United States Eventing Association

With eventing’s rich history seated in the military as a sport developed for cavalry officers and their mounts, we are always delighted to meet modern day eventers who ride for the joy of horses while representing the heart of the horse trials. Maj. Laurie-An Lanpher of Huger, South Carolina is a Joint Base Charleston Airman who serves our country and supports our sport, too.

Leslie Threlkeld: How long have you been an eventer and how did you get started in the sport?

Maj. Laurie-An Lanpher: My first event was Poplar Place in November 2005 so I guess you could say that's when I officially started eventing. I have fun telling new friends that I didn't know anything about eventing except what I read in the rulebook when I went that first time! I just packed up my horse and went. I competed at Beginner Novice and had a great time watching, learning, and talking to people. I didn't really know what a 20 meter circle was, and I remember the judge asking if my horse normally bucked going into the canter! I had no idea what I was getting into but I couldn't have chosen a better location, and I absolutely fell in love with the sport. Bucking aside, my Thoroughbred mare and I finished appropriately in 12th of around 20 competitors and I was thrilled! I blame the wonderful ladies of the Suwannee Valley Chapter of the Deep South Dressage and Combined Training Association for introducing me to eventing.

LT: Tell us all about your horse and your goals as an eventer.

Maj. Lanpher: I have a spectacular 9-year-old grey Trakehner mare, Anniko. I call her my U.S. Air Horse, and I really can't say enough about her. She is talented, trusting, and smart with an amazing work ethic. I purchased her in 2006 as a barely halter broke 3-year-old so she has learned this sport along with me despite three moves, a six month deployment, and very irregular training. Fortunately we had great instruction while we were in Colorado with Lynn Klisavage and Nicole Ackerman. They gave us the basics we needed to compete up through Training level at my next duty station in New Mexico. As for my goals, they change with every state! In Colorado I was happy training and getting out to a handful of Novice level events. In New Mexico I had to work around my deployment, but we were able to get a few Training level events in. Our most recent move to Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina was a very welcome assignment, and I've already been able to participate in clinics with Sinead Halpin and Lucinda Green! At this rate I might even get to go Prelim, but I have to admit my true goal is just to have fun.

LT: What is your biggest accomplishment in the sport so far?

Maj. Lanpher: Besides packing six horses around the country? Two things actually: Placing second with Anniko in the 2007 Colorado Horse Park 4-year-old Young Event Horse class and placing first with her at the Las Cruces Horse Trials in November 2011.

LT: Please give a brief description of your role in the military.

Maj. Lanpher: I have been on active duty in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years in the Financial Management career field. My current position is Comptroller Squadron Commander at the 628th Air Base Wing in Charleston, South Carolina. My squadron handles military, civilian, and retiree pay along with managing the Wing's $145M annual budget. I have also deployed as a Budget Officer to the United Arab Emirates and Iraq.

LT: What is it like to be participating in a sport that has its roots in cavalry and the armed forces? Do you feel you have a special connection with the sport?

Maj. Lanpher: Absolutely! I love the history behind eventing. We practice or "exercise" a lot of our military capabilities today so we can be as responsive and precise as possible. Eventing is just a much older version of that same preparation for conflict. Military officers had to prove to leadership that they and their mounts were ready for both the parade ground and the battleground. The sport has just evolved as we moved away from needing a cavalry. It is a great topic of discussion—I just wish my military training made me better at dressage!

LT: Do you compete in uniform? What is that like?

Maj. Lanpher: Yes! Our uniform regulation and the USEF Rules for Eventing specifically authorize wear of "service dress" in equestrian competitions. What a friend and I found out after a little research is that the Air Force has a sports program that authorizes Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve members "permissive temporary duty" to participate in national and international competitions as long as the sport is on the Olympic Program. The Air Force Sports Program is managed by the Air Force Morale, Welfare, Recreation and Services Agency, and athlete participation in the various sports is primarily about public relations and recruiting. Initially I worried a little about competing in my uniform because I'm proud of my job and wanted to really "represent" the Air Force, but I've still got a lot to learn in dressage! Ultimately I realized that my attitude and sportsmanship were a lot more important than where I place, so I just ride and look forward to the opportunity to tell other competitors about what I do and why I'm in my uniform.

LT: How do you manage to balance your work life and your horse habit? What came first in your life? Horses or the armed forces?

Maj. Lanpher: Horses came first for me via my mother's love for them, so I can't imagine life without. I think most of us with the "addiction" just do what we must to have them. But there are definite challenges now because my job comes first, and sometimes that means I have to leave home for several months at a time. Mostly it just means I have to get up early to feed so I can get to work on time like everyone else. Other times I have had to find long-term horse sitters. I can't thank my Georgia neighbor Katie and my New Mexico barn-buddy Chanel enough for helping look after my babies while I was on my two deployments. I also have the most amazing husband who helps me on a daily basis when I'm late getting home from work and when I'm out traveling the world. He is my rock, and I couldn't do it without him.

The USEA thanks Maj. Lanpher and all of the armed forces for their service and support of our country. Happy Veteran’s Day.