Sinead Halpin

I think William Fox-Pitt said it best in one of the press conferences last weekend: “Eventing is a mental game in both senses of the word.”  

Between walking her courses, caring for her horse and actually riding a little, Sinead Halpin found the time to make a video of what it's really like behind-the-scenes at Rolex Kentucky. Enjoy!

Because I want to keep this blog updated a bit more frequently through Rolex, the updates are going to be slightly less story like than my last few posts! Time and Internet access are going to get more difficult to find as the week carries on, so I figure I better just get some 411 out there, even if it lacks a little color!

I rarely answer my phone when I don’t recognize the number, on the assumption that if it is important they will leave a message. Those who know me well also know that I rarely check my voicemail, on the assumption that if it is urgent, someone will text.

I have this memory from several years back. I’m sitting in a comfortable, warm office chair at Stonehall Farm, David and Karen O'Connor’s Virginia residence. The leather chair is the same warm brown as the wood floors and walls that are the canvas for decades of David and Karen's memories.

Some of these memories are the “Oh s***!!” photographs that we “crazy event riders” take as much pride talking about as the pictures with the blue ribbons. And some of the pictures are championship moments that happen far less frequently than the previously discussed pictures.

The Chronicle is proud to announce eventer Sinead Halpin as the newest addition to our string of bloggers! Sinead, of Oldwick, N.J., is a member of the USEF Developing Rider A List and is aiming for her first CCI****, Rolex Kentucky, this spring. You can check out her previous blogs at sineadchalpin.blogspot.com.