Dear My 13 Year Old Self: It’s Okay Not to Make It to the Big Eq

Being home and being at the barn are just two things that come in a packaged deal. It’s amazing to see all the riders at the barn make such improvements over the months I’m away at school. From new horses to no stirrups, everyone seems to be kicking it into high gear. Even though the show season really never stops, lots of people work hard all winter to gear up for the first shows of the season outside and eventually the summer shows! I love horse showing in the summer, getting an awful tan, and being able to ride from 7 am till 7 pm. Lots of the kids at the barn are at different stages. A couple college kids who’s horses are dispersed or at school, a couple of kids figuring out what college they can ride at, a few just enjoying their first real horse or still trying to tame their pony. As an amateur rider now, the pressure to move up and jump higher and higher has lessened significantly. IHSA definitely put the pressure back on, but even so it was nothing in comparison to the pressure I felt as a junior. As good as a rider I was at the time, I always felt to be behind everyone else. I should be showing more and jumping higher. My end goal of course was to be the next Brianne Goutal and win every junior national equitation final. Now entering my 4th year removed from my last days as a junior rider, I wish I could have told myself back then to just relax and enjoy and it’s ok not to be a 3’6″ Finals winner. So I’ve decided to do just that.

Dear Amy,

3’6″. In comparison to the height of your average woman, 3’6″ is quite small. So the difference between 3’6″ and 2’6″ is really only a ruler length. A ruler length really isn’t much. So what is the big deal?? Whether you jump 3’6″ or 2’6″ you can still have a great round. You can still have a stop. You can still fall. You can still take the inside turn. You can ride a push button veteran or a green newbie. The difference is a foot. The iPhone 6 plus is a little over 6 inches. So two iPhone 6 pluses stand between you being average or you being Brianne Goutal or Jessica Springsteen or Maggie McAlary. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to be any of those 3 talented riders, but not because they jump horses 2 iPhone 6 pluses higher than me. It’s because of HOW they ride.

Riding is much like typing on a computer. You input something and invisible things happen inside your computer and then you get a visible outcome. Much like riding your aids are invisible communication (optimally) between yourself and the horse to produce a visible outcome. A little inside rein, inside leg, supporting outside leg creates a bend in your horse. Two hands to the opposite side a switch in leg position and a invisible shift in your seat produces a flying change. A drop of your hands and a downward eye, produces a stop. To ride at the top level, your aids need to be basically invisible and produce flawless and accurate results. Much like computers, horses and riders are programmed to do functions. You don’t just slap some keys onto a monitor and expect things to happen. Someone painstakingly makes these connections so inputs result in outputs.

Making it to the Big Eq, Open Equitation, 3’6″ Equitation is a commendable accomplishment that takes hard work, dedication, and a talented horse and rider. However, doesn’t everything in this sport require that? Just because 3’6″ is the highest, it doesn’t make you any more accomplished than a 2’6″ rider. You can show in the Big Eq for a year only pinning 4th and under or you can show at the 2’6″ level and win the Bit O’Straw Classic at Marshall and Sterling finals… I would say these to be equal accomplishments.

Why is that? Because every success has struggle. Every ending has a back story. Be a talented rider. Care for your horse. Keep your heels down. Never critique yourself of your horse too harshly. Clean your boots for your lessons. Pack extra breeches on rainy horse show days. Have a forgiving hand and heart. A spur is an aid, not a punishment. Don’t drop your eye or your dreams.

Dear 13 year old self – ribbons will fade hanging on your window. Strive to be the riders whose pictures are glued onto your school binders, but not because they win finals or the Million Dollar Grand Prix. Because they are talented riders and horsemen. You will be much happier down the road with that. Winning finals is amazing. A moment you will cherish forever. But why just have a moment? Work hard and you will be happy you did, regardless of where your junior career ends.

And seriously, pack extra breeches…

– Sincerely Yours, 21 year old self

To to all the riders who feel the pressure to jump higher and win more – those are great goals! But remember that improving yourself as a horseman and rider regardless of what height you jump or what ribbons you earn or what saddle you have is the most important thing.

2014 Maclay Finals Winner Tori Colvin

 Long Island rider Alex Maracic with “Po” Best Equitation Horse at Medal Harrisburg Medal Finals 2013 – Alex won 4th Overall. Amazing girl with an incredible heart and work ethic to match. Love You, Alex! Enjoy FL!