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Monday, August 24 2015 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Life is Golden for Marilyn Little

With only five years of eventing experience, former jumping superstar Marilyn Little helped the United States Eventing Team take home the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Canada. Marilyn also rode away with the individual gold, proving that …

Life is Golden for Marilyn Little

Story by Lauren R. Giannini     Photos by Isabel J Kurek

Marilyn Little with her team and individual eventing gold medals from the 2015 Pan Am Games in Canada.

Marilyn Little with her team and individual eventing gold medals from the 2015 Pan Am Games in Canada.

The Land Rover U.S. Three-Day Eventing Team had a mission to harvest gold at the Pan American Games, held in July in Toronto, Canada. Phillip Dutton, Lauren Kieffer, Marilyn Little and Boyd Martin did exactly that, maintaining their lead from dressage onward. They scored four double clears on the cross-country and three double clears in show jumping en route to the coveted team gold, which also qualified the U.S. for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

David O’Connor, U.S. chef d’equipe, knows what it takes to achieve the podium. He won individual gold and team bronze at the 2000 Athens Olympics, team silver at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and team gold at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, to name a few.

The last time the U.S.A. won on the world Three-Day stage was team gold and individual bronze at the 2011 Pan Ams in Guadalajara. American eventers didn’t medal in 2010 at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky or at the 2012 London Olympics. The 2014 World Games in Normandy were disappointing, to say the least. David’s single-minded goal, since being appointed chef in 2013, has been to get American eventing back on the podium.

This Pan Am team gold is special, for several reasons. It wasn’t Phillip’s first medal and, with luck, it won’t be his last. He grew up doing Pony Club in Australia. In 1991, when he was in his late 20s, he moved to the U.S.A. to prepare for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta where, representing Australia, he earned his first team gold. In 2000, he rode on the home team, winning gold at the Sydney Olympics. Phillip became an American citizen in 2006; the following year, riding for the U.S.A., he harvested team gold and individual silver at the Pan Am Games in Rio. Perhaps it’s a good omen that the next Olympics are in Rio.

It was the first medal for Boyd whose successes span 20 years. It’s the first medal and first time to represent the U.S.A. for Lauren Kieffer, who was 12 when she got hooked on eventing and 18 in 2005 when she moved to Virginia to learn from David and Karen O’Connor. Phillip, Boyd and Lauren are well-known in the eventing world. Marilyn pretty much took off like a rocket when she decided to give the equestrian triathlon her best shot. That’s why, for Marilyn, contributing to the team gold and earning the individual gold are dreams come true: she only started eventing five years ago.


Eventing Neophyte
Marilyn was a successful jumper rider who coached event riders at her family’s Raylyn Farms Inc. in Frederick, Maryland. In October 2010, while watching the cross-country at the World Games in Kentucky on TV, she decided to try it. She had to work on the dressage, but enjoyed the challenge. Marilyn thought her grand prix jumper, Udonna, would be perfect. Their first horse trial was Training Level the following week. Four months later, they won a division of Preliminary Rider in Florida. By spring they were competing in Europe. A junior who wanted a jumper bought Udonna and Marilyn returned home with three event horses, developing two of them to the four-star level.

Marilyn with her parents Ray and Lynne Little.

Marilyn with her parents Ray and Lynne Little.

“I grew up in a family where we sold horses for a living — we still sell horses, that’s how we support ourselves,” said Marilyn. “I was one of the kids who grew up with professional parents. The group just ahead of me had McLain Ward and Lauren Hough. Liza Towell was in my group. I include Kent Farrington, because he grew up in the States in that lifestyle. He was a very close friend of mine. When you grow up in that environment, you’re very privileged — you get to eat, sleep and breathe your sport and your passion.”

It isn’t all rosettes and celebration, however. Horses get sold, but there are perks. “I had the opportunity to ride many horses — some wonderful, some not so wonderful,” said Marilyn. “I rode some very experienced horses that taught me a lot very quickly and a lot of inexperienced horses that I got to test theories on, gain mileage on and learn to survive on.”

By 1999, Marilyn had been competing at the Grand Prix jumper level for three years and had at least five wins to her credit, including one at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. In 2000, as a member of the U.S. team, she was the leading international competitor after winning the CSIO four-star at the Dublin Horse Show in Ireland.

Marilyn continued to ride and compete, working in the family business. It was a bit of a predicament, wanting to go on, because as soon as the horses started to win, they got sold. She couldn’t shake off the big dreams and, when she was inspired to try eventing, she looked at it as an opportunity to see what she could do in a new venue. She chose Udonna to give her a good start in the new sport.

“A good horse is a good horse, regardless of discipline at the end of the day,” said Marilyn. “I thought there might be a possibility of meeting some owners and sponsors who would be interested in getting behind a program like mine.”

Marilyn’s gold medals from the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Marilyn’s gold medals from the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Proof of the Program
The Land Rover U.S. Three-Day Pan Am Team proved themselves all the way to the podium. “When we were standing there for the team gold medal, listening to the National Anthem play, I was so proud to be a part of the team, to be with these incredible riders and to have the opportunity to represent my country,” said Marilyn. “Then, when I was standing up there with the individual medal, listening to the national anthem, I was so proud to be part of my family. I’m so grateful to my parents for all the opportunities that they’ve given to me and for everything they’ve made possible. They’re the reason for my career. They’ve been my incredible support system and strength — they’re the ones who made it possible for me to stand up there.”

Then, there’s the chef d’equipe and the amazing support team he assembled who worked in many capacities with horses and riders. “We’re lucky to have David as chef — I think he’s someone who wakes up every morning and says, ‘How are we going to earn a medal?’ I think that’s the goal for David every day of his life,” said Marilyn. “There’s nobody more driven to help his team succeed. David’s as hands-on as you could want a team leader to be. He brings incredible motivation. He’s the driving force behind this team, not just in words, but also in actions. He’s out there doing the work right alongside you. He’s very involved in the development of the horses and their training programs all the way to the competitions.”

Last year, before the World Games, Marilyn continued to work with David in Chantilly, France. “That’s when I came to understand David’s system,” she said. “David is very methodical and consistent. Those characteristics helped to take my understanding of dressage to the next level. He put in so much time and thought on my behalf. I only had one horse to train at that time, RF Demeter, but when I came home to the States, I applied the training program I had developed, working with David, to every horse. The dressage scores dropped about 10 points across the board. David helped me to start scoring in the 30s and 40s.”

Put to the Test

RF Scandalous, known as Kitty around the barn.

RF Scandalous, known as Kitty around the barn.

In Canada, partnered with RF Scandalous (barn name Kitty), a mare Marilyn has believed in all along, they scored 40.2 in dressage for third place. Ruy Fonseca of Brazil on Tom Bombadill was in first on 38.9. Canadians Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee stalked in second with 39.8 with Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti in fourth on 42.1.

The cross-country recorded 18 double clears; unfortunately, Kathryn and Let It Bee were eliminated at the second fence. Show jumping demonstrated once again the impact that one four-fault rail has on the final outcome. Jessica and Pavarotti put in a double clear. So did Marilyn and RF Scandalous, just 1.4 penalty points out of first place. Ruy and Tom Bombadill dropped the final fence, relegating themselves to third and the bronze medal, moving Jessica and Marilyn to silver and gold respectively. Team placings didn’t change: Brazil claimed silver (140.7), Canada the bronze (163.0) and the U.S.A. harvested gold on 133.0.

“By the time we reached Canada, our team had been training together since the beginning of the year,” said Marilyn. “We knew each other quite well and enjoyed a great camaraderie. We had trained side by side, experiencing ups and downs together for months. There was so much shared experience by the time we got to that medal ceremony. It was just amazing to be in the victory gallop with them. Phillip is an incredible rider, horseman and sportsman. Although he wasn’t riding last, he was in many ways the team anchor. He rode first, went out on the cross-country to find out how it would ride, and brought back the information that would help the rest of the team to succeed.

“Lauren is a true rising star. She has an incredible work ethic and a very classic program and technique — she could succeed in any of the disciplines,” continued Marilyn. “Boyd was one of the first to befriend me when I started this sport. When we were leaving Toronto, at the airport, he said, ‘You know, I’ll never forget the first time I ever saw you trying to event Udonna!’ Boyd’s the older brother I never had.”

When RF Scandalous came into the Raylyn program, she was a good horse with a questionable record. “With the help of the incredible team of people behind her, Kitty has become a great horse with a great record,” said Marilyn. “I can’t imagine a horse I’d rather ride. I’m so excited about tomorrow.”

marilyn4

Marilyn Little

About the writer: Lauren R. Giannini is an award-winning journalist and avid photographer, specializing in stories about the equestrian world, wildlife and conservation. Lauren lives in the heart of Horse Country Virginia, watched over by her CEO (canine executive officer), a rescue who sums up perfectly the term “hybrid vigor.” Lauren’s pleasures and pastimes include horses, travel, especially to Kenya, and writing about wildlife, conservation and eco-tourism. Books are next on her to-do list.

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Tagged under: David O'Connor, eventing, marilyn-little, pan am games, pan american, three-day eventing, US Eventing

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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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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

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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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