74 SIDELINES JULY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Arianna Delin
Anna Cardelfe is the equestrian version of a triple threat – a
talented junior rider who competes in the jumper, equitation
and hunter ring. With a full resume to her name, the 17-year-old
from Spring Lake, New Jersey, became part of the Sidelines
Magazine family this year when she won two Sidelines
sponsored ASPCA Maclay (Section A) classes during the
2013 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington on Papillon 136,
owned by Mahala Rummell and trained by Stacia Madden.
Showing off her triple threat status, Anna qualifed for the
Sam Edelman Excellence in Equitation class and the George
Morris Excellence in Equitation championship during WEF,
placing fourth in the Sam Edelman Equitation Class. In 2012,
she was named Reserve Champion in the 16-17 Small Junior
Hunters at both the Devon Horse Show and the National Horse
Show in Kentucky. She also won the 2012 Low Junior Jumper
NAL Final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Wenda
AK.
Sidelines caught up with the talented junior rider to fnd more
about her riding and her future.
How did you start your riding career?
Horses have always been a part of my family, as my mother,
Lynn, rode and competed when she was my age. I have loved
horses since I was young and was always asking if I could take
lessons. When I was turning six, my mom took me to a local
barn to start lessons and I’ve never looked back and have been
competing ever since! Riding competitively has shaped my whole
high school career, although diffcult to juggle school, friends and
riding at times, it has made my high school experience amazing
and a lot more exciting.
Who do you train with?
I ride with Beacon Hill Show Stables in Colts
Neck, New Jersey, with Stacia Madden and
have trained with her for three-and-a-half years.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
I will be doing all of the equitation on my
horses Papillon 136 and Ulrich. I will also be
competing in the junior jumpers on my young
horse Firenze Vande Cadzondhoeve.
What are your plans outside of the show
ring?
I was accepted to Villanova University and will
be attending there in the fall to study Journalism,
which I couldn’t be happier about! Horses
will always be a part of my life so I don’t view
college as a ‘goodbye’ to riding. Being right near
the Devon Horse Show and only a drive away
from Beacon Hill, I plan to continue competing
and training competitively on my horse Firenze.
I would love to write for a magazine when I’m
older or work in the communications feld.
What are some of your riding
accomplishments so far?
Winning two ASPCA Sidelines sponsored Maclay classes
during the 2013 season in Wellington on Papillion 136 and taking
high ribbons on my horse Ulrich in the USET and Washington
Equitation classes.
What are your goals in the horse world?
My goal is always the same, to learn as much as I can and
become a well-rounded rider. I learn something new every day
just listening to Stacia, even if she isn’t talking directly to me. I plan
on enjoying this moment in my life with the horses, friends and
trainers that I have been so lucky to have and not to rush through
it. I’m a very lucky girl to have been given the opportunity to meet
so many great people and compete on this level.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I have received is from Stacia Madden. She
said, “Nothing is ever perfect, sometimes things happen beyond
our control and you just have to roll with it.”
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I hate when someone starts a sentence and then says “oh
never mind.”
If you could travel
anywhere, where would
you go?
Greece! It looks so
beautiful!
What is your greatest
extravagance?
My horses!
e
Triple Threat Anna Cardelfe
Anna Cardelfe
Anna and Papillon 136 winning the ASPCA Sidelines sponsored Maclay at the
2013 Winter Equestrian Festival.
Photo by Parker/Russell – The Book LLC