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!]
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
Last month, readers met VIP Volunteer Rebecca Proetto, who volunteered at the MARS Maryland 5 Star horse inspection. This month, the focus turns to husband and wife Ed and Leanne Barnett who introduced Proetto to the art of running an efficient horse inspection at Maryland. Ed and Leanne undertake a 12-hour drive from their home in Indiana to Maryland just to volunteer at the event.
The USEA is saddened to share the passing of Sara Kozumplik’s five-star partner As You Like It at the age of 34. The gelding died in his sleep at his retirement home at Kozumplik's parents' residence.
The 2024 USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) National Camp is just a little over a month away and all over the country, young riders are preparing for their trip to Ocala, Florida, to participate in this year's prestigious week-long academy led by U.S. eventing legend David O'Connor. This year's camp takes place Dec. 31, 2024, through Jan. 4, 2025, and will feature classroom sessions, guest lecturers, and in the saddle work as a group to help strengthen the foundation of each rider selected to participate.
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