United States Eventing Association

Road to the AEC: Telford Has Her Swan Song with a Special OTTB

As a young girl growing up in Connecticut, I had ponies and horses and was an active 4-Her. My family didn’t have a lot of money so my riding was primarily limited to 4-H and small sanctioned hunter shows. I was very fortunate that my parents supported my passion and my father, as a carpenter, built my barn and outdoor arena.

When I went to college at SUNY Oswego (Oswego, New York), I was able to participate on the equestrian team. As folks know, when you graduate and start your career there are few funds and little time to support your riding passion. So, in pursuit of career and family I took off 30-plus years from riding, and I sure missed it.

When I retired seven years ago, I reignited my riding passion. I thought I would ride once or twice a week for pleasure, but I was in for a surprise. I met some fabulous people at Windswept Farm in Warren, Rhode Island, where I ended up leasing a unicorn, Where There’s A Will There’s A Way, or “Wilz,” from Joelle Fontana.

The irony is that I started leasing Wilz before I even met Joelle. It was through her friends and resident trainer, Michaela Scanlon, that Joelle learned about me. What an opportunity to lease a great horse and meet new friends!

A bit of background regarding the unicorn Wilz. He is an off-the-track Thoroughbred and now 21 years old we believe, though we can’t read his tattoo. Regardless, he has a heart of gold and always wants to please, and of course, get his share of hugs, kisses, and carrots. Wilz was a former show jumper, so he knew how to jump but didn’t know the other eventing disciplines.

When I met Joelle and Wilz in 2018 they were just beginning their eventing career. As groom and student of the sport, I supported them as they embarked on a new journey. It became obvious I was hooked though I had no idea what dressage or cross-country was but I soon learned. If Wilz could learn as an older horse, I figured I could learn as an older woman.

Through being groom and doing an occasional schooling show myself, Joelle and I decided to winter in Aiken, South Carolina, in 2022 with trainer Erin Risso at Valinor Farm. Wow! Full-time training and showing enabled lots of learning and fun times.

Joelle and I shared Wilz through that adventure. The capstone event of 2022 was Joelle and Wilz competing at the Waredaca Beginner Novice Three-Day (Laytonsville, Maryland). Neither of us had done a long format before but we were in fine fitness as we had done our research. What fun we had and met some amazing people along the way!

I started working again to support my passion so last year I was able to full-time lease Wilz as Joelle had another leased horse to love and show. With training from Erin and Michaela, Wilz and I competed at Beginner Novice and had a good year. Joelle and I decided to travel to GMHA (Woodstock, Vermont) and Fair Hill International (Elkton, Maryland) as well as shows in Massachusetts.

Circumstances changed this year, and I am leasing Wilz part time. An unfortunate fall resulting in a concussion in the early spring had me reevaluate my riding goals and dreams. At 66 years old, one doesn’t bounce back as quickly as someone younger. Since I was riding part time and not getting the reps one would get riding full time, I decided to drop down to Starter level. Getting our mojo back took some time, but Wilz and I have been doing well and having a great time.

My dream of riding in Kentucky will hopefully come to fruition with one more sanctioned show completion. This is my swan song and my last year of competing. I will still lease Wilz, but my competition days will be over.

I am so grateful for the many people I have met. Most importantly, I could not have done this without true friendship and partnership with Joelle as well as support from my husband, son, and friends. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter to Joelle and I who is competing as long as we support each other, are safe, laugh, have fun, and make lasting memories. Loving Wilz is most important, and that’s what it’s all about!

Are you planning on attending the AEC this year and have a cool story? Let us know by emailing Lindsay at [email protected] for a chance to be featured on useventing.com

About the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC)

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is the pinnacle of the sport at the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Starter to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of combinations from around the country to compete for fabulous prizes, a piece of the substantial prize money, and the chance to be named the National Champion at their respective levels. In fact, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held Aug. 27—Sept. 1 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles, Horse & Country; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, Parker Equine Insurance, Schneiders Saddlery, Smartpak, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Canter Culture Riding Apparel, Kerrits, The Jockey Club; and more!