PrintOur columnist reflects on the World Cup controversy and what teamwork means to our sport.
This spring we witnessed one of the most controversial FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals in the history of the sport. The U.S. riders had picked up where they left off at the 2008 Olympic Games and started out strongly, with Rich Fellers and Flexible winning the first leg of the World Cup. McLain Ward and Sapphire earned second-placed ribbons in the first two legs for the overall lead.
Then, at the drop of a hat, we watched in disbelief as Sapphire was eliminated from the final round for hypersensitivity. Due to the Fédération Equestre Internationale rules, there was no appeal allowed. Many riders, trainers, owners and horse lovers were outraged that this situation could occur anywhere in the world!
Even though only one rider was directly affected, the outcome affected many, many more people due to the nature of our sport. For a horse and rider to get to the brink of a World Cup title, it takes a group effort of mammoth proportions.
And it’s that teamwork that becomes more important as you rise up the levels. No matter which discipline you do with your horses, you’re a team with your horse, trainer, barn workers, veterinarian, blacksmith, staff members and the list goes on and on. Working as part of a team also offers important life lessons that you’ll carry forward for the rest of your life.
Sum Of Its Parts
In the 1960s, the American Horse Shows Association (now the U.S. Equestrian Federation) had a program for pony riders prior to the development of the Pony Finals. In this program, pony riders competed in a team event against riders from Canada and Great Britain.
The competition included a model class, an under saddle and one round over jumps. Our riders trained as a team at Old Salem Farm in New York. How fortunate these riders were! George Morris was the chef d’equipe one year and Gordon Wright was another!
The finals were held in Canada, England and one year at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Connecticut. Two of my friends competed on these teams and cherished the experience.
Susie Blaisdell won the individual large pony division all three years on Highfields Tulip. She said all of the riders really had a sense of teamwork. They were shocked one year when the British judge felt all of the ponies’ legs during the conformation! Sound familiar?
Pam Carmichael Keenan, the mother of junior phenom Lillie Keenan, competed as part of the team and said it was one of the best times of her winning career. As the pony finals grew, this team concept was eventually dropped.
Today, there are many outstanding programs like this in our country that help riders achieve their goals and improve their riding skills. It’s so important for all of us as trainers, teachers, riders and owners to support these programs.
One shining example is the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association program. Don Stewart and I judged the IHSA National Championships in Lexington, Ky., May 6-8. What an amazing show! The horses (all on loan) were fantastic as were the riders at all levels.
