United States Eventing Association

USEA's Intro to Eventing Clinic Series

Photos by Sara Greene

The USEA’s Intro to Eventing clinic series is new program designed to introduce eventing to all equestrians – the only requirement to enter an Intro Clinic is to not have successfully completed two recognized Horse Trials. It’s a great opportunity for upper level riders to get together and help bring along the next generation of eventers, as well as giving the lower level riders a good foundation of knowledge of the sport. Why should upper level eventers care about what the lower level riders are doing? Jennifer Holling sums it up: "As upper level riders we are seeing the demise of the sport that we love due to a lack of education in safe riding and proper competition preparation. These clinics allow us to interest people in the sport of eventing in a safe and controlled manner while showing people the skills necessary to produce a safe cross country horse."

(Left: A group of excited riders gather to learn at the latest Intro to Eventing clinic taught by Jon Holling.)

There have been four clinics in the series so far with a total of 60 riders – the first being held at Mary Bess Sigman’s Triple Creek farm in Mansfield Georgia, and the most recent being held this past weekend at the Holling’s Willow Run Farm in Ocala, Florida.

India Watson, a member of USEA’s marketing team, has headed up the big task of organizing these clinics, and has been doing a fantastic job. India commented, "Having come from 15 years in hunters – I knew that we had make eventing less intimidating to people who were interested – there really is a myth out there that eventers are crazy and everyone jumps Rolex sized fences. I wanted to find a way to make eventing more inviting in an environment where everyone was on the same playing field and supportive of one another. Mary Bess was willing to take on the task of being the guinea pig for the first clinic – I put the word out and we had 20 riders signed up within a week! We had competition trail riders, hunters and dressage queens among the group – it was an absolute blast. I knew we were on to something!"

(Right: Bronwyn negotiates the grid combination while Jon looks on and offers encouragement.)

Mary Bess added, "The enthusiasm and willingness to learn of these riders at the Intro Clinics is incredible. I had to really step back and focus on the very basics of eventing – creating a partnership with our horses – and share that knowledge in a step by step manner. After eventing for so many years – you forget the pure joy of watching someone gallop in a field for the first time! The Intro Clinics have been a fantastic way to expose the sport to riders who would never have a way "in" and I’ve met some amazing people in the process and even picked up some new students. I highly recommend that all trainers support the Intro To Eventing program."

(Left: A clinic participant and her partner trot happily up the bank.)

As soon as I heard about the Intro Clinic – I signed up for the one at Jon Holling’s farm the third weekend of October. My friend and I hauled down to the Holling’s on Friday, and rode in private dressage lessons with Jon and Jenn. Then we got settled in, made the boys comfy in their stalls (many thanks to the neighboring barn owner for the use of the stalls!), and had dinner with a fellow rider in the clinic. After night check, wrapping legs, and figuring out the power hookups for the trailer, we finally hit the sack. All too soon, though, the alarms started hollering that it was time to get back up.

My friend and I wanted to make sure we were up and ready on time, since we were both scheduled for the 8 am group, and I had been told earlier in the week that I was to be Jon’s "example ride". No pressure or anything! So naturally, by the time we got on our horses, we were running late, leaving tack behind, and just frazzled. Luckily, Jon has a great sense of humor, and didn’t get on to us too badly.

To get started, Jon had our group, consisting of five women and our horses, do a simple warm-up in a small corner of the jump field. After a few minutes of walk, trot, and canter, he had us all gather around and introduce ourselves, and give a brief history of our horses’ training.

(Right: Let’s get ready to rumble! Everyone warms up before the clinic officially starts.)

Then our ride really started. Jon had us start out by doing a very simple gymnastic: walk over poles while maintaining a steady rhythm and position. Gradually, and while giving each rider individual instruction, he built up the gymnastic until it was trot poles to a crossrail, one stride to a vertical, one stride out over an oxer, and canter away. In just half an hour, all of us were going through smoothly and confidently. That’s when the cross country jumps were introduced. After coming out of the gymnastic, we were to make a big loop and jump a small log. This jump, along with two other logs we jumped, was made entirely of Styrofoam, and was the creation of Kyle Carter and Mike Winter. The jumps (painted brown) look just like real wooden logs, but are lightweight, portable, and much more forgiving than wood if a horse or rider were to hit it.

(Left: A clinic participants hops easily over the Scary Styrofoam log. What a neat invention!)

While some horses had more issues with seeing solid fences for the first time than others, eventually all five riders were comfortable schooling each fence individually. Then Jon had us put all three together and ride it as a mini course. Some riders took the direct route, while others felt their horse wasn’t as controlled as they needed to be, and circled in between fences. Either way, all five riders (myself included) made it through the course successfully, and with big grins on our faces.

For the last part of our ride, we went through the woods to the other half of the Holling’s cross country course, where we schooled more natural obstacles. We got to do a step, or mini bank, which most of the horses walked right over without even looking. A few, however, took a little more encouragement. After schooling the bank, and a couple of small ditches, Jon took our group into the water complex, just to let our horses get their feet wet. He wrapped it up with a question and answer, along with individual tips for each one of us to practice at home.

(Right: Everyone in the pool! The riders splash around in the water complex, introducing their horses to the concept.)

During the second group of the day, we got a small break, and had a delicious lunch provided by the Ocala Pony Club. Then I helped a friend tack up her other horse for her second ride of the day. Once everyone was mounted, I settled down to watch, but during the warm-up, one of the riders had to get off because of an old injury that was acting up. She was disappointed that her horse wouldn’t get to participate, so she asked me if I would mind riding her mare instead. So I got back into my vest and helmet, and got to ride again!

(Left: Bronwyn gets a catch ride on a friend’s mare in the second clinic.)

The last group was similar to the first, with only a few changes in what we jumped. The little mare that I got to ride was awesome, and hearing the same lesson on two completely different horses was really eye opening. I had a great time, I learned a lot, and I can’t wait to do it again. The farm was impeccable, as always, and Jon, Jenn, and all the staff were gracious and as helpful as could be. Shannon, Jon’s head groom, was a delight to be around, and we wouldn’t have survived the weekend without her golf cart!

(Right: Bronwyn’s Thoroughbred gelding Boomer doesn’t mind getting his feet wet!)

You might wonder what impression a one-day clinic like this could have on lower level eventers, or even riders that are new to the sport. "I found that the Introduction to Eventing Clinic at Willow Run Farm was exceptionally well run, and extraordinarily worthwhile," said Nancylee Bielawski, who competed at a few starter trials several years ago, but is now seriously getting back into competing. "My horse and I both left the cross country field feeling quite enthusiastic and wanting to do so much more….Based on this clinic, my impression of eventing is that while the sport is unbelievably fun and exciting, it clearly needs to be approached with a thoughtful, stepwise and methodical plan. It seems that any holes in your riding base or communication issues with your horse will show up on cross country. I find it to be an incredible way to build a relationship like no other with a horse."

The clinic was a huge success, and it did what it was supposed to do; show riders what eventing is all about, and how much fun it can be, but also how important it is to have respect for the course, a good relationship with your horse, and most importantly, having the knowledge to ride smart and ride safe. When you go to your next event, please remember to ride responsibly, make sure you’re ready to ride safely at whatever level you’re competing at, and have fun.

Grab mane and kick on!