United States Eventing Association

I created an ever-updated bucket list but never imagined I would complete a classic long format three-day event to cross off the list.

I had only been back into riding for five years after a nearly 30 year hiatus and recently started eventing with my Quarter Horse who was a green seven-year-old when I got him. We learned about the world of eventing together.

My good friend, Sandy, and I decided to enter the CCI ¼ star novice three-day at Green Mountain Horse Association in South Woodstock Vermont. I groomed for Sandy several years ago at the Waredaca Training Three-day when she competed her now retired TB, Kiwi, so I was exposed to the rigors of the three-day event. We were looking forward to the opportunity to get our horses into top condition, attending clinics and briefings during the week, and making new friends.

We packed everything except our horses, Rio and Remi, the night before and started out the next day on the 400 mile trip on a beautiful August Monday. My greatest concern, even more that doing the required training level test, was how my horse, Rio, would handle the long trip and settle into temporary stabling without turnout. Rio did just fine – like he travels every week. He loved the Vermont water thankfully.

We went up a day early to allow the horses time to rest and settle in and arrived 10 minutes before a huge thunder storm. The weather cleared over night and the next day the other horses, riders and grooms arrived. We had the in-barn vet check by Eric Swinebroad DVM then met for a briefing. The legendary Denny Emerson spoke about the history of three-day eventing, Dr. Swinebroad talked to us about how the horse tolerates the test of the three day. Upper level eventer Marcia Kulak prepared us for executing the jog- up before the ground jury. Judges Eileen Pritchard-Bryan and Fran Cross talked about doing our dressage test titled “I want an 8 not a 6”. Afterwards we braided and tucked in our horses, got a quick dinner and went to our motel to try to get some sleep.

Our first jog-up on Wednesday was exciting. We arrived early, put on our Sunday best, shined up our horses and presented them to the ground jury. Next was dressage. Sandy and I rode far enough apart, and in different divisions, that we could help each other. We did the Training B test in a large arena with two judges. We managed to have a nice test and even got a few steps of the trot lengthening. Whew – that pesky dressage test was done.

That afternoon the well-known upper level competitor and course designer, John Williams (featured in July/August issue of USEA’s Eventing magazine) and Marcia Kulak took us on a cross-country course walk. They gave us great insight on how to negotiate each question on the course. We walked phase A and C on horseback.

We were offered a chance to school the steeplechase course – everyone took them up on it. Denny Emerson and course designer, Jim Gornall, coached us out of the start box and over a few fences. That was a blast. That evening our briefing covered the next day – endurance. Everything was covered stride by stride, how it all works, rule view and care for our horses in the 10 minute box and after phase D, cross-country. Dr. Swinebroad stressed the cooling off of our horses – sponge and scrape, sponge and scrape, sponge and scrape…

I slept lightly that night anticipating the fun. Fueled by coffee and good Vermont maple granola we arrived at the barn to feed and hand walk Rio and Remi. We recruited a wonderful young woman called Cassie to help us during the day. She was an angel from heaven. Sandy rode a couple hours ahead of me so I helped her prepare to ride and in the 10 minute box.

In phase A, 10 minutes was allowed. The course took us up steep mountains and back down again at a trot and canter. The footing was perfect, luckily. Rio did it in 9 minutes and 11 seconds. We arrived for steeplechase ahead of time and were able to rest a bit. Steeplechase was awesome good– galloping full tilt and jumping 6 brush jumps with 3 minutes allowed. Rio ran flat out with time to spare. Phase C was walk and trot mostly over flat terrain, cooling out after the first 2 phases with 21 minutes allowed. We did it with 57 seconds left on our time.

Then to the 10 minute box where I dismounted and my crew grabbed the reins and took over. Vet techs took Rio’s vital signs, Sandy and Cassie cooled Rio while I stumbled to a chair and got a cold drink. I could only sit for a few seconds, wanting to know that Rio was okay. Funny – no one was checking on this middle-aged woman! Thankfully adrenaline and my active life kept me going. The vet examined Rio, his vital signs taken again and we were off to the final phase of endurance. The cross country course was nice and inviting with several water crossings and beautiful jumps. I lost my way and some seconds but we ended happy and breathless and we were hustled into the cooling area and last vet check of the day. I dismounted and people swarmed my horse for sponging and scraping and ushered me to a chair and another cold drink. Rio was released by the vet and Cassie, the angel, took Rio back to the stabling.

Later that afternoon, John and Marcia took us on a stadium course walk and we discussed striding and turns. The course was beautiful and I was looking forward to it the next morning.

The final evening briefing gave us more tips on recovering from endurance day and stadium jumping rules from Fran Cross and Jim Gornall. I slept well that night.

Our second and last jog-up started at 7 AM. Again we dressed in our finest with horses braided. I had two hours until I jumped so I assisted Sandy and watched her go around the course.

When my turn came, Rio took each jump in stride and it felt wonderful.

We packed up everything and headed south in the clear, warm weather. We arrived at home before dark with big smiles and tired muscles and I crossed another item off my bucket list.