United States Eventing Association

The road to Young Riders is not an easy one, but I, Andrea Glazer, and my teammate Mackenzie Spaes have been lucky enough to have Katie Ruppel take us under her wing. Mackenzie and I are from Spring Run Farm, located in Louisville, KY. We have always dreamed about representing Area VIII in the prestigious “Junior Olympics,” and this summer we are able to have that amazing opportunity. There are not many people in this sport today who still care about Young Riders as much as Katie.

Katie Ruppel, located in Williston, FL, runs a successful eventing training and sales facility under the name Yellow Rose Eventing. Katie is a young, Advanced level competitor whose goal is to someday represent the United States at the Olympics; this goal is similar to ours, and we would not be sitting where we are today without her donated time. Last October, Mackenzie and I approached the Area VIII Coordinators at Hagyard Midsouth Team Challenge. We were both running the CCI* and wanted to express our interest in possibly riding for the team in the summer of 2012. Lisbeth Estes, our wonderful head coordinator, was delighted to meet us and started telling us about this scholarship for the upcoming winter. Katie Ruppel had donated her facilities, time, and knowledge of the sport for any upcoming Area VIII team members. Mackenzie and I thought this could not be happening. The idea of spending a month in Ocala with the best of the best seemed out of reach.

With the support of our parents, friends, school communities, and our wonderful trainer, Carrie Barrick, the trip to Ocala came together perfectly. Upon our arrival, Mackenzie and I were anxious and apprehensive. We had no idea what to expect and we thought there is no way we could impress Katie Ruppel. She is a successful advanced level rider, effective trainer, and all-around wonderful person. To be honest we were very nervous in getting her approval.

Our first lessons with Katie were unforgettable to say the least. Katie used her hilarious personality to make Mackenzie and I feel as comfortable as possible and taught us more than we could imagine! Katie is one of those instructors that want the best for the rider; she had me take some lessons with Jon Holling, which helped my riding miraculously. She was not selfish, and wanted us to have opportunities with as many upper level riders as possible. Between her and Jon’s lessons, our riding has come to a complete new level.

Mackenzie and I did two shows during our time in Ocala, Rocking Horse I and Ocala Horse trials. Mackenzie placed 1^st and I placed 3^rd at Rocking Horse, and at Ocala, Mackenzie placed 2^nd and I placed 5^th. This would not have been attainable if it were not for Katie’s amenities. Being from Area VIII, it is hard to start your show schedules early due to the weather. Katie allowed Mackenzie and I to begin our show seasons very early, which would ensure that we are 100% prepared for Young Riders.

While many people, especially Katie, have helped us begin our journey, we would like to mention probably the most important person on our adventure. Dorothy Crowell, our team coach, has been with us for a long time. Mackenzie and I have been working students with her during previous summers and are thrilled that she will coach us through NAJYRC. Dorothy is so thrilled to have us riding for Area VIII, and we are so lucky to have such an experienced, decorated coach. Probably the best moment of our Ocala trip was seeing the smile across Dorothy’s face after Mackenzie and I both went double-clean on cross-country at Ocala II. I was elated, and it just really humbled me that we have such a strong support system behind us.

Mackenzie and I just want to thank Katie, Dorothy, and everyone at Area VIII who are supporting us and helping us make it to the championship. We could not do it without the help of all of these people, our parents, who let us skip out on school to work towards our dream, and our amazing trainer, Carrie Barrick, who has coached us all the way to this upper level. Mackenzie and I will plan on seeing everyone at Young Riders! Until then!