Prophet posing with the “look of eagles” and completely ignoring my lovin’.
In this series, Cassidy Sitton chronicles her experiences as she and her OTTB, Subway Prophet, prepare for the FENCE SmartPak Equine USEA Training 3-Day in the beginning of April.
We’ve arrived!
All the midnight trot sets, sandbox lessons, jumper shows and time spent with my pony are now culminating with this weekend. What a whirlwind to get to a spring three-day by the first weekend of April — especially with not making a trip down South — but P and I made it, amongst engagements and employment and all that good stuff that comes with life.
Checking out the stickiness of my sticky spray before doing the steeplechase clinic. Luckily, with just one horse going here, so far things have been like a vacation. P and I made the quick five hour trip, only to find out we were the first to arrive on grounds! We had a lovely solo hack around the property, where we marveled at the beautiful landscape. Having never been to FENCE before, I’m quite amazing at the gorgeousness of the facility–what a treat doing steeplechase around the course is going to be on Saturday!
Prophet gives the landing of the jump plenty of room–can never be sure what’s on the other side of that scary brush!
The great thing about the long-format program that the USEA has going on is the wonderful educational aspect tied into the event. Today we had the in-barn process, followed by a steeplechase clinic, and then jog-up demo. Even for those of us who have competed and groomed at several of these “little long-format things,” there is always something to learn!
Auditors at the steeplechase clinic.
P made quick work of the pace exercise that the steeplechase clinician, Beth Perkins, put us through, and then quickly jumped the entire brush on the fence she had us schooling over. It only took him one sailing adventure though to realize that he could ‘brush’ through. Everyone’s horses did quite well and we are all enjoying learning about each other’s horses and their personalities. There are also several very cool canine companions in the barn area… and they are sure to make sure everyone is greeted accordingly!
Fellow Raleigh-ite and eventer, Amanda Miller and I wait for the start of the clinic (our boys are best friends already!)
Tomorrow morning we start off with a 10am jog, and dressage at 1pm. For those of you who may be concerned, I have yet to decide what I’ll be wearing for jogs. After doing more shopping over the weekend than I have in the last five years (which totaled about 35 minutes between teaching lessons), I promptly returned everything I bought (except for a pair of skinny jeans – which last time I went clothes shopping, those weren’t even in style!), and therefore I’m at a loss. I pretty much packed my entire closet so although it was a pain to lug my suitcase up the hotel steps, I should at least be able to be outfitted appropriately in the morning.
Teddy, one of our cool canine neighbors.
Ciao, ciao for now!
Cassidy Sitton, 25, bases her C-Horse Eventing business out of Raleigh, North Carolina where she enjoys teaching and training, and is also a marketing professional for an equine-related business.
[Editor’s note – when Cassidy says “amongst engagements,” she means literally…she was recently engaged to her long-time boyfriend John! Congratulations!]
A field of top veteran riders is entered in this year’s Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, a US Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier, at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, which returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 24-27.
Trainers are some of the most important people in our lives. They develop our skills, ensure that our horses receive quality care, and look out for our best interests as equestrians.
The USEA is saddened to hear of the passing of Margaret Joyce Good of Leesburg, Virginia. Margaret passed away peacefully Thursday, February 27, 2025. Born October 8, 1929, in Clay Township, Iowa, she was the daughter of the late Clark and Jane Pfiefer.
At The Event at TerraNova last November, Canadian Jessica Phoenix narrowly missed winning the CCI4*-L with Fluorescent Adolescent, finishing second overall with two rails down. Today, the Olympic veteran found redemption and not only won the B&D Builders CCI4*-S with Freedom GS, but finished second once again with Fluorescent Adolescent.
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