SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Wednesday, August 03 2016 / Published in Weekly Feature

The Olympics: Dreams of Glory

 

The view so many dream of — the equestrian venue at the 2012 Olympic Games at Greenwich Park in England. The Queen’s house is at the end of the ring. Photo by Kim MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

The view so many dream of — the equestrian venue at the 2012 Olympic Games at Greenwich Park in England. The Queen’s house is at the end of the ring.
Photo by Kim MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

 

By Lauren R. Giannini

Almost every young rider dreams about riding in the Olympics. Growing up horse-crazy they enjoy their equines and indulge in equestrian passions, whether they ride for pleasure or for prizes. And they continue to dream about the Olympics. There are those, however, who do more than dream — they actually make it, and whatever the results they are known forever as Olympians.

Making it to the Olympics is a dream come true, but also a demanding journey. United States eventer Karen O’Connor, a five-time Olympian for the United States, poses at the Moon jump at the 2012 Olympic Games with London as a backdrop. Photo by Kim MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Making it to the Olympics is a dream come true, but also a demanding journey. United States eventer Karen O’Connor, a five-time Olympian for the United States, poses at the Moon jump at the 2012 Olympic Games with London as a backdrop.
Photo by Kim MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

The elite few who, every four years, live the “Olympic dream” don’t see it quite like that. It may have been a dream long ago, but they’re driven to excel, to rise to the top of their discipline, to be the best. They commit to the quest with dedication and determination. They learn discipline. They’re willing to work very hard for many years to reach their discipline’s upper levels. Their journey requires talent, stamina and horses – really good, strong, sound, athletic horses. They also need luck, and financial backing comes in handy. The journey is not an easy one.

Equestrian Games

Dressage, eventing and show jumping comprise the three Olympic equestrian disciplines. The first Summer Olympic Games took place in Athens in 1896, no horses, but the Paris Games in 1900 featured polo and jumping. Equestrian was dropped in 1904, reinstated in 1908 and remained uncontested until 1912 when the Stockholm Games added dressage and the “Military,” aka three-day eventing to show jumping.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has grown the Summer Games to a roster of 36 sports, plans to reduce expenses by downsizing. Based on expense alone, eventing has been in the IOC’s crosshairs for years, which is ironic, because cross-country day usually attracts the first- or second-largest spectator days in the entire two-week Olympic schedule.

Michael Jung, the reigning Olympic three-day champion, on his way to victory at the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mark McInnis

Michael Jung, the reigning Olympic three-day champion, on his way to victory at the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.
Photo by Mark McInnis

“There’s a chance that eventing will not be in the Olympics within eight to 12 years, but that’s just my personal opinion,” said Jim Wofford, three-time Olympian with two silver team medals (1968 and 1972 with Kilkenny) and individual silver (1980 Alternate Olympics Fountainebleau with Carawich). He also earned Pan Am team gold medal (1967), contested two World Championships — 1970 individual bronze and 1978 team bronze. Renowned as a trainer, he has coached, since 1978, at least one student on every U.S. Olympic, World Championship and Pan Am team, including Olympians Karen and David O’Connor, Nina Fout, Linden Wiesman, Kim Severson, John Williams and Gina Miles.

Best Attitude To Win

Jim Wofford, left, with Olympic cross-country course designer Mike Etherington-Smith. For the riders who make it to the Olympics, Jim said, “It’s a very narrow window to step through, and when you do, you step through to another world.” Photo by Michelle C. Dunn

Jim Wofford, left, with Olympic cross-country course designer Mike Etherington-Smith. For the riders who make it to the Olympics, Jim said, “It’s a very narrow window to step through, and when you do, you step through to another world.”
Photo by Michelle C. Dunn

Jim, who supports equestrian sports in all the disciplines although his forte is eventing, believes in good horsemanship. “I counsel the kids I teach who are 16, 17, not to hang their hats on the Olympics,” he said. “I would rather that the kids put their efforts towards becoming good horsemen, because their horsemanship skills will be shown in their competitive results. You shouldn’t put any competition first, because then you define yourself completely by the results you obtain. I would like you be able to define yourself as a good person and a good horseman.”

These words of wisdom make sense for all equestrian endeavors. One of the world’s top horsemen is Germany’s Michael Jung, the reigning Olympic three-day champion. Michael is an eventing phenomenon, a cool competitor no matter what’s on the line, whether it’s a title, huge prize money or both. He can also hold his own and win in dedicated Grand Prix dressage and show jumping.

According to Michael, the key is to ride as if it’s a normal event. “I think always the same thing when I go to a championship or four-star event,” he said. “I say to myself, ‘This is a normal competition.’ I try not to change anything. It’s important to win, but it’s important that you have a good feeling for the horse and that you have a good ride.”

Do Your Best

Not every rider’s a cool reactor and it’s far from easy to turn performance anxiety into a competition edge that works in a positive way for you, instead of against you. Also, you have to have the right equine partner – a horse with athleticism, willingness and soundness. Training can improve just about everything, but it won’t necessarily produce a world-class winner. Some horses don’t have the mind for the upper levels; others lack physically in some way. The wannabes get sorted out along the way from the horses and riders with real chances of making it to the top.

Laura Graves and Verdades’ partnership, dedication and hard work has taken then on the journey that many equestrians dream of — the road to Rio and the 2016 Olympic Games. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Laura Graves and Verdades’ partnership, dedication and hard work has taken then on the journey that many equestrians dream of — the road to Rio and the 2016 Olympic Games.
Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

One good example is dressage superstar Laura Graves, owner and rider of Verdades, who topped many years of ups and downs with an explosive arrival onto the international scene, thanks to the opportunity to compete in the 2014 Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship at the Festival of Champions at Gladstone, New Jersey. Laura and Verdades wowed the judges and made headlines as runner-up to Steffen Peters.

On the strength of their finish, Laura and Verdades joined the champions as guaranteed members of the team for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. She became the second American to break the 80-percent mark in international competition with her Freestyle, finishing best of the team in fourth place overall. Last year, Laura and Verdades earned individual silver and team gold at the 2015 Pan Ams and the duo will compete for the U.S. in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

In the Sidelines story that ran in February 2015, Laura said, “I don’t start anything if I’m not going to work my best to be the best at it. I look for help. I study every video. You can’t compare what we do over here to what goes on in Europe. Those riders have a different level of hunger and I think they ride better because of that hunger. You either want it or you don’t.”

Jim Wofford, who has a way with words, put it this way: “In the long run, if you can say ‘I rode the absolute best I could and it wasn’t good enough,’ that’s an easier thing to live with than ‘Well, if I had only trained harder and listened to my coach more and not been such a knucklehead.’ It’s a very narrow window to step through, and when you do, you step through to another world. Once you ride in the Olympics, you are always known for that achievement.”

Once an Olympian, always an Olympian.

 

 

Photos:

Olympics1

Michael Jung, the reigning Olympic three-day champion, on his way to victory at the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Photo by Mark McInnis

 

Olympics2

Laura Graves and Verdades’ partnership, dedication and hard work has taken then on the journey that many equestrians dream of — the road to Rio and the 2016 Olympic Games.

Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

 

Olympics3

Jim Wofford, left, with Olympic cross-country course designer Mike Etherington-Smith. For the riders who make it to the Olympics, Jim said, “It’s a very narrow window to step through, and when you do, you step through to another world.”

Photo by Michelle C. Dunn

 

Olympics4

The view so many dream of — the equestrian venue at the 2012 Olympic Games at Greenwich Park in England. The Queen’s house is at the end of the ring.

Photo by Kim MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

 

Olympics5

Making it to the Olympics is a dream come true, but also a demanding journey. United States eventer Karen O’Connor, a five-time Olympian for the United States, poses at the Moon jump at the 2012 Olympic Games with London as a backdrop.

Photo by Kim MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

 

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: eventing, jim wofford, olympics

What you can read next

Blessed Are the Grooms
Luca & Ella Endzweig: Twin Sisters Enjoying the Pure Joy of Ponies 
Maria Costa: A Life Based On Horses

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Gre Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Great American $300,000 Grand Prix at HITS Ocala!! 🏆🥇

Crowds filled the stands at the HITS Ocala Grand Prix Ring on Sunday afternoon to watch the world’s top athletes compete in the Great American $300,000 Grand Prix. The day concluded with a thrilling five-horse jump-off featuring athletes 
representing four countries. In the end, it was Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) and Ivaro N who produced the only double clear effort of the day, claiming one of the biggest wins of her career. Scott Keach (AUS) and Noble De La Chapelle earned the second-place prize with the fastest 4-fault jump-off, while Aaron Vale (USA) and Obi Wan placed third as the day’s pathfinders.

“I'm still on cloud nine, I still can't believe it – I’ve used up all my luck for the year,” smiled Goldman-Smolen after her win. “I've been knocking on the door a long time in these bigger classes. I am so proud of my horse – he gave every ounce of effort.”

Sunday’s Great American $300,000 Grand Prix marked the conclusion of the 2023 HITS Ocala circuit. HITS CCO Joe Norick concluded, “We are so excited about the new HITS, with 2023 as the launch. New footing, many new arenas here, and a lot of our facilities across America are getting a lot of love and new footing. Our partnerships with Worldly Martin and others across America including our footing leader Bart Poles overseeing our operations – it really makes a big difference for us. Today is about Ocala and these three riders sitting next to me who supported us this entire winter. We want to be a proud destination for our exhibitors and our friends. We know we have to provide them a beautiful showplace to work from that's horseman friendly, and that's our go goal. 

Congratulations to all of the riders, horses, owners, and groom who participated in this prestigious class!!! 🎉
📸 @esi_photography 
#horseshow #horses #horse #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #horselove #horsestagram #instagram #showjumping #equestrianlife #equine  #horsebackriding #dressage #horselife #pony #of #horserider #horseshoe #horsemanship #horseshowlife #riding #instahorse #horseaddict #horseofinstagram #sidelinesmagazine
It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

 ✨PF'S DIAMO BLUE✨
Diarado-Diamant de Semilly- Chacco Blue
17.0hh, Oldenburg International Hunter Derby/ Jumper Stallion
An outstanding Pedigree- Chacco Blue and Diamant de Semilly
WBFSH/ Rolex top ranking Jumping Sires 2017 thru 2022
Standing at Ryan Pedigo Sport Horses, in California

For more information, you can contact 
🖥Ryanpedigosporthorses.com
🖥Ryan.p.f@hotmail.com
☎️(714) 357-2714

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 🦄

@ryanpedigosporthorsespf_

#stallion #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #equine #dressage #pferd #equestrianlife #mare #hengst #horseriding #instahorse #cheval #pferde #equinephotography #horselove #dressagehorse #pony #horselover #caballo #foal #quarterhorse #aqha #arabianhorse #sidelinesmagazine
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

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
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
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • NANCY BATCHELOR
    Compass Florida LLC Fellow Equestrian; 21 Years of RE Experience Miami - Ft. Lauderdale Specialist M: 305-903-2850 www.nancybatchelor.com

    [Read more]

  • WOODYS BARNS
    Serving all of Florida 1-866-71-WOODY www.woodysbarns.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • 2023 Upperville Colt & Horse Show Presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Returns for 170th Year on June 5-11
  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse

Category

Recent Posts

  • April 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!