It feels as if I am placed precisely in a vignette. My focus is laser sharp ahead of me as I stare at the jumps in the arena. The hardest part will be the bending “S” line with three elements — the IHSA jump, to the chartreuse vertical, to the white jump with the pink flowers.
I know exactly how I must ride every step. I’ve talked it over with my teammates, coach, riding staff and family several times. The course is so heavily ingrained in my brain that I’ll probably remember it till the day I die.
"...It's really more of a feeling"
The blur of teammates who surround me is my personal blue army — a flurry of blue coats that have been with me every step of the way. It’s like a slow motion tornado of whirling support, but it’s really more of a feeling. Although I’m not paying attention to them.
I am in my own mental world. My teammates are making sure I look my best before I enter the Intermediate Fences class in the famous Alltech Arena at the 2017 IHSA Nationals competition. One teammate shines my left boot. One tucks my shirt in. One picks an invisible speck of dust off my hunt coat. Another gives me words of encouragement. Some are dispersed around the horse, patting Oriano on his neck, belly or rump. And the last few are video-recording my round in the bleachers.
Finally, I’m in the entry gate and I see a giant image of myself mounted on the jumbotron, which looms above the arena.
Here we go.
"The rest is history"
Oriano is a tough horse for me. The giant bay requires a lot of leg and likes to peek his nose out, but has a great sense of rhythm. His jump is beautiful, but it’s a huge bascule, meaning that it’ll be a heavy landing. I’ll have to really sink into my heels when his front hooves hit the ground to keep my body still, like I’ve practiced.
I don’t think I took one breath the entire course. I threw in my best round on a draw that is tough to engage, due to Oriano’s sheer size and a huge stride. This is exactly the point of the IHSA, which requires riders to adapt and adjust to unfamiliar horses while delivering their best performance possible.
Months of work, weeks of conversations about the 2 minutes I’d spend in the arena, days of adrenaline building up before the competition, hours of mental preparation add up finally, to a ride to remember forever.
The rest is history.
"It takes an army to get Nationals-bound"
It’s not important whether I won or placed last. What matters is the journey that brought me to this moment and the team who made it all possible.
Mount Holyoke riders are lucky to be backed by a team that consistently qualifies for IHSA Nationals. This presents an opportunity for our team to compete at the highest level in this organization nationally, whether you’re a team rider, an individually qualified competitor or just glued to the live stream watching your friends compete.
It takes an army to get Nationals-bound. In this case, our blue army. Specifically 43 talented riders. Plus our coaches, sports psychologist, support staff from the athletic department, families and friends. Without all of our depth players, blockers and point riders throughout the season, a red light would be cemented in front of regional, zone and national aspirations.
Luckily, we have both woman power and horsepower to boot!
Many teams compete at similar national competitions for their respective sports. And those athletes understand that competing at this level is a test of ability, grit, teamwork, time, support, and balance. The specific blueprint that makes Mount Holyoke Equestrian special is the fun we have together, the close friendships we form, and the passion we share for personal improvement, horses and the sport.
"And you are a fierce Lyon!"
What does it take to be a Mount Holyoke rider at IHSA Nationals?
Achieving some serious equilibrium! We balance a busy academic schedule with loads of extracurricular commitments and various college engagements. As much as we balance team workouts in the gym, bonding events, daily sunrise practices building up to big competitions, mental homework with our sports psychologist, P.E. riding classes, horse shows, and weekly meetings!
As a Nationals rider, you will gain organizational and time management skills that you can apply to any sector of your life and future careers. Riding for this team also means that you are hardworking. You are committed. You are an incredible source of support to your fellow riders. And you are a fierce Lyon!
"...MHCEq will always be there for me and vice versa"
The love and support I’ve felt as a part of the Hunt Seat team is something I will gratefully hold in my breech pockets forever. It’s not everyday that you find yourself amidst “friends for life” who want you to thrive, encourage you to succeed in your biggest goals, and who will laugh or cry alongside no matter the placing. I’m humbled to be a part of it.
In my future endeavors, MHCEq will always be there for me and vice versa. I will always have a chime resounding in my ears of CJ’s coined sayings, like “I wanna see fire out of you,” “I’m tickled to death by that ride,” or her growl when a horse doesn’t want to clear a jump. The team’s presence reminds me that I have the confidence to cross any obstacle — both on horse or by foot — that comes my way.
Cheers to a million hand warmers used, frozen feet in our riding boots, the sweetest schoolies, post-show delirium, great psych-ups gifts, even better friends, a winning team, endless hours without stirrups, and personal growth both on and off the saddle.
This warm lingering feeling I have is the cause and effect of a fantastic Mount Holyoke riding experience.
Lyon love forever!
Go Yoke!
