Area 5 Adult Riders
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| The Area V Adult Riders would like to thank our generous sponsor Legacy Tack of Hearne, TX. www.legacytack.com |
Congratulations to our Area V Adult Riders who entered the Spring Fling!
04/08/08Area V Adult Riders competing at Pine Hill Spring Horse Trial had the opportunity to enter the Adult Rider Spring Fling Team Challenge. We had 20 Adult Riders entered on 5 mixed level teams competing for GOLD, SILVER, & BRONZE!
Congratulations to every Area V Adult Rider who entered the Spring Fling! Watch for more Adult Rider activities!
TEAM FIVE:
WJ Everett
Maggie Kitts
Mary Boster
Melissa Lockhart
TOTAL POINTS 2
TEAM FOUR:
Lucy Chalcraft
Barb Whimire - Southern Ich
Laura Mann
Kelley Kays-Everett
TOTAL POINTS 9
TEAM THREE:
Bethany Cobb
Lida McAllister
Shella Szymanski
Barb Whitmire
TOTAL POINTS 10 BRONZE - Each will receive an Area V Adult Rider Logo Saddle Pad!
TEAM ONE:
Anna Beason
Julia Denton
Lida McAllister
Sandy Venneman
TOTAL POINTS 13 SILVER - Each will receive an Area V Adult Rider Logo Duffel Bag!
TEAM GOOD BEAVERS BAKE TROUT:
The only team with a name! See what great teamwork gets!
Bette Beavers-Lankford
Sarah Goodyear
Catherine Baker
Karen Trout
TOTAL POINTS 18 GOLD - Each will receive an Area V Adult Rider Logo Bridle Bag!
AREA V Adult Rider Winter Camp – Another Success!
02/19/08
On a cold, rainy, 40 degree day in January, the Area V Adult Rider Winter Camp was held at Pine Hill Farms in Bellville, Texas. The weather did not discourage 26 riders ranging in age from twenty-something to sixty-something from enthusiastically attending. The campers were from varying riding backgrounds and experience, but the astute instructors (Ruth Sawin, Nancy Lindsey, Elaine Sullins, and Kristy Limon) seamlessly blended the lessons, giving each rider what they needed. Many campers accomplished more than expected and gained much confidence. 
Gourmet meals were catered by Judy and Ken Martin from next-door Martin Farms, who earned rave reviews for their delicious menus. The camp organizers (Sharon Shull and Irene Doo) did an excellent job organizing and wrangling the campers, and provided all with a nice learning and social environment. There was something for everyone. Where else can you find a supportive riding group, excellent instructors, beautiful horses, great accommodations, impeccable organization, and loads of good food? Everyone was so nice that several campers made plans to contact campers in their local area so that they can ride together year-round. Campers ignored the cold, wet weather on the first day, and not one person complained about getting a saddle wet – yeah, eventers!
Campers came from all walks of life and from places far and near. Donna Phillips spent the last 21 years as a full-time mom, following her kids to swim, track and cross-country meets, football and soccer games, not to mention piano recitals and horse shows, and was delighted to finally have her turn! Teachers, vets, photographers, graphic artists, psychologists, health consultants, state employees, and many other professions were represented. Four brave campers drove many hours from the Fort Worth area, and one camper work up early Friday morning to make the trip from Tyler!
Each camper rode twice a day with a new instructor each day – a great format because there was both continuity and variety in the instruction. While regular lessons are fantastic for steady progress, nothing beats the 'boot camp' format for kicking your riding up a notch. With six rides in three days, each camper was not only able to progress in her individual journey, but could really begin to cement new habits and make the lessons learned really become a part of her skill set. Having two lessons with each instructor was a great balance between continuity and fresh perspective. While each instructor had her own distinctive style of teaching, all lessons were of the highest quality.
2007 Winners of the Area 5 Adult Rider Year End Awards
02/06/08Intermediate
1.Kristy Limon/Excel
Preliminary
1.Kristen Wertz/Kaboom
2.WJ Everett/Clover’s Eclipse
3.Anna Beeson/My Guy
Training
1.Kristen Wertz/Kaboom
2.WJ Everett/Clover’s Eclipse
3.Bette Beavers-Lankford/Cavalier’sLights Out
4.Emily Oakes/ Shaugraun’s Wishful Thinking
5.Kristin Curreri/Song of the South
6.Lida McAllister/Inanna
Novice
1.Alysson James/Robstown
2.Jennifer Enderlin/Maddam Giggles
3.Emily Oakes/Shaugraun’s Wishful Thinking
4.Christina Windsor/Viva la Dance
5.Allison Sumrow/Red E or Not
6.Kristin Curreri/Song of the South
Beginner Novice
1.Amy Pittman/ Bella
2.Meg Johnson/Vail’s Coco Man Go
3.Donna Hamilton/Goobersmooch
4.Sandy Venneman/Epochal
5.Felicia Franklin/Terry D.
6.Rebecca Rickly/Paycheck
Overall Champion: Kristen Wertz
Reserve Champion: Emily Oakes
Cindy Burge ICP Grant - Call for Entries
02/06/08You are eligible if you are a current member of the Area 5 Adult Rider Program and you are planning to obtain your ICP certification in the next two years. For more info, please download the information sheet. Entries close on October 1st, 2008. Jennifer Bodtman, Ruth Sawin and Becky Roper will be the selectors for the grant. Please contact Sharon Shull if you have any further questions at 979-229-9858. Thanks and good luck!
Check out these links to the USEA website that give more info on the Cindy Burge Grant and the ICP program:
USEA - Cindy Burge Memorial ICP Grant
USEA - What is the Instructors Certification Program
2007 Adult Rider Logo Gear
Adult Riders – Order your Adult Rider logo gear now!
(click for order form PDF)
Adult Rider Bios
Catherine Texter BakerAtlanta, Texas
I qualify in 2007 for Vintage Rider status but I won’t let that interfere with my riding. I purchased HIGH ROLLER aka Myers for myself Christmas 2003. He is a teenage Louisiana bred TB that raced as a youngster and then went on to Hunter/Jumper circuit in Oklahoma & Louisiana. I spent 2004 learning to ride him & getting to know him. I had ridden for a few years as a teenager but had not been in a saddle for the last 30 plus years. We were Red River Equestrian Association Level 2 Jumper Champion 2004.
We entered our first event at Holly Hill Fall 2005 and won Senior Beginner Novice Rider. I was very pleased with my horse with no eventing experience with his no eventing experience rider. Is there a division for Novice Rider on a really Novice Horse? We were successful at Novice Level Area V in 2005 and we placed at The Kentucky Horse Park in June 2005 – what a blast to ride there!
My teenage daughter Elizabeth competes with me – sometimes against each other. We have C & E Eventing Team – it helps to have it on the shirts so she remembers that I haul, I pay, I ride and she has her share of work as well! My goal is to go out each time & have fun with my 4 legged partner. I teach secondary science at a small high school in east Texas so I am surrounded by barrel racers & pole benders who want to know where the rest of my saddle is – must have fallen off in the trailer!
Anna BeesonAustin, Texas
I am definitely in the older than dirt category (aka Fossils over Fences). I have a 13 year old TB gelding named My Guy and last year we worked our way up to Intermediate, scared ourselves (me, at least), and moved back down to Prelim. In my spare time, I am a programmer with the state comptroller's office. I enjoy it and it pays the horse bills. I also buy, train, and sell young horses off the track. Over the last 15 years, I have bought and sold roughly 19 horses into successful new careers in both eventing and the hunter/jumper market. I can only have 1 sale horse in addition to My Guy since I board and don't own my own place. Anyone want to buy a 6 year old filly who is making a wonderful hunter? Check out my web site: www.equineplacement.com. It also contains a link to the adult rider camp at Pine Hill. We had a blast and I can't wait for the next one.
Bethany CobbBen Wheeler, Texas
Bethany Cobb Bio: My father raised Appaloosas, so I was addicted to them from birth. I grew up in East Texas and did mostly Western, until I realized how boring it was. I did endurance for ten years and didn't start jumping until I was in college. Living in the Austin/Georgetown area offered me more chances to learn other disciplines. I fell in love with jumping and tried other breeds just as I had tried Arabs for endurance. I found Chassy quite by chance when scouting to replace the Thoroughbred I was riding but was not happy with. It is because of Chassy's easygoing, willing, and patient attitude that I got up the courage to try eventing. I still remember trotting my first GAG because I was so terrified! Chassy has been a blessing for me and my riding. I have returned to my Appaloosas and don't plan to change again; although, I do enjoy the strange mixes Appy/Shire, Appy/Perch, Appy/oldenburg. To pay for this habit, I teach high school English, which also happens to be emotionally rewarding as well. Life is good!
Ulli CraneLeander, Texas
My name is Ulli Crane and I live in Leander, Texas, with my husband Joe, two daughters, Mia (6 years old) and Eva (18 months old), two dogs, one cat and three horses...get the picture? It gets pretty busy around our horse but thanks to Joe, I am still able to squeeze in some "horse time".
I grew up in Hannover, Germany, riding mainly dressage. When I came to the States (more than 10 years ago) I fell in love with eventing and competed my TB Venture (now retired) through training level and was hoping to move up to Prelim when I got pregnant with Mia...And that was that! I still love the sport but it is logistically too difficult for me to train for it, not to mentioned that I am a self-admitted "chicken" since having the children. For now, I am going back to my dressage roots but am enjoying eventing from the side lines.
I have just started my 3 year old Oldenburg (Dickens) under saddle and am also riding our Pony (Casper) that I bought for "the girls" last year. He turned out to be a lot of fun, although I do look a little silly on him. I enjoyed meeting some of you at camp in February and look forward to being part of this fun bunch, even if not as an active participant.
Ulli Crane, LSSP
Nationally Certified School Psychologist
LMS - 434-7957
Rachelle CryierLockhart, Texas
My name is Rachelle Cyrier and I'm 31 years old. I'm a member of USEA, Area 5 Adult Riders, GHCTA, and I'm the Horse Management Organizer for the USPC Rio Grande Region. I live about 35 miles south of Austin in the small town of Lockhart with my husband John, our 2 horses Big Jake and Rocket, 3 Labradors Dutch, Tux and Butterscotch, 3 barn cats Mia, Hank and Domino, and about 20 Texas Longhorns. We call our little piece of heaven 'Someday Ranch.'
In the horse world I often refer to myself as a late bloomer because even though I loved horses as a little girl I didn’t have the opportunity to consistently ride or own one until I was 25. My first horse was Delta Tiger, a dark bay off-the-track Thoroughbred and our first GAG horse trial was at Pine Hill in 2005. In 2006 I purchased Pintus aka 'Big Jake'. He is a 17.2 Irish Hunter. He was born in Ireland in 1992, was a foxhunter, and was imported to the US in 1999 as a Show Jumper. Unfortunately the owner fell on hard times and neglected her horses. I was told that Big Jake and 3 others were rescued from a dirt lot with no grass, no hay, and no water. You could count every bone in his body and his hair was falling out in clumps. He was 500lbs underweight and it took a full year to gradually put it back on. Luckily the only long term effect assumed to have originated from the stress of severe nutritional deficiency is that he now suffers from Anhydrosis (non-sweating). With supplements, acupuncture, and extra special care in the summer months it has been manageable though. Big Jake is such an honest, gentle giant with an amazing work ethic and when the weather is brisk and he is feeling good he gives me the x/c ride of my life!
Kristin Curreri
Dallas, Texas
I live in Dallas with my husband, sons, and three big dogs (my neighbors love me). I am a stay at home mom of two boys (first and fourth grade) who attend St. Mark's and St. John's (Lake Highlands). I am also a part time CPA, helping many area horse organizations with their books and taxes. I also work closely with the Texas Horse Park being developed as part of the Trinity River Project. This is my 5th season eventing, and my third with "Josh" aka Song of the South. I showed Morgans and Saddlebreds for 25 years and other than doing some hunters and pony club as a kid, had no experience jumping until 7 years ago when I decided to take it up as an adult. Lacey Cloud brought me over to the dark side in 2004, when we became friends at PTA. Josh is a 12 year old off the track TB with loads of experience, so its his job to show me the ropes. We currently compete at training level. We ride with Gold Chip and also clinic regularly with Clark Montgomery.
I actually pulled double duty in 2006 when I showed Josh at Champagne Run, while also showing my five gaited horse at the Lexington Jr. League show. I did XC and a gaited stake in the same day and have since decided that craziness needed to stop! I have hung up my cutback saddle, but still have a closet of gorgeous show clothes!
Irene DooAustin, Texas
My name is Irene Doo, and I have a 15 year old Appendix/QH gelding, The Ships Brigg (Brigg for short) that I bought from Anna Beeson when he was 6. After many years of ups and downs, and painful learning experiences, we are now a solid team. Brigg is a great horse to learn on, as he is willing and kind. We have successfully competed at Training level for about 2 years at schooling shows, and this Fall, I'm making my "debut" at the USEA shows, starting with Greenwood. I'm hoping to qualify for the AEC next year, and make the trek up to Lamplight. In between shows, I enjoy riding in clinics and I also help Sharon with organization of the winter Adult Rider camp at Pine Hill.
Jennifer Enderlin Bulverde, Texas
Horses have been in my life since I was a little girl. My Mom and hero, Barbara Greber, taught me everything I know. My riding foundation was built riding ponies & Hunters as a young girl. In college, I went on to play intercollegiate Polo at Texas Tech University and experienced a rush of adrenaline on horseback that I never felt in the Hunter ring. Polo is a fast, fun & challenging sport...a little like cross-country. My introduction to eventing was in 2000 with my best friend, Lida McAllister, at Meadow Creek where I watched her compete in her first Preliminary outing on her fabulous TB gelding, Casey. Of course, I thought she was completely nuts at the time, but I definitely wanted to be a part of this fabulous sport. My first impression of eventing was how friendly & supportive the people are - it's unlike any other equestrian sport! I've shown through Training level and hope to one day join my nutty friend Lida at Preliminary. My parents and I share ownership of my current partner, a 5 yr old TB mare named Madame Giggles. We purchased Giggles last year from Sheryl Lewis and Patti Foody. Giggles is my equine soul mate...I LOVE that mare and we continue to learn so much from her every day.
A couple of years after I started eventing, I had the opportunity to ride with Rolex **** winner, Nick Larkin. Since then, I've been organizing clinics with Nick about 3 times a year for riders in San Antonio & surrounding areas. Nick is a wonderful instructor and we continue to learn so much from him. One thing that impresses me about Nick is that his last lesson is just as enthusiastic as his first...even after 8 hours of teaching in 100+ degree weather in the middle of August! I usually hold 2 clinics at local eventing sites during the off-season and occassionally will hold a 3rd clinic in the San Antonio area. If you'd like to be on my distribution list for future clinics with Nick, send me an email: sjend@gvtc.com.
On a personal level, I have a 4 year old daughter who you will often see hanging out with my Dad, aka 'Grandpa', at the events. They are big pals and he has always been a HUGE supporter of my crazy love of horses. I'm so blessed to be able to share such a wonderful hobby with my family. I've been married 12 years and my hubby's passion is fishing, so he usually takes advantage of my horse show weekends by hitting the lake or coast. I work for AT&T when I'm not at the barn or trying to be the best Mom and wife a horsewoman can be!
WJ Everett IIIFalconwood Farm in Winnie, Texas
Age - 45
Marital status - Married to Dr. Kelley Kays Everett DVM, who is also an adult rider.
Occupation - Private investigator / Horse trainer.
I have been riding horses for about 6 years and eventing for 3. I was previously a bull rider for about 22 years.
I am currently competing at the prelim. level on an 8 year old Irish Sport Horse named Clovers Eclipse and hope to soon move to intermediate. I have recently imported a 9 year old mare named Langarth Phillippa, an English thoroughbred Welsh Cobb cross who we bought on a recent trip to England with Leslie Law. My 1st competition on her will be at training level at the next Pine Hill schooling show.
I have trained extensively with Bruce Davidson, Leslie Law and my weekly dressage coach Mrs. Esther Daubin but the person who really taught me to ride and continues teaching me is my wife Kelley.
The photo I have included is on Clovers Eclipse.
phone # 713-824-1454
e-mail wjeverett111@msn.com
Felicia Franklin Wiley, Texas
Honestly, my "best" friend is my horse, Terry, a 12 year old Irish Thoroughbred. Sometimes, I think we were destined to be together. One could say that we were matched thru "internet dating" before it was popular. Two weeks after seeing her ad pop up on a bulletin board and seeing 2 pics, this scared 3 year old TB burst from the horse trailer into my arms (literally) and I was hooked. I was introduced to eventing when I was a member of the Crescent Bay Pony Club in Virginia and had ridden in the past successfully to Training Level on "my little cow pony" (15 hand QH named Dun Over Dew who could jump the moon.) My love for eventing became deeper when I attended Lake Erie College in Ohio and my equestrian instructor, Kathy Henry, believing in me and my QH showed us a world where you are judged on your achievements not on the bloodlines of your horse, or the show outfit you are "seen" in. At 34, I am starting to feel the "effects" of my offers to ride anything no matter the issues when I was younger, but I think I will always be involved in eventing even when "riding cross country" involves a golf cart and not a horse.
Laura Griffin Arkansas
My name is Laura Griffin and I am a Medical Technologist working at UAMS in the Blood Bank. I currently am riding my thoroughbred Chaka Khan (aka Gumby) Training level. I started in hunters as a child and did one event before giving up horses for a while. After time, I missed it and bought a yearling Percheron/TB (Muley Graves) that I trained and started myself and competed through training. He was maxed out at training so I bought Gumby off the track and have been having a blast. When I am not working at the hospital, I teach 11 students riding lessons. I have two students that are currently going novice that are joy to teach. I love all my students and have a great time teaching.
Betsy HansberryI'm a card carrying member of the fossils over fences group. Had a horse when I was a kid and never got over wanting another one, which happened in 1997. Did my first cross country jumping at 50+ and got hooked. Had a wonderful eventing partner who helped me win back to back GAG and Beginner Novice GHCTA schooling championships in 2002 and 2003, but then he died from surgical complications. After a dry spell and a lot of looking, I found Shay Darra, a TB/Clyde cross who had never been ridden when I got her at age 5 in late 2005. Although our training journey has not been without incident, with the expert guidance of our wonderful trainer, Nancy Lindsey, we're making progress. Our first event at GAG in 2007 was very successful, but our next at Beginner Novice ended with me in the dirt in stadium. She's awesome cross country but in convinced that unusually painted stadium jumps will eat her. Our goal for 2008 is to successfully complete a Beginner Novice schooling HT.
Kelley Kays-Everett, DVMWinnie, Texas
I am Kelley Kays-Everett, DVM I am a veterinarian who owns a general practice, the Dowlen Road Vet Center in Beaumont, and yes I practice on horses! I have been a horse fan my whole life. Greatest achievements were winning AQHA rookie of the year in 1989 and then representing the breed with my horse Trapper Sonoita at the 50th AQHA convention. We were one of 5 horse rider teams featured in the versatility challenge to demonstrate the talents of the American Quarter horse. A few years later I was invited to a foxhunt and fell in love with the feeling of cross country riding. My husband WJ Everett proposed on a foxhunting trip in Ireland in a castle! Through Foxhunting J and I found Eventing. We live in Winnie, Texas on Falconwood and have hosted a clinic with Leslie Law for the last 3 years, he comes every April. We have cross country courses for all levels and love to have people school the jumps that J has built, we hope to have schooling shows in the near future. I have ridden a great horse Hero at training level the last few years and then in the fall of 2007 purchased a foxhunting mare in England. Her name is Fire and Ice and she has one beautiful blue eye and one brown eye. We hope to make a big splash at the shows in 2008! Come see us at www.dowlenroadvetcenter.com, and click on the gate for a glimpse of a few of the jumps. Tally ho!
Kimberly MayfieldKeller, Texas
I live in north Fort Worth and have been training with Peggy Friauf since 2005. I showed Arabians in high school until a good friend, who had moved her Arabian mare to an event barn, asked me to ride her horse. I have saving ever since for an event horse of my own!
I purchased Cruz Control in May 2006. He was a 6 year old TB about a year off the track with a few events under his belt. I had barely done beginner novice. Peggy ironed out our wrinkles and we made it up to Novice for '07. This spring we'll be trying out Training level for both our first times!
When not on horseback, I am an airline pilot and also own a pizza franchise. I stop by my house just long enough to clean it and find the right uniform for where ever I am going. Sometimes I even see my husband who is a pilot as well!!!
Emily Oakes"Retired first grade teacher," now stay at home mother to Brandon, age 2 ½. Married to Marty, 6 years!! Sole caretaker and chief stall cleaner of Kacey, Bonnie, Ssance, Gypsey, and Tyrconnell (3 months). I have been riding since the age of 6. But, I have been riding with my trainer, Meg Fletcher, since the age of 10. Grew up riding all of the horses that no one else wanted to or could ride. I began training an pony, Dusty, at the age of 12 and as I grew older, more and more people asked me to ride and train their horses.
I competed Kacey's mother, Rowanne, through training, about to go prelim before she had to be retired. The mind was willing but the body was getting week. I have owned and trained Kacey since he was born! He is my dream horse!!! 16.3 hand chestnut Irish Sporthorse by Shaugraun. At 5, he is moving up to training level, qualified for novice AEC's, and we are attempting to get our second qualifying score for YEH!
Cheryl OliverDallas, Texas
My name is Cheryl Olivier and compete in area V with my horse Arc En Ciel (Archie). We also have two other horses, nine (soon to be 10) spotted donkeys, one zedonk, three dogs, and two barn cats. My significant other, Pete, and I own and operate Lazy Dog Ranch in NE Dallas. Our ranch has a dressage arena, show jumping arena, and soon a cross country course. We also breed spotted standard donkeys.
In my other life I fly for FedEx. I am an MD-11 captain, flying both domestic and international routes. One of my favorite things about my job is flying horses. I was fortunate enough to fly many during the Atlanta Olympics, and am hoping to get to fly some of the US horses to China this summer!
JoAnna PazdernyCanyon, Texas
My name is JoAnna, I am 23 years old and live in Canyon (near Amarillo). I graduated from West Texas A&M University last May and am currently working for the American Quarter Horse Association. While in high school and college I was a vet technician and since I really miss that kind of work, I still help out at a local equine clinic on the weekends to continue learning. I am from Lake Travis near Austin where I lived and showed for 18 years until going off to college. For my freshman year I went to the University of Kentucky before I return to Texas to attend WTAMU. While at WTAMU I competed as an intermediate/open rider for their Varsity Hunt Seat Equestrian Team and while I really enjoyed the experience and fun that I had, I am glad to be returning to eventing. My horse is the love of my life, she is a 15.1 hand American Quarter Horse that was foaled at my grandfather’s ranch in South Texas 15 years ago and I can still remember that night as if it were yesterday. Peppy’s Sweet Thing aka Maxie had been promised to me, by my grandfather, before she was born and we have been together even since. My grandfather raised and trained quarter horses for roping/rodeo events so I became the black sheep of the family when I took my cow pony out to jump “big sticks.” Even though I was lucky enough to take Maxie to college with me, I didn’t show her for five years (because she is not a hunter) so she got some well deserved time off. This year we will be competing at Training Level and having the time of our lives. I hope to qualify and successfully run a Training 3-Day this year. This will be Maxie’s last year eventing as she is scheduled to be bred to Ramble On, the son of High Scope, in the spring of 2009. JoAnna Pazderny JPazderny@aqha.org Phone: 806-378-5040
Becky RicklyWolfforth, Texas
Becky is a former midwest farmer's daughter, now a Texan by marriage, who has wanted to "do" eventing since she read a book about Bruce Davidson as a child in Ohio (where, at the time, NO ONE did anything but western riding). She now lives Wolfforth, TX (again, full of cowboys) and teaches rhetoric and technical communication at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. For the past three years, she's been living her dream of "doing" eventing, first with Paycheck (who loved to jump but HATED dressage), then this year with Guinness (who's got a lot of talent and a bit of an "attitude"), and now also with Dylan (aka Tangled Up In Blue, who's sweet and unschooled). She'll be juggling both Guinness and Dylan (likely at BN), along with two kids, a job, a husband, a small pecan farm, and so forth, for a year or two--but she's bound and determined to make it to Novice by the time she's 50 (only a few short years) and possibly to Training soon afterwards. By then, she figures her body will be completely shot. If not, she's got a TB/Rheinlander cross yearling--OIiver Twist--and an Oldenburg weanling--Rhetorical Man--coming up who'll be her next eventing and dressage horses respectively if she's still able to ride. She has established the "Fossils Over Fences" (http://fossilsoverfences.blogspot.com) club for those who are over 40, and she's blogged Rolex (http://rolexreport07.blogspot.com) for the last three years.
Sharon ShullCollege Station, Texas
This is a brief intro to me. I am not quite a senior citizen but am old enough that AARP is trying to recruit me as a member. I am in charge of the Adult Rider Program for Area 5. I was bestowed that honor after attending a committee meeting at the USEA Convention and the next thing I know here I am! I have a daughter who rides and participates in the Young Rider Program and that is how I became interested. I have inherited her 22 year old thoroughbred gelding named Secret who remains sound as long as I haven’t spent gobs of money on entries and travel. Secret competed successfully to prelim and tried to do a one star but decided to go lame on the jog out. Thirty minutes later he was sound. So, he has retired from that level and now packs me around the beginner novice and when I am really brave, novice courses. I ride for fun and enjoy the people that we have met while in the sport. We live in College Station and ride with Elaine Sullins and Ruth Sawin. My daughter will be attending Texas A&M in the fall and hopes to continue to show her two horses. In my spare time, I have a small animal veterinary ultrasound practice and my husband, also a veterinarian, has a bovine embryo practice. Our daughter claims that she is going to become anything but a veterinarian.
Kristen WertzAzle, Texas
I am 27 years old and reside in the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex. I lived in Plano for 7 years and in 2006 I moved myself and my horse, Kaboom, to my parent’s 8 acre farm in Azle , TX to save of living/boarding costs. I make a 60 mile commute 4 days a week to UTSouthwestern Medical Center in Dallas where I work in Bio Medical Research Lab. Kaboom is my main focus. Upon the retirement of my Training Level mare in 2002 I was rendered horseless. I found Kaboom as an unbroken 3 year old in a racehorse breeder’s backyard. I broke him in 2004 and started competing him as a 4 year old in 2005. He is now showing great talent at Training Level and we are preparing ourselves for a jump to prelim this fall!
Shari WilcoxAustin, Texas
I grew up in Virginia and Maryland, where Eventing is practically a religion. There, I had the opportunity to ride with some of the best riders/trainers on some of the most renowned courses, primarily starting young horses Beginner Novice and Novice. I moved to Austin in 2004 to begin graduate school at the University of Texas (I study large carnivore conservation, particularly jaguars and grizzly bears.) A year into graduate school, I found my way back to horses. Today, I am living my dream, running a small but intensive lesson program in Northwest Austin at Spicewood Farms while also working on my PhD. These days, you will most likely find me coaching my team at events, or starting a new prospect in the GAG or BN divisions!
Christina WindsorSpring Branch, Texas
This is my third year competing in Area V on my Belgian Warmblood mare, Vivi (Viva la Dance). We're going Novice again this year ('07) and continue our eventing education with regular Nick Larkin clinics and lessons with Lida McAllister at LBR Farm in Spring Branch, Texas. In my youth I evented in Vermont at the Vershire Riding School for many years. In my teens and twenties I turned toward dressage and apprenticed with two international-level European riders abroad and in the Northeast. Today I own a little farm in Dripping Springs, Texas, called Greenleaf Stables and raise and train sport ponies and teach kids. My favorite kid, of course, is my son, Henry, who turned seven in March '07. He's a natural little rider and he's also very mechanically inclined. One day when he was about five he told me he wanted to be an eventer. I thought he said an INVENTOR! Well, we'll see. I imagine something like both in his future... In the meantime, my very favorite rides are trail rides he and I take when he and his pony, Star, accompany me to clinics and schooling days.
Samantha WoodFlower Mound, TX
I live in Flower Mound (near DFW airport) and ride with Peggy Friauf. I’m on your social committee along with Donna Arnold for the Area V Adult Rider Program. We arrange social hours at 1-2 recognized events a season. If you have any ideas for the social hours or want to help please let me know. To support my horse habit, I’m a project manager at Microsoft for a training development team. I also work with my father building horse and kid jumps. Check out www.take5equestrian.com.
I started jumping as an adult at a local hunter barn and then took an equestrian vacation in England that introduced me to cross-country. The coach rode a motorcycle next to us on our well-trained horse giving us encouragement and advice. In the afternoon, we went trail riding the English way on roads and paths - we cantered through the woods without a care in the world. I was totally hooked!! I came back to find my first young TB and we started to figure this stuff out.
I just got a new partner named Belistar. He’s a 7yo paint gelding that was a stud and halter pony in his previous life. We’ll be ramping up together for spring 2008 at Beginner Novice. I’m hoping he likes this! Now I can join all the fun at the Adult camp!! See you at the shows!
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