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42 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE H O R S E S H O W

My Line:

2011 WEF, A New Perspective From the Ground

By Sarah Ward

I can’t believe it, but 2011 is here! With the onset of the coldest season of the year, when the temperatures drop below zero, riding can be necessity rather than a pleasure for some. But for the truly lucky, cold weather means time to head for the winter circuits from coast to coast. For sure it is a luxury, but for professionals, competitors and horses - it is the only logical, even sane, option to keep them in the show ring year round!!! Whether it is my favorite, the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), or the Jacksonville Winter Series, the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, or HITS’ Thermal or Arizona series, the balmy weather beckons and the A-circuit world heads to warmer climates for a few months…

Everyone at Finally Farmheads to sunny - and sometimes rainy - Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. I have to admit, WEF is one of my all time favorite places to be, where top riders and horses from around the world compete for top dollar. Luckily for me, the gorgeous grounds are very close to my family’s house, so the commute is short.

Benched

But this season, I’m going to have a completely different view - from the ground! This will be the frst time that I can remember that I won’t be able to ride at WEF. Bummed is not even the word! I tore my ACL in fall of 2009, and had put off knee surgery as long as possible in order to keep showing. Although I’ll be “fxed” by WEF, it won’t mean I’ll be back in the saddle!!! My goal was to ride in WEF’s Hunter Week, my favorite, but recovery from my knee operation is not going nearly as quickly as I want!

No, this time round I am a spectator, pure and simple! Yes, I’ll see my friends, cheer on my stable mates, and

watch the international grand prix and hunter derby competitions under the lights in the International Arena. I’ll enjoy the limitless offerings on the grounds, but I can honestly say it won’t be the same. Nothing I can do about it though, my knee surgery has put me out of the game for the beginning of this year anyway! At least there is plenty to do at WEF – even from the ground! WEF is so much more than just a horse show; it’s a horse city. There is every kind of shopping - from jewelry to clothing to home décor, unbelievable food choices, fun-flled competitions and charity events, lounges and bars, and even an Internet room with free access for those who can’t leave the computer. For me, this is all great, but I still feel most at home back at the Finally Farm barn, or either watching or riding in the competitions.

The Art of Observation

Sitting on the sidelines and watching from the ground is painful. But this winter offers a different type of education, and one I will put to good use when I am back riding and competing! There isn’t

a time when you are around horses, great riders and trainers, that you don’t learn something. I’ll watch the schooling rings, listen in on lessons, and see who puts in the winning rounds. This year holds many major things I will have to deal with for the frst time, both in my riding career and personal life. There are many “unknowns,” and hopefully things go well. I’m blessed to have a strong family, wonderful friends, great trainers (and amazing horses) all there to back me up and help dust me off when it’s time to get me back into the saddle. With a little luck, and a lot of hard work, things will be put right!

Sarah Ward is currently living in Atlanta. When recovered from knee surgery, Sarah rides with Finally Farm’s Jack Towell and Liza Towell-Boyd and competes with Finally Farm in the hunters and jumpers in both the amateur and open divisions.