I recently attended my good friend Lynn Symansky’s wedding in November. I was lying on the beach in St. Croix listening to Hannah Sue Burnett tell a funny story to Jennie Brannigan. Lillian Heard and Ryan Wood had just walked back up to the house and Danny Symansky, Lynn Symansky’s brother, and my husband [Tik Maynard] were swimming in the ocean.
The whole drive I had been chugging Red Bull and giving myself pep talks about developing a thicker skin while anxiously surfing my XM radio. A few weeks earlier I had been having some conversations with peers about our need to cross-country school more often and in more “uncomfortable” situations. It’s pretty easy to set everything up to go according to plan while schooling, and often that is important, but if you’re looking to sharpen your instincts for a championship competition there’s only so much trotting back and forth over a ditch that’s going to help you.
I was in a field in Germany cursing myself for the wrong choice of shoes because the ground was very, very damp when I was introduced to a well known German eventer from times past. The greeting smile had not left her face when in perfect English she said, “I was there at fence 5 in France.”
I froze. She continued, “He was a bit fresh and in my opinion a bit fast.”
I honestly have been trying to write this blog for a few days and it seems every time I try, I have a mixture of emotions that I struggle to put into words. It seems crazy that last week I was in France representing my country at the World Championships. The result—not optimal, and the experience I am still digesting.
I was paired with the five best teammates I could imagine, a phenomenal coach and a horse-of-a-lifetime, seemed a recipe for success. But a comment made by veteran teammate Phillip Dutton stood out in my head at a pre-game chat.
So blogging seems to be my thing lately…. Well actually, long car trips seem to be my thing, and I’ve learned that as long as my computer is well charged, writing passes the time nicely… in the passenger seat. It would be hazardous to drive and type…
The lead-up to Plantation Field International was pretty exciting. Every day I got a new email from the organizers about different events planned, passes for owners, and exciting happenings going on every day for the public as well as the competitors to enjoy. I’m not going to lie, it was nice to just forward the emails to my syndicate members and know they would get to enjoy some of the perks of being involved in owning part of a three-star horse.
I’m actually taking a break from finding addresses for wedding invites to write this blog.
Often I wonder where I was when the class on proper social graces was being taught. Surely I was on a horse or watching a horse or pretending to be a horse (we’ve all practiced flying changes on our own two legs!). Thank God my mom grew up at a boarding school where they taught you things like, I don’t know, how to set a proper table and told you to not even consider joking about inviting people to your wedding via e-vite.
It’s trot-up day at Young Riders. The team is excitedly getting ready for the competition they’ve been dreaming about all year. I’m lucky enough to be the Area II coach, and I’m not there.
This week has been a rough one at SHE. The business is unfortunately having to change barns in New Jersey due to too many horses at one facility. This is a huge stress on the staff, horses and clients mid-season. At home we also lost a dear friend, Andrzej Kurowski, who showed me what it is to be a true student of the horse. Andrzej started helping me on my flatwork in 2011, right before my first four-star, and his passing leaves me feeling that I didn’t learn all I could from him.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use