58 SIDELINES JULY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Featured on the Cover: Colorado’s Madeline Backus
Madeline Backus of Larkspur, Colorado, is somewhat of a local
superstar. Granddaughter of Leslie Terry and daughter of Laura
Backus, founders of Colorado’s Pendragon Stud Equestrian Center,
the 18-year-old eventer is well on her way to the top.
Not only is the young eventer a friendly and spirited personality, but
she’s also establishing a pretty impressive track record — including
a ninth place finish at Young Riders in 2011, securing Area IX’s
Preliminary Horse of the Year title with her Trakehner mare PS
Arianna and winning the Junior Training division on self-trained PS
King of Hearts (owned by Laura) in the 2013 AECs.
Sidelines
had the
chance to catch up with the busy rider and this is what she said:
What’s it like working so closely with your mother and
grandmother?
It’s been wonderful. They’re super supportive, so it’s always
wonderful to have them there to back me up and help me. Working
with my mom is not always easy, but at the same time it’s great
because she’s really close to me and she understands me. Our
relationship is that she’s my trainer when I’m in the ring, and my mom
everywhere else. I grew up with the understanding that she is just as
passionate about my goals as she is with all of her other students.
What’s it been like working with PS Arianna?
We’ve had her since she was a yearling, and I started riding her
about seven years ago. There have definitely been challenges,
though. I’ve done all the training on her with the help of my mom, and
she was my first young horse to bring along so it was difficult and
frustrating sometimes, but I think it’s like that with any young horse.
She is so smart and loves her job, so overall it has been really fun
and rewarding. It’s really nice to have that bond with a horse, and I
know that I can really trust her.
How has Pony Club influenced you?
I love Pony Club. It’s the foundation of horsemanship. Not only does
it teach you horsemanship, but also sportsmanship and leadership
as well. Having been in pony club since I was four, it has really
helped my confidence and I think it’s really important.
You’re on the youth board for Draper Equine Therapy and are
an ambassador for Majyk Equipe. How does that feel?
It’s amazing! They are both absolutely and wonderfully supportive.
It’s great to have so much support, and especially from products that
I use and know I can believe in.
What are your plans for after high school?
I am not attending college right away. I’m planning on going to train
instead. I was really fortunate to be able to train with Missy and
Jessica Ransehousen last summer, and I had a great time! I am
excited to continue my training, and as my mom says “get kicked
out of the nest” to go and learn from knowledgeable Eventers.
Madeline Backus and PS Arianna
Photo by Kathleen Bryan
Trixi Marienau
Photo by Kathleen Bryan
passion and talent for sculpture took off — much like her beloved
Thoroughbreds at the starting gate. She took jobs to support
her passion and became recognized as a gifted artist in equine
sculpture. You can find her work in the Back in the Saddle
catalog and as a featured artist on their website.
Through sculpture, she discovered her eye for photography.
“Sculpture is initially why I started taking horse pictures,” she
explained. “I wanted my own reference material. It taught me the
timing and the importance in catching the right phases of things.”
She didn’t actually take a photography class, however, until a
study abroad program brought her to Rome, where she took her
first 35mm photography classes. Her new technical education
coupled with her brewing fascination with photography (not to
mention the inspiring scenery of Rome) solidified her interest in
digital photography. But she wouldn’t professionally pick up a
camera for some time.
Looking to the Future
Since that first show, however, Kathleen has been very busy
enjoying life as a photographer, capturing images of competitive
pairs at nearly 30 shows each year.
But you can find Kathleen contributing much more than
ringside action shots. She also enjoys portrait photography for
senior pictures, sale horses, stallions, and the list goes on. She’s
also immensely talented at bringing the natural beauty of the
West to life in her landscape photos. She claimed the People’s
Choice Award for photography at the 2014 Rocky Mountain
Horse Expo, a much-deserved credit to her name.
Over time, Kathleen has developed what she calls a “purist
style.” She aims to shoot her photos correctly to begin with, so
that little editing is required. She does, however, also enjoy the
creative editing process that goes into her new collage-style
photographs (pictured to the left).
Kathleen is a very versatile and go-with-the-flow character.
Whether editing a masterpiece, shooting ready-to-go photos
at horse shows or doodling in the back of the pew, Kathleen is
happy as long as horses and art are involved.
