72 SIDELINES OCTOBER 2011
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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Five Questions for
Maxance McManamy
By Lauren R. Giannini
Max McManamy, 19, is a rising star in three-day
eventing. At the 2008 North American Junior & Young
Rider Championships, Beacon Hill and Max fnished
fourth individually and earned team gold in the CCI** with
Jennifer Brannigan, Tiana Coudray and David Koss for
Area VI. A year later, Max and Beacon Hill returned for
the third time to the NAJYRC at Kentucky Horse Park and
harvested individual and team gold for Area VI in the two-
star championship. The USEF named Max the 2009 Junior
Equestrian of the Year.
Sidelines:
Who has been your greatest infuence in
eventing?
MM:
I started riding with Olympic silver medalist Gina
Miles right after I turned 14. It was amazing to train with
her. She’s such a hardworking person. She encouraged
me to do Pony Club, because she did Pony Club and she’s
still very active in it. I broke my foot this summer and had
to pull out of doing my “A” level, but I have until I’m 25.
I learned so many great things from Gina. She made
everything fun and exciting. I will always have a special
place in my heart for Gina. She introduced me to eventing
and found me my two main horses.
I now train with Bea and Derek Di Grazia. Every time I walk
into the house, it’s like walking into history. Every picture
on the wall is about eventing. I can’t get enough of their
stories and it’s incredible being around them and learning
from them.
Sidelines:
What kind of learner are you?
MM:
I really learn best by watching. I love just watching
others ride, others have lessons, other people ride my
horses – what they’re doing, what’s going on. I started
teaching, helping the younger kids in my Pony Club, and
you learn a lot about yourself and the way you ride through
teaching. I’m constantly learning and trying to absorb as
much information as I possibly can every day to better
myself and my horses.
Sidelines:
What aspects of eventing or horsemanship
demand extra effort?
MM:
There’s so much to do. In 3-day eventing, you have
to have three sets of tack, three sets of clothes, three sets
of everything. It’s all about taking care of your horses. My
horses are my frst priority. I don’t even get a drink of water
or sit down and relax after cross country until my horses
are relaxing or being cooled off or hosed off. No matter
what the circumstances, those horses have to be taken
care of frst. If they’re not in top shape, they won’t be able
to perform the next day or the next two days. Some people
don’t realize how important it is to take care of eventing
horses before you take care of yourself.
Sidelines:
What about your top horses?
MM:
Beacon Hill, 14, is my current advanced horse,
competing at the three-star level. He’s the best. I think every
rider out there gets a once-in-a-lifetime horse, and he’s defnitely
been mine. There aren’t very many horses that I’ve seen kids at
14 do their frst training level event and continue all the way up to
fnishing their frst three-star. He’s a fantastic horse and I’m very
lucky to have him.
My younger horse, Project Runway, is competing at the two-star
level. He’s a 15.2h Trakehner/paint gelding by Windfall. We’re the
youngest horse and rider on the short list for the Pan American
Games.
Sidelines:
Any advice to young riders who dream of equestrian
glory?
MM:
I think the most important thing to remember is to take it slow.
It’s become a fad these days for riders to want to go to NAYRC
and win as young as they possibly can. For some, it works out all
right, but some push themselves too hard, too quickly, and that’s
when accidents happen. Take your time and be prepared and
have the best help you can fnd and learn the best tactics to keep
yourself and your horse safe.
Maxance McManamy
Photo by Brant Gamma