Page 27 - 2307

Now, fve years later, we compete at the FEI Grand Prix level. Urban has numerous ribbons under his belt from the WEF and grand prix classes in Florida.” Urban has picked up some respectable rosettes this season. Blythe was understandably pleased when they fnished second in a 1.50 classic, 7th in a $75,000 grand prix, and 5th and 10th in the last two spring grand prix classes.

“During Florida I was lucky to have Marcus coach me for the bigger classes. When he isn’t available, Margie Engle helps me at shows,” says Blythe. “It’s so helpful to have a person on the ground, and both Markus and Margie are very supportive and immensely experienced.”

All told, Blythe oversees 13 horses at Riverview. The Ingrams own two other jumper prospects, and Blythe has been working with one for two years (now 8) while the mare (7) is a recent arrival. She shows primarily jumpers, but one adult jumper bought for Lee Ann didn’t work out. Bella, another Belgian Warmblood, was green, so Blythe started showing her in the hunters. “I did my frst Hunter Derby on Bella – and I’ve never been so nervous in my entire life,” admits Blythe, laughing at the memory. “I was so out of my comfort zone. We won a ribbon in Kentucky, but I had no idea what I was doing. I had to go over the rules, and buy a shadbelly. The course had bending 13s, bending 14s where you have to count. It made me more nervous than any grand prix.” That’s what Blythe loves – jumping the big painted fences. When pressed for her long term goals, she talks frst about her ambitions for Virginia, to be a ribbon winner and to be very successful as a junior. She goes into a fair amount of detail about this frst protégée. She has to be reminded to talk about herself.

“For sure I would love a grand prix win on Urban – he’s a fantastic boy and has been all along. I’ve known him since he was fve. When I rode him into my frst grand prix, I knew him better than any horse I’ve ever had because I’ve been riding

him every day for fve years. That’s another reason why I like bringing along the younger ones – when you get to a big class you know them; you know what you’re getting into.” Finally she admits: “Well, I would love to start doing some of the team stuff and go to Europe – try to go as far as I can.”

Her father has no doubts about Blythe’s future. He’s been there almost stride for stride, watching her ride his horses, watching her groom for him, taking lessons with the same trainers. He’s more than a proud horse show daddy. He’s a rider who recognizes and respects another rider’s expertise, dedication and drive to keep getting better, to do one’s very best.

“I’m a physician, my father was a physician, and Blythe was taking AP courses when she was 14 – she could have been valedictorian of her class,” says Matt. “When she said, ‘Dad, I don’t want to be a doctor – I’ll be 32 when I complete my residency and I will never know how good a rider I could be.’ It broke my heart for about 15 minutes.”

Blythe started grooming for her father at his events when she was seven or eight. She learned how to poultice and wrap their legs. She was exposed to eventing’s drug-free rules. She had no fears and would ride anything.

“When Blythe was 13, I took her to Ireland to look at upper level event horses. She tried them all – she jumped some scary stuff,” recalls Matt. “Last year at Kentucky Horse Park, she had a horse that was very fractious and she took him out on the cross-country course and jumped a lot of those big jumps. The horse did great. He’s been quiet ever since.” Here’s a glimpse into the mind of this rising young talent: Blythe moves the jumps every day – every day. She creates new courses, rings up the changes. That has to help horse and rider stay fresh mentally and physically. With that sort of attention to detail she would have been a good doctor. The medical world’s loss is the horse world’s gain: Blythe Marano is on course.

Page 27 - 2307_full

Page 27 - 2307_full