Making a Difference One Stride at a Time

By Maggie Junkin

When Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” I feel he was promoting a life of human goodness. As 2016 comes to a close and we embark on the new year, there's no better time to take stock of what you are doing for others.

As an equestrian I have had the fortunate ability to travel this country showing. This sport has allowed me to see this country in ways I never imagined. I have met fascinating people and have toured interesting places, but I have also had my eyes opened to see those struggling across our nation.  

As junior riders we are very busy. We're balancing riding and school and spend many days away from home. But that doesn't mean we can't help others.

There are many ways to incorporate service into your life as a junior equestrian. Here are a few I've done:

1. Collect toiletries for hotel stays. For years now I have collected toiletries from our hotel stays while on the road. I pack my own supplies and collect the small bottles and soap bars the hotel provides. I accumulate large bags over the year. 

Every February my school, Ancillae-Assumpta Academy, hosts a Martin Luther King Service Day. I share my toiletries and we put together individual bags for the homeless. It’s the things we take for granted that can mean a lot to some. Imagine how many toiletries you could collect if your trainer and barn friends did the same thing!

2. Organize an at-the-show food drive and team up with a local organization. Last winter I spent February and March in Gulfport, Mississippi for the Gulf Coast Winter Classic. Staying there for several weeks we befriended one of the security guards of the condo we rented. I learned how the people of Gulfport were still to this day struggling with the effects of Hurricane Katrina. She told me how she has friends who live in tent communities under highway bypasses because they could not afford to rebuild. Upon hearing this, my mom and I collected food for her to share with her friends. I look forward to organizing a bigger food drive when I return this year. I have also reached out to a private girls Catholic high school in the Gulfport area to learn of service programs I can help with while I am there.

3. Get involved with a horse charity. I am also very excited to have joined the EQUUS Foundation Best Performance Competition by a Junior 12-14. The Equus Foundation is dedicated to equine welfare. #RidewithPurpose!  www.equusfoundation.org/bestperformance.  It’s not too late to join. For a small fee you can join the program and begin to earn cumulative points at member shows throughout the year and potentially win Best Performance of the Year in your division. Winners may select an equine charity in the Equine Welfare Network to receive a grant in their name. And the membership dues go to finding new homes and second careers for unwanted horses.

4. Enlist equestrian companies to join in! My favorite charity to promote is Danny and Ron’s Rescue. This summer they made a trip to Baton Rouge after the floods to help area dog shelters and took much needed food and supplies to help the horses. While showing in Gulfport I met people who lived in Baton Rouge. Thankfully they were okay after the flooding, but the area was devastated. Danny and Ron’s Rescue pulled many dogs from the shelter in Baton Rouge. Many were positive for heartworm and were in need of costly heartworm treatment. Additionally Danny and Ron’s South Carolina facility had damage this year in a storm. Although this put financial pressure on the rescue, they still went out of their way to help the Baton Rouge dogs.  

Knowing they could use additional help this year I reached out to the owner of Ruespari Belts and asked if they would donate proceeds of a belt to help Danny and Ron’s Rescue. I am excited that Ruespari has made a Danny and Ron belt available for the month of December. Please check out Ruespari and see why celebrity jumper rider Kaley Cuoco and top junior rider Emma Kurtz wear their belts. Be flexible, be Ruespari.  www.ruespari.com   

The Danny & Ron belt.

Also, take a moment to visit the Danny and Ron’s Rescue website to see what great things this rescue does all year long and learn how you can donate to a great cause. www.dannyandronsrescue.com

I invite my fellow junior equestrians to think of ways they can help serve their own communities or favorite charities. Think outside the box. Small efforts add up. One stride at a time!

Wishing you all the best for the New Year!

Maggie Junkin competes on the circuit with her horse, Tommy Bahama. She lives with her family, 5 dogs, and 3 cats in Jenkintown, Pa.

'Twas the Week Before Christmas

by Maggie Junkin

'Twas the week before Christmas

And all through the farm

Not a creature was stirring

Without an alarm

The red barn

Was adorned in boughs of holly

Looking so festive

And oh so jolly

All the horses and ponies were

Tucked in their stalls

While their riders were busy

 Shopping the malls

Ponies were munching

Quietly on hay

Seemingly enjoying

The holiday

Show horses were blanketed

All toasty and warm

With dreams of winter circuit

To arrive before the snow storm

Back in the feed room

Stockings were hung

The barn mice were gathering

As carols were sung

The barn cat was snuggled

In the tack room with care

Waiting for Santa

To soon be there

'Tis the night before Christmas

And I wish everyone

The merriest of Christmas’s

And much Holiday fun

Maggie Junkin with Tommy Bahama

"Nice Pony and You Ride Him Well"

The judge. 

When I was younger, I revered the judge of any horse show I attended. The judge always seemed to loom larger than life. He or she basically had celebrity status in my mind. 

I couldn't believe it when I saw the judge doing something nearly human like coming out of a porta potti or ordering something from the food booth. Stars--they're just like us!

I also distinctly recall the few times a judge spoke to me. One such time was during a test in a USEF Medal class and the judge was none other than renowned rider and trainer Victor Hugo Vidal. Victor asked the top four riders to jump a few fences and then approach for a question.

No jump on that course was as intimidating as approaching Victor. I expected stern and severe, but I was met with a wide, friendly smile. In a soft voice, he asked me to name the parts of a horse's front leg from the shoulder down.

I went through the names, grateful for my few years in Pony Club. Then, right before I departed into a canter to jump the remaining two fences, he said to me, "You have a lovely horse and you ride him quite well."

Flash forward 20-odd years and I am now the judge, walking across a horse show with a senior judge when a young girl trotted by on a pretty pony. They were well matched and she sat correctly in the saddle.

The senior judge, who had ridden in the Olympics, called out to her, "Nice pony and you ride him well!" 

"Did you know her?" I asked a few beats later. I couldn't believe this judge would take the time to compliment a rider who just happened to trot by.

He shook his head and smiled. "Nope."

I immediately reflected back to the girl I was in the Medal test long ago, and to other rare times as a young rider when a judge said something positive and personal to me.

I thought to myself, I can do that now--I can be the judge who compliments a young rider. And I did when the opportunity presented itself at the very next show I judged.

I learned more from walking across the ring with that judge than I did sitting beside him judging. I learned that judging is not all about evaluating performances in the ring.

As judges we have to be professional and often that means creating distance between us and the competitors we're judging. Distance is something we have plenty of in today's world of screens and texts yet sometimes in the judging world there's not enough distance. 

At one show, judges are judging riders and at the next show they're hanging out with them at the in-gate or selling them a horse. That is the nature of our beast. So staying separate from the riders when judging is a must.

But this senior judge and the memory of praise from the late Victor Hugo Vidal reminded me that every so often it's not just okay to compliment a rider, it's a wonderful gift of encouragement that could possibly mean more than a judge ever imagines.

Kim Ablon Whitney is a USEF 'R' judge and the author of the Show Circuit novels.

3 Great Rescue Dog Books for Kids

By Kim Ablon Whitney

Like most horse-people, I love dogs almost as much as I love horses. Particularly rescue dogs. In reading books to my three kids, I've found several wonderful books about rescue dogs. 

Of course there are heaps of great dog books. But here are three you may never have even heard of. These three books aren't overly saccharine and don't beat you over the head with messages. They're just delightful books about dogs that found their forever homes.

1. Dogku by Andrew Clements (ages 4-8)
Your kids might not get the funny title but they'll love this simple story, all told in haikus, about a dog named Mooch who finally finds his family.

2. Before You Were Mine by Maribeth Boelts with illustrations by David Walker (ages 4-8)
This book gives young children a concrete sense for what adoption centers do to help dogs and why dogs might have found their way there in the first place. I read this one to my daughter's class when we had a fundraiser for the local dog adoption center. And each time I read it to her at home I nearly get a little weepy.

3. Just A Dog by Michael Gerard Bauer (ages 8-12)
This is a chapter book about a Great Dane mix and the family who needs him to hold them together. Although there are lots of laughs along the way, trust me, you're going to need a hanky for this one too. 

Kim Ablon Whitney and her family have the most wonderful hound-mix rescue dog, Macie.

10 Trends in the Eq Finals Over the Years

by Kim Ablon Whitney

It's been nearly 25 years since I rode in the equitation finals. 25 years! Besides being nearly impossible to believe, from the results of the interceding years, I've noticed some trends.

1. Boys win proportionally more times than girls. Approximately 12 male riders of the 276 total riders competing in the Medal Finals in 2016 were male. That means that 4.3% of the riders in the class were male... which makes it even more statistically surprising that a male won (T.J. O'Mara).

A quick glance at the last few years reveals many male winners (Spencer Smith, 2014 Medal; Geoffrey Hassling, 2014 USET East; Michael Hughes, 2014 WIHS, 2013 USET East; Jacob Pope, 2012 Maclay & USET East, Chase Boggio 2011 WIHS).

This was pretty much the same during the late 80's/early 90's (Peter Lutz, 1991 Maclay & USET East), McLain Ward (1990 USET East), Ray Texel (1989 Medal & Maclay), David Olinynyk (1989 USET East).

Why do boys win so often? Is it because they stand-out from all the girls? Is it because they tend to be physically stronger? Is it because boys are less likely to stick with riding if they aren't the best?

2. Professionals' kids have an edge toward the win. It's all those hours at the barn and horse shows. These kids eat, sleep, and breathe horses. They're winning today (McKayla Langmeier, 2015 Medal; Kelli Cruciotti 2015 Medal; Spencer Smith; Michael Hughes; Hunter Holloway, 2016 Maclay; Samantha Schaefer, 2011 USET East; Schaefer Raposa, 2011 Medal).

And they were winning 25 years ago (Nicole Shahinian, 1990 Medal, 1992 Maclay; McLain Ward; Kelley Farmer, 1993 Maclay).

If anything, the results show that professionals' kids are more likely to win today.

3. Riders get on a roll. Win one, win another. T.J. O'Mara took the Medal and USET East this year. Hunter Holloway won the WIHS and then the Maclay. Victoria Colvin won the USET East and the WIHS last year. Lillie Keenan won the Medal and the Maclay in 2014. Going back a little further there were remarkably four years in a row where the same rider won the Medal and the Maclay Finals: Megan Young (2004), Brianne Goutal (2005), Maggie McAlary (2006), Kimberly McCormack (2007).

Double winners from my time included Ray Texel, Hillary Schlusemeyer (1996 Medal and USET East) and Peter Lutz.

Generally, I noticed double winners are more common today. Perhaps the pool of talented riders is not as deep today?

4. There's always next year. They finished in the top six, even placing second one year, and came back and won the following year or the year after that. See Kelley Farmer, Hillary Schlusemeyer, Matt Metell, Kimberly McCormack, Lillie Keenan, Kelli Cruciotti, Victoria Colvin, Hunter Holloway.

Overall, riders also seem to place one year and come back to win in the following years more often now, possibly because riders are pushed to do the big eq earlier and therefore spend more years competiting in the division.

Hunter Holloway finally took first place. 

5. Horses are a key part of the win. If you look at the top ribbon-winners over spans of 5-8 years you'll see some familiar horse names--then and now. Then: Glen Owen (Laura Tidball Balinksy, Laura O'Connor, Steve Heinecke), French Leave (Sandy and Karen Neilsen), Black Ice (Nichole Shahinian, Karen Chandler); Kandi (Shahinian, Craig Shegog); Gulliver (Karen Kay, Carlee McKay), Sight Unseen (Jennifer Clarkson, McLain Ward); Loophole (Cheryl Wilson, Samantha Darling). Now: Patrick (Lucy Davis, Charlotte Jacobs, Victoria Colvin, Catherine Tyree); Ivy (Haylie Jayne, Zazou Hoffman).

If anything the same horses pop up more often 25-plus years ago than they do today--perhaps because eq horses don't last as long today due to heavy year-round competition schedules and intense drilling.

6. It's all in the family. Siblings took top ribbons in the Finals then and they take top ribbons in the Finals now. The Ashes, The Nielsens, The Chandlers, The Jaynes, The O'Maras.

More recently, we've also seen children of former ribbon-winners placing in the finals--Sophie Simpson, Lillie Keenan, Charlotte Jacobs, Lucy Deslauriers, McKayla Langmeier.

7. It takes a village. Looking back at the results from 1992, there are one to three trainers listed for each ribbon-winner. For this year's medal, two riders had only two trainers listed. Three riders had six trainers listed and two trainers had seven trainers listed!

Trainers listed in 2016

Trainers listed in 1992.

Why? Probably because barns are bigger these days and have so many more trainers. Sometimes a rider will have separate training staffs at separate barns for the equitation and the jumpers and both staffs need to be acknowledged. It's also because as a rule riders no longer prepare their own horses and even the assistant-assistant trainers that prepared the horse need to be recognized.

8. Money is important. No naming names here. But then and now, riders from families with incredibly deep pockets are often in the top ribbons. Talent and ambition are important, but so are the funds to bankroll the horses, the shows, and the training.

9. But working students can still pop up for the win. Then: Andre Dignelli. Now: Jacob Pope, Zazou Hoffman.

10. You don't have to win a final to go on to greatness. If the past is any predictor of the future, there are lots of great riders who came close but didn't win a final, or didn't win as many as they were predicted to, who have gone to be top professional riders. Just look at Molly Ashe Cawley, Candice King, Richard Spooner, Aaron Vale, and McLain Ward.

Special thanks for www.medalmaclay.com for their comprehensive listing of equitation finals results through the years. 

Kim Ablon Whitney is the author of The Perfect Distance, a novel about the equitation finals.

Horse Show Etiquette Do's and Don'ts -- Part II, Courtesy & Safety

By Maggie Junkin

There's nothing I enjoy more than horse showing. Let’s keep our horse shows safe and enjoyable for all.

Do: Pay attention in schooling rings. Clearly communicate with other riders.

Don’t: Crowd others, both in the schooling ring and in the hack class. Leave space in the model.

Do: Have ringside awareness. Be considerate. Don’t make loud noises or sudden movements while a horse or pony is on course.

Don’t: Ride with a group of friends spread across chatting and unaware. Make it safe for vehicles and other horses to pass.

Do: Walk your animals on the horse paths.

Don’t: Text and ride. If it’s that important, pull over. Instagram and snapchat can wait.

Do: Drive responsibly with scooters and golf carts. Be patient and use caution while passing horses.

Don’t: Ride without your helmet.

Do: Use commonsense when bringing your dogs to a horseshow.

Don’t: Leave your dog unleashed and free to roam.  Over the years, I have seen a few dogfights and several dogs that were hit and killed.

Do: Be courteous and clean up after your dogs. Please do not allow your male pups to water your neighbors tack trunks and barn set-ups.

Don’t: Tie your dogs in communal barn aisles or in areas where they are underfoot of the horses.

Do: Take your dogs safely with you to the ring. If not, leave them securely crated in the shade, or better yet in a stall with water, dog beds and a fan.

Maggie Junkin competes in the Children’s Hunters with her horse, Tommy Bahama. She lives with her family, 5 dogs, and 3 cats in Jenkintown, Pa.

Horse Show Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts for the Junior Rider

by Maggie Junkin

I'm thirteen years old and have been horse showing since I was four. I started doing the rated hunter shows when I was seven.  It hasn’t been that long, but long enough for me to have a few pet peeves. So here they are... my list of Do’s and Don’ts for the Junior Rider.

Do: Say please, thank you, and excuse me.

Don’t:  Be entitled; the world doesn’t owe you a thing.

Do: Be thoughtful and courteous to horse show personnel. Most work longer days than you do.

Don't: Forget to congratulate fellow competitors when they do well.

Do: Wish others Good Luck… and mean it.

Don’t: Critique others ringside for all to hear. 

Do: Pick up after yourself. No trashing the show grounds.

Don’t: Whine, scream or throw tantrums. No one wants to hear it.

Do: Thank your parents.

Don’t: Cry unless you are hurt or bleeding. (Disclaimer: Unless you have had the worst trip of your life, then sneak into the nearest porta potty and break out the tissues.)

Do: Show good sportsmanship.

Don’t: Show a temper.

Do: Be prepared. Get up early, stop by the ring and take photos of your courses and learn them. Be ready.

Don’t: Hold up the ring when after what felt like a 100 trips, they are finally ready to jog.

Do: Thank your trainer.

Don’t: Talk back to your trainer.

Do: Thank your siblings if they got dragged along.

Don’t: Gossip or spread rumors.

Do: Love your pony or horse even when things go wrong. I would like to see the big kiss or pat on the neck of an animal that missed a lead, knocked a rail, or spooked a little in the corner. Love them even when you don’t win!

Don’t: Create drama.

Do: Thank your parents, again.

Don’t: Obsess about your score or placing. Furthermore, don’t worry about your competitor’s scores either.

Do: Set personal goals and conquer them.

Don’t: Take your anger out on your horse.

Do: Be humble. Some of us look up to you!

Don’t: Blame your horse or pony for your mistakes.

Do: Be a positive role model.

Maggie Junkin competes in the Children’s Hunters with her horse, Tommy Bahama. She lives with her family, 5 dogs, and 3 cats in Jenkintown, Pa.