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Monday, January 14 2019 / Published in Weekly Feature

Catherine Kwasnik: Luck, Opportunity and a Special Horse

Cate Kwasnik and Messina

By Darlene Ricker

It’s quite a stretch to imagine an elite equine falling into the lap of a teenager who has never even owned a horse — and on top of that, to come with an expense-paid training program with an Olympic dressage rider and the opportunity to show in Wellington, Florida.

All of that happened to Catherine “Cate” Kwasnik, who must have felt as though she had won the lottery when her mare, Messina, came to her in 2017. This winter they will spend three months in the Winter Intensive Training Program with Olympian and Hall of Fame dressage rider Lendon Gray.

After Messina’s owner passed away, The ARK at JFK, an animal reception terminal and quarantine facility at JFK International Airport, searched to find a new owner for the mare.

The Lucky Horse

Behind that incredible dose of good luck are Cate’s years of hard work and dedication to the sport, said Elizabeth A. Schuette, part of the team that chose Cate out of many others who wanted Messina a few months after the mare’s longtime owner, Susan Bruns, passed away in 2017. Susan owned Messina more than 10 years, during which she competed the mare in high-level dressage. Susan was the export barn manager at The ARK at JFK, an animal reception terminal and quarantine facility at JFK International Airport, where Elizabeth is managing director.

Susan’s relatives couldn’t continue care for Messina and wanted her to stay “with The ARK family,” said Elizabeth. The ARK would have welcomed Messina’s constant presence in its barn, but felt it wouldn’t have been fair to the horse to live next to one of the world’s busiest airports with noise and limited turnout ability. So, The ARK went on the search for a good home for her. Word got to Cate’s current trainer, Alice Petersen, who urged Cate to apply. She did, and then came the good news: Messina was coming to Cate at Blue Ribbon Farm in Calverton, New York, where she was taking lessons.

“I was really happy but a little nervous,” said Cate. “When you get a free horse, you don’t know what to think. But luckily, she’s the sweetest, most amazing horse I’ve ever ridden. She’s so willing and tries her heart out for me. The first time I got on, I fell in love with her.”

She describes the 16.3-hand black Hanoverian as “not hot and not dull,” explaining, “Some days you need to push her forward; other days you don’t. But she’s always so comfy to ride.”

The ARK brought Cate and Messina together, so they show off The ARK saddle pad while at a show.

Ready to Ride

Cate became a serious equestrian somewhat by chance. When she was 8 or 9, her family was planning a vacation in Hawaii and her mom wanted to go trail riding. She wanted Cate to get some experience in the saddle beforehand. Cate took a few lessons at Thomas School of Horsemanship in Huntington, New York, and said that right away she “fell in love with horses and riding.”

She began in the hunter-jumper world but said that at one point she didn’t feel safe enough to continue jumping. So, she transitioned into dressage at Blue Ribbon Farm and took lessons on school horses with Blue Ribbon Farm owner and trainer Marie Banks. When Cate got Messina, Marie’s weekend schedule was full, so she began training at the farm with Marie’s sister, owner and instructor, Alice Petersen, with whom she has been training the past six or seven years.

Although Messina knew a lot more about dressage than Cate did, it wasn’t an instant ticket into high-level dressage. The mare, 14, had been brought in from several months of being out of work, so Cate’s trainer had to tune her up and bring her back into shape before she started teaching Cate. Not long after Cate was in the irons, Alice heard about the Winter Intensive Training Program and thought it would be a perfect way for the pair to advance together. Two days after Cate applied for the program, she got the word that she was in, and The ARK offered to sponsor her and the horse.

Cate adheres to a strict and demanding training schedule with Messina. During the week, Cate attends The Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica, New York, in the Borough of Queens. Right after school every Friday, her mom drives her an hour and a half to the barn on Long Island and back home again Sunday evening. Cate also rides as often as possible on days off from school and half-days. She can’t drive yet, so her mother tries to adjust her work schedule to get Cate to the barn as much as possible. Other days, her trainer rides the mare.

The learning curve with Messina has been pretty steep, but Cate stuck with it. They competed in the 2017 regionals and qualified for the 2017 USDF Region 8 Championships. She and Messina made their First Level championship debut at the Regional Finals in September. They scored 62.045 percent (“not what we were hoping for in a championship class”), but Cate was happy with her score because “Messina tried so very hard for me to get through that test.” It turned out that the mare had a sore tooth. “But Messina didn’t give up,” Cate said. “She made it through the best she could.”

It was also a learning experience for Cate. “Most of the judges’ comments were about contact, which were absolutely expected,” she said.

Cate and Messina competing

Launched into Learning

Cate said her short-term goals are to learn how to “go for it” rather than riding conservatively. She’s hoping to do solid First- and Second-Level work in Florida, and she has her work cut out for her. The Winter Intensive Training Program, organized by the nonprofit foundation Dressage4Kids, is not just three months of lessons (January through March). Students have a rigorous schedule of learning that includes theory, tests, riding lessons, field trips and lectures. They are also required to maintain a regular fitness program. Guest instructors guide them in yoga, equilates, running, swimming, weight-lifting, as well as general aerobic training and coordination exercises.

A normal day in the program starts at 6:30 a.m. with basic barn chores. Each rider must take care of his or her own horse, as well as help with maintaining the facility where the program is held. After chores, lessons begin. Lendon Gray is the chief instructor, along with other high-level guest instructors.

The students are not required to compete in Florida, but Cate plans to take full advantage of opportunities to show in the Wellington area. The Global Dressage Festival grounds are within hacking distance and offer a full slate of shows all winter. She and her mother will be staying with Cate’s grandparents in West Palm Beach for the three months of the program.

Meanwhile, Cate will have to keep up her academics. She’s already made arrangements with her school so she can follow her curriculum using tutors, Skype and working on her own, depending on the class.

Cate’s looking forward to many more adventures with Messina. Someday, when Messina needs to go back into retirement, Cate is confident that she and the people at The ARK at JFK will find a great place for her. “They care for her very much and will always do what’s best for Messina,” she said. “So when the time comes, I hope I’ll have some input, but I’m confident she will always be loved and well taken care of. I will always be part of her life in some way.”

Photos by Kaitlyn Donnelly Photography

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Tagged under: cate kwasnik, dressage, lendon gray, messina

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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...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
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Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
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Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

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 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
Don't get caught without your green on today!🍀🍀
 
In today's featured article, we have Jessica Howington, who is dressed for the occasion in her green shirt! Jessica is the Owner/Rider at CrownView Dressage, a Realtor with Showcase Properties of Central Florida, and a Nurse Practitioner! Jessica has been involved with horses since she was a little girl. Everything from bareback to eventing she tried until she found her love for dressage.

Today, she and her family own CrownView Dressage, a 157-acre training, boarding, and breeding facility in Ocala, Florida. Jessica started training and teaching but felt as if her life was still missing something. Until Jessica focused on horses full-time, she didn’t realize how important the healthcare field was to her life. Jessica missed seeing patients and being in the medical field. Jessica is now back to working again as a nurse practitioner while also focusing on training her five competition horses, including her Grand Prix mare Cavalia. 

Jessica feels lucky 🍀 to have two amazing parents who have supported her in all of her endeavors and instilled the importance of work ethic, morals, dedication, and sacrifice. 

You can read all about Jessica and how she's finding fulfillment in her busy lifestyle in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! Click the link in our bio for more 

✳️Tag us in your “lucky” photos for a chance to be featured on our story! Happy st. Patrick’s day everyone!🍀🍀

📸Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com 

#stpatricksday #irish #stpattysday #green #ireland #luckoftheirish #stpaddysday #shamrock #happystpatricksday #lucky #saintpatricksday #leprechaun #stpatricks #stpatrick #kissmeimirish #clover #paddysday #march #potofgold #stpattys #love #beer #guinness #shopsmall #handmade #stpatricksdaydecor #stpatricksdayoutfit #fourleafclover #stpatricksdayparade #luckycharms
Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no stranger to balancing a busy schedule. From serving as president of the Pony Club South Region Youth Board to working on her online high school courses and modeling gigs, Devon has nearly every minute of her time planned out. And with her horses right in her backyard in Ball Ground, Georgia, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Devon’s fast-paced lifestyle stems from growing up around her parents’ animal casting business, Animal Casting Atlanta, where they train and provide animals for projects in the film industry. Devon’s parents, Carol and Greg, took her on her first film job at just two weeks old; both parents pushed Devon toward acting when she was younger. While Devon didn’t want to be an actor herself, she did follow in their footsteps with her love of animals, especially horses. 

“My parents’ company has provided animals for ‘The Hunger Games,’ ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Suicide Squad,’ a majority of the Marvel TV shows, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and so many more,” Devon said.

Devon started her equestrian journey when she was 9 years old. Initially, the Tresans bought a flashy gray Welsh pony, I Am Superman, for Devon to take in the hunter ring. However, Superman lived up to his name and proved to be too speedy for the job. 

“He was super cute and just a great little ride,” Devon said, “but he was still a pony! He made me work hard for everything we accomplished together. I was lucky enough to ride with a trainer who did both hunters and eventing, so we were able to switch disciplines pretty easily. Those eventing lessons together kickstarted my love for the sport.”

Read all about Devon and her busy life in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more
@TrDevon Lane Tresan  @Devontresan

📸Photo by Carol Lane Tresan
📸Photo courtesy of Devon Tresan
📸Modeling photo by Sara Hanna, @atlphotos 

#model #fashion #photography #love #style #instagood #photooftheday #beauty #instagram #beautiful #like #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #Sidelinesmagazine
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