82 SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
By Abigail McArdle
Winning the Individual Junior Show Jumping Gold Medal at the
2012 FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships
was by no means chance or luck of the draw. Having said that,
of course, it seemed the stars aligned for Cosma and me that
particular week of competition.
I was very confdent going into Young Riders since I had just had
an extremely successful Spruce Meadows circuit, where my mare
truly showed me her abilities. In my opinion, the best preparation
for going into a diffcult event like the Young Riders competition
is your own experience with your particular horse. This means
knowing all the quirks and tricks to your horse, along with practice
over a wide variety of courses, which of course includes the open
water. I feel my trainer Katie Prudent has really given me some
great experience and guidance with my talented mare.
The frst day of Young Riders was the speed class and I focused
on having a confdent and solid round. Cosma is naturally a very
hot, fast-going horse; which seems to consistently give me an
advantage. My plan was to lay down a medium fast round, making
up time in specifc places without going “insane.” Luckily for me,
that helped me win the frst day in Kentucky.
After the win in the frst round, I felt there was a lot more
pressure on me. The Nations Cup team day presented a less
technical course, as it does in most team or Nations Cup events. I
tried to do the very best for my team, while still remaining focused
on my individual results. Cosma never ceases to amaze me and
she helped me put down two more clean rounds, leading the Zone
5 team to a Silver Medal.
As I entered the fnal day of the competition, my goal was to
remain calm and focused. I knew if I had a rail in either of the two
Abigail and Cosma after their gold
medal win
Photo by Parker/Russell The Book LLC 2012
rounds I would have to jump off against all the 4-fault competitors,
which ended up being Shawn Casady and Charlotte Jacobs.
Cosma rose to the occasion and we rode two more faultless
rounds, making us the automatic winners of the Gold Medal.
Young Riders was such a great experience and I hope to keep it
a cherished memory forever. I was so happy with the results. This
proved an incredible partnership and relationship with my mare –
as well as a confdent winning attitude throughout the competition
which were all I needed to take home the gold. Cosma 20 is a very
special horse and I am extremely blessed to be able to work with
her. I have great expectations for my mare in the future and I know
she has the exceptional talent to fll them.
Abigail McArdle
Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan
Photography
Abigail and Cosma put in another clear round
Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography
In last month’s issue, Sidelines featured a profle
on the talented 18 year old rider Abigail McArdle.
Following that interview, Abigail competed at Spruce
Meadows with her equally talented mare Cosma 20
and the duo proved to be unstoppable – winning six
classes. Following Spruce Meadows, Abigail and
Cosma headed to the FEI North American Junior &
Young Rider Championships in Lexington, Kentucky
and once again showed off their amazing abilities,
riding fve clear rounds to win the Individual Gold
Medal. We asked Abigail to tell us about the thrill
of her three days of competition at Young Riders in
her own words – an experience she will remember
forever.