MAY 2009 HORSE SHOWS AND SOME MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS

Hi, everyone! Thank you for your continued support and questions about riding and horses. The last several weeks have been very busy, first, traveling to Old Salem Farm for two weeks of showing and, then, to the junior weekend at Devon. At the shows, I was privileged to school several of the customers horses early in the show week and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. This week, we are at Hunter's Moon Farm in Long Island, New York, and some of our riders will compete at a local one day show over this weekend. Since we returned home, I have been flatting, schooling, training, and teaching. Next week, Frank Madden Show Stable will be competing at Hits Saugerties and later in June, we will travel to Lake Placid, New York, for two weeks.

Again this month, as I did in the last several months, I will be using the format that answers some of your most recent questions. I appreciate the time you take communicating with me and I hope that you find my responses to your questions helpful.

My horse named, Bella, has old scars on her back ankles that still give her pain when she hits them together... her injury is getting worse which means she can't compete... My dad is insisting that we look for a horse or two to lease out. This is my first year going for the big eq finals. Do you think I'm making the right decision horse wise?

It seems that from your question you are truly struggling with what is happening to your horse, Bella. Unfortunately, horses can get injured and it is part of the sport. First, I think you need to talk to your trainer about what is happening with you and your horse right now. Your trainer knows the situation well, can help you sort through your feelings and has the tools and the knowledge to help you gain a better understanding of the situation. Second, your dad, who you mentioned in your question, is trying to help you with this unfortunate circumstance. So, please try to talk more with him about it as well. Afterwards, maybe you can have a meeting with your trainer and your parents and an appropriate plan can be developed for you and your horse that works best for everyone involved. Good luck to you in your first year in the big eq and I hope that Bella will be feeling better some time soon!

What saddle do you ride in?

I ride in a Devoucoux saddle. There are many different brands and types of saddles which meet the individual preferences and requirements of different types of riders. Each of the riding disciplines, for example, show jumping, dressage, eventing, etc., require a different type of saddle. What is most important about a saddle is that it properly fits you and the horse that you are riding. When you and your horse are comfortable with the fit of the saddle you have chosen, then that decision will help you to have an improved experience when you are riding.

Talk to you later,

Maria Schaub

End of FTI/WEF Circuit 2009 And some more of your questions

Hi, everyone, thank you for your continued support and questions about riding and horses.

The FTI/WEF Winter Circuit ended yesterday and Frank Madden Show Stables and Hunters Moon Farm were quite busy throughout the last six weeks of the circuit. Recently, the barn added several new clients and horses into the mix and it was rewarding to see the progress made by the new horse and rider combinations. Watching riders develop and acquire the necessary skills to accomplish their riding goals is very rewarding and, of course, is an ongoing process. By the end of this week, the majority of the horses, customers and barn employees will be on their way back home to New York. I will be staying in Wellington for two additional weeks to help one of our Florida based junior riders during the spring circuit in Wellington. Additionally, I will be finishing all of my college course work excluding the two final exams scheduled for the early part of May.

For this blog, I will be using the blog format started in December of 2008 which answers several of your recent questions. Your continued feedback is greatly appreciated and I look forward to reading your comments and any suggestions you may have about the content of future blogs.

DO YOU ENJOY JUMPERS, HUNTERS, OR EQUITATION THE BEST?

I believe in the American System of riding. The principles and skills sets learned in the equitation division are the foundation for all of the other hunter/jumper divisions. I truly enjoyed doing the equitation division and felt quite fortunate to have been able to participate in it. I was also fortunate to compete in the hunters and the jumpers and was truly grateful for all of those experiences. At this moment, I would have to say the jumpers are my favorite, but first and foremost, I love to ride! The love of riding is a driving force in my life and a compelling passion, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue.

COULD YOU LEASE A HORSE FOR THE MACLAY AND STILL BE FINE? IF SO, WHERE COULD I GET ONE?

With the financial and emotional support of your parents and the help of an experienced professional trainer who can help you find a horse that best suits you and your family's budget, leasing for the Maclay is certainly a workable option. For any junior who has the aspiration to participate in the Maclay, the most important first step is to discuss your goals with your parents. Participation in equestrian sports requires a huge cooperative effort in the family and with your school system. Good luck with your goal!

I'M THIRTEEN AND THE TRAINER THAT I WORKED WITH RECENTLY DIED FROM CANCER. I'M REALLY STUCK NOW AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO.

I'm so sorry to hear about your trainer's illness and death and can only imagine how difficult it must be for you to deal with such a big loss. Please accept my sincerest sympathy. In a situation like this one, it is best for you to look for emotional support from your parents, family and good friends. When you are ready to start riding again, and with your parents support, you can try to locate another trainer in your area by contacting the United States Equestrian Federation and by asking some of your riding friends about other professionals in your area. Again, please accept my condolences for your loss.


Talk to you later,

Maria Schaub

A Week with Frank Madden

I thought you all might like to read this series of articles by Terri Young, the 2008 winner of a week with Frank Madden (Maria's boss!). You can also enter now for your chance to win a week with John & Beezie Madden. Go for it!
--Kate Lindon, EquiSearch.com Content Manager

MID CIRCUIT UPDATE FROM FTI/WEF

Hi, everyone, I have been busy flatting, schooling, training and teaching as well as taking college classes on line. Hunter’s Moon Farm and Frank Madden Show Stable have been welcoming new customers into our program. Since I last communicated with you, I have had the privilege to ride and show a talented seven year old mare in the 7/8 year old jumpers, a wonderful sale horse in some meter 30 jumper classes, and an attractive hunter in the 3’ 3” non thoroughbred hunter classes. Another rare opportunity presented itself just prior to week six of the circuit.

Some of you might remember the handsome chestnut stallion that I rode at the USEF East Coast Talent Search Finals last October named Kaiser de la Cour. Since then, he has stayed at Hunter’s Moon Farm and is currently owned and ridden by one of the customers. After the horse established residence with us, he was gelded and I have had the continued opportunity to work with him on the ground and with flatting, schooling and training him. Knowing the WCHR Hunter Spectacular week ( week 6 of the circuit) was approaching, I broached the subject of showing him in the Regular Working Hunter division with my boss and trainer, Frank Madden. The idea was generated from my experience riding and handling him since late August 2008. Although Kaiser had done the Grand Prix level prior to being at the barn, he possessed many of the characteristics of a great hunter. The talented gelding is agile, moves smoothly and is very good looking! I thought that with his natural affinities for the division, it might be worth a try. Frank thought the idea was sound and the owners were happy for him to get the experience.

With the concerted effort of all involved, I can say that the horse took to the task very well and he placed in all of the classes. He was such a good boy! Of course, knowing the horse and riding him for over five months was an advantage. I especially loved showing in the International Ring with so many of the seasoned professionals! I would like to thank the owners, my trainer and everyone who helped to make the experience rewarding and fun.

It was great showing these past few weeks and, in some ways, was reminiscent of my junior catch rider days. Of course, the challenging quest to secure a ride that will allow me to compete in the open jumper division continues.

I am off to do some studying now.
Talk to you later!
Maria Schaub

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF THE FTI/WEF CIRCUIT AND SOME MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS

Hi, everyone, I wanted to catch up with you and give you an update, now that the first two weeks of the circuit are over.

I've been in Wellington since just before Christmas, working for Frank Madden Show Stable at Hunters Moon Farm. Since the circuit began, I have had the opportunity to show some of the customer's horses and some sale horses in the schooling division with the future possibility of showing those sale horses in some jumper classes later on in the circuit. In addition, I have continued to teach lessons and train horses. The spring 2009 college semester will begin this week and I will resume studying while I am working.

In comparison to the 2008 winter circuit, there is a noticeable decrease in the number of entries in most of the divisions at the horse show. The number of weeks in the circuit increased last year and there is a possibility that either this week or next week the number of entries will go up. The recent downturn in the US economic situation and the global economy appears to be having a direct effect on the number of equestrians competing here this year.

The response to the new format used for the last blog entry prompted me to continue the format for this month. Your feedback and questions are truly appreciated!

DO YOU HAVE TIME TO DO ANY OTHER COLLEGE ACTIVITIES BESIDES RIDING?

Instead of participating in college riding opportunities, and after discussing the options available with my parents and my trainer, I decided to become a professional and work while attending college. Because I had determined, after conferring with those whose opinions I value, that my current situation was the way I would continue the pursuit of my equestrian goals, I began to develop some riding goals that are realistic, for me, in terms of time and motivation. However, the IHSA and the NCAA programs have a great deal to offer those riders who may choose that route during their college years. Some riders that I had gotten to know while competing as a junior, have chosen to participate in college riding programs. Many of them have said that they enjoyed the team aspect of college riding and have felt that competing on many different horses was a valuable learning experience.

AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START RIDING AT THE MACLAY LEVEL?

In the late June, early July 2001 time frame, when I was twelve years old, my trainers thought I was ready for the challenge of moving from the three foot equitation to the big eq while horse showing in Lake Placid. My parents had leased a horse for me that year that had helped another student from Beacon Hill make the same transition in the previous year. I was really happy to enter classes with the older students in the barn and watching them ride helped me with my riding. Looking back, it was a such a great opportunity to be able to show in the big eq as early as I did and with the help of my parents and trainers that year, I was able to qualify for and show in the USEF Medal finals in Harrisburg.

Thank you for your continued support and questions!
Talk to you later
Maria Schaub

GETTING READY FOR THE WINTER CIRCUIT IN FLORIDA

Hi, everyone, hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are ready for the up and coming holidays. My work as a young professional and as a college student has kept me quite busy. Once the fall semester ends, I will be traveling to Florida with Frank Madden Show Stable and Hunter's Moon Farm to work at the winter circuit in Wellington, Florida. For the spring semester, I will be registered for online classes which will offer the flexibility to do school work when time allows and to continue working as an equestrian professional.

This entry will be somewhat different than some of the others and the goal is to answer several of your questions in one blog. Your feedback, as always, is greatly appreciated and I look forward to reading your comments and responses.

I DON'T HAVE MY OWN HORSE BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE MOUNTS I RIDE AT MY BARN ARE ALWAYS GETTING SOLD, ANY TIPS?

Getting a chance to ride horses owned by the customers at your barn sounds like a great opportunity! Since each horse is different, the challenges of riding several mounts can help enhance and/or improve your riding skills. Each horse that you ride will provide enjoyment as well as a chance to have some new learning experiences. You did not share how much time you spend with each horse or if the horses you rode were all sale horses, but when a horse does sell, you may want to think about how you had a small part in that sale and how that is an achievement you can be proud of!

WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER OWNING ANOTHER HORSE IN THE FUTURE OR DO YOU WANT TO BRING ALONG FUTURE PROSPECTS TO SHOW AND SELL?

Yes, owning horses and bringing along future prospects, certainly, are a integral part of what I would like to achieve as a young professional. In addition, developing necessary resources and enhancing and continuing to develop my riding skills are equally important to me.

WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO PICK AS YOUR COLLEGE MAJOR?

Sports Management, which combines business and exercise science, seems very interesting to me but I will wait until I have completed additional courses before I make a final decision. I have looked at the Equine Science minor as a possible option as well.

Thank you for your continued support and confidence!

Talk to you later,
Maria Schaub

USEF SHOW JUMPING TALENT SEARCH EAST 2008

Hi, everyone, wanted to get back to you about the USEF Talent Search competition held on October 4th and 5th at the USET Headquarters in Peapack/Gladstone, NJ. For those of you who may not be familiar with the competition, it is somewhat different than the Medal, Maclay and Washington Equitation finals. The Talent Search competion has four phases; flat, gymnastics, show jumping and a final four phase where the top four riders switch horses, riding each of the four horses that have qualified for that phase. Riders can qualify and participate who are twenty one and under and who have either amateur or professional status with the USEF. Stallions are also eligible to compete.

In early September, just prior to the date when the entries closed for the USEF Talent Search competition, I learned that I was given the opportunity to enter the competition on a beautiful stallion, named Kaiser de la Couer. Kaiser had come to Hunters Moon Farm, East Norwich, NY, to be tried by one of the customers and I was fortunate to be able to show him this past weekend. And before I go on, I would like to extent a sincere thank you to everyone who helped me to secure the ride on such a wonderful horse!

In the flat phase of the competition which took place on Saturday, riders were divided into groups. The, second phase, called the gymnastics phase, was also held on Saturday. Unfortunately, Kaiser was strong in the second phase and we dropped from first place in the first phase to twenty first place after the two phases. With the resolve and determination to learn from my experiences on Saturday, and after some quick changes to the horse's equipment, the show jumping phase on Sunday went well (the judges scored the round tied for third place). After three phases of competition, we placed 6th place overall. I would like to extend a sincere congratulations to the winner, Sophie Benjamin, and to all the other top ten finishers, as well as the all of those who competed.

Catch up with soon for an answer to one of your recent questions.

Talk to you later!
Maria Schaub