EN reader Ginny Sullivan, a working student for Tamra Smith, kindly shared with us some observations from the U25/Developing Rider Training Sessions in Temecula, California last week. Enjoy this thoughtful report, which continues to reflect a theme from David O'Connor's new regime: education with excitement for the future. Many thanks to Ginny for writing, and thank you for reading. If you have something to share with Eventing Nation, send it to tips@eventingnation.com.
--------
From Ginny:
After spending the past few days at training sessions in Temecula, CA, I am more than impressed with the West Coast Under 25 Team. Not only did I enjoy the company of every team member and clinic participant, the riding was truly inspirational. Riding horses, for professionals and amateurs alike, comes down to learning from successes and failures. The Under 25 Team embodied this notion. As far as I can tell, they took David O’Connor’s advice and teachings learned in Gilroy, and spent the last five weeks training diligently to become more insightful and correct in the their riding. Jordan Linstedt started off her ride on Wednesday by incorporating the skills and exercises that were highlighted in Gilroy five weeks ago. O’Connor even commented how the Developing Riders had improved significantly from the last training session. At one point DOC expressed his frustration with his experiences clinicing in the past, saying that people did not take what they learned and work to truly change their riding. He seemed excited and relieved that the 2013 Developing Riders did not fall into this problematic category. Ms. Linstedt’s riding this week was excellent example for every rider to learn and grow from past experiences and lessons.
-
Erin Hoffman and Bubbles at Brickey under the watchful eye of coach David O'Connor
-
Tuculota Creek Ranch, the venue for the week, was incredibly hospitable, making sure all of the participants'+, as well as the clinician’s, needs were accommodated. The facility more than met all of the clinic’s requirements, and helped to create an environment in which riders and spectators were able and motivated to engage with the concepts and ideas being taught. The loud speaker was particularly nice, the clinic participants could clearly hear David O’Connor making the audience privy to all his commentary and thus more able to learn from the lessons. Being an audience member, I can fully appreciate the amount of information that can be attained by simply listening and observing.
I’m rather overwhelmed by the amount of information I have received the past two days. I witnessed riders who engage with their sport in a more technical and intellectual way than most people ever realize. Even more importantly, I witnessed a level of sportsmanship that is absent in the broader category of “sports” across the world. I watched people who not only care about being the very best of their sport, but also care about their horses, their fellow riders, and the generations that precede them. The people who attended this weekend’s clinic with David O’Connor were truly committed to their own futures in eventing as well as the future of the sport.
Marc Grandia and Gallipoli II
Often, I find myself at different sporting events or competitions where people seem to get caught up in their results and their winnings, and no longer care about what brought them to the sport in the first place. Today I was reminded of why I originally started riding horses. I saw riders who were much more advanced than myself working to piece together their own personal puzzle with their own personal horse while understanding that their peer’s success is their success. While I recognize that it’s a bit of a paradox to hope that the people you’re competing against do their absolute best, the West Coast Under 25 team seems to accomplish the goal effortlessly. At one point I watched Mackenna Shea sprint to the dressage arena while saying, “I need to go watch Marc. I love watching these people, they’re my favorite.” The love and dedication was not exclusive to the developing riders team either, it was present as Tamie Smith provided horses for both Marc Grandia and Avery Klunick; as people watched one another ride; and as we all sat down for bbq dinner at Tucolota Creek.
Jordan Linstedt and Revita Vet Capato
Overall, I found training sessions to be a refreshing and inspiring experience. Not only did I become a more informed and educated rider, I rediscovered what it truly means to be passionate about the sport. Watching professionals and amateurs come together to better one another and the sport of eventing was inspiring. I am excited for the future of these riders and for the future of eventing.
Tamra Smith and Fleur De Lis
