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Wednesday, January 13 2016 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Carly Dvorkin: Focused On Her Dreams

By Jona Lane

Carly and Zelaleen in the $5000 U.S. Price Waterhouse Junior/ AO at the Rolex Central Park Invitational. Photo by The Book LLC

Carly and Zelaleen in the $5000 U.S. Price Waterhouse Junior/ AO at the Rolex Central Park Invitational.
Photo by The Book LLC

Junior rider Carly Dvorkin is the youngest of four siblings and the only competitive rider of the family. She began riding at age 3 and by 5 she was competing in local shows. Carly rides for her family’s barn, Pine Hollow Farm, located in Parkland, Florida, formally called Hunters Run. When Carly and her ponies began winning in the pony divisions consistently, she made the jump to competing in the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

Carly loves competing at WEF every winter; it’s close to home and it’s also a way for her to connect better with her horses with more ring time. During the summers, they show mostly in Tryon, North Carolina, which is one of Pine Hollow’s three locations. Carly has also had great success at other shows such as The Kentucky Horse Park, The American Gold Cup and The Rolex Central Park Horse Show.

Carly surrounds herself with very positive and encouraging people. Her trainer, David Blake, said, “Carly is very intelligent, which makes teaching her very easy. She’s excellent at processing instructions given to her and applying them to her riding. I think with this quality and her hard work and determination she’ll go a long way in the sport.”

Sidelines had the opportunity to catch up with Carly and find out more about her life, her horses and her dreams.

Carly and Zelaleen competing in The American Gold Cup in North Salem, New York. Photo by The Book LLC

Carly and Zelaleen competing in The American Gold Cup in North Salem, New York.
Photo by The Book LLC

Sidelines: What’s your biggest accomplishment?
Carly Dvorkin: During WEF 2015, my team riding for Communities in Schools finished fifth place in the FTI Great Charity Challenge. That meant a lot to me because it was such an amazing feeling of helping others while doing something that I love. At the Tryon International Equestrian Center, I finished as Circuit Champion of the Low Juniors for the Summer and August circuits. That was especially an amazing feeling as I’d been working so hard to move up into the Junior divisions at the beginning of summer. At the Rolex Central Park Horse Show, I finished fifth with Zelaleen. I started in the Juniors at the beginning of June, and I’m currently ranked fourth Horse of the Year for the Low Juniors with my previous horse. This summer I also became an ambassador for Connolly’s Red Mills Feed in Ireland.

Sidelines: How was your experience competing at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show?
CD: It was the experience of a lifetime. I’ve always dreamed of being able to compete at a show like the Rolex Central Park Horse Show. It was a big accomplishment to get there, as it was invitation-only to be able to compete. For a year I’d been working toward that goal. My trainer David Blake also competed a horse at the show. The horse that I competed was Zelaleen. She was the best horse I could have asked for, giving me the confidence I needed under so much pressure. That day, the time passed so fast until it finally hit me that I was riding on live stream in the middle of the Big Apple, which was always a dream when I was younger. My mare and I came in fifth place in a very competitive class, which proved to me that hard work does pay off. I couldn’t have been happier with our performance. I had such an amazing time throughout the show, accomplishing everything that was once a dream.

Carly is all smiles after winning the $5000 Low Junior/AO Classic at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. Photo by Sharon Packer, sharonpacker.com

Carly is all smiles after winning the $5000 Low Junior/AO Classic at the Tryon International Equestrian Center.
Photo by Sharon Packer, sharonpacker.com

Sidelines: What are some of your future goals?
CD: In the next few years, my goal is to compete and finish on the podium at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships. Another goal is to compete on an American Nations Cup team. I believe that under the influence and guidance of David Blake, I can achieve my dreams of competing in the Olympics as an equestrian.

Sidelines: Tell us a little bit about your horses.
CD: My new horse, Zafira, is an 8-year-old grey Holsteiner mare who just arrived from Holland in late September. She’s very forgiving with a great mind, and although she’s new to me, I’m in love with everything about her. I’m very thankful to have been given a horse like her.

Alejandro is a 10-year-old bay Holsteiner gelding imported from England. He’s a great teacher that has built my confidence moving up the levels. He’s a very sweet boy and has loads of personality to him.

I sold Zelaleen after the Central Park Horse Show. She was the most amazing first junior jumper I could have ever asked for. Zelaleen is an 11-year-old chestnut mare who was imported from England in late December 2014. She was the sweetest mare with the sweetest heart. Zelaleen, along with Alejandro, took me from just coming out of the Low Children’s to the Children’s during the first weeks of WEF to the Modified Children’s, and then to the Low Junior Jumpers in no more than three months.

Sidelines: When showing, how do you juggle horses and school?
CD: I’m a freshman at the North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, Florida. I’ve been attending since I was 3 years old and this is my 12th year attending. I have many friends that I’ve grown up with through the years and have made many new ones. This year I was elected to be the homecoming “Lady” of my class, which was a great honor. School is very important to me, along with all of my friends. My school is very flexible; they’ve always worked with me, especially if I’m out for competitions. I’ve always been a hardworking and dedicated student. At the same time, it’s very challenging to balance school and horses. Sometimes it feels like I’m living in two different worlds at the same time. I have many riding friends whom I’ve met over the years and who I wait to see all year round until the start of season. During the season, I get to spend a good portion of my time with my friends even when waiting at the ring for our class to start. It’s also the hardest time for me to focus on being successful in school with so many things going on at once. Although it may be challenging to balance both horses and school, it’s like getting the best of both worlds.

Carly and Zelaleen — 5th place in the Rolex Central Park Invitational.  Photo by The Book LLC

Carly and Zelaleen — 5th place in the Rolex Central Park Invitational.
Photo by The Book LLC

Sidelines: Who are your equestrian idols?
CD: I’ve always looked up to my trainer David Blake. He’s taught me everything I know about the jumpers and has inspired me to be a better equestrian through his hard work and dedication to the horses. He’s always believed in me and continues to set me up on the path to learn and grow as a rider. In these last two years of my transition into the jumper ring, I would’ve never imagined to accomplish and experience the things I have. I owe it mainly to David for always pushing me to do my best and for making me strive further to reach a certain goal by hard work. He’s been my trainer for almost four years and I couldn’t imagine where I’d be today without him. I also look up to Amanda Derbyshire as rider as she’s very focused and she’s been a big part of the team supporting me and even just being at the ring for me.

Sidelines: What’s your favorite quote and do you have any advice for those chasing the dream of the jumper ring?
CD: Jim Hickey, a sports psychologist based in Ireland, said, “Stay focused on what you want, and follow your dreams.” In this sport I’ve learned it’s best to stay humble. I’m always thankful and never forget the people who’ve helped me reach this point in my riding career, such as my previous trainers. In this sport, it’s very important to stay focused on yourself and do whatever makes you happy instead of worrying about others. Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and don’t be afraid to take risks. One of the worst things riders do is overthink things in and out of the show ring. One thing I’ve learned riding many different horses is to let things happen and flow. Things don’t always work out the way we want them to. Instead of getting upset, think of what you need to do or what you can do to change or make something better. It’s also better in most cases not to rush into things but instead be patient and take your time because you’re going to get further in the long run.

About the writer: Jona Lane is an at-home mother of three beautiful children and married to an amazing husband. She has ridden since she was a child, being the daughter of a horse-trainer father and horse-loving mother. Her family rode mainly Western, but Jona always dreamed of the jumper ring. She continues to fit horses into her busy schedule of being a mom and enjoys writing about her passion.

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Tagged under: carly dvorkin, david blake, interview, jona lane, wef

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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
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

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