United States Eventing Association

Kelly Leihy, riding Willowbend’s Two Step “Lucy”, recently took first place in the Entry Level Division at the June 21 Waredaca Starter Trials. Lucy is owned by Charlie Gwynn and Willowbend Farm of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Kelly has been taking riding lessons for 6 years, and is trained by Laura Johnson and Emily Merkel at Willowbend Farm.

1. What is your favorite part about eventing?

Being out in an open field with your horse on the cross country course! I take lessons in an indoor ring and I also ride a friend’s horse when I can, but it’s mostly in fenced areas.

2. Tell me about your horse? What is her favorite thing to do? Does she have any special quirks?

3. How did you get involved with eventing?

I got involved in eventing with my coaches at Willowbend Farm. They took me last summer for the first time with a pony named Spunky (show name "Willowbend’s Sugar High"). Spunky had never evented before last summer either, and my coach let both of us try eventing together!

4. What are your eventing goals?

My goals are to become a better rider overall, increase my horse’s experience, and increase my experience, so I can be the best rider I can be. My coach Laura Johnson told me to just keep riding as much as I can, and to try all sorts of different kinds of riding (hunter, jumper, eventing. hunter pace, just riding for fun!) so I can be a better overall rider. I broke my left arm recently, while working with a rescue pony, and I can’t wait until I mount again!

5. How was your experience at Waredaca? Were you nervous, excited? What was the best part of the day?

It was really fun overall at Waredaca; it was my first time there and the day went very well. I think Lucy enjoyed grazing on their green grass while we waited between the dressage and jumping phases! I was excited, but not nervous because I trust Lucy. The best part of the day was letting Lucy gallop up to the last fence on the cross country course.