm clouds hung in the distance, making for a dramatic sky behind the bright white hotel and stands surrounding The Grand Ring. I have never seen more beautiful jumps and the arena was so huge that the 14’ wide jumps still seemed small in scale. This was a track suited to my horse’s long stride as we could open up and his big step effortlessly covered the ground. All that we’ve been practicing came together that night. The first round was lovely, the flat phase (my favorite) bumped me to the top and the second round (testing) was almost flawless. It included a trot jump, counter canter, hand gallop and rollback turns. The most amazing feeling was walking in the ring and “woosh,” all the nerves left me. I knew I could win it.
The prize? A car!! Yes, a brand new 2021 Chevy Blazer and a nice bonus check for the trainers of the top placing riders plus a wildcard. I did end up winning – with close competition among the top riders. What an honor! I was able to drive the new car back to Wellington that night with my sister in the passenger seat. We left Ocala at midnight, back at 4am – and at the barn for an 830am lesson, as if all of this was normal! Definitely. Not. Normal.
The new car is a gift on many levels but especially because my current vehicle is on its last fumes, losing parts along the highway and often breaking down leaving me stranded. There is red tape to figure out and we are working through that, but I can’t quite explain what it’s like to win a car!!!
Fast-forward just a week and horses have a way of taking us from “hero to zero.” I competed in the U25 Grand Prix – my second time. In the warm up I had two rails, in the speed class I was the fastest, but had a rail. In the big Sunday class… I was one of nine to make the jump off out of a field of 60. I was ecstatic. My horse, Delia B, is an incredible athlete and the bravest mare. But I had a rail at fence one and a stop at fence 2. This is out of character, but clearly we have kinks to work out at this level. It’s new to us both.
Back to work. Back to training. Constantly back to basics.
Even though I hate making mistakes, I am grateful to learn from the errors. I learn from the wins too. Winning is not perfect, there’s always room to improve.
Photo Credits: Kind Media LLC, Andrew Ryback Photography and Erin Gibbs
I live with intensity. I learn with intensity. I make mistakes. And I try every day to forgive and do better.