END OF 2009 INDOOR SEASON

Hi everyone!

I have been very busy since I last wrote. This week the indoor season will be winding down, and Frank Madden Show Stable will be heading to the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament. Our barn will have two students competing in the ASPCA Maclay Finals, one student in the older Small Junior Hunters and a few students in the Low and Medium Junior Jumpers. The Syracuse Invitational usually has several International Open Jumper riders and many American Open Jumper riders participating in the higher level competitions, something that I personally find to be very enjoyable as well as educational. After the indoor season has ended, our barn will take a rest, and then, begin to prepare for the winter season in Wellington, Florida.

During the last several blogs, I have attempted to answer some of your recent questions and that format will continue for this blog.

AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START RIDING? SHOWING? AND WHO WAS YOUR FIRST TRAINER?

I started riding when I was eight and a half years old at a summer camp program at Snowbird Acres farm in Long Valley, New Jersey. Snowbird has a riding school as well as a horse show facility. I went to my first horse show at Snowbird and my trainer was Vikki Seigel. After the summer camp, I rode with Mary Babick at Colts Neck Equestrian Center, Colts Neck, NJ.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE FOR ASPIRING EQUITATION RIDERS?

Pursue your dream and do everything you can to be the best you can be with your riding. Involve your parents and trainers when you are developing your equestrian goals. Persist when you are confronted with obstacles, even if those obstacles appear impossible. Make every attempt you can to learn about horses and riding, nurture your enthusiasm for everything equestrian, and find happiness in your pursuit of your goals.

I’M 15 AND HAVE ASPIRATIONS TO SHOW IN THE BIG EQUITATION CLASSES. I WAS WONDERING WHERE SHOULD I START?

If you have set the goal to show in the big equitation classes, you will need the support of your parents and a trainer to participate. Start with a conversation with your parents and ask them to help you get started. Good Luck to you!

Thanks so much for all of your support and your questions!
Talk to you soon!

Maria Schaub