I let out a sigh. My breath made a puff in front of me. I was sitting on the cold, hard bleacher watching as the crowd once again fell into an eerie silence. She entered the ring pacing her body with the gait of the springy Bay she rode. This was it. This was what we had traveled so far for. Ever since she opened the front door on that Christmas morning fourteen years earlier, squealing in delight at the sight of her first horse, she had been working non-stop to get here. My mom said a silent prayer beside me. Her competitors stood critiquing any wrong twitch. It was her moment and she took it.
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Welcome to Hackettstown, New Jersey! A short flight led me to the doorstep of one of New England’s most breathtaking countrysides. As we weaved around the mountains, climbing higher in elevation, I sat gazing out of the car window. Each piece of land seemed to be out of a stylish magazines. The old red barns, the beautiful spring colors, the amazing homes all nestled and hidden cozily in perfectly manicured woods. I was very impressed and couldn’t stop thinking of all the photographic opportunities in the area. 🙂
But I wasn’t here for me. I was here to support my younger sister, Lisa, who rides on Florida State University’s Equestrian Team. Lisa has loved horses for as long as I can remember. We grew up riding an old gray mare, but after childhood Lisa took her riding skills to the next level…she started training for 3-day eventing. Once she started college she decided to get involved with one of the many equestrian teams at FSU. She settled on the dressage team as she knew the coach very well. Over the past year the team has competed with other colleges earning points on an individual and group level. At the end of the season, those who qualify are given the opportunity to compete at nationals. Lisa was the only person on the FSU Dressage Team to receive this grand honor. Her first year on the team and she was the only one to make it to nationals [insert sister pride here]!
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The competition was held at Centenary College, a beautiful facility nestled in the mountains of Jersey. Schools from all over the country traveled with their teams to be their competitors’ supporters. Lisa was adopted into the Florida teams, cheering on both University of Florida and the College of Central Florida. Saturday is dedicated to team riding and Sunday to individual riders. As Lisa was the latter, we spent the first day watching, critiquing, and learning from the mistakes of others. We saw how the judges scored, and which schools served as the best competition.
Sunday’s sunrise came all to quickly. Breakfast was skipped by Lisa, who was too nervous to eat anything. Mom and I were starved and in need of our morning caffeine so a Dunkin Donut stop was a must. Lisa’s ride was to take place shortly before noon. The morning hours flew by as I watched the solo riders. Lisa sat studying her test and watching the horses move. Finally her name was up. She would be given a short warm-up period and then it would be time for her to impress the judges.
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She entered the ring, circling the arena with her horse. The whistle blew and she trotted up the center line. The halt was perfect. She bowed to the judges and it began.
The rider must listen into the horse, in order to judge when the moment for an aid has come, which aid is needed and how intense it must be. He must know how to create or wait for the right circumstances, to prepare the horse. ~ Gustav von Dreyhausen
Lisa got off her horse smiling, but was quick to criticize her ride. Her division was the closest with only 4 points separating twelve girls. Everyone was incredibly proud of her. Her hard work and talent were evident on her spectacular ride. Congratulations Lisa!
Below you will find something fun and different! I have put together a short slide-show to try and capture the anticipation and excitement leading up to Lisa’s ride. We would love to hear feedback about this new feature! Let us know if it is a “Yea” or “Nay!” [hehehe.]
