Login
Having been lucky enough to spend the weekend at Rubicon, one of our fantastic local events, I’m feeling all sorts of warm and fuzzy about the state of eventing. In particular, I was struck not just by how many fancy horses I saw (and there were some truly gorgeous ones going around), but by how many that appeared to be wonderful, well-loved, solid citizens. There were a slew of utterly fabulous good souls out there this weekend, all sorts of breeds and sizes and shapes, and all of them looking to be having a grand old time.
A few highlights: the ponies who appeared to have no fear and who zoomed around with determination and bravado, egged on by their grinning jockeys. The Saddlebred walking out to cross-country – I wish I could do the color justice in description, but think dappled brown-palomino-roan-awesome. The former upper level horses clearly enjoying teaching the next generation at Novice and Training: how super to see the very experienced Dexter Wong and his highly capable young rider having a fantastic go. The many kind and earnest draft crosses (including the two fantastically named Arnold the Terminator and Sounds of Thunder), taking conscientious care of their riders and looking steadfast and reliable and great. The extraordinary Fjord and dun Connemara, both of whom appeared so comfortable and competent as to have been born to the sport. Any number of grand former racehorses figuring out their job with a diligent work ethic – some clearly very newly off the track and other experienced campaigners going about their role with enthusiasm and vigor. And so many more who may have been “just-a-horse” by breeding or conformation, but any one of which I would love to take home to my barn for their kind eye, willing temperament, and generous disposition.
What a great group of horses these were! All shapes, totally different types, but all having a good afternoon (despite a bit of hectic weather), and taking special care of their riders. Like the great school horses the Southern Pines Pilot honored this week, (http://www.thepilot.com/news/2010/jun/06/caddy-love/ ) many of these horses may not make the cover of magazines, or be featured in advertising, but they are the heart of this sport. These are the horses all of us have ridden: the ones who forgive one tug too many or half-hearted kick or who move slightly to the left when they feel their rider tipping that direction. They may not win the dressage, they may drop a rail or chip in or add up in the lines, they may have not always make the time, but by gosh, they are EVENTERS. They know full well their job is to look for the numbers-and-flags, and they cross through the finish flags with their ears pricked and their riders grinning. No matter the color of the ribbon or the score at the end of the day, these are the horses that make eventing fun.
So here’s to all of those good eggs of horses. This sport would not be the same without them.
Kaiti Saunders is on USEA’s Board of Governors, and a member of the Executive Committee. An adult amateur, she is currently competing her off-the-track thoroughbred Truman at Preliminary level.
