Like most riders out there, my journey did not begin in a show barn filled with cute hunter ponies and big and flashy jumper horses. My parents knew nothing about horses or the horse industry so it was treading in unmarked territory. My journey begin with me and my love for horses. I loved horses as much as I loved puppies, which is very hard to match. I always had to find the horse stuffed animal, not the unicorn, but the horse. The one I dreamed of all night wishing it was real, and I could groom and ride it all day. Along with my childhood imagination, came the flow of horse movies and play figures. I can't even imagine how many times I re-watched the move Spirit and forced everyone else to watch it with me! It was obvious then that I had a passion for horses and I wanted to share this passion with everyone. As soon as I could talk I pleaded to both my parents that I start riding horses. In my mind...everyday was another chance my wish could be granted! At the age of three I sat in the saddle of a fat half-linger named Angel. And it truly felt like the heavens granted my wish, and an angel came down in the form of a pony. Oh how joyous the imaginations of children can be. I began at a very small beginner-rider barn that had many dogs older horses that did either English or western. They taught me the best way, horsemanship skills and playing games like "around the world" or balance exercises in the saddle. I saw riding a horse as a package of horsemanship, love, and time in the saddle. I remember my instructor and other rider's moms saying I had natural talent and I thanked them for the compliment but I never new what to do with the compliment because I truly felt like I barely knew the horse world. So I enjoyed my little local riding bubble. From here, I rode all the farm's different ponies, some naughty, some really slow, and some way too fast! After a couple years of getting the walk trot canter basics and confidence, I debuted in my first show! Of course I had no idea what to expect, neither did my parents. All we did was find our trainer, they put me on the horse and brought me to a ring with tons of other riders riding and jumping. The parents were all watching us from the sidelines. I soon realized it was a schooling ring but it seemed like I was still being judged in that ring...by my trainer, my parents, and least comfortingly the other rider's parents. But of course I didn't let that get to me because at six years old all I cared about was listening to every word my trainer said, and riding my pony proud! I remember feeling somewhat relieved when I found out my trainer got to go in the ring with me, and then I saw all the other riders came in with their trainers too! It was a lead line class and when I realized what this was I was a bit annoyed I couldn't ride in the ring alone (my competitive nature began young!). And I got champion that day, my first show ever which I was very happy about, but also questioned why I won. My trainer said it was because I was on the correct diagonal in the trot and no one else was, but in my head I thought that wasn't a good enough reason to be champion. Thinking back now, part of me wishes I was less harsh on myself as a young child. Most of us don't realize children of such innocence can be holding such negative thoughts. But I think it's what drove me to become better and immerse myself further into this sport. After a couple more years, I reached the most advanced class at that farm in Saturday group lessons with girls way older than me. I always felt a bit intimated but I thrived with my competitive nature always trying to ride the best. I had been to shows doing the pony hunters jumping flower boxes and what I'm guessing was the pre-children's. They were all at this one schooling show which made it feel comfortable. The higher level I moved up the more I began to think about the horses I rode and comparing myself with my peers in the ring. When I asked to do more shows and my trainer telling my parents she doesn't have enough experience to train me any bigger my Mom began looking for a new place for me to ride. I am very thankful that first trainer was honorable enough to tell us when it was time for us to move up, very few trainers are willing to sacrifice part of their living for the future of their students. I moved to a barn farther away and it was much fancier. But I didn't see as many people there, it seemed lonely. The horses were so pretty, hanging there big heads over their stall door opening sniffing my faces with their warm breath. They had grooms, I've never met a groom face to face before then. I rode this beautiful flea-bitten grey pony named "Danny" who was a saint and the cutest little pony hunter. I missed tacking up my pony but I enjoyed the lessons in the field, outdoor ring, and big indoor ring. And jumps everywhere! My trainer their, who was the assistant trainer of the head trainer, was amazing. She lit up my world and opened me up to more of the hunter jumper industry. I loved that farm, my trainer and most of all my pony Danny. But when I asked to show Danny the barn said I had to buy him. My parents did not know the first thing about the horse industry, let alone buying the horse. And I was only probably seven years old so we ended up deciding it was time to leave and find a place I could show the horses at, and only pay for lessons or lease. My riding career took a big turn. I could have found another hunter barn and probably began showing in the A circuit on pony hunters at bigger rated shows but my mom pursued a recommendation from a friend. It turns out it was a dressage trainer, when I went there it seemed like the only choice I had considering I didn't anything myself. I loved riding and I loved horses so there was no way I would say no, I just went along for the ride. (Pun intended). I fell in love with the horse I got to lesson, he was a big off the track thoroughbred - turned low level dressage horse. (There went my pony days!) I learned SO much during this time in my development. Although not what I had in mind, it shaped who I became as a rider. I fell in love with dressage, the movement of horse and rider in unison, dancing at a beautiful lulling rhythm. For the next four years (pretty much third grade through sixth grade) I rode at this barn and competed in dressage doing low level tests. And I began riding with a jumper trainer there, leased my first pony, and then leased my first horse who I eventually ended up buying as a Christmas present. I was filled with pure happiness and bliss that day! My first horse! What more could I ever want? My mare, Connie, was older and experienced at showing up to the High Child/Adult and maybe a bit higher. Her job was to give me experience in the jumper ring for the first time. She was amazing, and I moved up from under two foot courses to 3'9 courses on her in 2-3 years I think. I went to shows and competed Level zero, one and finally two, and got blues! During a difficult time of my personal life, she was the light in my darkness. As time went on it was clear she was getting too older to push higher so a new horse came along while I kept Connie who deserved a great life. (Still today she is living in happy retirement!) My second horse I owned...Joe was interesting. Of course I fell in love at first sight because he was a big red chestnut with a star on his face. (What I call a backwards quotation mark!) Apparently he was to be my big jumper moving me up to the high children's and into junior jumpers. That didn't go quite as planned...and I even ended up having to move barns to help me progress with him. At my new barn (fifth barn) I became a student of a trainer who transformed my riding career the most so far. Through a journey of two years, we were able to help Joe progress in his flat-work enough to actually become a passable equitation horse with good flat-work. In this time, my trainer really refined my equitation and ability to ride Joe, who we still agree is one of the most difficult horses ever. Don't get me wrong, he's easy if you let him do what he wants, but during training when we both had to learn to do things differently he could give you a serious workout! He taught me patience, and hard work can pay off, and especially, that not everything is about the ribbons. From there, I began my journey with the great white shark, and horse that has a special place in my heart....Chaz. He brought be from winning Low Children's Jumper classes in schooling shows to Winning High Children's classes at WEF in a little over a year...and then competing successfully in the Low Juniors, then the Medium Junior Jumpers and then finally a 1.35 Mini Prix last August. Our journey was only 22 months long but it feels like a lifetime. So many adventures trail-riding, showing, learning how to take care of horses at shows, showing in the rain at lake placid, walking classes in the new international ring at Princeton for the intimidating 1.15m High Childrens jumper class to going to WEF together for the first time and training under Anne Kursinski, to going to the Virginia EAP Clinic by ourselves to last but not least the Mini Prix that was the biggest we ever really jumped...let alone competed. My trainer was holding her breath the whole time, and when I left that ring with only one silly rail and a smooth round both my trainer and I were crying tears of joy because Chaz jumped his heart out for me. That was the biggest either of us have ever shown. He really wanted to please me, I think he knew it was the final hoorah for us. Overlapping last summer, began my journey with both Veintiuno and Bijoux Vincenza who have really helped me progress my riding training wise and show wise. I racked up ribbons with both horses in the Junior Jumpers this summer and fall and even got champion and won some classes! But most importantly, both horses have taught me to be a tactful rider. They are very different rides so I had to learn how to adapt from one horse to the next like its second nature. I moved to Brass Ring Farm less than a month ago. I love the barn I was at and I still admire the trainer I had because she is a kind and honest woman, and a intelligent and wise trainer. But I decided it was time to leave, because of personal goals and my goals for both my horse's futures. I do not know what is in store for myself and my horses in the future, but I look forward to whatever comes our way. Starting this years show season strong...both Uno and Bijoux are in Wellington prepping for our WEF season for Week 5-12. I hope to compete both in the Medium Junior Jumpers, sell Bijoux to a junior or amateur wanting to win some ribbons and move up Uno to whatever height feels right!
With horses you can't set anything in stone, that's what makes it interesting. After all, we are all in it for the ride!
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March 2021
Included but not limiting to: horses, nutrition, workouts, student life, running, nature, current events, and more.
AuthorMy name is Martha Wyatt-Luth, I have been riding since I could talk but loving horses since I was born. Between being a studious high-school student and riding up to 6 days a week, my days get pretty busy. However, dedicating time to "hobbies" helps me keep going even on the longest days. For example, I love running and I hope to do a marathon one day! |