Written by founder Emma Mabry
Lauren Aubert is an accomplished young rider at only fifteen years old. Lauren is from St. Helena, California and currently rides one horse, Terra Hornero (Macho) who is her equitation horse. Together they compete in the 3 foot Equitation Medals, but Lauren hopes to move up soon. Aubert has been riding on and off for about eleven years now, but has only been seriously riding for seven. "When I was three, my parents signed me up for riding lessons at a place near my house. Later, I took a four year hiatus and was involved in dance and soccer, but took up riding again, this time as a more serious beginner at another barn. Finally I switched barns once again and started my serious riding career as a new beginner. I'm not exactly sure what made me want to start riding, but all I know is that I am so grateful to have been given this amazing opportunity." Said Aubert. "Riding and horses has definitely had an influence on the building of my nature and personality. Horses have taught me to be patient, because you might not always get something right the first time you try it. They have also taught me how to love and trust because the bonds you create with the animal, that would do anything for you, are inseparable. Finally, horses have taught me how to be positive in anything, because when you think you're having the round of your life, the outcome you so badly want can change in an instant. Horses have taught me not to be angry when that happens, but to focus on what I accomplished and what I could improve for the next round." Aubert mentioned how her NorCal medal finals experience started off a little rocky. "When I got to the hotel after a long day at school, it was pouring rain. I thought to myself, this can't be good. What if my horse slips, what if something goes horribly wrong? The next day, I was nervous, since the grounds were covered in mud and the footing was slippery. I thought to myself, okay, it's your third year coming back for the pony medal, but considering the conditions, just get around the course and come out with a solid trip. When I entered the ring, all I was thinking about was remembering what my trainer had told me, "stick to the plan," and I did just that. Since it was my third year coming back to the finals in which the last two years were unsuccessful, I just wanted to set a good example for my younger friends that were competing in the finals. By sticking to my initial plans, I ended up having the best round of my life, winning the first round and the finals. It wasn't easy since I could have just given up because of the weather, but through my persistence I was finally able to achieve this long-term goal." Lauren never gave up and ended up with the best ride of her life. "My biggest showing accomplishment would have to be just recently winning the NorCal Pony Medal Finals on Louie, because it was such a huge deal to be able to see my name up on the scoreboard and know that I was sharing the glory of being just one of the many champions of this final, two of them being my friends. It felt amazing." Said Aubert. Lauren's short term goal for the future is to be successful and consistent in the 3 foot equitation with her new horse Macho. Since she is moving out of the ponies, equitation is new territory. "I just want to have solid rounds put in to the best of my ability, no matter the placing. Doing well in that will help me move up to the 3’3 in the future and later the big equitation." For her long term goals, Lauren would like to try the jumper equitation classes once she is ready to do so. "I aspire to be successful in the 3’6 equitation and make my mark on the West Coast, competing in the WCE finals, USEF Talent Search West, Maclay Regionals, and many more." Already, Aubert is leaving a mark on the West Coast. Lauren's advice to other riders is to consider your desired outcomes. "If it’s your first time in a new division, instead of focusing on the ribbons and score, remember how you got to where you are, what it took, and focus on a solid trip inside the ring to the best of your ability. If you’re a seasoned competitor, it's no different. Ride the best you possibly can, wherever that takes you. Put the same amount of effort in one hundred percent of the time, no matter your level and ability." "In all my years of horseback riding, I appreciate the fact that my friends are always cheering for me, even if I have the worst round of my life. I have such wonderful friends of all ages, young and old. When I finished my round at NorCal finals, it felt so good to know that they supported me and I inspired them to ride their best. When I'm having a bad show day, they always leave me smiling. I wouldn't trade the friendships I've made through the sport for the world." Said Aubert. When asked about how she handles school and riding, Aubert replied, "Handling the load of a college preparatory high school and after-school sports along with riding hasn't been easy, but I've worked with it. When I was in middle school I attended more horse shows since I was able to miss Thursdays and Fridays, but now I'm not allowed to miss any school since I'm in ninth grade. I run cross-country for my school, and since workouts are five days a week, I run and ride Saturdays, which is a reward for the long hours during the week I put in for sports and school. I'm just grateful to be able to ride my horses at all, and that's all that matters to me." Lauren's absolute favorite place to show would have to be the Menlo Charity Horse Show in Atherton, California. "It's held during the summer once a year at the Menlo Circus Club. The grounds are small, making the show quaint and almost like a mini-Devon. The prizes are fancy, and winning a class there is a big deal. I had the best show of my life there last year on my old pony Lakeview Pickpocket, so I have fond memories of the place." Aubert's most notable riding memory was at her old barn, and it was around her 15th lesson ever as a serious beginning rider. "It was at the end of my lesson when my pony suddenly executed a full out body shake, hard. I was maybe only eight or nine at the time, and I flew off like an acorn from a tree. My mind couldn't wrap around the fact that one moment I was mounted, and another I was not, and I started crying. I'm sure my trainer was shocked, and so was my mom."
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Written by founder Emma Mabry
Avery Glynn is a very accomplished young rider. Avery is eleven years old but shows as ten years old. She has been riding for nine years and lives in Sonoma County. She regularly rides two horses and ponies but constantly catch rides. Currently, Glynn shows in classes up to 3'3" and is taking the show circuit by storm. From Thermal and the Menlo Charity Horse Show to Sonoma Horse Park and Pony Finals, Avery does it all. Avery started to ride because both her parents rode and she has always loved horses. Glynn's biggest accomplishment in 2016 was winning the 3" NorCal Medal Finals and winning the year end $5,000 Pony Classic a year ago at Sonoma Horse Park. Her favorite memory is winning the 3' NorCal Medal Finals. In 2016, Glynn has won --- at the PCHA Awards Banquet, won the Middleburg Pony Classic, and Best Pony Rider Week 1, Champion Medium Schooling Pony and Reserve Champion Medium Pony Hunters at HITS Thermal on Always Happy. Avery's short term riding goal is to do well at the rest of her medal finals this year. Her long term riding goal is to jump 3'6" and do international derbies. This year she wants to continue to improve her riding. Avery's favorite place to show is Sonoma Horse Park, because she loves their pony classic ribbons. Her favorite thing about riding is being with her horses and riding friends. She also appreciates being able to spend time with animals. Glynn's riding inspiration is her mom, Hope Glynn, because, "she rides amazing and even if it doesn't work out she always has a good attitude." Riding has taught Avery to be a good sport no matter what. Throughout the circuit she has a great attitude and enjoys every second of riding and being with her friends and family. Avery's advice is to, "work hard, never give up, and take every opportunity you get." Written by co-founder Emma Mabry
Mia Holstead is a sixteen year old rider from Houston, Texas. She owns three horses and shows two. She shows Playmaker in the Children's Hunters and Sutherland in the 3'3 Junior Hunters. Mia's goal this year is to move up to the 3'6 Junior Hunters and eventually wants to start doing the jumpers. Her biggest accomplishment was getting 6th place at Capital Challenge in the Children's Hunters. Mia has been riding for nine years. "My mom inspired me to start riding because she used to be one of the top riders in the country in the '80s, I've grown up around horses." Mia's favorite thing about showing is spending time with the horses and getting to see her friends who she normally wouldn't see at home. Her favorite place to show is Wellington. "It's such a big place therefore there are many fun things to do after riding." Mia's advice to other riders is to, "find a horse and trainer that you really click with and that has your best interest at heart." Holstead's riding inspiration is her trainer Peter Pletcher. "He is such an amazing rider and has such excellent techniques." Mia goes to a school that wants her to strive in activities out side of school, so she meets with tutors throughout the week. "Horses and riding has made me become a more responsible person. I've gotten to meet a lot of amazing friends through riding and it also has helped me become more out going," said Holstead. Written by founder Emma Mabry Madelyn Porter is a 15 year old rider from St. Louis, Missouri. She rides at her family's private barn, Dragonfly Farms. She currently owns 4 horses, but is constantly buying and selling. Boudi and Esmeralda are her two jumpers that she shows in the High Children's Jumpers. She has had Esmeralda for almost a year and got Boudi about 4 months ago. Corleone aka Curly is her equitation horse that she's had for about 2 years. Willow is her hunter that she's had for two years also, together they show in the Junior Hunters. Porter said, "They are all such amazing horses and I am so lucky to have them." Porter said her biggest showing accomplishments were "Becoming reserve circuit champion on Dragonfly's Encore (Willow) in the 3'3" Juniors. Last year, Willow and I qualified for The National Horse Show, and also qualifying for Junior Hunter Finals at Devon this year and last year. In 2014, I competed at ASPCA Maclay Finals with Curly and also qualified him in the 3'3" Juniors at The National Horse show. I was overall high point hunter and junior hunter champion on Curly for MOHJO (Missouri Hunter Jumper Organization)." Porter said her favorite show is WEF because she "Loves the show grounds and warm weather, but I especially love how much you learn in and out of the ring. This year at WEF, I learned more than I probably would have learned in a year from watching so many different horses and riders. It's really amazing what you can learn just by sitting at the ring and watching!" Porter said her riding goals for the near future were to move up to the Junior Jumpers in 2016 and eventually Prixs in a few years. She hopes to one day become a professional and continue to buy and sell horses. Porter mentioned that her riding goals for this year is, "to compete at Maclay and Medal finals and compete at Indoors for the 3' 3" juniors. Last year, The National Horse show was such an amazing experience and I would do anything to compete there again." "For anyone who rides or shows at any level, I think the most important thing in this sport is have a connection with your horse. Being able to understand and communicate with the horse is such an amazing thing that most people skip. The better you can understand your horse, the better they will preform for you and give you their all." When asked what she appreciates most in this sport, Porter said "I appreciate the horses and people that make my dream possible. Without their support, I would not be anywhere near where I am today and I cannot thank them enough. My trainers and parents are the most supportive people I could ask for. They always push me to be the best I can be." Written by founder Emma Mabry Gwyneth Babington is a thirteen year old rider from Pennsylvania who also travels to Florida to ride and show. She owns three horses of her own (Hagan, Blue, & Tess) and also catch rides. "I show my horses in the children's and my catch rides in whatever division the owner wants." When asked about her biggest showing accomplishment, Babington said, "I wouldn't say it's my biggest, but my favorite would be children's at Devon in 2012. I've also had a lot of really nice catch rides and wins on my horses that I'm proud of." Gwyneth's short term goal would be to move up to the High Children's Jumpers and Junior Jumpers. Her long term goal is being a professional and to hopefully be in the Olympics. Gwyneth's other goal is to move up to the Junior Jumpers this year which would probably be her main goal and to do well with the pony she is showing at Pony Finals. "I really love being around the horses. I'm a very competitive person so being able to show and be around the horses at the same time is a perfect situation. I also love seeing how much you've grown in a short period of time." Gwyneth's advice to other riders is, "Not to give up and really prioritize. Riding has to be number one if you really want to get there and don't get down on yourself when it's not going well, everyone has bad days." Babington's favorite thing about riding is mostly the community. "Everyone is really great and I love how we can support each other. With the horses, how hard they really try for you when they learn to trust their rider." "My favorite place to show is WEF because I love the show and then entire circuit plus I have a lot of friends there. Over the summer my favorite is Lake Placid." "I've been riding my entire life but started showing competitively when I was nine. I never had a time without riding, it was always there so nothing made me want to ride it was just something I always loved. Horses are really my entire life so I think they've done everything for me. Everything else always came second best so they've effected me in every aspect," said Babington. Written by founder Emma Mabry Taylor Piecukonis is thirteen years old, from Rancho Santa Fe, California. She has a ten year old KPWN chestnut mare imported from the Netherlands named Unscripted (Alana), Taylor also hacks horses a lot but only shows Alana. Together they show in the Green Rider, Low Children's hunters, equitation, and medals. "My biggest riding achievements would be winning 4th out of 50 people in the eq over fences, and winning reserve champion on my new horse," said Piecukonis. Taylor's riding goals for the future would be to definitely start showing in hunter derbys and start doing Grand Prixs. For the show year, her goal is to win Champion at the Championship show at the Del Mar fair grounds. Taylor mentioned that her favorite place to show would be the Del Mar Fair grounds because "it's so peaceful and beautiful, you get to warm up on the race track, and you get the experience of a once of a life life place to show!" Piecukonis' riding advice to other riders is, "I think it is very important to wait. I have waited a long time before I got to show and own a horse. You have to defiantly have goals, goals help you achieve your dreams. Most of all of what you do and follow your dreams! You can do whatever you wish with patience and perseverance." "What I appreciate the most in this sport the bond between horse and rider, you create a bond and a team. Without your horse connecting with you there is no way to understand and ride it. Understanding what your horse means and needs is very important in this sport." Written by founder Emma Mabry Charleez Simcik is a fourteen year old accomplished rider from Carroll County, MD. Charleez trains with her mother, Stacey Simcik and is currently showing one horse, Czech Mate. He is a 17 hand Warmblood who she adores! "I've only had him two months so we are still warming up to each other. I've taken him to several shows and done some low jumpers and the 3' Eq. If all goes well I plan on showing in the 3'6 Eq the rest of the year." Stated Simcik. Charleez said she loves riding because she is a huge animal lover. "I live on a farm and I adore all the animals! Riding is such a unique sport and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to do it. I've made amazing friends and I have such a deep connection with these animals. I like to think of my horse as my best friend." Simcik sees herself riding for the rest of her life. She wants to continue to grow as a rider. "I want to be better and keep moving up and doing bigger heights and going to bigger shows. I would love to go to the Olympics or World Games. I want to travel the world with my horses and compete and show as much as I can." Simcik shared her progress with her horse and her hopes for the future. "Right now I'm working with my horse. He's young and he hasn't done much in the past year or so, so I'm trying to bring him back. We are working on cleaning up our act for the horse shows and I think we could be very successful." Simcik's goal for this year is to show in the 3'6 Eq classes and to qualify for the big shows. "In my future, I want to show at Grand Prix level and in big Eq classes." Charleez biggest riding inspiration is Beezie Madden. "I've looked up to her even since I was in 3rd grade when I did a project on her. My assignment was to pick someone I admire and do a whole presentation on them and dress as them! I got to wear my riding outfit to school and show pictures of her. I've seen her ride in the Devon Grand Prix many times and I hope to see her more. She has been to the Olympics numerous times and she is one of the most successful riders. I hope to be just as good and successful as her one day." Said Simcik. Charleez shared a personal story to inspire other riders, about never giving up and not worrying about having the most expensive items or horses. "One thing I've learned through my years of riding is that you don't have to have the most expensive horse or fanciest clothes to win. Two and a half years ago I started to lease an off-track thoroughbred. I was 11 and my horse was 7. She was a small horse with a lot of potential. The horse and I managed to qualify for Harrisburg and Washington International Horse Show 2015. I was year end Champion and Reserve Champion with her in numerous associations. I'm so proud of this achievement because I showed everyone I don't need a 6 figure horse to be competitive. I believe the horse is only as good as the rider. I want people to know that they might not have the fanciest horse, but that doesn't mean they can't do well. If you ride well, and have a good relationship with your horse, you can achieve so much." Simcik started to ride before she could even walk. She didn't have much of a say when she was younger but learned to love it still to this day. She made memorable bonds with the horses she rode, "My life circles around them and I never want to stop doing what I love." Written by founder Emma Mabry
Isabel Mclaurin is a fourteen year old rider from Macon, GA. She trains with Kristi Roberson and Kat Mulkey of Four Seasons Farm in Madison, GA and owns two ponies and leases one. One of her ponies is a POA pasture pal and her other pony was her Short Stirrup pony. Isabel shows the pony she leases, When In Roan, in the medium ponies. Isabel has been riding her whole life. With the exception of a few breaks, she has been riding since she was three. Her riding inspirations are Aleece Jarman, Sophia Calamari, and McLain Ward. "What made me start riding is my love for horses. They are my therapy," said Mclaurin. Isabel's favorite thing about riding is, "the freedom you have when you are on a horse". She describes it to be "like no other" and "very peaceful," she said. In the future she plans to be around horses forever, hopefully as a trainer or vet tech. Her short term riding goal is to qualify in the medal for Pony Finals 2016, and her long term goal is to one day be in the ribbons at Pony Finals. Mclaurin's advice to other riders is to, "work hard to achieve your goals, and never give up because one day all that work will pay off. So just keep riding and trying your hardest and you will get there." Written by founder Emma Mabry Ella DiFazio is an eleven year old rider from New Jersey with five and a half years of the sport under her belt. This young rider trains with Michael Dowling at Windham Hill Farm. She has two ponies, one of which she owns and one of which is a lease. Her pony is named Prince Monticello aka Prince. Ella's lease is a large pony that she shows in the large children's hunter pony division. This large goes by Pamina. "My favorite thing about riding and showing is to just be around horses. Sometimes I get to shows at 6 a.m and don't leave until 10 p.m. I don't really care that I've been stuck at a show all day because horses are something that I like." Ella noted that her friends who share the love of the sport are "supportive" of her, regardless of a good or bad round. Riding is all positivity in Ella's eyes. "As of now I see myself being around horses for the rest of my life because they make me happy. Riding is the only sport that I really liked and I wouldn't want to do any other sport." Mentioned DiFazio. Ella's riding showing goals are to be an all around better rider. Her main focus right now is the medal class. She aims to "get more points for year end awards." These awards push her to "practice even more" and "to do better [in order to] be successful." Ella's advice to other riders with hopes of riding is to just simply have fun. "Sometimes people fall off and don't want to get back on. Whenever I fall off I got back on and got my courage to be riding horses again. Now I have the excitement to be riding, catch riding or even to just be hacking a horse. Just don't be scared and you will be fine." Following up with her comment on schooling for medals, she added to "just practice, practice, practice, and you'll end up successful." DiFazio started riding when her start as a cheerleader didn't pan out to be as she had hoped. "My sister and I were [both] trying to find a sport to do at that time. [She] took a riding lesson somewhere and I knew that this is the sport I want to do. Once I started riding, I relalized that I would be riding for a long time." Written by founder Emma Mabry
Sixteen year old Katherine Kinnison from Salt Lake City, Utah owns two horses. She owns and shows Eagle in the Big Equitation classes, and Sultan in the 1.20 meter jumpers. Kinnison currently lives in San Marcos, California. "My favorite thing about showing is that feeling when you're beautifully turned out and have reasons to be confident in you and your horse. Competing against yourself and trying to do better each time is humbling and disciplinary; which are two aspects that I love." When asked if Kinnison sees herself being around horses forever, and having a career based around them. she responded that she could not imagine her life without horses. "Whether it's riding, training, showing, grooming-whatever-I'm in it for the long haul." Her riding goals are to be the best of her abilities. "My dream is to go to the four medal finals- and do it well. I also dream of competing in young riders, Grand Prixs, and hopefully the World Cups." We asked Kinnison who her riding inspirations were and she responded that they vary right and left. "Of course, Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, and Kent Farrington are at the top of my list. Other riders such as Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt, Bernie Traurig, and of course, George Morris, inspire me on a daily basis." Her advice to anyone that has hopes of riding and showing as much as she does is to "not be afraid to get dirty, work hard, and ask for help. We've all been in the same spot, so we should be able to help each other." Kinnison got into the sport ten years ago. "I first sat on a horses back when I was three. I knew then that horses were the thing that I loved. I'm not sure what made me want to start, but whatever it is, I'm glad it did." |
AuthorEmma Mabry is a Hunter/Equitation rider from Sonoma County. Archives
November 2016
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