Mar 28, 2011

The Road To Rolex Part 2: Heather Gillette

Heather and Questie on cross-country at the Red Hills CIC3*. Leslie Threlkeld Photo.

Did you miss part one? Be sure to read it here!

I used to think the road to Rolex was one big grand adventure. It certainly is, but it is an adventure that is made up of many, many varied day trips!

I find myself thinking one day at a time about everything. We are off to Rolex when all is well after yesterday's gallop, or jump school, or lesson..;. I can go on. I watch over Questie's every step, mood swing (of which there are many), how he is eating and every other possible variable. Now I do this normally, but without periodic sleepless nights wondering about what I will find in the barn the next day.

And I love every minute of it! Though my hair is greying exponentially.

Life has been very busy. We are based in Tallahassee, but if find myself not spending much time here. I spent three days in Ocala for lessons and vet appointments. Then home for four days. Then off to Poplar Place with four horses competing. I am now home for a few days, before heading back to Ocala again for more lessons, vets, and farrier. I will return to Tallahassee to pack us up for the trip home with six horses. On the way we will stop in North Carolina to compete at the Fork with three. Makes my head spin just writing about it.

I will be home to see my very patient husband who is so supportive of my crazy life. He is a wonderful calming influence on me when I am nuts about things. He has quite a job ahead of him because I head to Kentucky one short week later.

Through all of these 'day trips' Questie is doing well. The only thing he is worried about are the days between cross country trips! He is training well and was very good at Poplar Place. He did a lovely dressage test scoring a 33 with an error by his pilot. Was super on cross-country making short work of a stiff test, again the only problem being a miscommunication on my part. He show jumped well with one rail.

He is on the job and at least one of us is sleeping well!

Kentucky is not far off, but we have many 'day trips' between then and now.

If you want to keep up with them you can follow us at Heron's Landing Event Team on facebook and I will be back with another blog soon.

- H

May 19, 2025 Eventing News

MARS Bromont Rising U25 Grant Recipients Announced for 2025 MARS Bromont CCI

The MARS Bromont Rising U25 scholarship program, administered by the USEA Foundation, is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s grant funding for riders aiming to compete in the MARS Bromont CCI (Quebec, Canada) taking place June 5-8.

May 19, 2025 Interscholastic

USEA Podcast #387: Flashbacks to the USEA Intercollegiate & IEL Eventing Championships

Were you one of the competitors at this year's USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Eventing Championships? Or do you dream of the day that you can participate yourself? Are you just a huge eventing superfan and love seeing young riders of all ages enjoying the sport? No matter where you fall, you will love this week's episode of the USEA Podcast where we chat with a member of the USEA IEL champion team and the president of this year's Intercollegiate Spirit Award winners, the University of Georgia. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it feels like to participate in one of these championships from Olive Dumais and Katlyn Parker.

May 18, 2025 Education

How to Ride the Horse You Thought You Bought

In this excerpt, trainer and educator Anne Buchannan explains bit contact connection and why it matters for true collection and healthy movement.

May 17, 2025 Education

Eventing 101: The Show Secretary is Your New Best Friend. Here’s How to Keep Them Happy

Familiarizing yourself with the key players at each horse trial is an important step to your success at your next competition. One of those important figures is the show secretary. Think of the show secretary as the mastermind behind most of the organizational efforts related to each horse trial. They manage entries, the show schedule, ride times, stabling, and so much more. Without the hard work of the show secretary and their office staff, a horse trial simply would not be able to operate.

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