An Auditor’s Take on the 2019 Benchmark Farms Jumper Derby

by Peyton Dvorak
Photos by Taylor Bohac

         June 1st was a blue skiedand breezy morning, and as my car pulled up to Liz Atkin’s stunning Benchmark Farms, the air was glimmering with excitement and the driveway was lined with sponsor banners. A long row of cars was parked in front of the gorgeous main barn, and spectators and riders alike were bustling from the barns to the beautifully decorated front porch.

Upon entering the barn, I was greeted by a gorgeously organized breakfast, and I arrived just as the clinic for the low jumper group was beginning their session on the flat with renowned clinician Diane Carney. I took my seat in the viewing area adjacent to the ring with my camera and notebook in hand, ready to soak up all of the knowledge I could get. The group’s flat consisted of lots of “leg riding”, which was a term Carney coined often in the session, emphasizing that riding from the leg is an extremely important component of riding on the flat and over fences. The riders worked with transitions from halt to canter and trot to canter to practice “riding off your leg and body, not your hand” and being “seamlessly forward” throughout the transition. The concept of the “pulley rein” was also discussed, both as a training and emergency method to try and stop the horse in an out of control situation. Riders paired this concept with halting in the corners of the indoor arena and using one's vertical position to halt their horse. Riders jumped a course that included an in and out with a liver pool, and a few jumps that would’ve been defined as spooky, such as jumps set with large barrels as filler. The riders jumped up to .80 m and .85 m and progressed steadily throughout their time over fences. Before long, the first group was dismounted and heading back to the barns to take care of their mounts, all with homework and things to think about for the next day’s competition, and the next group of the morning was walking into the ring to begin their clinic. This medium height group worked with many of the same concepts reviewed in the prior clinic, with more complex exercises, such as collection with shoulder in and shoulder fore. Carney also discussed the horse’s longitudinal and lateral movement, and how depending on their horse’s balance and way of movement, he may be more or lesseasy to collect and ride. Participants jumped a modified version of the original courses, with larger heights set up to make the exercises more challenging for both horse and rider. The medium group also ended with takeaways from their lessons and things to work on for their classes for the following day. The third and final group consisted of riders jumping up to 1.30 m on their mounts. During their session on the flat, Carney emphasized having the riders getting their horses to "track up” and “go forward” which had been previously echoed in the prior clinic groups. The advanced riders worked small cavalleti sets into their session on the flat, helping them prep for their courses later. When it came time for the over fences portion of the clinic the riders worked with liverpools, tricky bending lines, and two separate gate jumps, which is emulative of obstacles found in a typical jumper course. Carney worked with the riders on galloping to the fences and being bold in their riding, saying that pace and impulsion were on their side as the jumps went up. Carney also remarked that riders must “take and apply the riding lesson”, explaining that utilizing a concept that one has learned isn't a one and done process, that it is about practicing it and using it in all of your future aspects of riding and competing. This was a great closing comment for the clinic, as the next day, the riders would be showing in their respective classes and applying what they had learned during their lessons.  

Diane Carney and judge Sarah Booker provided commentary with each round.

The next morning, I arrived bright and early to Benchmark Farms to see riders, grooms and trainers hurrying around the grounds, preparing for the day's events. I peeked into the arena to see that a new and interesting course had been set according to clinician Carney’s direction, and a slew of fellow spectators had taken their seats, ready to watch the competition for the day unfold. As spectators quieted and commentator Diane Carney and Judge Sarah Booker took their places in the ring, students from the day prior filed into the arena one by one prepared for their rounds; only this time as competitors. Every rider and horse were beautifully turned out and prepared for the competition. Each pair was allowed a few warm-up jumps coached by their respective trainers before the actual rounds to keep with the tone of education set by the clinic day. After their warm-up, competitors started their rounds around the challenging track for the day, and upon finishing, returned to Carney and Booker to review their performance, and talk about positives and things to improve upon. Carney made a point to a nervous rider after their round that made me personally reflect.  She wisely stated that getting nervous is a natural part of showing, but the only element that was different from the clinic the day prior was the fact that you dress up in different clothes. This piece of advice can be easily translated to all of us, as the only part differing a horse show from our regular practice riding is the added element of dressing up, which creates an unconscious anxiety. This is definitely somethingthat was eye opening for me and it seemed to help the rest of the day’s riders as well.  Watching every round was exciting, and the crowd kept the energy up by cheering during each of the class's jump offs, which made things even more entertaining. 

Chloe Butler and High Altitude with trainer Andrea Hendricks.

Earning the first blue ribbon of the day was Chloe Butler and High Altitude in the Voltaire Design Jumper Derby. Liz Atkins competed in and won the Lewis Veterinary Services Jumper Derby aboard Carletta. Both winners were awarded ferns thanks to Showplace Productions.

Liz Atkins and Carletta earned the second blue of the day.

After both morning classes had wrapped up, attendees made their way up to the facility's balcony to be greeted by a gorgeous champagne brunch sponsored by Homestead Veterinary Hospital and Pro-Stride. Over the delicious lunch, those present were briefly educated on the new technology behind Pro-Stride, a new veterinary treatment, by Dr. Mark Cassells from Homestead Veterinary Hospital, and Pro-Stride representative Emily Lundstrom. Auditors could also speak with a representative from Voltaire Design, who was present at the event. As lunch came to a close, viewers were called back to their seats to prepare for the last event of the day, the Benchmark Stables Jumper Derby.

Chris Johnson and Dutch Martini flew to the win in the final Benchmark Stables Jumper Derby of the day.

With the crowd cheering and the air filled with excitement, we all watched as Chris Johnson and Dutch Martini soared through their jump off to secure the top spot on the podium. After their victory gallop, special awards were handed out to participants, including Best Turned Out Horse and Rider, sponsored by Cynthia Zitko, which went to both Cassandra Jarchow and Casino RSS and Catie Hope Rose and Johnny Bravo. Both riders were awarded special prizes, as well as a fern. Most Improved Rider, which was sponsored by Pouwer Patties, went to Skyler Hendricks riding The Countess and the Dover Sportsmanship Award was won by Nancy Desmedt. Commentator and clinician Diane Carney closed the Derby by thanking the event’s sponsors and congratulating the riders, saying that they had all improved and rode well.  

Nancy Desmedt earned the Dover Sportsmanship Award.

Overall, my time spent at the Benchmark Farms Clinic and Jumper Derby was wonderful, informative and exciting. Liz Atkins and the Benchmark Team put on a spectacular event, and Diane Carney allowed for it to be an educational experience for everyone in attendance. I'm so thankful to have audited and can't wait to head back next year! 

Here's to Horse Show Moms - Past, Present and Future

Here's to horse show moms past, present and future. You know, the ones who sacrifice having a life so their kids can live the dream because kids are their joy. It's time to thank the moms who get up at all hours to make sure we are on to school at 5:30am, who find us breakfast when nothing is open, who help braid, clean tack and polish boots. The moms who wipe a horse's dirty nose, scrape mud off our boots and trudge through the rain to see us show for our 2 minutes in the ring.

Perhaps you've had one of these special horse show moms and can recant numerous stories of what they've done to boost your riding career. I know my mom would get up at 3 am to braid horses with me to have money to pay for leasing and showing. She was there to hold horses at the ring, share in the joys of my good days and blue ribbons and wipe the tears on the bad days when you were thrown in the dirt.

Thank you to the moms today who allow their kids to learn, help find opportunities to ride and experience different levels of the sport, and who financially figure out how to work at the tack store, sell horse treats and squander grocery money to pay the horse show bills.

Thank you to the future horse show moms, who can't wait to put their babies on a pony for the first time and will  feel horrible the first time they fall off. The future moms, who will do the same or more for their little riders as their moms did for them to become another generation of amazing horse show moms.

Thanks to my mom, who without her I wouldn't be where I am today. Thanks to the moms today who keep our next generation of olympic riders on the map, and thanks to the future horse show moms who make little one's olympic dreams alive.

Horse show moms, you are one of a kind, loved, and never appreciated enough. Thank you for all you do and cheers to you, enjoy your day (which really should be at least a week!!)!

Happy Mother's Day!

Riders at Hunter Holloway Stables Take Working Out Seriously

We hopped right in on a workout session at Hunter Holloway Stables in Wellington, where trainer Petr Julianov works with the riders. For the eight weeks that junior riders Britta Belline and Hannah Loeffelbein have been showing at the Winter Equestrian Festival, they have added a weekly workout session with Julianov in addition to their riding duties scheduled by Holloway. The two girls say they have learned a lot about fitness and will be continuing a workout program at home.

The hour long session starts with some stretches followed by some squats. The workout included exercise bands for working the outer thigh, kicks for the hips and inner thighs and of course, what workout would be complete without working on the core and abs. The session had a variety of exercises for balance, strength and dexterity such as some friendly soccer, jump squats, medicine balls and kettle balls. The girls agree the sessions have definitely helped them in the tack.

Hannah Loeffelbein works out with Petr Julianov at Hunter Holloway Stables.

"I know for sure I couldn't even touch my toes the first week," laughed Loeffelbein, "but now I can go to the middle of my feet."

"Hand-eye coordination and balance has improved for me," added Belline. "Also my ankles were really weak, but now I can actually keep my heels down without my feet rolling underneath me when I'm jumping."

So why isn't riding enough?

Britta Belline works on her core and hand-eye coordination.

"Most sports have conditioning in addition to the sport," commented Belline. "If you play basketball you don't just play basketball, it definitely helps you to be stronger in the saddle."

"It helps the athletes become better balanced, they improve all around and improve their riding," said Julianov. "People can also train on FaceTime from Europe and other places they travel to for sports so working out is easy from anywhere."

Julianov recommends working out an hour at least every other day with 15 minutes of warm up, the workout and 15 minutes of cool down. He works with many show jumping and dressage athletes as well as hockey players and athletes in other sports.

Holloway has private sessions scheduled with Julianov and continues to work on core and shoulder strength for her riding. She started the workouts because of issues with her shoulder, which has improved over the weeks. Holloway tries to work out 4-5 times a week depending on the show schedule.

"Petr (Julianov) is great! He's fun and really helps you achieve your goals. He's good at training everyone at their own level," said Holloway.

Top athletes such as Beezie Madden and Laura Kraut, are serious about their time in the gym as well. Athletes also use trainers to come back from injuries which can be minor or major, all so they can quickly get back in the tack and back to competition.

Belline and Loeffelbein definitely plan to continue some training at home with a friend or on their own because they learned simple exercises they can do with equipment that's easy to purchase such as kettle balls or bands. Especially for those days you just can't make it to the barn, you can get in a quick workout to build strength.

As for me, I totally enjoyed having someone to work out with to have some new exercises to add to my own routine.

What's your workout routine and what helps you the most with your riding? Maybe your barn can organize some group sessions and try the eight week challenge!

Special thanks to Hunter Holloway Stables and Petr Julianov for letting me join in!