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 |
Chronicle of the Horse/USEA Central States Adult Team Challenge Promises a Fantastic Weekend at Their Own "WEG"
2/16/10Calling all Adult Riders to join the fun at WEG 2010!
Area V will host the 2010 Chronicle of the Horse/USEA Central States Adult Team Challenge at Greenwood Farm in Weatherford, Texas.
While all the four-star horses and riders are at Kentucky Horse Park for the World Equestrian Games, the Adult Riders will be celebrating their own WEG - the Weatherford Equestrian Games. Adult Riders attending the 2010 Central States COTH/USEA ATC will enjoy a wonderful catered competitor dinner on Friday night at the Greenwood Farm Pavilion. There will be a Professional Chili Cook-Off with an awesome dessert bar to be enjoyed with live music at a bonfire on Saturday night for just the Adult Riders. There will also be fantastic goodie bags for all Adult Riders joining this ATC. They plan to have their very own WEG celebration so mark your calendars, plan your team, pick your team name and colors, design your team flag to display and join the fun for Central States ATC on September 24 -26, 2010.
Watch for updates as we add more activities to the Adult Rider 2010 WEG Celebration!
Looking for more information about this upcoming event? Contact Catherine Texter Baker, the Area V Adult Rider Coordinator at ctbatlanta@aol.com.
Texas Rose Horse Park: As Sweet As The Name (Feb. 27-28, 2010)
03/02/10 by Catherine Texter BakerArea V welcomed a new USEA event venue last weekend, Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas. It is never easy putting on a new event, but it is especially challenging when dealing with record-breaking rain and snow across the area. Yes, it snowed in Texas - at least twice in February while they were finishing the cross-country course.
123 horses entered the first event of the season: 16 P, 31 T, 50 N and 26 BN. The competitors pulled their horses and trailers out of the mud that has swallowed most of Area V this winter, put on their mud boots and raincoats, and ventured into the unknown. Friday was cold and wet, and many thought the rain would never stop. Saturday the sun came out for dressage and SJ, which were held in outdoor rings with wonderful all weather footing, even the warm-up areas held up nicely.
With the sun and a gentle breeze all day Saturday, and vigilant work by the course designer Carsten Meyer and the TRHP crew, the brand new cross country course had a chance to dry out and be ready for action. Sunday was another incredible bright sunny day - perfect for a gallop in the park. 106 horses left the X-C Start Box to enjoy the course. The medical personnel were left alone to just watch the competition and enjoy the beautiful day.
Jennifer Lewis on Authentique won Novice Rider A on her dressage score of 28.30. They were tied for fourth with Julia Denton on Win/Win Situation after dressage and both were double clear on SJ, which tied them for third. Authentique moved into first after both horses went double clear on X-C but she was closer to optimum time. Win/Win Situation was second on a 28.30 dressage score.
The Area V Adult Riders celebrated the first Area V event of 2010 with a great Social Hour at the Wagon Wheel Barn. Thank you to everyone who came up to start the season off with good cheer!
TRHP has a USEA event the third weekend in June and they finish out the Area V calendar with an event the last weekend in November.
TRHP - official site
TRHP - February Results
Lessons Learned at the Meadow Creek Training 3-day
by Sheryl Lewis12/10/08
When my trainer, Donna Kinney, suggested I participate in the Training 3 day this past spring, I said "sure". I thought that would be a great way to prepare for a move up to Preliminary. There was only one problem...I had no idea what was involved in competing in a T3D. All I remembered was I hated conditioning work and the first thing Donna handed me was a conditioning schedule. Mind you, I've done conditioning work before. I competed at the Preliminary level...way back in 1999...when I was 39 years old. You do the math. And back then I had a horse that loved to gallop. My current steed, not so much.
The new things I had to learn included a jog out, a steeplechase, roads and track and protocol in the vet box. These are my five major lessons learned at the Meadow Creek Training 3-day.
Lesson 1: (more for the organizing officials) It's hot in Texas in May! Unfortunately our ride time did not begin until after noon. I do believe the riders got their point across that if they are going to do a T3D in Texas in May, the ride times really need to be in the early morning for everyone's sake. This became very apparent in the vet box before cross country when many horses were not cooling down in the required time.
Lesson 2: You can really dress up for the jog out. Not only does your horse need to look impeccable but you too must have a since of style to win the best turn out. There were hats and skirts and lace!! My style needed some work.
Lesson 3: This should be a no-brainer but rider and horse must be in good physical shape. Conditioning for a T3D is a commitment and you will not do yourself or your horse justice if you are not on a scheduled conditioning program. Especially considering the Texas heat. I'm very proud to say that my horse, Bravo, was able to meet the recovery criteria in the required time allowed; a feat not many horses met that day. It made all the leg and butt cramps I had while conditioning at home worth it.
Lesson 4: You need a support team to help you! I recommend at least 3 to 4 people to help you and your horse during the roads & track, steeplechase and cross country phases. You, the rider, need water, electrolytes and possible mouth to mouth. Your horse will need someone to walk him, ice him, make tack adjustments, check his legs and hold him for the vet. This all happens very fast and can be quite chaotic.
Lesson 5: It's a blast! Please participate! I believe everyone who competes at Training level should do a T3D. I learned so much and it was such a feeling of accomplishment. If you can't ride in one, help a friend ride in one or just volunteer. It takes at lot of volunteers to put on a T3D and the organizers are always looking for experienced horse people to help make their event more successful.
I am happy to report we had 6 adult riders compete in the 2008 Meadow Creek T3D. They were Laura Griffin, Kelley Kays-Everett, WJ Everett, Maggie Kitts, Karen Trout and myself. I am thrilled that I met my goal of finishing on my dressage score and I would like to thank Sharon Shull, Kristen Wertz, Betty Karbo and Legacy Tack for the beautiful cooler. Bravo will wear it proudly.
I encourage all of you adult riders to make the commitment and strut your stuff in the 2009 Training 3 Day. When I look back at my show season, the T3D was the most educational, beneficial and fun thing I did in 2008!
Riding in Peru
By Bethany CobbHow does one fall in love so completely with a place that is not one's own? More than that, how does one fall in love with a country? Knowing nothing of the politics and history is sketchy at best, yet suddenly one feels more at home than ever before. Words fail to capture the feeling, the incredible overwhelming-ness of feeling. It is as though all of life, all of fate was leading you here. The good, the bad, the ugly all seem to become part of you.
I have a habit of saying I am going to marry things: Miller Lite, avocado, olives, potatoes. I didn't really know what that meant until Peru. I don't want to marry one rock, one man, but to become one with the whole country. A country that brings tears of joy and frustration to my eyes and makes all else seem so silly, so meaningless. Suddenly, the camera is put away, and I am overcome with a proprietary feeling. How to return? How soon? How to learn all that must be learned about the beauty that is Peru? There is something about this country that has crawled into my soul like no other. As beautiful and compelling as Australia or New Zealand, Peru has an essence than somehow transcribes poverty into mysticism. The windowless buildings half-built or half-razed have an air of prehistoric buildings meant to be preserved. I want to walk into each of them and admire the architecture, the stoic women, and the lusty men.
When Sharon asked me to write an article, complete with pictures, about Peru, I immediately thought of my last journal entry. As I rode the train from Cusco to Puno, I wrote what had been welling within me the whole trip. Sitting on Manchu Picchu 3 days earlier, I had cried. The mountains, the ruins, the people, all of Peru are too incredible to be able to do justice. I figure you are mostly interested in the riding part of my journey, but I have to share the overall effect of the country. The riding, too, was beyond words, but the closest I came to describing any of my trips was in that last journal entry.
So, on to the ride. Our first day of riding, I had a rather clumsy and not entirely obedient horse, whom I dubbed 'Tom Cruise'. All the kids selling things in Cusco told us they were named things like Tom Cruise, George Michael, or George Washington. I named my horse after one very persistent teenage postcard salesman who followed us a rather long way in order to convince me (the sucker) to buy 10 postcards for 8 sola. That is the equivalent of about 3 dollars US. This of course is why I was a sucker: Everything was so CHEAP! In any case, the first day of riding led us away from Cusco and toward the mountains. We rode through tiny villages witnessing people threshing wheat by running donkeys in circles, mothers putting their children on their shoulders to watch us pass, and people in traditional garb making the long hike to sell their wares in Cusco. We galloped through towns and past tiny mountain hamlets. We stopped at ruins and wakkas (guessing at the spelling), pre-Inca carved rocks considered sacred.
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Our group consisted of two Spanish speaking guides (who seemed to know a lot more than our English speaking one), a doctor (just in case we fell off the two foot wide trail on the cliff), the English speaking guide, Chris Lewis a friend of mine from Endurance riding (who entertained us with needing to pee every five minutes), Mona Mulford who I met on my horse ride in Ireland last year, and four people Mona knows from the Atlanta area. All in all, it made for a very entertaining five days of riding. We rode up to 14K feet and hiked up to see a glacial lake. We saw remote parts of Peru virtually unreachable unless you were willing to ride or hike (and I'm not willing to hike). Occasionally, we rode the 'fun bus' in between stops. We called it the fun bus after our guide told us we should take beers along for the ride. Our hotels were insanely wonderful.
There's too much to say about Peru. Cusco is beautiful and has a wonderful nightlife. Ollantaytambo was picturesque and full of traditional everything. Machu Picchu was beyond any picture, words, or imagination. It is everything and more than what people will persistently tell of it. You have to see it. I never once felt anything but safe. I was definitely not ready to come home. There is so much that I saw and experienced, that I will get carpal tunnel trying to type it all.
I'll let the pictures speak for themselves except for a couple stories I think you'll enjoy:
One day on the fun bus, after riding for 5 hours, we were drinking our mega-beers when Chris, of course, needed to pee. I needed to go as well and had been waiting for Chris to say something (I can be mean that way). We stopped in the first town, and our guide went door to door with us begging for a toilet. There seemed to be none to be used. Finally, one woman agreed to let us use her back yard, if we bought more beer. We were ok with that deal, and so went into her backyard, down some stone stairs. Chris requested that Guido turn around, which seemed to make sense until our pants were around our ankles and we heard a whistle. Looking behind us, the fun bus was parked on the road in full view of our alabaster hinies. Unfortunately, our friends in the van were not as mean as I am and took no pictures.
At the ranch, after our final day of riding, we were served a traditional meal traditionally cooked. They dug a pit in the ground and heated stones, cooking the meat and vegetables in hay and rock. We knew we were to be served cuy. And we knew that a tradition of eating cuy was digging out the ear bone for luck. Mona's friends were a bit weirded out by this prospect, so I took to braggin' about how I would dig the ear bone out as well as eat it. I can only thank the heavens that the cuy came to us headless. Seeing that little guinea pig claw on Mona's plate made me dry heave a bit. Of course, I couldn't back down after my big mouth made such promises. Yes, I ate guinea pig. I have to admit, it is tasty. Just ask for it legless.
Love you all adult riders. I couldn't recommend Peru any higher on your travel list! I'm going back in December and possibly an extended period next summer. It is that incredible, that breathtaking, that friendly, and that???? Who knows the words?
Bethany has spent the last few years riding around the world. For more information on her trips and planning your own, contact her at betney23@yahoo.com or look for her at the shows on her horse, RVA's Classy Chassy
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 16 year old TB gelding named My Guy that I am competing 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 18 years, I have bought and sold roughly 19 horses into successful new careers in both the eventing and the hunter/jumper market. Since I board and don't own my own place, I can only have one sale horse in addition to My Guy. In January '08, my mare Vaulting Matilda died tragically. But, in her memory, I have purchased another re-sale prospect that I hope will carry on her good qualities. His name is Trust N Majic (aka Majic) and he is a 3 year old TB that never made it to the track. My website www.equineplacement.com will have photos soon.
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!
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 is coming again June 2 - 3, 2009. We have cross country courses for all levels and love to have people school the jumps that J has built, we are having our second schooling horse trial on April 25, 2009. 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 had a great 2008 year, ending up 4th in the nation for master amateur rider! Come see us at www.dowlenroadvetcenter.com, and click on the gate for a glimpse of a few of the jumps. Tally ho!
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.
Bethany KubickiHouston area, Texas
Hi, I'm Bethany Kubicki, nearly 41 (gasp!) and my horse Jubilant is a 17 year old TB...I will have had him 15 years this summer. I bought him when I lived in southern California and he went with me to northern California, Washington State, and nearly ten years ago here to the Houston area. We started out very briefly doing hunter/jumper before injuries both his, (tendon) and mine, (ACL replacement and 8 months later a broken femur) made me decide that two-point was going to be too hard for me, and we switched to dressage. Then I had three children, boy/girl twins now 6 1/2, and a girl, now 4 1/2, so there were a few riding breaks in there. A few years ago, Jubi foundered, and we spent a year with no riding and no idea how he would come back. When he came back sound, I decided I would try to find something new to do that was more fun for him than "just" dressage. I was really thinking jumpers, but some barn mates got me thinking about eventing. Although initially I was horribly intimidated by even the beginner novice fences the first time I saw them, I decided to give it a go and we have had a BLAST in our new endeavor. My horse is truly joyful on cross country! This past year was by FAR the most fun my horse and I have had in all of our time together and we look forward to this year at Novice. I look forward to meeting more Adult Riders this next year!
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 1/2. 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
Diane PittsDallas, Texas
I came to riding in a very round about way. My son, Stephen Rogers, is an upper level eventer who rode in Area V for years. In 2005 he left for the University of Virginia, taking his horse with him (and acquiring an additional one while there, I might add). I loved watching him ride and loved the "horse people" so I decided I would take lessons with his long time trainer, Becky Brown. Fortunately Becky is patient and understanding and seems to know what to do with a woman who decides to take up riding at age 50+. I am a retired corporate attorney who seems to have let horses take over her life. I have been involved with the planning of the Texas Horse Park for several years and served as the interim Executive Director for about 9 months. Now I have joined the Board of Governors of the US Eventing Association where I serve on the Legal Committee (there's a big surprise) and am involved with a start-up company (along with fellow adult riders Siobhan O'Brien and Jamie Petty-Galis) that is adapting a new ultra-sound technology for equine imaging. Thanks to the generosity of Allison Freeman, I was able to ride the wonder pony, Thomas Crown, in the Rainey Andrews clinic at MeadowCreek and I am now a confirmed cross-country junkie! I am a volunteer for our area horse trials and Sharon talked me into being Area V Young Rider Coordinator for 2009. Best difference between the corporate legal world and the horse world...much more comfortable shoes!
I am married to the wonderfully patient Kenny Rogers (yes, we met playing softball in law school and no, don't ask him to sing) and have two sons, Andrew (med student) and Stephen (UVA senior and eventer).
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 at BN, first with Paycheck (who loved to jump but HATED dressage), then with Guinness (who hurt himself pretty badly last year in the pasture), and then with Dylan (aka Tangled Up In Blue, who's sweet and unschooled). She's back this fall with Paycheck, and she just moved up to Novice, even BEFORE she turned 50! Now she's juggling her equine habit with two kids, a job, a husband, a small pecan farm, and so forth. By the time she's 50, she'd like to be so good at Novice that she's bored, and ready to move up to Training. If her body isn't totally shot after that, she's got a TB/Rheinlander cross two year old orphan--OIiver Twist--and an Oldenburg yearling--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" blog (http://fossilsoverfences.blogspot.com) for those who are over 40, and she's blogged Rolex (http://rolexreport08.blogspot.com) for the last four years. She also blogged the David O' Connor clinic at Holly Hills in the spring: http://docclinic.blogspot.com/.
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.
Ellen WardAustin area, Texas
My horse story is probably pretty typical. I stated taking riding lessons at the age of 9 at Talland II in Burleson, my hometown. I took lessons for several years and I am really grateful for the rigorous education I got there. I got my first horse, Megeen, at the age of 12 and he was a 3 year old Arabian. The spastic, volcano hot kind that makes the entire breed look like fire breathing dragons. And I did some really stupid stuff with him until I grew up and learned some things the hard way. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to make it through this period without getting seriously hurt. Anyway, I took him with me when I left home and attended college at Texas A&M. I kept him in some low-brow places until I graduated college, but I did manage to get some great instruction while at A&M. He was a fantastic jumper, and I evented with him some, but old age got the better of him just about the time that we were able to get serious. I had to retire him in 2004 and he died in 2005. In 2006, I managed to get a real dream horse in my Dutch Warmblood, Tomba. He is a 2000 gelding and he has a jumping pedigree a mile long. I won't bore you with it, but I think I have a horse that can take me as far as I can go in eventing. I just need to continue to improve my riding. It's been a big learning curve and difference going from a 15.2 hh Arab to a 17 hh warmblood. Tomba has been to a bunch of clinics to date, but our competitions so far have been few. We did complete the December 2008 schooling show at Pine Hill with a great score and only minor jumping faults, so I think he is ready to start more aggressive campaigning. He is coming along like gangbusters.
One of the things I love about horses and riding is that there is always more to learn. So even though I've been a horse owner for over 20 years, I still try to read magazines and books and take lessons to continue to increase my knowledge and skill.
In real life I have a chemical engineering degree and I work as an environmental consultant for Zephyr Environmental Corporation in Austin. (Translate - I make spreadsheets and do a lot of math.)
Kristen WertzMy horses and I are located just west of Ft. Worth at Fortnight Ranch. I work at The University of Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas during the week and train/coach on the weekends. I also cross train in Dressage, H/J, and Competitive Trail.
My parents are an important part of my life and I could not train and compete successfully without them.
Kaboomeventing.com
Ashley WespBryan, TX
Howdy! My name is Ashley Wesp and I am a new member to the Area V Adult Rider Program. I live in Bryan, Texas with my husband Michael, our dog Bailey, 4 cats (Chipper, Mouse, Dixie, and Dahlia), 6 cows (Snickers, Edwina, Jazz, Jackie, Hoax, and Ima) plus a motley crew of chickens and turkeys, and, of course, my riding partner Rodan (aka Bask in the Spotlight), a Paint/Arab cross. My 20 year old son, Joshua, is attending school in Pennsylvania and trying not freeze in one of the coldest winters the northeast has seen in years. My day job is at the Brazos Animal Shelter where I am the Executive Director. When I am not working at the shelter, I can sometimes be found working with Michael at our family owned feed store.
I have been riding practically my whole life in one discipline or another and have owned various horses over the years. For my 27th birthday (that was quite a few years ago!) I gave myself riding lessons with Elaine Sullins and thus began my journey in dressage and eventing. My husband calls this the gift that never ends, as I had to sell my team penning horse, buy a new horse, buy all new saddles and bridles, and I never turn down a cool saddle pad! Rodan will be 11 this year and he has carried me through Novice level horse trials and recently, a Competitive Trail Ride. He is about 15.1 hands and seems to enjoy doing just about whatever I ask him to do. Although he is athletic enough to jump much bigger fences (ask Karen Shull!) I am quite happy with Novice and some Training Level fences. Anything much bigger causes me stress and anxiety, so we avoid those whenever possible. Right now, I am trying to just ride consistently and enjoy time with others and their horses.
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!
