United States Eventing Association

When scanning the Area I 2010 calendar, many of us seasoned Novice competitors had a nice surprise. There was the long format Novice Test along side the GMHA Training Three-Day. Now here was a goal to get our attention.

As an enthusiastic spectator of the long-format, I had herded my daughter’s Pony Club around every phase at the then long-format at Rolex, and sponged and scraped cold water in her own 10 minute box. As a competitor, I am aware of my safety zone and even the “half-star” (Training Three-Day) was probably out of reach. Now the vicarious fun was about to be made into my own real good time.

In May, my trainer Ferial Johnson and I set up a schedule of fitness and training for my little Connemara Dublin and myself tailored to our strengths and weaknesses. Molly Hutchins, secretary extraordinaire, sent us all a draft schedule and educational links to add to our preparations. We felt ready as we could be as we drove into GMHA Aug. 12 for our first in-barn inspection.

(Betsy and grooms Alex and Jen with Dublin.)

We were greeted by Eric Swinebrand, FEI vet, along with his team. They inspected our horses and continued all week to instruct us in the care of our equine partners for this more-strenuous format. That evening was the first of our daily briefings and seminars presented by our ‘A team’ ground jury and other illustrious Area I professionals. Always accessible, their energy and enthusiasm was unflagging.

The next day included our first jog, a dressage test with two judges in the large arena, and then orientation to our roads and tracks and cross-country course as well as a steeplechase school. The week became an exciting competition as well as a continuous rich and supportive learning experience. Allison Springer hacked us out on our roads and tracks, helping sort out watches. Denny Emerson and Marcia Kulak had us “keep coming!” around that steeplechase. Jane Hamlin and John Bourgoin walked our cross-country course and advised us on our studs. After endurance, Marcia and John Williams walked and talked us around our stadium. There were 60 amazing volunteers that were making our experience possible.

(The three winning Connemaras out of six divisions: Stacy Taylor & Tower Hills Darby Run, Betsy Holdsworth & Elfin Dublin Ball, and Allison Springer with Nancy Winter’s Gold Dust Moon.)

Endurance day we all wondered if we would get lost, could we do it, and with all that support, largely we did. Arriving at the 10 minute box, there were all those terrific professionals checking on our horse management and cheering us on.

Final day we were up, rode, bathed and braided our horses to be on our toes for the final inspection at 7:00 a.m. and then on to stadium. Then we felt our tired horses reach deep and do one more jumping test. Some of us came home with a pretty fancy ribbon, all of us came home with a new sense of accomplishment. It was our mini Rolex, but there was nothing small about all we had learned. There was certainly nothing skimpy about the good time we enjoyed. So you Novice riders who have never galloped around steeplechase, just know there could be some huge big fun still waiting for you.

Complete GMHA Results

Photos courtesy of Betsy Holdsworth.