Hunter Holloway demonstrates with clinician Diane Carney.
by Peyton Dvorak
It was early Friday morning, and anticipation
and excitement lingered on the brisk fall air as the tires of my car crunched
down the driveway of Lorrie Canady’s very own Galway Farm. The venue was
decorated to the nines, and riders and spectators’ bustled to-and-fro,
preparing for the day’s events. To my left, I saw clinician Diane Carney
setting course, tape measure in hand and crew of helpers running every which
way. She made it seem as if she was conducting a perfect symphony, and her
masterpiece of a course was already in the works. On the edge of the ring, I
spotted the Hunter Holloway, a
demonstrator for the day, and upon seeing one of my biggest idols, I grabbed my
camera and sprang out of the car, ready to begin the next three days of the
annual Galway Farm Equitation Classic.
Once the course for
the first of the two clinic groups was set, I took my seat to watch the
sessions begin with light flat work. Right off the bat, clinician Carney had
participants practicing with riding forward, using diagonal and lateral aids,
and going through ground pole courses that included turning in reverse and
bending lines. All of those methods Carney repeatedly used to help improve
riders in different areas throughout the day in both of her groups. I wasn’t
surprised when the “Five Key Components of Jumping”– pace, line, distance,
impulsion, and balance, were eventually referenced, as that method helped
riders to prepare for the over fences portion of the clinic that took place
shortly after the flat. When riders finished their courses, professional Hunter
Holloway jumped up to 1.50m on two participant’s horses as a demonstration,
which was incredible to see!
Catherine Tyree and Diane Carney have discussions on what it takes to be on top.
Following the clinic
sessions and wrapping up the first day, those who rode and attended, including
myself, were welcomed to a wonderful Italian feast and a special question and
answer session with Carney and Holloway. Everyone was encouraged to seek advice
and ask questions, and during that short session, I learned so much as a rider
and person from both speakers. It was
such a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere after such a long day, and it gave me
lots of time to reflect on all of the day’s teachings. I left Galway Farms
anticipating the next day’s clinic and getting excited for Sunday’s competition
day.
The 2018 Galway Classic group.
Saturday morning
began the second day of the Galway Farm Equitation Classic, and I was up bright
and early to see the day start out seamlessly, with another clinic by Diane
Carney; who had groups of riders this time jumping heights of 2’6”, 3’, and
3’6”. The clinic began with a light session of flatwork which benefited both
the horse and rider before the jumping portion of the class. Carney started the
participants with shoulder in exercises, voltes (twenty-meter circles that are not as easy as they look), and plenty of
turns in reverse. Riders also demonstrated the using of an “english bridge”, a
style of holding the reins which generally helps a rider keep better control.
Carney partnered this method with exercises centered towards the rider’s
balance at the posting trot, having them put one arm out, one hand on their
heads, and placing an arm behind their backs, all while holding their reins in
a secure fashion with their other hand. I’m very familiar with those methods
personally, as they appear in George Morris’ classic “Hunter Seat Equitation”,
and I practice with them tons at home.
Clinic members then worked on a number of
varying exercises over fences and seeing the variety of riders and how they
handled everything Carney threw at them was by far the most interesting part of
my day. As I watched participants navigate the tricky courses, I also noticed
how Carney molded every mistake a single rider made into a learning opportunity
for the whole group. This is certainly my most favorite aspect of her training,
and her phrase “I teach one of you, I teach all of you” will be engrained in my
mind during future clinics or group lessons I may be apart of.
Participants jumped
multiple courses going into the afternoon, with all three groups benefiting
from her presence and expertise. Also in attendance was experienced amateur
rider Catherine Tyree, who helped riders set and walk out Sunday’s competition
courses in preparation for the show the next day.
After completing the
organization of the next day’s course, clinic goers were once again invited to
a fabulous dinner with another question and answer session, which this time
included special guest and 2010 Hunterdon Cup winner, Tyree, as well as the day’s
clinician, Diane Carney. Attendees were again given the opportunity to ask
questions, and I nervously asked a few of my own, which took up too much
courage than I care to admit.
Lisa Campbell rides to a medal.
Sunday morning rolled
around and I arrived to the grounds eager to see what was in store. Attendees
like myself were treated with an exquisite brunch and the opportunity to enter
in some very generous raffles. As soon
as those events concluded, the show day begun.
The competition
included the High Galway Equitation Classic, the Low Galway Equitation Classic,
the High Galway Hunter Derby, and the Low Galway Hunter Derby, as classes. Each
of the courses collectively included concepts that were focused on during the
clinic days, which helped riders to gain perspective and more experience with
the weekend’s educational aspects. During the break between the Equitation
Classics and the Hunter Derbies, judge Diane Carney sat down with competitors
after placings had been given to discuss scores, techniques, and improvements,
which I though was an intriguing concept compared to traditional showing.
Lorrie Canady, Cassie Jarchow and Molly McAdow.
Taking the top prizes
of the show day were Skyler Hendricks in the High Galway Equitation Classic,
Lisa Campbell in the Low Galway Equitation Classic, Cassie Jarchow in the High
Galway Hunter Derby and Pauline Schultz in the Low Galway Hunter Derby. It was
so amazing to see all of the rider’s hard work during the clinics pay off in
their final rounds.
Once the show events
had ended, special awards were given, with highlights being the judge’s choice
award, presented to Erica O’Neil; best turned out horse and rider, as well as
the highest scoring handy round were both won by Casino RSS and Cassie Jarchow.
Highest scoring amateur was won by Lisa Campbell, and the sportsmanship award
was won by Pauline Schultz. After the awards ceremony, the last meal of the
weekend, a delicious lunch, was enjoyed by attendees, and an interesting and
informative closing discussion with Diane Carney and Lorrie Canady, the owner
of Galway Farm, occurred.
All in all, my
experience at my first Galway Farm Equitation Classic was incredible, and I’ve
already had a discussion with my trainer about riding in it next year. Getting
to experience and capture the event through my camera was even more exciting,
as I got to view everything as an auditor and as a photographer. The classic
will most likely become something I will attend every year from this point on,
as I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. For now, I’m going to be practicing at home,
using everything I learned from this weekend to help advance myself for my own
clinic with Diane Carney, which is coming up soon!
