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Thursday, March 10 2022 / Published in Weekly Feature

Becca Roth: Jumping into the Eventing Life

By Ruby Tevis

Portraits by Adrienne Morella

When Becca Roth thinks about her future, she envisions galloping along the cross-country course at the Olympic Games. The 17-year-old eventer from Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, has big dreams and the courage to conquer them. With her partner, an off-the-track-Thoroughbred called Deuce, Becca has already achieved a lifetime’s worth of accolades, and she doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.

Becca’s affinity for horses comes from her mother, but her love of jumping is all her own. “My mom used to ride saddleseat,” Becca said, “but I didn’t know that until second grade, when I brought home a flyer for riding lessons with a Saddlebred on it.” Becca told her mom she wanted to take lessons, but she was involved in synchronized figure skating at the time, and that took priority. “My mom taped the flyer on the cupboard, and it took me about two years to talk about taking lessons again.”

When Becca finally swung a leg over a horse at 9 years old, riding immediately became her passion; but it was when she took her first jump a short while later that eventing became her calling. After some time taking lessons and leasing horses, Becca found her first event horse, Otis. She did her first Beginner Novice with the Clydesdale-Thoroughbred cross, and thus embarked on her competitive eventing journey.

“Otis taught me everything,” Becca said. “Sadly, he sustained a suspensory injury, and after a long rehab, was retired.” This unfortunate turn of events left Becca without a horse to ride or compete, so she began seeking out a new partner for her next chapter in eventing.

Enter Chapter Two

Becca’s chapter two starts with Deuce, also known as Chapter Two, an off-the-track-Thoroughbred and graduate of the Retired Racehorse Project’s famed Thoroughbred Makeover competition. “I had no idea what the Retired Racehorse Project was when we tried him out, but he’d come in first place in dressage and second in eventing with Allison O’Dwyer at the show!” Becca said. “He was the first horse I tried, so I kept an open mind, but I knew instantly he would be coming home with us.”

At just 5 years old, Deuce was still in his baby stage when he came to Becca. “He was still trying to figure out his body, and his balance wasn’t the greatest,” Becca laughed. “It took a while to get him strong and get all the right muscling on him, but we learned right away that he loved cross-country and jumping.” In fact, Deuce loved cross-country so much that he galloped away with Becca in the passenger seat during their first schooling. Though he was young and green, Becca looked forward to learning and growing with him.

“Deuce thought Beginner Novice was too small—he didn’t respect the size of the jumps—so we moved up to Novice fairly quickly,” Becca said. “That first year, we competed at Hagyard MidSouth Team Challenge at the Kentucky Horse Park, where we ended up placing second against 28 professionals and amateurs, and I was only 14 then!”

As Deuce and Becca’s partnership grew and their potential became more and more apparent, the pair decided to head to Florida for their first winter competition. “We went to Florida for a week and a half to train and compete,” Becca said. “When we came back, we knew we’d be ready for a step up.”

For eventers, competing at Training Level for the first time is like a rite of passage, but it can be intimidating, too. Though they were moving up the levels together, Becca and Deuce’s trust in one another made the transition a success.

“Most of the time, I’ve got Deuce’s back, but when I slip up, he’s got me,” Becca said. “He used to work off of raw talent, and he thinks it’s very hard to apply himself sometimes. He has his little tantrums and acts like a child, but I wouldn’t trade that personality for anything else. He’s a very good cross-country horse.”

Out of the start box for their first Training Level event at Otter Creek Spring Horse Trial, Becca was reminded just how rewarding it can be when hard work pays off. “We came home with a win, and we did Training Level the rest of the season. I wasn’t planning on doing Training Level at the American Eventing Championships because we’d already qualified for Novice, but he was doing so well, we went for it, and he did very well,” Becca said.

To Preliminary and Beyond

With a successful season at Training Level wrapping up, Becca wanted to test the waters at Preliminary before winter. She didn’t expect to place, let alone place second and qualify for the next year’s Area IV Eventing Championships.

“The ground was wet on cross-country day,” Becca said. “I was scared because of the footing, so my only goal was to jump clear. I didn’t care how slow we went around the track. I knew he could go faster, but with the conditions I didn’t want to over face him, especially at his first Prelim. Looking back on that day continues to amaze me!”

Having checked Preliminary off of her list, Becca looked forward to 2020 and the prospect of more Preliminary competitions. First order of business—another trip to Florida. Becca planned to polish up a few things and head to more winter competitions, but as they say, even the best-laid plans often go awry.

“We left for Ocala to train with Missy Ransehausen the day before everything shut down for COVID-19,” Becca said. “Our three weeks turned into five weeks, but it was one of the best things that could have happened.” While she didn’t get to show, Becca’s extended stay in Ocala was still a success. 

With her high school moving all classes online for the pandemic, Becca could still balance school while focusing on riding with Missy. “Missy took the time to break down some of our mistakes,” Becca explained. “We went back to basics and rebuilt from there. Looking back, we really needed it.” 

Becca returned home feeling energized and ready to get back in the game, but another wrench was thrown into Becca’s plans—Deuce popped a splint just a week before her second Preliminary run. “He was out of work for two months while his leg healed,” Becca said. “2020 was an odd year, but we were able to finish it out on a high note. We competed in the Area IV Eventing Championships, and though it was our second Prelim, we ended up winning!”

The Big Leagues

It’s one thing to look up to your idols, but riding beside them in the warmup arena is a whole different story. At just 16 years old, Becca found herself in this exact situation at the Ocala International Festival of Eventing last spring. Needless to say, her first CCI2* L was a whirlwind of emotion. 

“Buck Davidson was riding in the ring. Leslie Law was out riding and coaching, and I was so nervous. The cottonmouth was real!” Becca laughed. “It was my first time doing a jog, so I trotted up and around and back, but they didn’t say anything. I was so worried that he wasn’t accepted, but turns out I just hadn’t trotted him long enough!”

As her first true three-day competition, Becca was also shocked by how the weekend felt so long. “With dressage one day, cross-country the next and show jumping after that, it feels like you have all the time in the world because it’s just one event per day,” Becca said, “but I was also putting a lot of pressure on myself, so the extra nerves were for no reason.”

Finishing double clear, on her dressage score and ahead of Buck Davidson, Becca soon realized there wasn’t much to be nervous about. “I saw a lot of new things that I hadn’t seen at regular horse trials. I’d never seen horses getting IV bags to rehydrate after cross-country, so that was new to me. The environment was different, so there was a lot of learning,” she said.

With COVID-19 and other factors changing the landscape of competitions like the North American Youth Championships, the United States Eventing Association unveiled the Eventing Youth Team Challenge in 2021, modeled after the Nations Cup Series, where Becca was an inaugural competitor at the East Coast Final.

 “The series was really fun, and I got to be on a team with my friend Claire Strehlow, who I started riding with in Wisconsin. Claire is in college right now, so I don’t get to see her that often, but it was really cool to get to compete with her,” Becca said. “Our team ended up winning second overall, and Deuce and I were overall individual champions. I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until I got home and took the time to look at my awards, and then it hit me!”

The Future Starts Today

When looking ahead to the future, Becca has big goals, but understands the importance of patience. “I could see Deuce going all the way. He has the scope. I would love to ride our first five-star together,” Becca said, “Beyond that, I would love to be an Olympic rider. That’s my ultimate goal—to be a professional, to have a string of horses and compete at the upper levels, but I also understand that I need money to pursue those dreams. I do plan to go to college for a business degree.”

Becca’s dream school is the University of Florida to continue to train in Florida. “It would be so close to Missy, so I could still do school and continue to train. Although if Florida doesn’t work out, University of Kentucky would be a close second. My friend Claire goes there, so she’s constantly trying to get me to go to UK instead of Florida!” Becca laughed.

Until then, Becca decided to graduate early to spend another season in Florida. She is preparing Deuce for more Intermediate competitions, and is working on his fitness and longevity with Missy. “I’d like to compete at the CCI3* level next year and maybe the season after that, but I hope to move up from there,” Becca said. 

“Deuce is an awesome horse, he’s so fun to work with,” Becca said. “Our journey has been amazing going from Beginner Novice to Intermediate together. We’ve achieved so much, and it wouldn’t be possible without him. Also, none of this would be possible without my parents being super supportive. I’m very grateful.”

Photos by Adrienne Morella, www.adriennemorellaphotography.com, unless noted otherwise

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Tagged under: Becca Roth, eventing, off-the-track thoroughbred, ottb, retired racehorse project, thoroughbred makeover

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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

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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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