I have a confession to make, while I'm sorting through piles of Southern Eighths stories & photos. I emotioned...in public.
Before you get too weirded out, I'm fairly certain no one noticed. But it was still quite strange for me, not out of any habitual conscious "feels-suppression" efforts, it's just not something that usually occurs.
We'd just reached the last fence on the Heart of the Carolinas' Training 3DE division's coursewalk last Friday, led by wonderful friend & lead clinician (& incoming USEA President!), Carol Kozlowski.
Carol demonstrates choosing lines for maximum avoidance of wet pants
As I listened to her insights (well done to Course Designer, Tremaine Cooper, & Builders, Tyson Rementer & Rob Mobley!), adding & adjusting to my own mental "if I rode this" plan, out of nowhere, my vision blurred with welling tears. Fading to the back of the group to sniffle incognito, I asked myself what the why??
T3DE Kathy Parker & OTTB Peace Dancer take off after XC #1
My heart quietly answered: I want to ride this amazing course so bad it hurts. And I have a partner who could've done it.
2015 3DE TIP winners Lisa Borgia & Laurelin soar in the HT
I could have gotten lost in that moment. But another part of me knew that letting the weekend be a memory of sadness would be an even bigger loss. It was up to me to choose. I'm so glad that I took a deep breath, re-focused my eyes, & looked for better moments.
Sally O'Connor (R) explains Roads & Tracks plans to riders with Carol's supervision ;)
Because I found some.And I re-learned an increasingly important lesson:
The best kind of moments appear readily given opportunity, but it remains up to us to identify them. Our eyes are
accustomed to recording images by collecting reflected light. It
requires an additional step, a filter adjustment of sorts, for us to
capture these fleeting gifts.
Tori Nuckols, fab daughter of Gammon, our gallant Volunteer Coordinator, did her homework & won Best Conditioned Horse, flying the Special Edition Horseware cooler...that graced some Rolex rumps!
They are illuminated instead from within,
the shine of which is often overlooked or lost, out of focus in
periphery. It is when we can widen our field of view beyond the self,
while having the patience to be fully present in each heartbeat of Now,
that we begin to truly see.
A few of my found gifts -
Seeing one of our BN3DE riders, Sandra McDonald, choose her horse TWICE (withdrawing in the 10-minute box just before the start of her XC course as her horse's temp wasn't dropping quickly enough, then after beginning SJ with permission, retiring after one jump because her mare was still tired) without hesitation, then lose her breath in shock as we awarded her with our Sportsmanship Award (my personal favourite prize, another Horseware cooler along with embroidered Riding Warehouse pad & Dover goodies!) for excellence in horsemanship
Yes, myself & Erica totally fan-girl'ed Sally (I think she's saying 'Help, crazy Americans!' with her eyes...)
High-fiving Sally O'Connor & giggling at her gleeful grin upon the announcement of Michael Jung's Rolex Grand Slam win on Sunday (2nd rider ever...I got to watch Pippa win a leg of hers in KY 13 yrs ago!)
Watching Dana Cooke charge out of the XC startbox Saturday on a massive, full-throttle bay appropriately named Stormtrooper. My jaw dropped at her unflinching courage & skill without a second's hesitation aboard that leaping machine, since the last time I saw her, I was helping EMT's bundle her up after a painful crash at Intermediate just last fall. Later on Saturday, she followed on her Prelim CT ride, the gorgeous FE Mississippi, who you saw in the water on our InstaFeedThing! My kudos & joy for such a wonderful recovery!!!
Only slightly blurry Dana & Stormtrooper, 1 jump from a clear round in Stadium Jumping
Bumping into Becky Holder in the show office, where she not only remembered my nobody self (although Solo did hurl me through the air quite impressively for her), but gave me the kindest empathy hug & said she was so sorry to hear about Encore. I nearly choked, as she has far more important things to think about than my crazy life attempts! So much grace & compassion in a simple gesture -- this is why she is my heroine in so many things!
That's just a sample, but I think our incredible flying volunteers from the All Veteran Paratrooper Team captured this spirit & the "heart" of the 3DE itself in their 2016 highlight video (see our Wonderwoman photographer, Brant Gamma herself, at 1:29!! Good sniffles!):
But first, a giant THANKS to the over 400 folks who tuned into to the colourful & educational (a true 2-in-1 package!) dressage commentary from eventing royalty, Sally O'Connor, during all three (Training, Novice, & Beginner Novice) 3DE division tests today!!! I know it was a treat for me to be able to watch from the stabling office while I attempted tests of how many tabs one can add to a spreadsheet before it collapses. :D
And no worries if you missed it or are itching to see Sally's review of your ride. Just like the Judge-A-Test Demo on Thursday, a recorded version will be posted as soon as it's processed. And the channel will keep rolling tomorrow as our first T3DE horse steps out on Phase A at 9:00 AM EST. You can also find a link straight from USEA (THANKS!!!!) along with the latest press here.
You've no doubt noticed my attempts at keeping up in our Instagram widget at the top of the homepage, but phenomenal helper, Erica, has been keeping our live Twitter coverage rolling. Follow the action here.
You can always hit the left sidebar HOTC logo anytime to access our list of awesome sponsors, event schedule, hotc3day social media channels, article links, live scores & much much more!
That's about all the words left in me at this point, as I'll be stuffing my pockets with radios early tomorrow morning, resuming my annual post as Radio Control for Phases A, B, & C for Endurance Day. Phase D (the cross-country jumping course itself) will remain in the expert hands of JJ Johnson, Radio Goddess (you can find all our staff, clinician, & official bios in the program here).
So....hey look, shiny pictures!! (Much more to come, including "I get to meet Nicole, aka Eventing at Midnight, who's joined us as a volunteer/prize helper from VA this weekend!!" & life is revived after I got my Becky Holder hug, snif...)
Prizes: Beka of The Owls Approve strikes gold again, making mroe perfect bracelets!
Kim & Accolade offer a Training leg yield for clinician critique
Judges Wayne Quarles (headset) & Peter Gray talk through Kim's test with tips for watching riders
I walked the T3DE course with head clinician, Carol Kozlowski (blue, right), while CD Tremaine Cooper, started the N3DE group (white polo, left)
New carvings from chainsaw artist & epic person, Randy Boni, decorate the T log into the Riding Warehouse water complex, ready for action!
Sponsor coordinator represents, thanks to Julie @ RW for the hat & Beka's darling charms for my boys from 2015, all with our fantastic cover shot by Brant Gamma Photography
Priceless prizes: signed books filled with timeless horsemanship wisdom from God Jim Wofford...
Starting in just a few minutes, our first live commentary stream goes up with a ride from Dr. Kim Keaton & her Intermediare stallion, Accolade. Our judges & clinicians will have tips on how to get the best from your horse and your test.
Sally will be joining us tomorrow, but the recording of the excellent commentary and Q&A session with dressage judges/Ground Jury, Wayne Quarles & Peter Gray is ready for watching at your leisure.
Bonus: Wayne led the writing of the current tests & had excellent observation from a perspective entirely new to me (with my dressage test writing experience of...zero).
This is not a joke. This is a real broadcast from the “Awesome Eventing Opportunity” system.
You may have read a few posts here about a certain long format 3-day-event that comes around on the first weekend in May. That’s right, Heart of the Carolinas (HOTC) 3DE at the spectacular Southern Eights Farm, just across our southern border in Chesterfield, SC.
Follow HOTC's New Media Channels!
2015 BN3DE Prizes
A spring sister event to the Waredaca 3DE that first inspired my (as-yet-thwarted, sigh) singular T3DE completion goal, HOTC brings it all to the table: a destination facility, a championship-level cross country course, phenomenal clinicians, incredible sponsors (no, Sponsorship Coordinator is not biased at all, hee)…I have so much to share, but that’s another post.
While there is a great KY Derby party, that’s not the one I’m talking about. Last year, some inspired heads came together & created the Carolina Eventing Challenge (CEC). And HOTC is the final leg of this series. Are you ready??
HOTC 3DE (Southern Eighths Farm; includes CEC description)
One must be HOTC and only the 3DE divisions count towards the CEC mega-prize (to be announced). The one exception is Prelim, as we do not have a Prelim XC course at HOTC, the Prelim CT, which incorporates some Derby fences, will be included in the Challenge. Lowest scores win.
That’s right, you don’t have to be Pippa Funnell to win an epic eventing series!
2015 TIP Delights
More Than One Way To Play
Not ready (or still working on that quarter jar *raises hand*) for the 3DE yet? Come on down for our parallel HT divisions, including a new Intro course & the just-created BN-Assisted division. Bonus: your OTTB can win cash prizes from the Jockey Club's TB Incentive Program in the HT as well!
Evil goal-thwarting horse (*raises other hand*)? Um, our volunteer swag is kind of awesome & you can attend all the clinics/coursewalks/lectures for free!
You can find details in the USEA Omnibus listing here. We already have some amazing prizes for the 3DE (all three long format divisions receive prizes through 8th place); you can check out our ever-growing list of sponsors on the event website.
Can’t make it, but want to be a part of the action? Fence sponsorships are inexpensive & open to anyone: the LOWER (League of Weenie Event Riders, I love it!) group has supported a XC fence, Riding Warehouse is sponsoring the water complex with more fab prizes…it would be great to have a Horse Bloggers fence, if someone wants to help organize it!! Leave a comment note or click the email icon up top to give me a shout.
For more information, including TFS posts, EN articles, program links, & more, I maintain a clearinghouse page here, which is also linked in the slider at the bottom of our homepage.
Come fly the Carolina skies! (2014 BN3DE Haffie Whinney The Pooh, I'm not making that up)
Our sport is, above all, about partnership & horsemanship. Winning comes in many forms & it’s not always about a number. Every time I work an event, I see the people who display the best of those values, who achieve the quietest form of greatness.
And they are not always the ones holding a ribbon on Day 3.
Greatness I saw included young T3DE rider Laura Duhamel, who walked into the secretary's office at the end of endurance day & withdrew. Although she & Fate's Patriot had only a single refusal on XC, she felt her horse just wasn't quite right & chose to take him home, putting her partner first so they could try again another day.
Lost with a map like this? Surely not!
Or Rebecca Barber, another Training 3DE entry. She found herself halfway through phase D…lost & desperately circling for the next jump. Just as she reached her maximum time on course, she decided to retire. All of our hearts fell with her as she walked back to stabling.
But after hanging up her bridle, she stayed to help others with a big smile for the remainder of the competition. It earned her the award that is my favorite to give: the Sportsmanship Award.
Which included an autographed copy of Training of the Three-day Event Horse and Rider, with a handwritten note from author God Jim Wofford himself, a prize I’d guess many of us would cage fight for (or you can buy new on Amazon...for $500?!!). Not to mention the rest of the loot in her packed bag.
It’s Never Just A Dressage Show
Just getting there is an accomplishment on its own. Completion of a long format event is yet another. So each & every entry gets my resounding applause.
BN3DE Bonnie Coulter's grin says it all when she & 21-yr-old QH Otto Be Lucky finish Phase D (& place 5th!); thanks, Erica, for the WIN selfie!
Winning one of our special awards takes yet another level of heart & dedication, so a HUGE TFS shout-out to:
Donkey gets Becky's happy face!
Best Conditioned Horse, primary sponsor So8ths Farm:
Donkey Hote (I get to say his name again, yessss!), owned & ridden by Sue Goepfert; they were also a close 2nd both in the N3DE division & for the N3DE TIP award by a mere 2.9 points.
Lowest Scoring Adult Amateur, sponsored by BlackWatch Stables (must be a member of your Area Adult Rider program): Dr. Kim Keeton & Evita-Veron, T3DE division winners.
Beginner Novice – Patricia Thompson & The Dark Knight
Red Fury even pauses winningly
Highest Scoring TB, sponsored by The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP; some divisions did not have any riders who gave me numbers, hence the gaps):
Novice 3DE – Paychecker, with Minge Wiseman, who also won the N3DE division on their stunning 28.1 dressage score.
Beginner Novice 3DE – Red Fury, with our friend Nobie Cannon; they were 2nd in their division as well, behind winner Emma Boswell & Sprite by only 0.3 points!!
Training HT – Laurelin, with Lisa Borgia, who also won the Open Training HT.
Novice HT – Action Jackson, with Erin Kimmer, 4th in Open Novice on a lovely 27.3.
And of course, CONGRATULATIONS to Kim, Minge, & Emma for winning the T/N/BN 3DE division, respectively!!! In all three, the top three were separated by less than a single stadium rail (well, Novice had a whopping 5.2 pt spread, close enough), so well done under intense pressure.
Brad's mule is easy to spot
Moar Thank You
From the first day I met him, during a long format clinic with Becky Holder, where I tortured took Solo, farm owner Brad Turley has been beyond generous & supportive of both the long format & the adult amateur. You can read his message in the gorgeous (not that I’m biased...) event program (apologies to those who got hard copies, subjected to printer error, but the linked .pdf has correct format).
BN3DE Don Warren & Sunny One adorably on their way to 6th
Thank you to the ever-wonderful Becky Holder for bringing her students down the road to participate; your support & presence throughout the event helps show our sport how much it matters!
Sorry, you just got photobombed by a Holder AND a TARDIS portajohn
To Dr. Debbie Williamson, owner of Williamson Equine Veterinary Associates, & Dr. Marsha Severt, of Brown Creek Equine Hospital (along with asst. Stephanie Graham, as Dr. Skip, Marsha’s husband & co-owner of their practice, couldn’t make it this year), who take time away from their own practices to help keep the horses safe & healthy. To JJ Johnson, Radio Control Queen from here to Rolex & beyond, for enabling vital communication & sharing her vast experience with me!
JJ makes XC run smooth as silk; N3DE Heather King & CF Baltic Royal Tee
I Swear, This Post Has An End
If this were the Oscars, the band would have begun playing long ago; there are just too many thank you’s to clinicians, farm staff, volunteers, builders, riders & more, but hey, I did write a program for that…
It takes more than a village, really, it takes something akin to a metropolis, but the result…even I don’t have enough words to encompass it. And while I can’t give away any secrets, 2016 is going to be even bigger, with even more features!
Have you started your trot sets yet?
N3DE Samantha Messamer & Finn McCool contemplate next year's plan
*Retroactive apology for heinously long post, should have split into two...
but all the awesome...& the words...so hard to fit...hang in there*
That moment which puts a tear in the corner of your eye, the exhilaration & triumph of achievement that comes with taking your horse to a whole new level of partnership: participating in a long format event that represents the “heart” of our sport, such as Southern Eighths Farm’s Heart of the Carolinas.
It’s easy to recognize some of the elements which make it so special – just look at the Beginner Novice 3DE victory lap!
Exciting for me (after I contain my whimpering envy…ONE DAY!) is that Every. Single. Rider. who completed in both the BN & T3DE divisions got to take home not only their USEA completion ribbons & So8ths completion medals (damn straight, you earned a freaking medal), but also a much-coveted neck ribbon AND a bag of sweet prize loot!!!
This is just for the BN3DE division...
The Novice 3DE division had a few more competitors (we give prizes to 8th place), but all finishers still get the more-than-deserved USEA ribbon & So8ths medal (can I just put one in my pocket to borrow for a year & pretend?).
N3DE: Sabine Desper & her Akhal-Teke Adamek finish Endurance Day!
So who is it that makes these enormous grins possible?
YOU.
You heard me right.
Weary, but smiling judges & staff as SJ winds down
It Takes A Village…For 365 Days
Anyone who has ever been part of the core staff running even a schooling horse trial knows what a monumental task it is. The words “herding cats” do not even begin to describe the challenge & there are more moving parts than the inside of a grandfather clock.
However, every single one of those parts, from judges to concessions, competitors to volunteers, sponsors to farm staff to secretaries to stabling to the one who put the flagging tape on the parking sign, is a person. A person like you, a person like me.
Click to embiggen
This blog has never been about marketing or money & it never will be. As I’ve said so many times before, I share my journey because I know there are thousands of us out there, working adult amateurs trying to make it work, trying to figure it out.
So the reason I was typing at midnight last Saturday, the reason Solo’s beloved Minion & I have Twitted you to death, is because this event, aside from being mind-blowingly awesome, is the perfect illustration of all that makes eventing unique.
A group of people, from all walks of life (even non-horsey ones) & just as many states, come together & build, through a combination of diverse skillsets & what I’m convinced is a dose of fairy dust, as one competitor so aptly put it, “the experience of a lifetime.”
Seriously, these were my Steeplechase judges - I told you they could fly - when I was radio control for Phases A/B/C on Endurance Day (hey, my butt’s even in the end of the video, woot, along with Best. Organizer. Ever. & friend/neighbour/teacher, Cindy DePorter), from the very special All Veteran Group (absolutely check out their website, even more amazing than this video; THANKS, GUYS!).
Video warning: Viewers who have ever experienced something magical & had to say goodbye may experience simultaneous weeping/joy. Not that I, erm...
I’m Not Special
I’m a nobody. Yes, in the grand scheme of things, I don’t have money, I forget what spare time is, I often work 50+ hours a week at a stunningly low-paying job (who gave that great advice “do what you believe in?” LOL), & I’d have to look in my own archives to remember the last time I rode a jump course.
Although Solo won 6th with Cari Budny in N3DE (srsly, his name is Solo!)
I’ve never won championships, trophies, or stacks of horse trial ribbons. I don’t have any special certifications (well, relevant ones; I’m pretty sure my Wildland Firefighter Red Card is not very useful at a horse trial…unless the XC course catches on fire, then I've got it covered).
I do most of my own training because I can’t afford many lessons, & I’ve never competed above Training in eventing or First Level in dressage.
Here Is What I Do Have. And So Do You.
Despite not owning a horse until a very special person bought me Solo in 2006, I’ve spent a lifetime watching horses & reading everything that has the word “horse” in it. I believe in good horsemanship above all else: my partner ALWAYS comes first.
Although not a competitive person, I have run horse trials (pretty much because that’s the only way I can run a proper XC course, heh) & benefited from those who took their time to give me that privilege. And I believe in “paying it forward.”
BN3DE winners Emma Boswell & Sprite
I know how to push buttons, count (at least to ten), I can use a pencil, send emails, & print documents. I can even drive a golf cart without breaking it. *pause for permitted giggle*
These things may seem ridiculously simple, but this truly is how I, how YOU make magic. And not just on event weekend. Planning for the 2016 event started the day after the 2015 event ended. There are so many more ways to help, even if you can’t be present on the showgrounds.
Treating vets Dr. Marsha Severt (R) & Stephanie Graham
Who Can You Be?
It is impossible to name everyone without giving you carpal tunnel from scrolling (you can read team bios, as well as check out great educational material in the full event program, downloadable here), but I want to offer an inside-out perspective & debunk any misconceptions that YOU aren’t special enough or qualified enough to be a part of this or any other event. As has been wisely said, “We may be small, but we can do great things.”
You can be Ed Madden, a semi-retired health care consultant & grandparent, who, along with his charming wife, Annie, recently moved to the Carolinas from Seattle. Ed is our safety coordinator each year, making sure we all know what to do in every possible contingency (that hopefully never happens).
You can be Cindy Wood (yeah, it gets confusing on the radios), an Adult Amateur who is our dedicated Stable Manager to perfection here & at Waredaca’s N/T3DE in October, holding down the fort in the stalls & making sure all the horses have what they need.
She even TFS selfie'd Becky for me; two great people!
You can be Erica, Solo’s Minion, who is working on a post-doc at UNC-Chapel Hill while simultaneously raising her two-yr-old (human) with her husband, who also works full time. She also has full-time duties dealing with me, which is a feat unto itself!! She was an incredible help to me this weekend, at her first ever 3DE, running TFS social media while I spread-sheeted like a fiend, ferrying & handing out prize loot, bit checking, & filling any other gaps as needed.
You can be Melissa Rundt, serving dual duty being hilarious & upbeat when staff got tired, as well as making the requisite pre-event grocery run so everyone had meals & snacks at all times (my job in 2013, only she does it better!).
Melissa always strikes a dramatic pose
You can be James Baker, another working Adult Amateur rider who has ridden at So8ths & Waredaca’s long format event with his faithful partner, Wings. He was in attendance again this year…just showing up to volunteer wherever needed.
T3DE Bag O'Win. Value: $1,400
You Are Even A Sponsor
We often think of event sponsors as companies with products on storeshelves nationwide & thick catalogues & professionally designed websites.
We are beyond grateful the event & the USEA Classic Series has some of these, such as the partnership of:
And I cannot leave out The Jockey Club’s great TB Incentive Program (TIP), whose fabulous rep was so helpful & friendly & voluntarily offered awards not just for the 3DE, but for the HT we run alongside! (If you don't have a number for your OTTB yet, getting one today is easy & instant...& free)
However, YOU are sponsors too.
As so many of our entries are young or amateur riders, I couldn’t think of a better group of partners to add to the team than small businesses started by members of the same community!
You are Melinda, creator of Nickerbait, handmade horse treats that I would probably eat before they made it to my horses.
Who, when I emailed in a panic, searching for tracking numbers, because the farm did not appear to contain her box of prizes, sent back a set of printable gift certificates on Saturday night. She also makes custom labels for events, if someone wants their brand on prizes, in addition to contributing products to fundraising events.
You are Kate, owner of BlackWatch Stables, a friend of the farm owner, & 3rd generation warmblood sporthorse breeder, who couldn’t make it out to volunteer this year. So instead, after contacting me asking how she could help, she donated a $100 SmartPak gift card & a fly sheet as the Lowest Scoring Adult Amateur award (taken home by Dr. Kim Keeton, winner of the T3DE division, & owner/head vet of Coyote Creek Equine Veterinary Services). Just because.
Dr. Keeton & Evita-Veron on their way to finishing T3DE on their 29.6 dressage score
You are Pat of So Southern, who hand-makes customized saddle pads, covers, & other fabric products, even creating entire collections for your school/team/organization with specially reserved patterns & logos. She sent three beautiful baby pads including return shipping labels so winners can send them back for monogramming.
Not kidding: mad golf cart skillz
You are Beka, of The Owls Approve,
who was crafting unique gifts for friends & fun until she was
generous enough to say yes to my impulsive recruitment over dinner in Savannah three months ago. And
now has a sold-out inventory in her Straight Shot Metal Smashing Etsy shop because everyone who saw them had instant coveting.
Of course, there are more, as previously mentioned & listed. And each of you, from largest to smallest, are a gear without which this clock would not keep time.
To be continued...
3rd in BN3DE, Madeline Maynard & Airborne Ranger look like Endurance Day was no biggie