Mentor, Ohio—Nov. 13

Do you ever hop on a certain horse or ride one particular course where you just get lost in the moment and truly enjoy your time in the ring?

Gracie Marlowe felt that today as she rode her way to the top of the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session Championship.

“When you’re just going on course, you sometimes don’t realize what you’re doing as much as having fun,” said the 20-year-old from Lake Balboa, Calif. “And I think that those moments when you’re on course, you forget kind of about everything. You just kind of ride and have fun. And I think on both of those horses, I did experience that feeling. ‘Oh am I done yet? Oh that was my last fence. Oh bummer.’ ”

During the final day at the USHJA EAP National Training Session hosted by Lake Erie College, the 16 finalists divided into four teams, with each rider competing in two phases of a Nations Cup-style competition. After two days of clinics that ranged from sports psychology to barn management to in-the-saddle training sessions with Peter Wylde, the finalists were set loose to demonstrate to what they have learned.

Marlowe and her horse Pavel helped their teammates Kendra Duggleby, Lara Shelokov and Cary Hundley secure their clear victory in the Nations Cup where their team Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital finishing with a combined total of only 4 faults. The silver medalist team, Professional’s Choice, trailed 10 points behind with 14 faults.

But for Marlowe, her personal success as well as her success with her teammates came from trusting her instincts as she tried to learn the ways of Pavel, the Palomino Dutch Warmblood (Phin Phin—Water Lilly) owned by Erika Sergent.

“He’s a more sensitive horse,” she said. “It was funny because going into it, I was given a variety of bits to choose from. And the first day I hacked him in a Pelham. And I thought it was too much, so Peter and I decided to [change to] a triple-ring—and it was just a broken rubber triple ring. And I rode him in that the second day and I really liked it, but I felt like he was still a bit sensitive and there were things I thought could be a little better. So on the last day before today’s showing, I tried a rubber gag. And I didn’t really feel that it clicked for us.”

But after sleeping on it, Marlowe decided to switch back to the triple-ring for the Nations Cup.

“I told Peter at the end [of the course walk], ‘I know that I am swapping back and forth, but would it be OK if I went back to the triple ring and change it? Because I think we both feel more comfortable,’ ” she said. “So that’s what I did and I think those little details made it go a little smoother.

“I’m very happy that I followed my gut and followed my instinct,” she continued. “Part of me was like ‘Should I get used to it? Stick it out? Peter says it looks good.’ But it’s all about that little feel and what you think in your gut feeling. How can they go best? Is there anything I can do? So I would say that little bit change last minute, I made the right call on that.”

Gracie Marlowe on Pavel. Photo by Laura Lemon

After the riders completed the Nations Cup style competition, the EAP Committee members picked two riders to compete in a jump-off for the individual title. This title reflected not just their performance in the Nations Cup, but also acted as an evaluation of their participation throughout the weekend—in the ring, in the barn, and in the various clinics.

The Committee, composed of Sally Ike, Peter Wylde, Mary Babick, Anne Thornbury and Kip Rosenthal, singled out Caroline Dance of West Chester, Pa., and Marlowe.

Marlowe entered the ring first on Cari Gleeson’s donation, Rolling Stone, where they clearly executed the “jump-off” test, demonstrating Marlowe’s ability to quickly read a new, different horse. Dance rode Pavel in the jump-off, but the pair miscommunicated to an oxer causing a run-out, leaving Marlowe the clear winner.

And for Marlowe, she’s enjoying her victory moment just as she did guiding around Pavel and Stoney.

“Winning this event means the world to me because I’ve never had the opportunity to compete on the East Coast and travel the East Coast for horses—or to travel that much to show,” she said. “And this program just shows that all of your hard work and dedication that you have throughout your life, that you put into the horse industry, can pay off.

“I am so grateful that I’ve found out about it because it’s changed my life already—regardless of moving forward, the fact that I’ve met these people and have ridden under these people,” Marlowe continued.

But moving forward, Marlowe plans to pursue a professional career, something that the EAP hopes to offer to its participants.

“[The EAP] want[s] to open eyes, meaning we want to open your eyes to the concept of horsemanship, not just riding,” lead clinician Wylde said. “And we open doors. We help you guys get farther in your careers as riders.”

And for another EAP year in the books, what are Wylde’s reflections?

“Overall, I would say that this has been the strongest overall group that we’ve ever had,” he said. “So that’s exciting for us, because I think it shows that the program is growing and there is really great interest in the program.”

Other Award Winners

Donell (aka Telly) earned EAP Best Turned Out Horse.

Stoney earned EAP Outstanding Horse honors.

Johanna Jessen earned the Sportsmanship Award.

Hannah Bentz received the Outstanding Stable Manager Award.

Riders for the George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session are Gracie Marlowe and Caroline Dance.

Stable Managers for the George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session are Hannah Bentz and Matt Drohan.

Alix Morrison was the overall winner for the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge.

Read more about the EAP National Training Session in the Chronicle’s overage of Day 1: “Softening Into The USHJA Emerging Athletes National Training Session” and Day 2: “Best Second Day In USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session History?“