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Wednesday, December 02 2020 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Noah Stanlaske: Young Eventer With a Wise Mentor and Talented Horses 

By Laura Scaletti

Portraits by Adrienne Morella 

Do you believe in fate? Eventer Noah Stanlaske does. At 14 years old, Noah has repeatedly been in the right place at the right time to let his equestrian aspirations take flight. 

For Noah, first grade was more than just learning about reading, writing and arithmetic; it’s where his passion for horses was first sparked. “My first grade teacher rode and she did a lot of her lessons around horses. She was very enthusiastic about riding and it made me want to give it a try,” Noah said.

Although Noah’s mom had spent her own childhood riding, it was Noah who initiated the conversation about giving riding a go. At age 7, Noah put his foot in the stirrup for the first time and today he’s been riding for more than half his life.

Like many young riders starting out, Noah got his feet wet in the world of hunter-jumpers. As a member of the Rolling Rock Hunt Pony Club located in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Noah got to try his hand at a variety of disciplines. It was through Pony Club that Noah got his first taste of the thrill of traversing a cross-country course.

“I was drawn to eventing after my first experience schooling cross-country. It was so different from anything I had done before,” Noah said. “I remember thinking how much fun I had galloping around the field and that I couldn’t wait to do it again.” 

Noah credits Pony Club for both introducing him to the sport he loves and teaching him the importance of horsemanship. “It was through Pony Club that I was given a solid foundation of horse knowledge. Pony Club stresses the whole picture: how to take care of your horse both in and out of the saddle,” Noah explained.

Building Partnerships

In just two years, Noah has gone from eventing newbie to tackling the Preliminary Level. The first of the “upper” levels of eventing, Preliminary takes guts, talent and qualification.  

Noah is extremely grateful to have two talented mounts, without whom the rapid rise in the ranks wouldn’t be possible. “Chesterland and Dancing Queen are my partners in the competition ring and out. I am so lucky to call them both mine,” he said.

For the past two and a half years, Chesterland has been helping Noah advance in the sport. “Chester is definitely the horse that changed my life. He helped show me the ropes of eventing and gave me the confidence I needed to keep growing,” Noah said.

It was the summer of 2019 when Chesterland and Noah really found their stride together. The duo became a solid pair and gave each other their complete trust. “Chester’s such a special horse. He gives you 100%, 100% of the time.”

In fact, Noah and Chesterland were recognized for their teamwork last year at the Cobblestone Farm Horse Trials, winning the Charles Owen Technical Merit Award. According to the US Eventing Association, “The award represents effective precision and execution by horse and rider on the cross-country course at the Training Level of competition.”

“Chester and I were one of 10 young riders to take home the award last year. It was a very special award for me because it recognized all of our hard work, but more importantly, acknowledged we were doing things not only correctly, but also safely,” Noah said.

Over the past year, Noah has also built a solid relationship with his newest partner, Dancing Queen. A full sister to Chesterland, she has given Noah an opportunity to learn new skills and further refine his style of riding.

“Dancing Queen has really helped me finesse my technique in dressage. She’s a cross-country machine; she has so much fun on course,” Noah said.

While Noah’s two mounts are full siblings and they both excel in the cross-country phase, they are two very different horses to ride and compete. “I’m really enjoying learning what makes each of them tick,” he said.

Lesson from a Legend

For Noah, one of the most exciting aspects of eventing is getting to meet some of his heroes and watch top riders in the sport compete. When Noah was looking for his next competition horse, he not only found his partner Chesterland, he met living legend and Olympic gold medalist Bruce Davidson, Sr.

“We were in Florida looking at horses and Bruce had Chester for us to try. Bruce actually bred and started both Chester and Dancing Queen,” Noah said. “After we brought Chester home, we kept in contact with Bruce and updated him on how we were doing.”

Keeping in touch with Bruce has paid dividends for Noah. The past two winters, Noah was able to take a few lessons with Bruce down in Florida. This summer, Noah went to Bruce’s Chesterland Farm in Unionville, Pennsylvania, to prepare for the American Eventing Championships — and still rides with Bruce.

“I’m so fortunate to be able to train with Bruce full time. It’s really special to train with someone of Bruce’s caliber; his knowledge and attention to detail is extraordinary,” Noah said.

Noah’s taking advantage of every moment he can be with Bruce and learn from the master of eventing himself. He’s learned more about competing from Bruce, and he’s gained valuable insights into how to condition a horse properly for the upper levels of eventing.

“Bruce has been a great mentor, dedicated coach and a devoted teacher. Every interaction with Bruce is an opportunity to learn something, and he’s so giving of his time,” Noah said. “My favorite moments with him are just going for a hack in the countryside.”

Balancing Act

Noah is determined to do whatever it takes to make it to the top of his sport. Although young in years, he’s wise in knowing that it’s going to take a strong drive and work ethic to achieve his goals. 

“The moment Chester became my partner, my whole life changed,” Noah said. “I was at the barn several days a week learning, riding in the morning, riding at night. I did whatever I could to keep moving forward.”

With two horses in training and high aspirations for his future, Noah’s training regime has increased, resulting in more time spent at Bruce’s farm. “Once a month, my mom and I travel to Bruce’s and stay for two to three weeks at a time,” Noah said.  

Like many young riders tackling the upper levels of their sport, Noah attends Laurel Spring, a private online high school.  Every day is a balance of eventing and education for Noah. 

“Going to Laurel Springs ensures that I’m meeting all of my academic requirements, but it also gives me the freedom to train every day and have a flexible schedule. While I’m very committed to training, I know that school is equally important,” Noah said.

With two strong partners, a devoted trainer and family behind him, the future is bright for Noah. “Eventing is so exciting and thrilling to me. I hope one day to compete at the top level of the sport,” he said. 

But with the healthy mentality fostered from Pony Club to training with Bruce, he’s also sure to enjoy the journey.

“My favorite aspect of eventing has to be the partnership and trust you form with your horse,” Noah said. “Developing and building a bond with your horse takes time, but once you have it, it makes everything you go through that much more rewarding.”

Photos by Adrienne Morella, adriennemorellaphotography.zenfolio.com

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Tagged under: eventing, Noah Stanlaske, rising star

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Get your entries in for the TerraNova Dressage II Get your entries in for the TerraNova Dressage II CDI W & USEF National Level 5 dressage competition, hosted October 19-22, 2023 at TerraNova Equestrian Center in beautiful Myakka City, Florida. Conveniently located near Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota, TerraNova Equestrian Center is Florida’s premier equestrian destination.

Discover TerraNova’s peaceful showgrounds and luxury facilities for a world-class competition experience. TerraNova Dressage II is managed by Thomas Baur and Monica Fitzgerald and has quickly become a favorite venue amongst dressage competitors. 
National Judges:
Cindi Wylie
Anne Cizadlo

CDI Judges:
William Warren (4* / USA)
Elke Ebert (5* / GER)
Agniezka Majewska (4* / POL)
Debbie Rodrigurz (3* / USA)
Christof Umbach (5* / LUX)

View full prize list: https://www.terranovaequestrian.com/terranova-dressage-ii-cdi4 Enter CDI: https://equestrian-hub.com/public/show/165165 Enter USEF: https://equestrian-hub.com/public/show/184795 Closing date: October 12th – enter now!

#showterranova
HELLO OCTOBER!!! Kicking off the month with Intern HELLO OCTOBER!!! Kicking off the month with International-level dressage rider Amelia Newcomb. Who is committed to making dressage accessible to anyone who wants to learn and improve in the sport. With a mantra of “Dressage for All,” Amelia, her husband, Germán Schneider, and the rest of her team at Amelia Newcomb Dressage believe that anyone and everyone can learn to love their ride. 
With over 100,000 YouTube subscribers around the globe, Amelia is able to share her joy and 
enthusiasm for the sport with more equestrians than she ever dreamed of through her online training 
platform. Amelia’s curriculum breaks riding down into a simple, proven system that anyone can follow 
and get results, regardless of age, discipline or location.“My goal is to make good dressage training accessible to everyone who is interested in learning. One way I do that is by producing quality videos to educate and encourage dressage students along their dressage journey,” Amelia said. “The transformations that my students get are insane and my business is changing the entire sport of dressage and the way people learn to ride.”
While Amelia is a talented USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist today, she knows the struggles 
associated with trying to make your way in the sport without abundant educational resources. “I grew up in Colorado, where there weren’t that many dressage resources available. I was so hungry for knowledge, I would go to big shows just to watch the big-named trainers work,” Amelia said. “That’s why, when given the opportunity to share what I’ve learned along the way, I decided to go for it and start my YouTube channel.” 
➡️Catch the full story at the link in our bio!! 
⬇️For more information, visit amelianewcombdressage.com and on Instagram 
amelicanewcombdressage

📸Photos by Lindsey Long, lindseylong.com
#Sidelines #sidelines2023 #sidelinesmagazine #magazine #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople
The WPCSA American National Welsh Pony and Cob Sho The WPCSA American National Welsh Pony and Cob Show is happening now! Don’t miss another second by streaming it live! 🐴

📹👀HOW TO VIEW THE LIVE STREAM
The WPCSA will again be streaming footage live from the ring at the American National Show next week. You will need two free passes to get to the feed this year.

1️⃣�The first is a USEF fan membership which you can get through this site:
Join or Renew | US Equestrian (usef.org)

2️⃣ Once you become a fan member, you will need to log in to the USEF Network on ClipMyHorse. A video demonstrating how to do this can be found here:
Existing USEF Fan - Watch the USEF Network - YouTube 

📸Pictured- Grand Champion Section B under UK judge. 
Owner-Barbara Chappell
Handler-Paul Maye /Maye Show Ponies Fairfield, VA
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

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