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Thursday, June 02 2016 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Molly Ashe Cawley — Life, Love, Family & Horses

Molly Ashe Cawley and D’Arnita, owned by Louisburg Farm

Molly Ashe Cawley and D’Arnita, owned by Louisburg Farm

By Lauren R. Giannini
Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek

Jumper riders are “in it to win it” with a perfect score of zero, leaving the big fences up in an exciting race against the clock. Grand Prix is the ultimate in jumpers — not every equestrian’s game, but Molly Ashe Cawley loves it. Extremely competitive in jumpers, derbies and hunters, she champions her horses by being their advocate, protector and defender. With Molly, the horses always come first.

“They’re my friends, the whole reason I chose this lifestyle, because I really love the horses, all of them,” said Molly. “They’re amazing animals. It’s unbelievable what they do, day in and out. When they give me their whole heart, I feel like I owe it to them to do the best I can for them.”

Blessed with the kind of “feel” that can’t be learned — sensitive, totally attuned to the horse’s mind and body — she makes every effort to find the keys to unlock the best each one has to offer. Molly pays attention, “listening” and waiting for the horse to let her know he’s ready for the lesson or for whatever’s next in the training program. She’s very honest about their abilities and practices what can be called enlightened horsemanship.

“For sure, I think that’s the only way to do it,” she said. “I know others do it differently, but for me it’s the only way I can do it – when they want to do it. I cannot ignore the voice in my head when I know the horse isn’t happy or doesn’t feel right. It’s impossible for me to turn that off, because I want to know when the horses are off or unhappy or whatever. Sometimes it’s a good thing. Sometimes I’m not so sure. It’s a catch-22.”

Molly and Cat Ballou, owned by Louisburg Farm

Molly and Cat Ballou, owned by Louisburg Farm

The Horse’s Job

Molly determines the program for each horse. They’re often bred, trained and marketed for specific disciplines and sports. So, if the horse doesn’t like its job, there will be problems ranging from poor performance to bad behavior.

“When you see a horse that you know professionally isn’t suitable and that the shortcomings are going to get in its way, I feel a responsibility to tell the owner,” said Molly. “People hire us and it’s part of the job to be honest with them. If they don’t want to hear it, they might insist we continue with the horse or take it to someone else. Often, by the time they realize you told them the truth, it’s too late — they have spent so much money on a horse that clearly needed a different job. I’m not going to be dishonest just because somebody doesn’t want to hear the truth. That isn’t doing anybody any favors.”

When hunters are too animated or jumpers too careless or slow, they end up switching jobs. “I’m more likely to make a jumper into a hunter than the other way around,” said Molly. “That’s especially true for the derbies. They’re good for horses that didn’t quite have a spot, because they were really nice horses, yet didn’t have the heart to be a jumper or didn’t have the technique to be the end-all hunter type.”

After the birth of her first child (she has two, now 8 and 6), Molly bought a Finnish Warmblood jumper by Coriano, meant to be her Grand Prix horse. “Kennzo has been my derby horse for the last few years,” she said. “He worried so much in the jumper classes, I knew he wasn’t going to make it as a jumper. His technique wasn’t good enough to be the best hunter, but Kennzo won derby after derby. He won a lot of money and he did it beautifully. The people who bought him for me had fun owning him. If he hadn’t done the derbies, I don’t know what we would have done with him.”

Favorite Horses

Kennzo’s retired now, turned out in Molly’s father-in-law’s field. She’s known to buy horses back when the opportunity arises. Some never leave, like Orpheus, her equitation horse. He developed respiratory problems and was only able to compete at the equitation regionals, which they won three times, and the equitation finals. Orpheus lived to be 23, turned out at a farm down the road from Fairfield Hunt Club in Connecticut where Molly worked for years and could see him all the time.

“Orpheus was my friend. Charlie Ziff, who owned Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia, gave him to us,” recalled Molly. “My brother Neil showed him in the Junior Jumpers, but Orpheus couldn’t really do it. I thought that horse was the coolest thing ever. Neil handed him down to me to be my equitation horse. He was a Dutch Warmblood that had done dressage in Europe. He had an amazing extended trot, like waltzing. He meant the sun, the moon and the stars to me. He was one of my favorite horses.”

Molly competing at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival

Molly competing at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival

More recently, Molly’s retirement club includes Carissimo, imported from Europe by Maarten Huygens, who had the horse for sale and asked Molly to ride him. “We hit it off — Carissimo was very sensitive,” she said. “He had been ridden by European men and didn’t love the pressure of being put between your hand and leg. I rode him like a hunter and he really blossomed going that way.”

In 2012, Molly made a spectacular comeback in the $200,000 American Invitational, having been away since her consecutive victories (2001, 2002). Beaten by the clock by one second and change, she finished second with Carissimo. They enjoyed wins and placings at Tampa and Southampton, and victory in the Old Salem Spring Grand Prix. Carissimo was sold twice, but recently Molly and Maarten bought him back.

“Carissimo’s going to show a little bit this summer,” said Molly. “When he’s ready, he’ll go to my father-in-law’s to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.”

Norfield’s Team

Norfield Stables LLC is a partnership comprised of W.T. “Timmy” Kees, Chris Cawley and Molly. All three are specialists who started early in childhood and whose experience and knowledge help their clients to enjoy great success.

“Timmy teaches all the equitation. They’re all his kids. He has a good rapport with them and he looks out for them — there’s no bigger fan or cheerleader than Timmy,” said Molly. “My husband, Chris, is an excellent teacher and has a great eye for a horse. He doesn’t say a lot, but he’s very smart and what he says makes sense. He has a very calm demeanor — the clients all love him.”

Molly rides, trains and teaches lots of lessons. She moved from hunters to jumpers in the ’90s, won her first major Grand Prix at Lake Placid in 1999 and went out on her own in 2000. She’s one of only three to win back-to-back American Invitationals. As top finisher at the U.S. Equestrian Team’s 2002 Selection Trials, she was short-listed for the World Equestrian Games, but withdrew Kroon Gravin because of injury.

Molly credits her sponsors — CWD, Animo, Samshield, Equifit, Lucky Braids and Seashore Acres LLC — for making it possible to pursue her dreams and achieve successes here and in Europe. She has many career highlights, but still nurtures big goals.

molly4

Molly and D’Arnita at Louisburg Farm

If the Stars Align…

“My individual goal is a Grade 1 horse who wins the World Cup Finals,” said Molly. “If that happens, it happens. A lot has to fall into place: WEG, World Cup Finals, all that, but I have two kids now to consider as well. I have been riding horses for Louisburg Farm, managed by Paul Butterworth.

“They have a 9-year-old, Cat Ballou — he showed really well and did some of the 5-star classes in Florida,” she continued. “He’s got a big future ahead of him. We also have some nice young horses coming up through the ranks. Louisburg is devoted to finding talented young horses and developing them into future champions. I feel lucky to be a part of their mission. Hopefully, we can produce some future stars.”

Visit norfield-stables.squarespace.com

 

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Tagged under: lauren r. giannini, molly ashe cawley

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❗️George Williams column❗️ The FEI World ❗️George Williams column❗️
The FEI World Cup Final in Omaha is coming up quickly. That means that it’s starting to heat 
up as the end of the qualifying period for both the Western European League (WEL) and the 
North American League (NAL) nears. I started to write this column before the Amsterdam CDI- W, and I was using the FEI Ranking List from January 15 as a reference. As I sit down to finish 
my column, I’m now looking at the results from Amsterdam. While the list of the top contenders 
for the WEL hasn’t changed, they’re definitely moving around on the ranking list. The WEL has 
three more legs, as they’re referred to: Neumünster February 16–19, Goteborg February 23–26, 
and ’s-Hertogenbosch March 9–12, and they could change things dramatically.
Looking at the top 12 athletes from the WEL as they were ranked on January 15, there are five 
from Germany, three from the Netherlands and one each from Great Britain, Denmark

➡️Read Georges's full column by clicking the link in our bio, and never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄 

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
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 
#horseshow #horses #horse #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #horselove #horsestagram #instagram #showjumping #equestrianlife #equine  #horsebackriding #dressage #horselife #pony #of #horserider #horseshoe #horsemanship #horseshowlife #riding #instahorse #horseaddict #horseofinstagram #sidelinesmagazine
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 
🖥Ryanpedigosporthorses.com
🖥Ryan.p.f@hotmail.com
☎️(714) 357-2714

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 🦄

@ryanpedigosporthorsespf_

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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

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
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