United States Eventing Association

Seventeen-year-old Lydia Kennedy and her own 8-year-old Percheron/Thoroughbred mare, Subtle Dream Unveiled, led wire-to-wire in the final SmartPak Equine USEA Training Three -Day of 2012 at Rocking Horse.

Before Lydia purchased ‘Dreamer’ four years ago, the mare was a carriage horse who did not know how to jump or even canter. The pair has steadily moved up the eventing levels together, and in their entire USEA recognized career they have never had a single cross-country penalty and have racked up several wins at events around the southeast.

Lydia decided to compete at her first Classic Format event on the advice of her trainer, Werner Geven, who wanted her to use the T3D as a stepping stone before moving up to Preliminary next season.

Overall, my weekend was great,” said Lydia. “I had a lot of fun picking out my jog outfits for the jogs on Friday and Sunday morning. My dressage test was good. I scored a 34.6 on the test. I had to really make sure I know the test because it was different than the normal Horse Trials dressage tests and a lot longer.”

“On Saturday, steeplechase was so much fun, and it was good for me to familiarize myself with the pace of the Preliminary level. My horse, Dreamer, cooled off fairly quickly in the vet box and within seven minutes I was back on her. Then I did my cross-country phase and had so much fun. Dreamer was amazing. My favorite part of the show was the cross country phase. I have always loved cross country and Dreamer loves it too so cross country is always the best”

Lydia said she was very nervous heading into the final phase of the weekend, show jumping, as a single rail down would have cost her the blue ribbon. Luckily Dreamer jumped a double clear round to secure the top spot.

With her successful T3D finish, Lydia and Dreamer are planning on moving up to the Preliminary level in January. “I would also like to thank Werner Geven for helping me get to where I am,” concluded Lydia. “I could not have completed this show without the help of him and Team Geven.”

For her T3D win at Rocking Horse, Lydia took home a Five Star Tack Bridle, a SmartPak Wellfleet Halter and engraved lead, a pair of FITS Breeches, and a $200 Point Two Gift Certificate. She was also entered in a drawing to win a Stackhouse Saddle, a year’s supply of SmartPaks, and a Fleeceworks Saddle Pad Set.

Rounding out the top three were Susan Martin on Loughnatousa Spaniard and Cathy Blackmon with Hideaway’s Special Delivery.

Rocking Horse also hosted a Novice Three-Day, in which Elliott Blackmon won her second N3D of the year. This time she rode James and Nancy Kilcrease’s Connemara Stallion, W.H. Topgun, and the pair finished on their dressage score of 31.4.

This Series would not be possible without the support of: Title Sponsor: SmartPak Equine; Presenting Sponsor: Stackhouse Saddles; Silver Level Sponsor: Fleeceworks; Legacy Sponsor: Five Star Tack; Platinum Sponsor: Point Two; Elite Sponsor: FITS