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Wednesday, October 02 2019 / Published in General

Coursewalk with Heather Caristo

Heather CaristoPhoto by Christy Burleson

I usually either show in the hunters or jumpers. Recently, I’ve thought about showing with different horses in both categories at the same show. How do you reset, or make sure you don’t start riding like a jumper in the hunter ring, or like a hunter in the jumper ring?

Transitioning between hunters and jumpers at the show can be difficult at first, but understanding that they’re both really the same rhythm can be a huge help. I have absolutely hunted down to a square oxer in a jump-off only to take out the front rail, or dug in with my seat in a turn in the hunters and gotten an overreaction and left without a ribbon. It’s not a science, and things happen that we don’t always want to when going from one style of riding to another.

No matter which ring I’m in, I always spend a few minutes in the schooling area feeling my horse. I ride a lot by feel and I find that taking a deep breath and reminding myself which horse I’m on can put me in the right mental state for whichever ring I’m competing in next.

I tend to ride the hunters in a more forward seat with a lower hand, so if I start the jumpers like that, I’ll feel right away that I’m using too soft or flat of a canter. Specifically, I think about bringing my elbows back. It immediately puts my shoulders and back in a more upright position, opening up my hip angle, and my hands follow suit. It allows me to have a better connection with the horse’s mouth and have the horse in a better balance. Sometimes I have to force myself to get to the base of the jump a few times, since my eye has been contently finding a hunter gap for a few rounds.

When I go from jumper to hunter, I think about slowing everything down. I keep the same rhythm, but the focused breathing in the schooling area helps bring my adrenaline down and allow for a calmer ride and more subtle reactions.

At the end of the day, when we see the top jumper riders in the big classes, the best rounds have been noted as looking like an equitation lesson or as smooth as a hunter round. It’s all about finding the right rhythm and allowing the round to flow. I guess the difference is just how fast you do it!

What were some of your biggest accomplishments so far in 2019?

My biggest accomplishment of 2019 has yet to be written. So far, I’d say there have been a few worthy milestones to mention.

One of my most fun classes was Week 4 of WEF, when the 4* grand prix was out on the field. I rode my stallion, QuiVive des Songes Z, to a clear first round and was able to do the jump-off alongside some of the best riders: McLain Ward, Beezie Madden and Kent Farrington, to note a few. I did have one down in the second round, but it was such an accomplishment to even be in there with them.

On the hunter side, I recently competed and earned a ribbon in my first international hunter derby with Quickborn 7. It’s such an art to be able to do well in the hunter ring, and especially in the big derbies. Getting to hunt down to the high options is so much fun, but doing that from a half seat can be a little intimidating.

I’m looking forward to doing more big derbies with Quickborn. I’m also excited for what some of my younger horses have being doing so far this year. All of them have moved up a level from what they were doing in Florida and won their classes. I’m looking forward to more of their achievements the rest of this year and can’t wait to see what happens.

My parents are also great, somewhat famous riders. How did you break away from being known as their child to being known as a rider/trainer in your own right?

Sounds like you and I are in a similar situation. I think being able to be known as a trainer in your own right is something that takes time, and I believe I’m still on that path.

Here’s what happened with me that started me on the path to being a trainer myself. I took some time away from the business due to back issues, and even though it wasn’t very long, when I came back, I felt like things had definitely changed. I grew up riding Thoroughbreds, and when I returned full time to the sport, everyone was on warmbloods. I felt like I had to learn how to ride and train horses all over again.

I started reading books on horsemanship and horse training from different riders’ perspectives. We never did many gymnastics when I was young, because the hot-blooded horses couldn’t take too much repetition. I started experimenting more with gymnastics and placing poles. Because I was trying new techniques that we didn’t usually practice at home, to try to understand and train this new style of horse, my parents also started to take notice. I think this was the beginning of me becoming my own person in their eyes, and a trainer utilizing my newfound ideas.

Slowly, I started going to some shows on my own, and when I was seen being able to handle things alone, I believe other riders and trainers also started to see me as an individual.

When I was younger, I took for granted that I was known as Ralph and Holly’s daughter. Being older, it makes me proud to be referred to as being part of my family.

And I’m sure if you ask them, the tables have turned and they feel like they are referred to more as my parents.

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Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Gre Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Great American $300,000 Grand Prix at HITS Ocala!! 🏆🥇

Crowds filled the stands at the HITS Ocala Grand Prix Ring on Sunday afternoon to watch the world’s top athletes compete in the Great American $300,000 Grand Prix. The day concluded with a thrilling five-horse jump-off featuring athletes 
representing four countries. In the end, it was Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) and Ivaro N who produced the only double clear effort of the day, claiming one of the biggest wins of her career. Scott Keach (AUS) and Noble De La Chapelle earned the second-place prize with the fastest 4-fault jump-off, while Aaron Vale (USA) and Obi Wan placed third as the day’s pathfinders.

“I'm still on cloud nine, I still can't believe it – I’ve used up all my luck for the year,” smiled Goldman-Smolen after her win. “I've been knocking on the door a long time in these bigger classes. I am so proud of my horse – he gave every ounce of effort.”

Sunday’s Great American $300,000 Grand Prix marked the conclusion of the 2023 HITS Ocala circuit. HITS CCO Joe Norick concluded, “We are so excited about the new HITS, with 2023 as the launch. New footing, many new arenas here, and a lot of our facilities across America are getting a lot of love and new footing. Our partnerships with Worldly Martin and others across America including our footing leader Bart Poles overseeing our operations – it really makes a big difference for us. Today is about Ocala and these three riders sitting next to me who supported us this entire winter. We want to be a proud destination for our exhibitors and our friends. We know we have to provide them a beautiful showplace to work from that's horseman friendly, and that's our go goal. 

Congratulations to all of the riders, horses, owners, and groom who participated in this prestigious class!!! 🎉
📸 @esi_photography 
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It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

 ✨PF'S DIAMO BLUE✨
Diarado-Diamant de Semilly- Chacco Blue
17.0hh, Oldenburg International Hunter Derby/ Jumper Stallion
An outstanding Pedigree- Chacco Blue and Diamant de Semilly
WBFSH/ Rolex top ranking Jumping Sires 2017 thru 2022
Standing at Ryan Pedigo Sport Horses, in California

For more information, you can contact 
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You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

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Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

“Besides running Ryegate Show Services and its various organizations, I can be found in the show office, running a scoreboard or judging jumpers at most shows,” Annette said. “I love getting to wear a few different hats at the show.”

When she’s not busy at a show, Annette lives in Annville, Pennsylvania, with her “fur-baby,” Maggie Mae, and enjoys spending time with her many godchildren. Though she doesn’t currently own any horses, Annette rides when she can at Rolling Acres Farm with Patty Foster, Ashley Foster-Worthington and Mary Lisa Leffler.

Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

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A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
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