Login
Mar 02, 2024
Now On Course: Wolpert Gets A Second Shot at Pine Top
Macyn Wolpert and her pony 18-year-old Sport Pony Hallelujah were set to attend the Pine Top Intermediate Horse Trials (Thomson Georgia) on Feb. 11 with cross-county day happily occurring on Wolpert’s 12th birthday.
Her father, Craig Wolpert, called Pine Top ahead of time and arranged to surprise his daughter by decorating Hallelujah’s stall, and he hired a professional videographer to commemorate her birthday run over the cross-country course. Her father also told Pine Top owners/event organizers Glenn and Janet Wilson that Macyn was anxious because she’d been having trouble with her pony. He was hoping that on Sunday Macyn would get around cross-country and have a great ending to her birthday.
Janet made sure to be on course to cheer Macyn on as she went through the water jump, but unfortunately, Macyn and Hallelujah did not make it over fence 1 in three attempts, so they were eliminated.
“I knew she would most likely would be devastated so I headed up to the start box, spoke with her father and naturally he was upset for Macyn,” said Janet. “As a grandmother, I know how upsetting it can be for a child to have such high hopes, and then get crushed. I have a granddaughter the same age as Macyn that shows so I know how hard they can be on themselves when a pony decides nope, not doing this today.”
So, in true Pine Top Eventing spirit, Janet and Glenn, after talking to the Technical Delegate, volunteers, and medic, arranged for everyone to stay in place for Macyn to ride the course with her trainer, Halliea Milner, after the event ended.
What followed was an incredible example of eventing spirit. Milner ran the whole course beside Macyn offering encouragement and support while her father, mother, younger brother, volunteers, event organizers, photographers, and Pine Top staff cheered her on and yelled out, “happy birthday” at each fence. Announcer Eric Sampson narrated Macyn’s trip and played “You Say It’s Your Birthday” by the Beatles over the loudspeaker.
Macyn completed the whole course with no refusals and finished successfully with a happy pat to her pony.
“I believe kindness and empathy go a long way and will hopefully foster the same in return. I’m glad we could play a small part in Macyn’s birthday celebration,” said Janet.
“I was very disappointed when I had the refusals especially because it was my birthday,” said Macyn. “When they said I could school the cross-country course it was a huge relief. Having my trainer run alongside me helped and hearing all the judges wish me happy birthday was pretty cool too! I can’t wait to try again. Pine Top here I come!”
Do you know a horse or rider with a cool story? Email Lindsay at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.
Jul 02, 2024
Educational Activities
USEA Educational Activity Highlight: Sherwood Forest Hunter Pace | Sherwood Oregon | July 13, 2024
What’s a Hunter Pace? The Sherwood Forest Equestrian Center's Hunter Pace is a cross-country-style course around Sherwood Forest over various natural obstacles/terrain. The course ends with a final treat for riders to take in stunning views of Mt. Hood with a loop through the old Far Hill Farms field. The beginning of the course will first start with a warm-up loop around show jumping obstacles in the outdoor ring at Sherwood Forest and then riders will continue directly onto the course. Sign up as a solo rider, pair, or team.
Jul 02, 2024
Profile
No Longer Dreaming: Claire Allen's Goal of Qualifying for USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship is Now Reality
Claire Allen remembers when she was 11 years old, having just made the switch from the hunter/jumper ring to three-day eventing. She told her new eventing trainer that her goal was to one day compete in the United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Young Rider Championships.
Jul 01, 2024
Competitions
Alliston’s Busy Weekend, Braitling’s Reuniting with Five-Star Mount, & Kalkman’s Advanced Victory Highlight Twin Rivers Summer H.T.
As he was finishing tacking up his horse in preparation to navigate the cross-country course at the 2024 Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, James Alliston expressed concern about navigating the 101 Freeway. That’s because as soon as he crossed the finish line aboard Intermediate level winner Addyson (Ampere x Nickerbocker) at 10:38 a.m. on Saturday—his fifth cross-country round of the morning with three at Preliminary and two at Intermediate—the West Coast-based five-star rider had to drive 185 miles on the 101 Freeway from Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, to San Francisco International Airport to catch a 4:35 p.m. flight to Frankfurt, Germany.
Jul 01, 2024
Education
USEA Podcast #364: All Your Grooming Questions Answered
There is so much more to proper grooming than keeping your horse picture-perfect for the horse inspection. Good grooming practices are critical to proper horse management, no matter if you are planning for your next FEI appearance or your Starter level debut. To help you maximize your knowledge of grooming practices, we opened up the opportunity for USEA members to submit any questions they might have on our Instagram and Facebook stories. In this week's episode, Host Nicole Brown sits down with three of the highest-regarded grooms in this industry, Max Corcoran, Emma Ford, and Stephanie Simpson, and asks them all of your questions and more to help you perfect the art of grooming.
