Notes from an Aged out Equitation Mom...

Sweet Jesus the Junior Equitation years are over!!!! - said every single parent of more than one child...

Eleven years of Equitation finals under my belt thanks to 3 daughters.  Here are a few things I've learned along the way:

Let's just get this truth out there from the start:

~The 3rd child will ALWAYS benefit. Let's be real here, the first child, as with anything in life is your guinea pig....this is no different in the equestrian world. The middle child gets the first born horse, even if it's entirely too big for her... until you realize that another horse is a much better fit... You are figuring this whole "I want to ride a pony" thing out and the next thing you know you're living in Michigan training with Aaron Vale who lives in Florida so now your horses are in Florida and your girls are flying to and fro, competing nationally in between attending a private college prep school.  All the while trying to live a well balance life... No biggie.... 

~Let the trainer do the training. Just because you take a ton of photos and can see that your child is leaning to one side and have proof because of your mad photo skills.... pointing this out as they are exiting the ring isn't helpful... trust me on this one....

~When your child does well, cheer and hug them and high five whoever is near you! Post that stuff on social media immediately!!  When your child messes up, and trust me they will, be quiet.  Shhhhhh..... Let them go back to the barn, show up in your golf cart and just sit. Please trust me on this one!!!  Depending on your child, you may or may not be able to hug them....

~Always have a rag of some sort with you. 

~Always have water.

~While videotaping your child, either mute the sound or keep your mouth closed.  Because when they go off course or knock down a rail and you say "shit",  they WILL hear it....I may have done this once or twice... 

~You are not obligated to buy photos at every show! Do not let your child try and convince you that "This is the best photo" they've ever seen! There will be many of those.  But do go in and look at them with your child, even put some in a folder.  You aren't committing yourself.  I do recommend buying from the show photographer because 1) They take amazing shots (but don't let your child know that you know...) 2) Even though you have mad photo skills, the professional will indeed get that breathtaking one. 3) Unless you keep a detailed photo book with said photos (and if you do, I might hate you) I promise you that the photos will end up in a box with all the other photos you plan on one day scrapbooking for your child.  Let's be honest here, this could be realistic with one child... I have 3.  This is what mine looks like....honestly, it's painful.

~I'm all about kids learning life lessons and trust me they will.  (I realize that this is more the life lesson of the parent....) But if you show up to your first ever Pony Finals and only have your Shadbelly because you 100% don't have a clue that you also needed your regular show coat, you WILL be going to the tack shop and purchasing a regular show coat. It will cost you a lot of money and your husband will be very unhappy.... Always pack more than what you thing you might need.  

~When you are in Kentucky at the pony ring where your child is showing a pony for someone and Steven Spielberg and his wife pull up next to you in their golf cart.... take a deep breath. Continue to try and casually get a picture with your cell phone and send to your husband.  Then quietly curse under your breath that "why on earth are they in Kentucky?! Go back to California!" Because you've heard how much they paid for that one horse....

~When you are showing in Kentucky and your oldest competes against Jessica Springsteen.... When you see Bruce (you can call him Bruce when his daughter is showing against yours) and you happen to have a music tape of a friend and you walk up to him, say hi and hand it to him.  Totally acceptable.  

~Remind your child that THIS class, whichever one it may be, does not define who they are as a person!  Win or lose!

~A trainer once said to the girls "You will get a ribbon you didn't deserve and you won't get a ribbon you deserved.  This is how this is."  She was right, and I never forgot that.

~Always be humble. Always.  Be gracious for each win and be gracious for each loss.  Both will make you a better person and you will learn from each.  But be humble.  I will say, this is something we've always said to our girls and tried to teach them.  Aaron Vale is probably the most humble person I've ever met in my life and to have him be a part of my daughters lives is so valuable. I'm tearing up when I think of his relationship with my girls because 100% I've said this and still mean it.  If, God forbid something ever happen to Eric before our girls got married, Aaron would walk them down the isle.   My girls call him Grandpa.  Emily started this and it stuck! One year they were walking the course at Indoors and one of the girls (I think Emily) yelled "Grandpa" and Aaron said, "what" and the people around them got crazy eyes!!! Aaron and the girls also started convincing everyone that Lizzie was adopted.  Sarah and Lizzie are 19 months apart and look nothing alike! One year they had Andy Kocher convinced that Lizzie was adopted.  He came up to me at some point and said how great he thought that it was that we adopted a girls and she was competing etc.  I looked at him funny and was like "huh?" and he said, "Lizzie" and I said, "She is NOT adopted! They are 19 months apart!" Needless to say, Aaron, Sarah and Lizzie were mad at me for spoiling their fun!

~Given the last response: Keep your child/children around people with values/morals that line up in close proximity to yours. These are people who have a big influence on your child.  Do your research!

~If you happen to end up at a barn and realize that it's not the place for your family, leave. Do not feel guilty, you are paying a lot of money in this sport. You get to decide who you write the check to each month. And know, if you choose to leave a barn, there will be different rumors as to why you left.  All of which will be most likely be wrong.  We left a barn and the next thing I heard was that the reason we left was because we ran out of money..... now, for the record, I did not hear this come out of their mouth, I heard it hearsay. (We then went on to ride with Aaron, our girls all finished their junior years and we've had investment horses with Aaron... with the money we ran out of... ) Speaking of rumors, when we lived in Columbus, Ohio we bought the home across the street from us with the intention of building a new home.  We donated the home to the fire department to train in and they burnt it down. Because we purchased the home, the rumor going around in the community was that Eric and I were getting divorced and he was moving across the street.  First and foremost, if Eric and I were divorcing, he would NOT be moving across the street from me.... Also, another fun rumor was Eric must've been a drug dealer because we belonged to a country club and had someone helping me with the girls..... So my point of this is.... people will say all kinds of crap.  Teach your children that!!! Teach them to be true to who they are and where they came from!!  AND be with them!!  Be a part of their life!  

~Remind your child that you are the one paying the bills: There are so many things I love about this sport and many I don't.  It's a bubble.  Plain and simple.  Not everyone gets to participate in the bubble. There will ALWAYS be someone that has a nicer horse, ALWAYS someone with more horses than you, ALWAYS someone with more.... be grateful for what you have and again, this does not define who you are as a person. 

~Remind your child that they get one chance to make a first impression.  When they are at a horse show and in line with their friends at the ice cream shop and complaining about the judging in their class, blah, blah, blah..... there very well might be a judge standing in the same line.  Just don't....

~Target and Wal-Mart have fantastic knee high socks. You can get all matching black ones.... You will thank me for this.

~You WILL purchase a lot of leather gloves.  For the record, Roeckl gloves are $45.00 a pair. I know this because I just purchased a pair and sent to Lizzie at college..... I swear, it doesn't end...

~Let's talk crops and spurs.... something else you will purchase a lot of. Spurs: You will own a million because depending on the mood of your horse, will depend on which spurs will be used.  Also, you will be required to keep other spurs with you at all times because once they school, they might need to switch spurs before going into the ring.  If the horse doesn't do well, the spurs most likely will be to blame.... I might have heard that before. Crops: Oh sweet Lord... ok, this is very very important.  There is a company that puts your child's initials on the end of the crops.  Get one, or two... You're welcome!

Pessoa USEF Medal Finals 2015 - the final one, ever....

I just experienced the last time I will ever step into the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa. as the mother of a junior rider. How do I feel? Giddy and sad at the same time, if that's even possible! Eleven years we've sat in these stands watching 3 daughters compete in the Medal Finals. Eleven years of highs and lows, of sometimes not even making it around, sometimes your horse decides to rear going to a jump, sometimes the nerves are so much that you fly around the ring because you just want to get around! Sometimes you are on the standby... to get knocked off. Sometimes you never make the standby. Sometimes you are lucky enough to make the top 25. And then there is that time, this time, when your child says to you, "I just want to get a ribbon at finals." And she does! We couldn't be more proud of Lizzie and her journey.

We live in Michigan and Lizzie rides with Aaron Vale in Ocala, Florida.  Lizzie has been with Aaron since she was in 7th grade.  Lizzie attended Greenhills school, a college prep school and would fly to Florida to ride or meet Aaron at shows.  

Lizzie's Equitation horse, App For That got hurt the beginning of HITS this year. This was a devastating blow and he would be out 6-9 months. Lizzie tried many horses during HITS and while Aaron had gotten some lovely ones in from Europe, because it was her last Jr year, Lizzie wanted a horse that had already been to Indoors. 

I received a call from my friend Laura Hindle who owns Freedom, a lovely Equitation horse! In May, Freedom arrived at Aaron's and our wonderful journey with Freedom began! Just and FYI, Freedom will be for lease/sale the end of this month so ... get on that quick!!

Lizzie is a Freshman at the University of South Carolina and on the Equestrian team.  They had a meet on Friday, Lizzie competed in that, got in her car and headed to the airport to fly into Harrisburg! She arrived at 9:30pm, we headed to the Farm Show Complex for her to ride!

Saturday, Lizzie and Aaron talking over the warm up class.

Sunday morning!! 6:30am course walk and the first horse is in the ring at 7am! Lizzie drew the 188th spot so she had many trips to watch and 3 standby lists. Her time arrived, she and Freedom laid down a very solid trip but she had 50+ trips to sit through before the 4th standby list.  She was on it! The judges had a list of the top 25 riders that they would bring back for another round.  Lizzie was on it and in the 9th position! Another solid round! The judges would bring back the top 6 riders and test them! Lizzie was on that!!

Realizing this was my final time writing the standby list!

Lizzie and Freedom ended up 6th out of 280 riders!!  It was truly an incredible day and so much thanks goes to Aaron!!  He has been such wonderful trainer and has made a great impact on Lizzie's (and all of our) life! He is by far the best horseman there is and we feel extremely blessed to have had him train our girls!

To watch Lizzie and Freedom, here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPaUuAIDNxc

How great to have Lizzie's Head Coach, Boo Major,  from the University of South Carolina present!

Lizzie and Aaron, picture presentation!

A very special moment!

Our groom Lencho! The best guy!

At this point, we literally ran to the car to get Lizzie to the airport to head back to college!  We arrived 25 minutes before her flight was taking off! She made it! Eric and I started our drive back to Michigan, arriving home at 3am! I can't tell you what it meant to read every text, post, comment, etc.  

Next stop: Washington DC for Equitation Finals!  

Final Junior Equitation Year, A Mother's Reflection

After having 3 daughters compete on the A Circuit, in Hunter/Jumper/Equitation, I am currently sitting in the kitchen of some friends in Haverford, Pa.  Tomorrow we will pick up our youngest daughter Lizzie from the airport in Harrisburg for the beginning of the end of Equitation Finals.  We've been attending Medal, Maclay, USET, WIHS one, all or a mixture of some since 2004. (Seriously, isn't there an award for the parents who've sat through 11 years of Equitation Finals?!!)

If I'm completely honest, as much of a nervous wreck as I was at the first one in 2004, I'm equally feeling the nerves with this being the FINAL. I always knew there was "next year" and it's such a mixture of feelings knowing this is it as a Junior Rider.

Here is what we've always tried to convey to our daughters:

1) This (riding) doesn't define who you are as a person, it is PART of who you are.  We've worked hard to keep a balance in your life and have been fortunate enough to make that happen. 

2) Faith: Stay grounded and humble.  I'm incredibly thankful that each of you girls have experienced going on mission trips and having a heart for those less fortunate. 

3) Family: No matter how crazed someone makes you, we are family.  Your family will always be there, through the good and the bad.  Friends will come and go but WE, family, are the ones that will help to pick up the pieces or cheer the loudest or cry (mom) when my heart is so proud of you I feel like it will explode!

4) Education: This is something no one can ever take away from you.  It might be a pain, you might not want to do the homework, but you need it.  Will you have to learn things you might not ever use in your life? Most likely. But it's more than that. It's a growing experience you shouldn't miss out on. You will grow/mature in ways you didn't know you could. I promise!

So as I'm reflecting on this amazing, joyful, painful, emotional, ecstatic, gut- wrenching journey, here is what I want our daughters to know:  

Your father and I are so incredibly proud of you! 

To Emily: For starting us on this journey. As the firstborn, you were the leader and at times the guinea pig. We learned what we should and shouldn't do in regards to horses. You were the leader in our journey.  You graduated from high school and went to the University Of Georgia.  You were part of the Equestrian team, you were part of a National Champion team. Was it all roses? Absolutely not.  Have you learned valuable lessons? Absolutely.  We are incredibly proud of the fact that you were working for Carter's (baby clothes) a month after you graduated from college. The fact that you do Product Development and Sourcing for Little Baby Basics and Carter's seasonal bodysuit pant sets (boys and girls lines) still boggles my mind! We are so proud of you Emily!! Keep moving forward and be true to who you are!

To Sarah: To our middle child who honestly makes us laugh daily. You came into the horses I believe by being the middle child, it seemed like the thing to do. You are cautious by nature and when we started riding with Aaron Vale, you were pushed outside your comfort zone immediately! You never had a desire to do Jumpers and went on to win the NAL Jumper Classic

http://www.barnmice.com/profiles/blogs/sarah-van-der-walde-won-the-10-000-north-american-league-children

https://youtu.be/_zAjeRFWAYA

You will jokingly say this is where you peaked and it was all downhill from there.  While this was a peak moment for you, you pushed through other not so comfortable times.  You, by your choice, made the decision to not compete in your last Junior year. You were accepted into the University of Michigan and chose to pursue the next chapter of your life there.  While this didn't include the competitiveness of the Equestrian world, you have embraced being in a sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. You are now a Junior in the School of Information, hoping to have a Minor in German and Applied Statistics.... You amaze us! 

To Lizzie: The baby of the family and in all honesty, the one who benefited the most when it comes to riding. You started this riding journey when you were 3.  Some will say that you are naturally talented at this.  We still say, family, faith and education before this. Your high school education and riding is what had you being a top recruit in riding in college. While there were several colleges recruiting you, you had your heart set on one, the University of South Carolina. As it turned out, by chance, they were your last college visit. While others offered you more in scholarship, you knew that South Carolina was where you belonged.  As your parents, we couldn't agree more.  

As you are finishing the end of your last Junior year, remember this. Remember who you are and where you come from. Remember that you are an amazing person and you have an incredible journey ahead of you. Listen to those that are giving you advice and constructive criticism. Enjoy this journey!!  Do your very best and be happy with it!

In the end, we love each of you for where you are and we are your biggest cheerleaders! 

As your mom, I will continue to cry at the drop of a hat.  I am your biggest fan and your worst critic, but in the end, I will always love you.  

Mom

  

Lizzie signs with South Carolina Equestrian Team!

This morning we had the privilege of watching Lizzie sign her National Letter of Intent to be part of the South Carolina Equestrian team!

Lizzie's love of horses started at a very young age!  She would watch rounds over and over and never tire of it!  

Sisters, Sarah (L) and Lizzie (R)

Lizzie and her trainer Aaron Vale have a special relationship that has grown over the years! Lizzie typically calls Aaron "Grandpa" which gets funny looks when they are walking a jumper course or Indoors! They also took pride in telling people that Lizzie was adopted because she had dark hair and Emily and Sarah are both blonde! We owe such a huge gratitude of thanks to Aaron and everyone at ThinksLikeAHorse for being a huge part of this! 

Middle of the night schooling at Harrisburg

Indoors!

Washington Int'l Horse Show

Lizzie attends Greenhills School which is a private college prep school in Michigan and her horses are with Aaron in Ocala, Florida.  Without the program offered by Aaron and his team of employees, it would have been difficult for Lizzie to achieve her level of riding and her school work.  Because of this unique situation, and with the support of both Aaron and her teachers, Lizzie has excelled in both riding and education, both of which caught the eye of several NCEA riding schools.  After making several Official Visits, Lizzie knew that South Carolina is where she belonged.  

Lizzie has one Junior year left and plans on making the most of it!  She will be spending the winter in Ocala doing the HITS Circuit and hopes to qualify for Maclay, USEF Medal, Young Riders and her jumpers for Indoors!

We look forward to this next chapter for Lizzie and we are excited to see what this next year of riding has in store!  

Maclay Regionals 2014 here we come.. sick or not...but most likely sick...

Can I just tell you... I am that mom who will keep her child home from school because she is sick. But by golly, when it's time to leave for Lexington, Kentucky for Maclay Regionals... we will be in the car, driving our 5 hours and not even blinking an eye.  Yep, that's me... my hand is raised. 

Anyone who knows what it's like at this level understands the madness of a mom during Indoors. Sure, we are all smiling and being polite to each other but inside.... the words "I hope my child beats your child" are on repeat. Honestly. On repeat. I'm not going to lie.  I've been doing this Equitation thing since 2003. I could write a book... or a blog.  

As I'm currently sitting at my kitchen table, leaving for Kentucky tomorrow, not even packed, with a sick girl upstairs, who has been running a 101+ fever since yesterday.  We have a new friend called the EV D-68, this wonderful virus that is hitting so many and has decided it likes Lizzie.  It actually decided to become friends with her over a week ago.  I guess it was a bit jealous that she wasn't paying quite enough attention to it so it decided to add a bonus of fever and oh, let's throw in some coughing up of the lungs while we are at it!  

We've made not one, but two visits to the doctor. This last one went like this: Dr: "ok so my initial reaction is to wait 24 hours but is there a competition coming up" Me: "yep, we leave on Wednesday" Dr: "ok then, we are starting you on antibiotics just in case" 

As if the doctor visit wasn't enough, I've added my own ingredients to the mix with some help from friends who've done these different things that have worked.  So I'm of the theory that if one would work, what the hell, let's go for them all! So I'm hitting Lizzie from all angles and by golly, excluding the wine, which is for me.... she will be on her horses and competing on Thursday!  

So here's what we've got:

Ok, I have to be honest, while Lizzie was home running a fever, I had to get my hair done.... a mom has to present herself well and trust me, no one wants to see my gray hair poking out at the roots.  And let's be honest, it's not how well Lizzie does at Regionals, it's how well the mom's look..... ok I'm kidding. Sort of :)

Dr: "So when is the next competition? Alrighty, antibiotics for you then"

Stopped by Whole Foods to get Lizzie some Chicken Noodle Soup.  Walked out with an Essential Oil diffuser.  Yep, I could've bought it on Amazon for a fraction of the cost but guess what? We don't have that kind of time.  Desperate measures call for desperate purchases... and quite honestly, I feel like a million bucks walking into her room with this magic pot of gold going!!!  And yes, I'll be bringing it to Kentucky... my ammunition... :)

Ok so this is for me.  Currently having a moment of "You cannot be sick for Regionals!!!!!!!!!!" So this is my medication.  Don't judge....

My current mix of "We are throwing the shit at you and you will feel better by Thursday!!" Compliments of Joy.... 

So here we are.  It's 8pm at night and I should probably go pack but my "medication" is kicking in so maybe I'll wait until tomorrow morning!

But in all seriousness, this is the time of the year that these riders have worked hard for.  While they are out there riding for their place, we the parents will be in the stands cheering them on.  Trying not to puke and squeezing the hand of whichever friend is sitting next to us.  Our hearts will be pounding and we will be jumping every jump with them.  

Best of luck to every rider, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that I'd like all the luck to go to Lizzie! Sorry, it's a mom thing!

Alessandro Albanese Equestrian Clothing

Everyone that knows us as a family knows that our three girls have grown up competing in the Hunter/Jumper world.  Emily started riding at the age of 5 or 6, (she is now 21).  Sarah and Lizzie were on ponies walking around the ring by ages 3 and 4! Sarah is 18 and Lizzie will be 17 in July!

All the girls have been fortunate enough to qualify and compete in Maclay finals, Medal finals, USET finals and the prestigious Washington International.

We have had many years of purchasing Equestrian clothing for the girls.  We've seen many styles come and go, we did the happy dance when the collarless show shirt came out! Keeping up with the collars for the shirts was enough to drive a mom insane!  Thank you brilliant person that came up with that idea!

I've never written about a favorite line of clothing but I have to give a shout out to Alessandro Albanese and in particular the show shirt Monaco LS.  We saw this shirt at a horse show in Tampa, Florida.  The whole "zipper up the front" was both intriguing and a bit odd.  Lizzie wasn't sure what she thought of it.  She claims I didn't like it at all which is odd because I LOVE it.  She tried it on, I didn't see it on her but she assured me it was great.  Again... the whole zipper up the front of the shirt?!

This has to be one of my favorite shirts.  The material is great, it washes super and it's just classy looking!  It comes with a lovely price tag, and by lovely I don't mean inexpensive. But I think it's worth the price.

Let me know if you get one and what you think!

Lizzie and Zadermus

Lizzie and Zadermus
Low Jr Jumper Classic
4th out of 38


To say that I'm crazy about these two is an understatement!  I've loved seeing how Lizzie and Z have grown and bonded over the last 6 months because exactly 6 months ago it was a different story!  Lizzie's trainer, Aaron Vale called us after a trip to Europe and said, "I really think you should buy this horse for Lizzie"  We watched a video of Z, Lizzie wasn't overly impressed but we trusted Aaron and made Z a member of the van der Walde clan!

Z arrived late last October and came to the November Kentucky show.  Lizzie did a schooling class on him and it was a disaster.... I believe her exact words were, "I'm not getting on that horse again."

Z went back to Florida with Aaron and spent the winter in training.

Lizzie and Z were successful during the Ocala Winter Circuit and are starting off the summer show schedule with a bang!  They have become great partners and I am hopeful that I will have more "bragging" moments.  It's a mom's job after all

Sarah and Ocala horse showing 2013

We love showing during the circuit in Ocala, Florida each year.  It makes leaving the wintery days in Michigan easier!  That being said, it's also much tougher to get qualified in the Equitation classes.  There are anywhere between 45-50 riders in each Equitation class!  For the riders, you have to make every round count!  

So proud of Sarah in this particular WIHS Hunter phase round.  She received a score of 87!  She placed 3rd in that class, 1st and 2nd place received scores of 88 and 89!  She had the WIHS Jumper phase the next day and received a score of 82 which placed her 4th overall with her combined scores!  

USET Finals 2012

It's been several years since we've been to USET finals.  Sarah qualified for the first time and I was thrilled because it is by far, my favorite finals to attend.  It is held at the USET Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ and where the US Olympic team practiced for many years.  Such history at this place.  

I know I'm being biased when I say this, but Aaron has the best guys that work for him.  Trey and Abel drove I believe 18 hours, leaving Thurs afternoon and arriving at 5am Fri morning to drop Lizzie's horse off at a layover farm and then on to USET.  We arrived Friday afternoon and had a warm up class.  We went to dinner, headed to the hotel and they were up and gone by 5am the next morning!  Abel takes care of our horses and the pride he has is off the charts.  He said some of the other guys were asking him what he does to get the horses so clean and shiny!

Abel and Gregor

 Both Trey and Abel were there to do whatever needed to be done!

Trey and Abel

 Going over some last minute details before heading into the ring.

Aaron Vale and Sarah

 Working on the flat.  Judges Karen Healy and Robert Ridland in the background.

Sarah and Gregor

Sarah and Gregor

 The jumping section.  Sarah started out strong, and her first seven jumps were unbelievable!  Then they headed to the open water.  Going strong with much determination, they got right to the open water and Gregor planted his feet.  It was a dirty stop which is unusual for him.  He had just jumped the open water on Friday but on Sunday, he wasn't having it.  Obviously a sad moment but as we sometimes say, "that's horse showing for you."  You can be on top of the world one minute, and on the bottom the next!  It's a very humbling sport!  As the mom, obviously the wins are better than the defeats.  I hate to see my girls sad, upset, frustrated, etc but I also realize that these are all life's lessons.   Life doesn't promise us things won't go terribly bad.  It does promise us, however, there will be another chance.  We are heading to Harrisburg for Medal finals and then Maclay finals!  Life is good.

Equestrian Mom 101 : Lizzie's first Hunter Derby

This was our first time at the Georgia International Horse Park located in Conyers, Georgia.  The grounds were nice, the rings were easy to get to from one to the other and there was free wifi throughout the horse park! Bonus!  


Since Lizzie was already qualified for Maclay and Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal, she asked Aaron if she could do the Hunter Derby.  He said, "sure".  There was a first round and they took the top 12 to come back for a second round.  There were 25 in the class and Lizzie was going 23rd.  She studied the course, watched rounds before hers and when it was her time to go, she looked confident.  She ended up 12th in the first round which meant she was first to go in the second round!  She rode beautifully in both rounds and was happy with how she did.  In the second round, there was a trot jump that Ashton didn't stay with the trot but overall, for her first Hunter Derby at the age of 14, we were all quite proud!  Ashton, (App For That) is an amazing horse and we look forward to watching them compete in the years to come!




Hunter Derby
(click on above to watch video)

SEC Equestrian weekend

The 2012 SEC's was held in Athens, Georgia at the University of Georgia.  The three teams competing were Auburn, Univ of S. Carolina and Univ of Georgia.  The Dawgs ended up 2nd after the weekend was done.  It was an exciting, sitting on the edge of your seat competition and in the end, we couldn't pull out the win.  Hopefully this loss will make the girls hungry for Nationals which will be next weekend in Waco, Texas.  There will be some tough competition for Georgia but staying focused and strong, the team can pull off another National title!  Best of luck to everyone next weekend!


The highlight of the weekend, of course, is spending time with Emily.  Time spent with this wonderful young lady never gets old.  Our family was together for a weekend, sisters spent precious time together and Sarah even cleaned Emily's bathroom!  Sarah truly proved her love for her sister by doing this... not sure I would've tackled that bathroom!

I am continually thankful for each of these young ladies and what they bring to our life!  I wouldn't trade a single moment so far and I look forward to many more moments that will continually shape who we are and who we will become.

Equestrian Mom 101: Being an NCAA "roadie" Mom

I had the pleasure of attending three of the University of Georgia's Equestrian competitions this past weekend.  Three competitions in two days, in two states!  The bonus of this trip allowed me to see family that I haven't seen in a few years.


I flew into Oklahoma City on Thursday.  Two things that were a bonus to this particular flight.  One, it was my first time flying to the OKC airport and my hats off to you OKC!  Wow!  Snazzy airport!  And two, the Oilers hockey team was on my flight... need I say more?!  I was secretly (creepily) taking pics of some of the guys while waiting for our luggage and sending them to the girls.  All in the name of good parenting!


Picked up my rental car and started my drive to Dallas, Texas!  Having lived in Texas for many years and only remembering the heat, I was quickly annoyed to find it in the 40's and rainy.  I was leaving Michigan for this?


Our first stop was SMU Friday morning in Dallas, Texas.  It only seemed fitting that we should be greeted by longhorns driving into the farm.

UGA beat SMU 7-3.  The last girl got off the horse and they immediately loaded the bus to make the hour and a half drive to TCU in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Emily and Coach Lisa

Cheering on the rider while trying to stay warm!

Emily van der Walde

More than teammates, friends.

At TCU, both English and Western competed and UGA added another win with a score of 9-8.  

Saturday morning about 7:30am we headed North 4 1/2 hours to Stillwater, Oklahoma to take on OSU!  After a long day of showing, in the end, OSU captured the win 13-10 over UGA.  It was bittersweet but the girls all rode well and cheered each other on to the very end.

The night didn't end after the show.  The Haaland Family graciously offered to host dinner at their home after the show.  We all arrived at 10pm (that is not a typo, it was 10pm!) and what a lovely time it was!  The dinner was amazing, the home stunning and the overall atmosphere caused you to pause.  One of the riders, one of the mom's and the coaches all spoke to team and it was at that moment, as I was standing back observing that it hit me how incredible this team and coaches truly are.  I was able to spend three horse shows in two days with this group (that amounts to a LOT of time!) and I was so impressed.  The level of respect the girls have for each other, the bond they have as a TEAM.  They know that without each others assets, there would be no team.  They are teammates in the truest sense.  

The coaches:  Wow, amazing ladies.  I had the pleasure of meeting Hunt Seat coach Lisa Anderson this past fall at Indoors.  I was fortunate that through this trip, I was able to get to know Head Coach Meghan Boenig and Western Coach Mary Meneely.  Seeing their professionalism and how they interact with the girls is great.  I know I speak for other parents in saying that I'm thankful that these women are leading and being examples to my daughter!  

Coach Lisa Anderson - Hunt Seat

Coach Lisa with Carly Anthony

Head Coach Meghan Boenig with baby (due in June!)

Coach Mary Meneely - Western

Coach Boenig, Coach Mary 

Coach Mary and her "crew"

So after all was said and done, there were 3 competitions, 3 different hotels, in two different states, very little sleep with cold and rain!  Flying home on the plane today feeling completely exhausted, I couldn't help but smile when I thought of the weekend and yes, I'd do it all again!