United States Eventing Association

Hi Everyone!

I'm excited to be blogging for the USEA as I get my horses ready for an exciting spring season. I figured since we're in a downtime, I would just give a brief introduction of myself and my herd of horses.

I live in Middletown, Maryland (the heart of Area II … lucky me!) and operate my business, Rock Solid Training, out of my parents' farm. I grew up riding and was lucky to participate in pony club, and I eventually graduated with my 'A' from Seneca Valley Pony Club. Like most young professionals, I've done most every job in the industry, from a working student stint with Sharon White, to galloping racehorses at Charles Town, to mucking stalls for whoever needed it. And while I often still muck stalls at my own barn, I'm lucky to have a great farm where I can ride and train.

My first Advanced horse, Digger, is retired at the farm, but still teaches lessons to any working students we have. My second big-time horse, A Normal Fling (Jeffery), tragically shattered his ankle in a freak accident as he was getting ready to move up to Advanced. He now has a few pins, screws, and plates holding it together, but is back under saddle and has settled into life as a schoolmaster.

That brings us to my two current competition horses. Mr. Indiscretion (Trip) was a horse I was slowly bringing through the lower levels at the same time that Jeffery was tackling the upper levels. After Jeffery's accident, I had more time for Trip and he really just blossomed with the increased attention. He moved up to Intermediate over the summer and is aimed towards Jersey Fresh CCI** this spring.

Miss Texas is my youngster who tackled her first Preliminary at Virginia Horse Trials in November. I've had Texas since she was a 2 year old, when my good friend Sabrina Morris recommended her for me. Sabrina had been galloping her at the track, and thought that she was just my type. Unfortunately, Texas had a cracked shin, but we all agreed that she had star potential, so I took a chance and brought her home. Texas can be extremely opinionated--as only a Thoroughbred mare can--but she just keeps continuing to meet every challenge we put in front of her. As long as she's happy at Preliminary in the spring, we'll be aiming her for the Virginia CCI* in May.

I'm planning on taking a small break over the holidays, but then it's right back to work. I'm lucky to be heading down to Aiken for the month of February. More on that in my next blog post!