May 03, 2011

The Road To Rolex Part 6: Heather Gillette

Heather and Questie after their dressage test at Rolex. Josh Walker/USEA Photo.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

The road goes ever onward...

One of my mantras that I repeat to my students is "LISTEN to what your horse is telling you, that is your job". That is what I did on Saturday afternoon. Was it hard to have my Rolex end that way, certainly. Was it the correct thing to do, absolutely.

My "Road to Rolex 2011" was quite a journey, and it came to a premature end after fence 10 on cross-country. I made the tough but correct decision to retire as it became abundantly clear that Questie was not dealing with the sticky and holding ground. He never told me 'NO', but was not his usual "Rock n Roll" self. As I have said many times now he is as genuine and full of heart as any horse I have ever had the pleasure of riding. It would have been a betrayal to him if I continued to press him as aggressively as I was and a betrayal to myself as a horsewoman as well.

Rolex was memorable! There was the surreal stable evacuation to the Alltech arena. Following Mark Todd and Clayton Fredericks into the stadium and doing a solid dressage test (apart from extra flying changes... Questie!). Leaving the start box and galloping through the crowds and finally watching friends have the weekends of their lives, it was one I will never forget. My family and friends were with me all the way and I can't thank them enough.

Thank you all for sharing this adventure with me too! I have enjoyed writing this blog and hope you have enjoyed reading it!

Can't wait for Rolex 2012! See you there!

Mar 27, 2024 Eventing News

Now On Course: Bondi Beach Brings Tyler Hope During Her Darkest Days

John Lennon famously said that life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. Rebecca Barber Tyler probably would agree.

Mar 26, 2024 ATC

Adult Team Championships Riders Must Submit Letter of Intent for AEC

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to offer the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the upcoming USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. The Adult Team Championships will be offered once again at the Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified and Preliminary levels for members of the USEA Adult Rider Program.

Mar 25, 2024 Eventing News

USEA Podcast #357: Early Season #TeamTalk

USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown catches up with USEF Eventing Technical Advisor and Chef d'Equipe Bobby Costello on the start of the 2024 eventing season, athlete performances so far, and all things related to this years' Paris Olympics and the U.S. Eventing Team!

Mar 24, 2024 USEA Foundation

Refresh Your Knowledge on Frangible Technology

Did you know that the United States has more frangible fences than any other country? Frangible technology has been around for nearly 100 years with the British Pin taking the honors as the first formal frangible device. The study of frangible fences has continued in the last decade, including the USEA Collapsible Fence Technology Study which was conducted through the University of Kentucky from 2016-2018.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA