SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Wednesday, January 15 2020 / Published in General

Coursewalk with Heather Caristo

Heather CaristoPhoto by Christy Burleson

How is team competition different from individual competition?

I love being a part of teams! Team competition is a lot of fun because you’re competing for so much more than just yourself. In our sport, we are mostly riding against our peers and friends; it’s very individualistic. But when you ride with a team, whether it’s for your zone (Young Riders) or for your country, there’s more at stake.

There’s pressure to do well because you know it’s not just your rail — it affects the team as a whole. If I have faults when I’m on a team, it makes me fight harder in the second round because I don’t want to let down my teammates. Or if my teammate isn’t having the best day, it’s great to be able to rally behind them and help them to have a better overall experience and an improved next round.

I enjoy the camaraderie and the honor of representing my country on a team, and I will always aim to be a part of any teams I can!

Heather and Qui Vive des Songes Z in Langley, Canada.
Photo by Kathy Russell

What’s your most memorable equestrian moment? What made it special? Is there anything you would have done differently?

My most memorable equestrian moment was not what most people think of. It wasn’t winning a class, but rather, it was a time when I learned something important both about my horse and myself.

I was competing for the United States on a Nations Cup team with my stallion Qui Vive des Songes Z. He schooled beautifully and I thought we were ready for a clear round for the team. What actually happened was a total lack of rideability and more faults than I had wanted. I didn’t know what had changed so quickly. Was it my nerves? Was he upset with the crowd?

We pulled it together to have a decent second round, and thankfully my teammates had great rounds to secure a successful outcome. That afternoon as we were taking care of him, we noticed that his back was unusually sore. The USET has a phenomenal group of vets and therapists for the horses and they were able to work on my horse that evening and the next day.

I was heartbroken and horrified; I hadn’t realized how sore he was from traveling to the show. I was excited to be on the team and I didn’t hear him (or at first, he wasn’t telling me) that his back didn’t feel right. We were eligible for the grand prix, but I said to myself, “I’ll listen to my horse and the second he feels uncomfortable, I’ll retire from the round.”

After all the therapeutic attention he had received, he was feeling really good, but I didn’t want to put him at any unnecessary risk. I decided to take it “one jump at a time.”

We ended up jumping a clear round in the grand prix! He was back to the horse I knew, and he performed incredibly!

This was such a learning experience on so many levels and I was relieved that he came out of it on top and that I was able to really focus on what he was saying. I’m not sure what I would have done differently in that moment, but now I’m much more acutely aware of how stoic my horse can be and how in tune with him I need to be. It was an invaluable lesson, and a winning feeling to have had such a dramatic turnaround from one round to the next.

Being an equestrian takes you to all sorts of amazing places. How do you make the time for yourself when on the road? Do you explore your different locations?

I’ve been very lucky to travel to many new places whether for shows or for trying horses. I absolutely make the effort to explore anywhere I go. I’ve been on some trips where all I see are barns and hotels, but as I’ve gotten older, I try to find at least one new thing to see wherever I go.

My husband, Jesse, is very good at finding eclectic restaurants; so, for example, we often will drive off the beaten path to eat somewhere that has a culturally unique dish. We also really enjoy hiking, so if we are in Switzerland, we find a new trail or mountain that we haven’t yet experienced.

As a runner, I lace up my sneakers and hit the road wherever I am. That’s a great way to see a city or the countryside. Running has taken me past signs about local art or musical events that I’ve then gone to.

It’s important to be focused on the show or looking for the right horse, but for me, to stay present in the moment and in the new place where I’m staying is also important. I enjoy living those aspects of life outside of the stable as well and I try to take advantage as much as I can.

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: Coursewalk, heather caristo, q&a

What you can read next

World Championship Hunter Rider Program Returns to Vermont
Hearts & Hands Rescue – Earning Their Stripes
Rescue Dog of the Day

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
A note from our editor. It's here!! The October is A note from our editor. It's here!! The October issue of Sidelines Magazine! So happy to have the fabulous Amelia Newcomb on our cover. Amelia is a dressage rider with over 100,000 students! You read that right! Amelia has a very popular YouTube Channel where riders from around the word can learn and improve on their dressage - and it's not just dressage riders who are benefitting from Amelia Newcombe Dressage on Your Tube but riders of all disciplines - don't miss her story! Thanks to Sidelines photographer Lindsey Long for the beautiful photos. This issue has so many great stories! Catch up with eventer Zachary Brandt Equestrian (make sure to see how much he loves his dogs), and meet show jumper Katherine Anne Brewer and her horse Super Bunny, artist Samantha Dawn, equestrian Megan Smith who teaches Pilates 4 Equestrians; and Ela Ladwig a dressage rider and trainer who's multi talented because she's also a talented artist also. We have an amazing story on hunter-jumper rider Lisa Mooney who has a story you don't want to miss!! We also have a story on Tyler Held who's passion for eventing has taken her on quite the journey, and we catch up with Jimmy Toon in our Unbridled column. This issue also features our Save The Date section where you can check out show dates for this year and next from horse shows around the country! So get out your calendar!! And don't miss our great columnists, hunter-jumper with Rob R.L. Jacobs, eventing with Liz Halliday Eventing and sports psychology with Margie Sugarman. And check out the photos of riders at the 2023 The Hampton Classic Horse Show also! It's another great issue! Make sure to subscribe to Sidelines also - one year for $14.95 and the magazine is delivered right to your house or barn!! Enjoy the October issue: https://sidelinesmagazine.com/app/#/reader/50029/1767167 Link in Bio!!!
Are YOU ready for it? The wait is over! The Capita Are YOU ready for it? The wait is over! The Capital Challenge Horse Show has officially begun! Not able to attend the 2023 Capital Challenge Horse Show? 🏆 No problem! Watch all 11 days of competition for free with the live stream, sponsored by C. Jarvis Insurance Agency Inc., on capitalchallenge.org or usefnetwork.com. 🎥
Balancing riding and academics can be tough, so Bl Balancing riding and academics can be tough, so Blue Ribbon Scholars is here to help! Whether you need help with a single subject, SAT prep, or transitioning to online school, Blue Ribbon will tailor a unique program to the needs of every student athlete, grades K-12. The exclusive education services provider at HITS Ocala since 2019, Blue Ribbon offers in-person tutoring services throughout the duration of the winter circuit, in addition to our virtual services via Zoom year round, anywhere, anytime! Are you showing at WEC this winter, but looking for affordable, fun, and individualized in-person support? Have no fear! In-person tutoring is available anywhere in the Ocala area, and everyone is welcome to attend our programs at HITS. Our tutors are kind, qualified, and understand the needs of competitive student-athlete equestrians. The founder of Blue Ribbon Scholars is an amateur jumper rider who holds a BA from Yale University and Master’s in Education from Vanderbilt. You will be in good hands! Message, email, or call us today to learn more about how we help you accomplish your goals. blueribbonscholars, hitshorseshows #sidelinesmagazine #sidelines2023 #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople #dressage #hunterjumper #eventing #magazine #horses #wellington #wef #florida #college #school #blueribbonscholars #hitshorseshows #hunterjumper #showjumping #hunterjumpersofinstagram #tutoringforathletes #tutoringservices #backtoschool #equestrian #equestrianlife #equestrianlifestyle #horseshowlife #studyhardplayhard #homeschooling #ocala
📣Exciting News!! 📣 Sidelines Magazine is gr 📣Exciting News!! 📣 Sidelines Magazine is growing! Thanks to our success we are expanding our sales force and are looking for talented sales people‼️ Come join the team!! 👉For more information email editor@sidelinesmagazine.com
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • BARN AND STALL RENTALS 2022-2023 SEASON
    - 6 STALLS w/apt & ring – SADDLE TRAIL - 5 STALLS w/apt & arena – SADDLE TRAIL - 4 STALLS – PADDOCK PARK - 6 STALLS w/arena and apt - SADDLE TRAIL Holly Ann Chaney • Douglas Elliman C: 561-719-0828 hollychaneygroup@gmail.com hollychaneygroup.com RENT EARLY, MANY MORE TO CHOOSE FROM THIS SEASON,

    [Read more]

  • AIKEN’S FINEST - DAVID STINSON
    Keller Williams Realty Your Best Friend In Real Estate (803) 640-0123 FineHomesOfAiken.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Woodside Recognizes the Best in the West
  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Conor Swail Was the Best Bet in $15,000 CSI2* Markel Insurance Welcome at San Juan Capistrano International
  • Lillie Keenan Leads in CHF68,000 South Coast Plaza Welcome Speed at San Juan Capistrano International CSIO5*
  • McLain Ward Wins CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix at San Juan Capistrano International

Category

Recent Posts

  • October 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Zayna Rizvi: Horses from Family to Finals

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller &...
  • Samantha Wolfram: Finding Success in America and Overseas

    By Juliana Chapman Portraits by Kirsten Hannah ...
  • Cedar Potts-Warner: At Liberty and Beyond

    Story and Portraits by Jennifer DeMaro   P...
  • Jordan Melfi: Turning a Secret Horse Life Into a Career

    By Veronica Green-Gott Portraits by Shelly Cart...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!