United States Eventing Association

Erica Seas was the recipient of the 2012 Worth the Trust Scholarship, but was granted an extension to use her funds after she lost her horse in a devastating event. Here, she reflects on the Scholarship and the bending, but not breaking, of dreams.

First, I want to thank the Worth the Trust Scholarship Committee for this opportunity. Upon receipt of the award, I was proud and humbled. The scholarship has allowed me to set goals, make a plan, and follow through with a purpose. It also served as recognition for the endless hours volunteering for a sport that I love in a community dominated by western disciplines. I know there are many worthy recipients out there: I hope every one of them gets the opportunity I have had.

Sadly, half way through my scholarship year, my horse died along with eighteen others in a tragic barn fire. When I was asked to write this summary essay, I was at a loss for words. Everything I had dreamed of achieving had been taken away from me. Reflecting on the unmet goals for this scholarship only deepened my sadness. I asked the committee for an extension; I still needed time to grieve. I have since redirected my scholarship goals from completing my first FEI one star to developing a young event horse. Here is my report:

I had owned my beloved mare, “Jammy,” since she was four. She was a homebred (¾ TB, ¼ Holsteiner) out of Kalispell, Montana. I gave her an easy, low pressure “childhood.” As a working mother of two young children on a limited budget, I couldn’t take her on the road to train or compete like many of my fellow riders would. In Montana, our season typically runs from late May through the end of September. Instead of pushing to continuously move up the levels, we spent our first years together competing at Novice and only moved up to Training when we were more than ready. We won our first competition together, remained in the top three throughout our season at Novice, then won our first Training and placed second in our subsequent event on a fall season and championship course. We started schooling Preliminary questions on cross country back at home and raising the fences in the stadium. Jammy willingly answered every question.

We spent the early spring of 2012 in training to perform in our first one star – our original scholarship goal. Things were progressing beautifully. Jammy was now six and had begun a fitness regimen. Cross-country schooling would begin once the ground thawed. Stadium and dressage lessons were remarkable. We were jumping Intermediate height with ease. I had previously changed my ride when the jumps were raised over 3'6" because of nerves and no experience at that height. But, she gave me confidence and composure. I felt like we could jump anything. Not just one but many FEI stars were possible for our future. We just needed to "hit the road" and test our training in competition. I was thrilled.

Tragically, my dream was cut short on an early April morning when my mare perished with 18 other beautiful horses in a barn fire. That event will forever remain a black mark in the timeline of my life. I will never forget that day or that horse.

But life goes on and the end of this dream marked the beginning of another. As I was grieving and searching to fill the void, I knew Jammy could not be replaced. Jammy and I had developed a relationship and trust founded upon the years we spent working together at the lower levels. Instead, I looked for a baby horse that I could train completely in my "program" and hopefully develop into an upper level event horse. I wanted to see FEI stars again, but they would take time.

Fate works in mysterious ways. After travelling the western United States and turning horses down for not being "just right," I only had to look in my trainer's yard to find what I had been looking for: "Rollando." The young riders in the barn affectionately call him "Moose" for his appearance as a two year old. I hadn’t previously given him much thought. Even more meaningful, he was a fire survivor - he had been out to pasture that fateful morning. He was saved. While riding a borrowed horse, Rollando caught my eye as a working student rode him. He was beautiful. When I took a closer look, I could see that he embodied everything I was looking for: conformation, movement, scope and jumping technique. He had the essential attributes for an upper level event horse.

He was in the fall of his third year and still young for a full-blooded Holsteiner. After a fall season of fun trail and casual arena rides, I learned that his initial formal training would have to happen with me watching from the ground. You may have noted that I left out one essential attribute of an upper level event horse: the mind. Despite all of his beauty and scope, came a challenging adolescence. Rollando’s fourth winter was filled with testing behavior and attitude. He needed a rider that didn’t flinch in fear when he spooked or questioned the aids. He required a rider with confidence and conviction to establish a work ethic. He needed a professional. Sadly, I set aside my personal riding goals to give him time to mature. During the six months of professional training and competing, I began to question whether he was going to be the right horse. Remember, working full-time with two young children, I’m an amateur. I prepared myself for the possibility that he may not be “the one” to take me to my first one star. I knew all along that he would get to a one star and likely beyond, but maybe not with me on board.

Not willing to let fate completely determine our future, I learned how to work with Rollando on the ground. If I could improve his ground manners and relationship with me at his side, it might translate into a better experience for us under saddIe. Not unlike the program Lauren Keiffer utilizes for Mrs. Jacqueline Mars and Team O’Connor, I followed a colt-starting horsemanship style long practiced by cowboys in the west. Around here, it’s basic horsemanship, but surprisingly, it is not universal. Since I had never started such a young horse, I studied the techniques first and asked lots of questions. In between and just before the pro rides, I worked Rollando in the round pen with a rope halter and a flag. And it clearly paid off.

From the day I took over the reins, our relationship continues to build. I am happy to report that after six months of riding Rollando, under the supervision of my trainer, we are becoming a wonderful team. This winter, we are making progress on the flat, which has been my primary focus, while incorporating carefully planned gymnastic jumping exercises. He remains challenging but we just might actually have a future together. With the spurring of my trainer, who firmly believes in Rollando’s potential as an upper level event horse, our immediate goals are set on success in the 5-year-old Young Event Horse division. And though many owners may hire a professional to increase their chances of success, I plan to present him myself.

This new story is about the two of us learning and growing together. And to the members of the Worth the Trust Scholarship Committee, thank you again for believing in me.