168 SIDELINES MARCH 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
internationally. In 2012, she won the Cosequin Stuart CIC2* and
was ranked 12th overall on the USEA Leaderboard. She also
successfully completed Blenheim CCI*** in England in 2009. Holly
says that this is one of the most memorable shows that she has
competed in because it was her first overseas trip at an incredible
venue. Her all-time favorite place to show, however, was at the
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, Kentucky. She
had been going to Rolex for years, watching and waiting in the
stands for the day that she would get to compete there herself.
Finally, in 2012, her dream came true. She made it to Rolex
with a 15.1 hand chestnut Thoroughbred mare named Madeline.
“After a few years of injuries and bad luck, I was finally there,”
Holly recalls. Having successfully competed at several CCI***,
she felt as prepared as she could be, but there is always concern
when moving up a level.
“Madeline was a bit difficult and ‘hot’ in the dressage, but I was
really happy with her effort. While Madeline has always been a
machine in cross-country, we unfortunately got caught out on
some of the distances at Rolex. She is a tiny horse and the cross
country was built on an open, galloping stride. This was the first
time she has ever had difficulty with distances. I quickly learned
that was the big difference between three and four-star. The jumps
were just big enough for my little horse that if I wasn’t perfect in my
striding, she just couldn’t make it happen.”
Competing a tiny horse at the four-star level comes with its
challenges, but Holly didn’t let that slow her down. Instead, she
turns every obstacle into a learning experience. She says that
one of her biggest accomplishments as a rider was training
Madeline from a “crazy, unpredictable and difficult four-year-old”
into a four-star level horse. Overall, Holly believes that patience
and a positive attitude is the key to success. “I learned a lot and
took a lot home to work on. I plan to compete again this year and
hopefully take a newfound appreciation and knowledge there with
me to help get the result I want.”
Currently, Holly lives in Gladstone, New Jersey and trains in
Aiken, South Carolina from February until March. Then, from April
to November, she will travel to compete on average twice a month.
She enjoys training her students and horses and watching them
progress through the levels. She also hinted that she is bringing
along an upcoming four-year-old that shows a lot of promise. With
determination, a positive attitude and persistence, Holly continues
to set high standards and work toward her goals. In regard to her
future, Holly says, “I would love to be a part of the U.S. team and
represent my country.”
About the writer: Kathryn Murphy is majoring in communications at USC Aiken.
She plans to be a journalist when she graduates.
Holly and Madeline in the dressage ring at Rolex.
Photo courtesy of Holly Payne
Madeline might be small, but she is big in heart and ability.
Photo by GRC Photography
Holly and Madeline
Photo by GRC Photography
