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The Legal Equestrian

March 19, 2014

Up & Coming Rider: Georgie Hammond

This week’s Up & Coming Rider features a very familiar face in the horse world, Georgie Hammond! Georgie is 16 years old and currently competes in the big eq out of Brookmore Farms in Oviedo, Florida. Those of you who know Georgie know that she has one horse, Coach, and just recently began leasing Easy. She’s been handed a lot of curveballs this past year, but she has always handled them with grace, optimism, and poise.

Georgie & Coach.

Georgie & Coach.

Georgie has been riding for 12 years and started after what she calls “some horrible ballet attempts.” She started on ponies and within her first year of riding had her own naughty pony – every little girl’s dream! Georgie also had an amazing trainer that helped her become who she is today.

“She was everything I could have wanted to become. She rode amazing, had amazing horses, and had the general mannerism and confidence I wished to carry my self with one day,” she said.

She also grew up in Florida, which she said is “near perfect.” She loves the hot summers and having little to no winter (Editor’s Note: We are super jealous up here in New Jersey). She also only has to drive between 1 and 3 hours to get to one of the central horse show destinations in the United States.

Georgie typically rides 5 – 6 days per week when she is not showing. When she is showing, she rides every single day. She manages to do all of this while still being a junior in high school. This year, she has started something new to help manage her time between school and the barn.

“I am actually doing half-time school,” Georgie said. “I take three classes in school and four virtual. This way, I can go to school from 7 – 10:30, and then go straight to the barn!”

This may seem like a lot, but Georgie manages to stay an AP and honors student with a 4.2 GPA. So, how does she manage to handle two horses, an almost full week of riding, and maintaining a stellar GPA?

“My main rule of thumb is to prioritize. It’s all go go go when I get home from the barn with schoolwork,” she said. “As for horse shows and missing school, I’m pretty good about getting my virtual school done at the show and then catching up promptly when I return to school. It’s definitely easier missing three classes rather than seven, so I’m fortunate with that!”

Georgie’s Perfect Partner

Coach, Georgie’s horse, has become his own celebrity in the equestrian internet world. He even has his own twitter account.

Georgie & Coach.

Georgie & Coach.

Coach is a 13 year old, 17.3 hh Dutch Warmblood that Georgie has owned for six years. She purchased Coach to take her to the 3 foot jumps because she was stuck on a naughty medium pony (I feel ya on that one, Georgie!)

Georgie said that Coach is the “best thing that has ever happened” to her. They started together in short stirrups and have moved up since then.

“He is the epitome of a gentle giant,” she said. “He floats at the trot and steps the jumps. He is automatic change and frames when you ask. He can have anywhere from the biggest step in the world to the smallest as he is also the most adjustable horse I’ve ridden.”

Coach is also described as being animated, willing, and paying attention to everything Georgie asks.

Coach & George Morris. nbd.

Coach & George Morris. nbd.

“I could not have been luckier with a horse like Coach. He’s my best friend and love of my life,” Georgie said.

Unfortunately, earlier this year, Coach suffered an injury. However, he is doing great and is making a “speedy recovery.”

Georgie also had to make a tough decision in terms of her riding career and her partnership with Coach this year. Georgie’s aspirations and Coach’s abilities were no longer meshing, and she had to make the tough choice to sell or lease him.

“Realizing that my time had ended with Coach was hard. I felt really lost and broken when I saw it happening,” Georgie said. “But I love Coach too much to be holding onto him for the wrong reasons rather than letting go for the right.”

Georgie maintained that she had to do what was best for Coach and for herself. She firmly believes that time heals all, and even if she doesn’t own him in the future, she credits her current riding ability to him.

From Perfect Partner to Big Easy…

Georgie recently found an equitation horse to lease – “Easy,” an 18hh warmblood.

Georgie & Easy.

Georgie & Easy.

“He’s done jumpers most of his life and has even done a couple of Grand Prixes,” she said. “He is also a gentle giant that steps the jumps. He is very athletic but also sensitive. He would jump through a ring of fire with his ears flopped and has yet to care about anything.”

According to Georgie, Easy’s massive step allows him to “crawl around the ring.” He also lives up to his name by being very easygoing.

With Easy, Georgie plans on getting him in great condition and improving every time they are in the show ring. Long term, Georgie hopes to qualify for the USEF Medal & Maclay finals.

Georgie & Coach after their Derby win.

Georgie & Coach after their Derby win.

Georgie’s riding career has been peppered with accomplishments, including winning the Champagne Nutt Hunter Derby out of more than a hundred riders and the Equitation Championship both in the same night.

Georgie has really set her sights on making a mark in the equitation world. What does she love about the discipline so much? When asked, she said she loves the “impossibility of equitation.”

“My favorite part … is the pressure to be perfect,” she said. “We aspire to achieve a flawless ride. Because perfection is impossible, it’s that much more interesting and fun. It’s a neverending chase, and it takes hard work on yourself and your horse.”

While Georgie’s biggest riding strength is her leg, she said that her biggest weakness is her “long eye.” She has a thing for long distances, which she shares with Coach. She has spent time training herself to create another distance, and she said putting that time in has definitely made her better at not choosing the long distance. Georgie also does a lot of no stirrup work throughout the year (take note you no stirrup Novembers!)

Georgie gave the following advice to riders who want to make it to the “big eq” world.

“Keep your confidence up. Discouragement is the key reason for downfall in the horse riding world. We let others dictate what we can and can’t do. We listen to the criticism of those who know nothing about us. You are only as good as you believe you can be. Strive for excellence and push yourself. If you mess up, it’s okay. Everyone messes up,” she said. “You will make mistakes, you will have bad rides, your horse will have bad days, but that’s part of this sport. When I say the big eq is about achieving perfection, I mean it’s about achieving your best self. So do that.”

While Georgie does not follow any big equitation riders herself, she does look up to individuals like Lillie Keenan and Hayley Waters. She also stated that she would ride with George Morris “any day, anytime.” In fact, she has already done clinics with him!

Georgie & Coach at a 2011 clinic. And yes, that IS George Morris himself.

Georgie & Coach at a 2011 clinic. And yes, that IS George Morris himself.

“He is also to thank for my riding today. He improved my riding more in the couple of lessons I have had with him than I have in years,” Georgie said. “He is a remarkable human that look up to an incredible amount.”

After she graduates high school and ages out, Georgie plans on attending college to study psychology. While she hopes she can ride through college, her parents won’t be supporting it for her anymore. Despite that, she has high hopes of riding on a college team but isn’t sure where she will end up or where it will take her.

“I am not sure about professional status for my riding,” she said. “I’m not sure what the future holds. I would have to make it all happen by myself, and it would take a lot of work. At this point I probably will not [ride professionally].”

A look in Georgie’s tack trunk and riding closet…

We asked Georgie to put together a schooling outfit.

Her outfit includes a J.Crew shirt and pearl earrings, a Lacoste watch, a Tory Burch belt, Cartier bracelet, Pikeur breeches, Der Dau tall boots (Editor’s Note: a personal favorite of mine!), and a Charles Owen helmet.

“My typical schooling outfits are classic, simple, yet sophisticated and are based off of my personal style outside of the horse riding world,” Georgie said.

We also asked Georgie what her top five must haves for her horses are. She said: a towling robe blanket (to soak up all the water after baths), Back on Track sheet (“Warm backs are happy backs!”), Banana Sweat, Toad Juice fly spray (works for sensitive skinned horses), and Calm Coat (a product Georgie swears by for dry coats or cruddy coats after heavy rain or dusty days).

But we know what you’re all thinking… what exactly is Banana Sweat?

“Banana sweat is a product most people don’t know much about, but it is basically a liquid we put on the horses’ legs under wraps to make them sweat, releasing all of that fluid build up,” she said.

What else does Georgie love right now for the horse world?

Green hunt coats are definitely on the rise! They are coming back in style as the days go by!” She said. “Leather seems to be slowly rising a tiny bit. With Charles Owen making brown suede & leather helmets, boot companies expanding the brown shades and even Roeckl bringing out brown gloves, I think that this may be a slight rise in the fashion industry.”

Georgie also credits her success to her "supportive parents" pictured here along with Georgie's trainer at an end of the year banquet.

Georgie also credits her success to her “supportive parents” pictured here along with Georgie’s trainer at an end of the year banquet.

Georgie also stated she was happy that there aren’t many colors in the hunter and equitation rings. “I think the industry is advancing but keeping our traditional styles in tact,” she said.

Speaking of Roeckl gloves, we asked Georgie what other color combination she would get, and she said black gloves with white trim and a white monogram. According to Georgie, this style is flashier than the standard black glove but small enough to not hinder the traditional style.

“No one enjoys a ‘cat fish…’”

Georgie has a huge following on social media, and she believes being honest and open is key.

“Sharing my journey through this crazy sport with 100% honesty is what has gotten me where I am today! Being humble and grateful always are also ways to show your followers that you’re just like everyone else. Relating to someone makes them comfortable yet interested!”

Social media popularity, unfortunately, can bring on the haters.

“I would say I receive anywhere from 5 – 30 hurtful things a day through social media. My key way of handling it is ignoring it just by deleting it. Most of the people sending the hate have never met me before and never will, therefore their opinion on me is irrelevant,” Georgie said.

She said she remains graceful and poised when she receives social media hate. She also keeps her cool and tries to put things in perspective.

Georgie & Coach, HITS 2011.

Georgie & Coach, HITS 2011.

If you don’t already love Georgie, we hope this interview has made you love her! Time and time again, she has handled life’s curveballs with positivity, grace, and poise. She is, and should be, a huge role model for anyone in the horse world, whether young or old, competitive or not. Georgie also credits riding with being her “personal silent therapy session.”

“I keep in mind that time heals all and nothing lasts forever,” she said. “I let me horses take away my pain and take my days as they come.”

Georgie encourages all riders to get out there and do what they know they can do.

“Work hard, train hard, and follow your heart. At the end of the day, only you can be the best version of you, and no one can take that from you.”

Want to keep up with Georgie, Coach, and Easy on social media? You can follow her on Twitter, Instagram (@georgieeeeporgieee), or Tumblr.

Did you like this spotlight or know an up & coming rider we should interview? Let us know in the comments below, on Twitter, or shoot me an email!

Stay tuned for the next rider in our “Up & Coming Rider” series!

3 Comments · Filed Under: Horses, Rider Interviews, Spotlight on..., Up & Coming Riders

March 12, 2014

Up & Coming Rider: Ashley Harvey

Today’s Up & Coming Rider features Ashley Harvey, a 22 year old eventing rider who is currently based out of Aiken after spending some time as a working student in Florida.

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Harvey.

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Harvey.

Ashley began riding when she was four.

“My dad decided I needed more to do with my time than school,” Ashley said. “I wasn’t very interested in soccer or basketball. He had always wanted to ride horses when he was young, so he put me in a lesson program at a local barn so I could have the opportunity to ride that he never had.”

From then on, Ashley competed on the A and B Circuit in hunters, jumpers, and equitation, much like many of us. Growing up, Ashley looked up to Laura Kraut and Little Big Man. However, two years ago, Ashley made a big riding change and switched to eventing.

“Ever since I attended my first Rolex when I was 11, I had wanted to switch to eventing. At the time, there had been no barns in my area that evented. By the time there were barns, I was close to being aged out,” Ashley said.

Unfortunately, when Ashley did age out, she sold her horse and attended college while working full-time. Ashley did not ride much while she was in college. In addition to taking classes full-time, she worked 80 hours a week.

“It is tough, but it teaches you hwo to manage your time which has been a great asset in my riding career now. In high school, I did not have a huge social life due to the barn. My time management skills weren’t the best, plus the barn was over an hour away,” Ashley said. “It definitely took me some time to adjust my social skills in college as I wasn’t used to spending a lot of time with others who weren’t horse people.” (Editor’s Note: I think that’s something to which we all can relate :p)

Ashley received an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences. She does have plans to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree one day, but right now, all of her spare money goes into horses.

“I fully believe in having a fallback plan when you pursue a career with horses. As my farrier says, ‘it’s not a matter of if you get hurt, it’s how badly and when.’ If one day my world is turned upside down, and I’m in a wheelchair, it would be ideal to have a degree to fall back on instead of being older with no back-up plan or way to make a living,” Ashley said.

Ashley currently has her own business with her mother and step-father called “HD Eventing.” The HD stands for her last name and her parents’ last name, as a way of paying her respects to them for being such a huge part of her riding and becoming a businesswomen.

Though Ashley sold her horse to attend college, she currently has an 8 year old OTTB named Donatello, or Donnie. Donnie raced for a few years unsuccessfully and then found his way into Ashley’s life.

“From a young age, I fell in love with OTTBs and the immense amount of heart and grit even the average one has,” Ashley said. “I had turned many into jumpers and even hunter horses. I was excited for the challenge of not only learning eventing as a rider but also bringing a young horse up the levels as I went up them. It was a huge challenge that I was excited for.”

While Donnie is currently Ashley’s only horse, she would like to expand her string of horses one day. But, she added, Donnie has set the bar high for what she is looking for in a young horse.

Donnie and Ashley recently suffered a setback. After two “less-than-stellar” runs along with a refusal at the Rocking Horse Horse Trials, Donnie was checked by the vet and found to have aggressive arthritis in his lower neck along with some minor bone spurs. Donnie is on a treatment plan and is expected to have about two to four years left in upper level competing until he will have to be semi-retired.

Fortunately, Donnie is doing much better.

“The injections have made him so comfortable,” Ashley said. “I know he’s feeling much better as he’s been very wild lately. I’m really optimistic about the future and keeping him comfortable for as long as we can!”

Ashley is just as busy as she was in college. She currently rides every day, even when Donnie has the day off. And, even on a “day off” for Ashley, she still goes to the barn and catch rides as many as she can. She credits her ability to balance her riding life with her non-riding life to her time management skills and ability to sacrifice sleep to be social.

“Thankfully, most of my friends now are a part of the horse world so our social time is usually between 6 and 8 p.m., in bed by 9.”

Or, as Ashley terms it, “the exciting lives of working horsewomen.”

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Harvey.

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Harvey.

Just like every rider, Ashley has her own strengths and weaknesses. She loves the cross country phase of eventing, but finds that her weakest phase is dressage because of a physical limitation.

“I have a hard time controlling my right side due to an old injury,” Ashley said. “Plus, I’m just not as naturally talented in that phase. It’s always a struggle, even though I love learning it.”

To deal with her physical limitations, Ashley makes a habit of trying to stay loose and even in her body.

Ashley said that her greatest strength is her ability to work with young horses.

“I’ve been blessed to have opportunities to work with young horses for most of my career,” she said. “I believe my greatest strength is bringing young horses up the levels and training them well to have bright futures with amateurs and juniors.”

She also doesn’t let disappointing rides get her down. If she has one, she focuses on what went right and rerides it in her mind to make sure she knows what she will do next time to work on any issues she or her horse had. Most importantly, Ashley tries to let the ride go once she’s taken away what she needs to improve.

Ashley recently left a working student position she held in Florida. For those of you that follow her on social media, you know that she has been extremely gracious and professional about the parting of ways with Hannah Burnett. Ashley credits a wealth of knowledge she has gained to her working student position and describes it as a “huge blessing” for her resume.

Ashley has this tidbit of advice for those who want to be a working student for a big name rider one day: “Work hard and be humble.”

Ashley has a large social media following that she said “honestly just happened.” Ashley’s social media account is one that most riders can relate to. Ashley is honest about not having all the money in the world, how hard she works, and stays optimistic even if curveballs are thrown her way.

Currently, Ashley looks up to riders like Lauren Kieffer (for whom she hopes to work one day), Alexa Perkiel, Hannah Sue Burnett, and Jessica Phoenix.

Ashley’s notoriety has led to her becoming brand ambassadors for several well-known companies, such as Ogilvy, My Barn Child, and Ecolicious Equestrian. Most importantly, Ashley believes in every product she recommends or represents, and she encourages young riders to feel the same about any brand they partner with.

“Don’t take something you aren’t fully interested in just to tell people you’re sponsored,” she said.

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Harvey.

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Harvey.

Speaking of, Ashley’s ‘must have’ items for her horse are an Ogilvy half pad and saddle pad, a My Barn Child bridle charm, Custom Fly Veil bonnets, and Ecolicious Equestrian shampoo. Ashley also put together a schooling outfit for us which consisted of black Pikeur breeches, a royal blue polo, Tredstep tall boots, black and grey C4 belt, and a Charles Owen Ayr8 helmet.

As many of us know, having a large social media presence can mean a lot of negativity comes our way. Ashley said that negativity never really bothers her because she concerns herself with the opinions of her trainers, sponsors, and those closely involved in the program she is in.

“If David O’Connor tells me my horse and I are doing well, what someone on the internet says means very little,” Ashley said. “If Sara McKenna says that she’s ecstatic with the quality of work I produce, someone saying I’m lazy or spoiled holds no weight. It’s all a matter of placing your self worth on yourself and those who deserve to have influence.”

Ashley hopes to one day have a thriving business and become a professional in this sport. On a smaller scale, she hopes to qualify and compete at Fair Hill 2* North American Championships. She also would like to be competitive at intermediate level this fall and complete a 2* before Donnie’s winter vacation.

“It would be excellent to accomplish my goal of Fair Hill, but I won’t run the legs off Donnie to get there,” she said.

Ashley has already accomplished a lot with Donnie. She took him off the track up to preliminary level in less than two years. She said she feels extremely proud when she reflects on how far Donnie has come.

Overall, Ashley is hardworking, determined, optimistic, and humble. She encourages other young riders to be the same.

“The best advice I can give is to work hard and never give up. There is nothing that can hold you back,” she said. “Hard work will beat out talent over time. If you lack funds, get a part time job or work off what you can at the barn. There is never a reason to give up and those who work hard will always get noticed eventually, especially in eventing.”

If you’d like to keep up with Ashley, Donnie, and their journey through the eventing world, you can find her on Instagram (HD_eventing); Twitter; and on her website.

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Harvey.

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Harvey.

Did you like this spotlight or know an up & coming rider we should interview? Let us know in the comments below, on Twitter, or shoot me an email!

Stay tuned for the next rider in our “Spotlight on…” series!

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Horses, Rider Interviews, Spotlight on..., Up & Coming Riders

March 9, 2014

Up & Coming Rider Emily Przyborowski

The first rider in our “Up & Coming Rider” series is Emily Przyborowski, a 16 year old eventing rider that is making her mark on the eventing world. She came in fifth at Paradise HT in the open training with the only riders ahead of her being competitors at the four star level.

Photo Courtesy of Emily Pryzborowski.

Photo Courtesy of Emily Przyborowski.

Emily has been riding since she was five years old and owes her “start” in the sport to her mom, who is a lower level event instructor. Emily’s love for eventing began when she started competing and serving as a groom at bigger events.

“Watching your idols out on course really inspires you to rider better!” Emily said. “Now all I think about is the Olympics!”

Emily currently has a horse named Mudville, or Sasha for short. Sasha is an 11 year old OTTB that she has owned for about 4 months. Before Emily owned Sasha, she competed through the preliminary level. Emily described Sasha as having “big movement” for dressage and an “incredible jump and an amazing feel on cross country.” However, Sasha also tends to be a bit high-strung and mareish which Emily thinks makes it more interesting. Emily and Sasha currently compete at the training level. She hopes to compete at the preliminary level with Sasha, as well as in two one stars, this year and move onto intermediate next year.

Emily said she loves the adrenaline rush when she is competing. To her, it feels like the entire world melts away, especially when galloping towards fences that are bigger than she and her horse are. Emily loves the cross country phase of eventing, describing her horse as “unstoppable.” However, just like all of us, Emily has her own difficulties when riding. Emily describes herself as a “get it done” rider, so she has trouble with the perfection side of eventing which is the dressage phase. And, on the cross country phase, Emily stated she and Sasha often get a lot of speed faults for coming in over a minute under the optimum time. However, on the positive side, Emily and Sasha always navigate the most difficult parts of the course with ease.

Additionally, Emily stated that Sasha sometimes has trouble with the show jumping phase. While it is Emily’s favorite part of eventing, Sash doesn’t have the same confidence in show jumping as she does in cross country. Emily is optimistic about their future in the show jumping phases, as she thinks she has discovered how to careful what she terms “the careful and the aggressive” which will enable Sasha to jump both cleanly and confidently.

Photo Courtesy of Emily Pryzborowski.

Photo Courtesy of Emily Przyborowski.

Emily takes one lesson a day and also rides about 1 – 6 horses each day, depending on the season. How does Emily have time to do other things?

“Honestly, I don’t really!” Emily said. “Other than riding, I do cross training at the gym, for riding, in the morning and then pass out at night! I’m so invested in the horses and my job.”

Emily currently works for Kate Chadderton as a working student. Kate is also Emily’s riding inspiration.

“Katie took me in as a working student, barely competing novice and has nurtured me into a great rider and all-around person,” Emily said. “She defied all the odds and left her home country of Australia to give her shot at American eventing! And she made it!”

Along with being a working student, riding every day, and competing with some top level professionals, Emily is a brand ambassador for Kerrits, Ogilvy, and Just World International. Emily uses Ogilvy and Kerrits products everyday. She loves Just World International because it is a charity organization, run exclusively by riders, that benefits third world countries.

Photo Courtesy of Emily Pryzborowski.

Photo Courtesy of Emily Przyborowski.

Emily has some advice for young riders who would like to get to where she is.

“Get with a trainer who is either competing or has competed thoroughly in the upper levels. And stick with them!” She said. “The bond between a young rider and a trainer should be basically sacred!”

Aside from eventing, Emily competes in the jumpers at HITS almost every year. When she retires from eventing, she hopes to do a lot of jumper classes because she loves the speed and care needed to win.

Emily is certainly on her way to becoming a contender in the eventing world! If you want to keep up with her progress, you can find her on Twitter, Instagram (@empeventing), Facebook, and her two blogs: EMPEventing & The Optimum Times.

Photo Courtesy of Emily Pryzborowski.

Photo Courtesy of Emily Przyborowski.

Did you like this spotlight or know an up & coming rider we should interview? Let us know in the comments below, on Twitter, or shoot me an email!

Stay tuned for the next rider in our “Up & Coming Rider” series!

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Horses, Rider Interviews, Spotlight on..., Up & Coming Riders

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amateur hunter/eq rider. lawyer. entrepreneur.
two horses, one pony.
zone two.
perfectionist.
loves the expensive & innovative.

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