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64 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE S I D E L I N E S

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Vivian and Rockette winning the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals Photo by Diana De Rosa

Vivian and Rockete during the award ceremony for the Washington International Horse Show Pony Equitation Finals.

Photo by Diana De Rosa

A Few Minutes With Vivian Yowan

By Jan Westmark

Junior rider Vivian Yowan fell in love with horses when she began riding as a tiny child at Fairfeld County Hunt Club in Connecticut. This year at the sage old age of 13, Vivian set out for the Washington International Horse Show and accomplished what young riders all over the country dream of when she won the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals on her pony, Rockette.

Her trainer, Jenny Martin-Rudaz of Fairfeld County Hunt Club, was ecstatic for her young pupil. “I am very proud to be Vivian’s trainer. She has always been an amazing listener and she has great horse sense. You tell her something once and she just gets it,” Jenny says. “Vivian also has a tremendous natural feel for the animals and she gets along with all of them. I think her biggest accomplishment has to be her win in the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals. She rode with a lot of confdence and focus.”

Vivian was equally thrilled with her WIHSwin on Rockette, a pony she also piloted to the Reserve Championship in the Large Green Pony Hunters at Pony Finals in 2010. “If I had to pick which was my favorite win, WISH or Pony Finals, I would have to say it was a tie,” Vivian says.

Sidelines: How did it feel when you rode into the ring for the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals?

VY: As I walked into the ring, I was not thinking about winning but simply putting down the best trip that I could. I knew that if I relaxed, Rockette would relax too. I remember coming to the last fence, seeing the distance and knowing that I put down a good trip. I came into the fat in second place and I knew that I had a chance to move into frst if I did everything Jenny had taught me. When they called me as the winner, I was so happy. I learned that hard work and true dedication really pays off.

Sidelines: The WIHS Pony Equitation Finals was your last time to show Rockette. What was your favorite thing about her?

YV: My favorite thing about her was she was not very hard to prepare. She never spooked at anything and always jumped the jumps. She was actually better when the jumps were spookier because it made her jump better.

Sidelines: What horses and ponies will you be showing now?

VY: I will show a pony named Casey, whose real name is Best Case Scenario, in the Large Pony Hunters and Ezra, whose real name is Enjoy, in the Large Junior Hunters.

Sidelines: What do you like about training with Jenny?

VY: Jenny has worked so hard to make me the best rider I can be. She has always picked out the perfect ponies and they have suited me so well. Now she has picked out a horse for me. Jenny is very serious when she needs to be. When I make a mistake she calmly tells me what I did wrong. I would not be where I am today without all of her help and dedication to my riding. I hope that one day I will be just as good as she is. 

Sidelines: How did you start your riding career?

VY: When I was 3 years old my dad had a jumper who lived at the barn across the street from my house. Everyday I watched him from our front window and when he was done riding I would cross the street. He would put me on his horse with him and we would walk around the trails. When I was almost four, I started taking lessons. When I turned fve I started riding with Jenny at Fairfeld and I have been there ever since.

Sidelines: What are your riding goals now?

VY: My goals are to do well in Florida this winter and to qualify Casey for the Devon Horse Show.

Sidelines: What do you think you will be doing 10 years from now?

VY: After my junior career, I want to ride in college and be on an equestrian team. I would love to follow in my trainer’s footsteps and be just as amazing at training and riding as she is.

Sidelines: What do you like best about being a horse kid?

VY: It’s not only riding my ponies that I enjoy, but I also enjoy working with them on the ground. I love making them feel special after a long day of showing or a hard lesson. All of my ponies and horses have worked so hard to make me the best rider I can be and I am so thankful for all of them.