DEVON 2008 - A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL'S PERSPECTIVE

Hi, everyone, thank you for your continued support!

In an attempt to answer a recent question about what a work day was like, I thought I would talk about my experience at the Devon Horse Show this year. Before going into the details about my day, I thought I would tell you more about one of the oldest horse shows in the United States. For those who are not familiar with the show, the Devon Horse Show, circa 1896, is held in late May for a week and a half and participants qualify for many of the classes; the junior equitation classes are an exception to the qualifying rule. For seventy five years, the show proceeds go to the Bryn Mawr Hospital Foundation which benefits the institution. This year, there were a reported three thousand volunteers planning year round to make the show a special event. The show grounds include beautiful landscaping and, for the children and family, alike, an old fashioned country fair with cotton candy, rides for those who are game, wonderful shops and a food court.

So, now that you have some background information on the show, I will tell you about one of my days working. I was at the barn by five fifteen in the morning, and exercised a horse or two so they could adjust and acclimate to the new setting. Afterwards, I assisted the trainers in every way I could and I helped the riders prepare for their classes. Throughout the day. I spoke with the trainers and remained on a designated schedule. Along with the trainers, I assisted at the warm up ring and at the ingate, and was involved in the feedback after a rider's round was completed. When the classes were finished, I helped clean up and set up for the next day. The days were quite long, so when the work day was over, I ate and went to bed early so I could be rested for work the following day.

I am hoping that next year or the year after, I will be showing in a class or two with other professionals.

Catch up with me next time, when I answer another one of your questions.
Talk to you later!
Maria Schaub

Garden State Horse Show 2008

Hi, everyone! Thanks for your continued support!

This past week, I worked with Frank Madden Show Stable and assisted some other professionals at the Garden State Horse Show which was held at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in northern New Jersey. Since 1999, I have been attending the show but this year, being my first year as a young professional, I gained a rather different perspective. Although I rode and competed earlier in the week, my main objective was to train and assist the clients I was helping. The cold rainy weather on Friday proved to be a bit of a challenge but by Saturday, the skies were more agreeable for the competitors and spectators, alike. I finished up the weekend with a great sense of accomplishment and a resolve to get some rest for the new work week ahead of me.

One of the highlights of the show was watching the 50,000 Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon. The Saturday afternoon turnout for the Grand Prix was rather sizable and the spectators were lucky enough to watch Beezie Madden and Mclain Ward, two of the members of our 2008 Olympic team, compete. Watching riders of their caliber is great experience! Laura Chapot, Ken Berkeley and Michelle Spadone, as well as some other local riders and professionals rounded out the rooster of twenty eight entries. In the first round, the course proved to have a challenging triple combination that became the determining line for more than half of the horse-rider combinations. Ten horse-rider combinations returned for the jump-off. Not surprisingly, of course, the Grand Prix was won by Beezie Madden and McClain Ward, took a close second.

Catch up with me next week for another update.
Talk to you later!
Maria Schaub