Eventers Buck and Andrea Davidson recently announced they’re expecting their first child in March 2016. 

The couple will find out the gender of the baby early next week after Buck competes at the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International (Md.) this weekend. He reports that Andrea already started decorating the nursery while he was away competing at the Boekelo CCIO*** (the Netherlands) this weekend.

“It’s starting to get real now,” said Buck, Riegelsville, Pa. “It’s obviously something different in my life and something probably more important than what I’ve been doing for the first 39 years of my life. I’m really excited to find out on Monday after Fair Hill whether it’s going to be a boy or girl. I just want the baby to be healthy, and Andrea to be healthy. Past that, we’re just very fortunate to have this little thing.”

Andrea’s due date is March 6. Buck said she’s decided to stop riding cross-country and jumps a little bit and is happy keeping his horses fit on the flat for the time being.

“She’s got a cute little bump, and we keep taking pictures every week to show the difference. I guess I’m getting quite good at my photography skills!” said Buck. “I’ve grown up with horses all my life, so if something happens, you know what to do. Everybody says once you have it, you’ll know what to do. Well, I hope they’re right because right now I’m asking a bunch of questions and trying to read every book and magazine. Hopefully we’ll do the right thing!”

Baby Davidson will have a pony ready and waiting. Sweetums, an “aged” pony according to Buck, has taken care of both his sister Nancy’s children and eventer Dorothy Crowell’s. Crowell gave him to Buck’s father, Bruce, and he now lives happily at Chesterland Farm.

“He just roams around Chesterland,” said Buck. “He doesn’t have a stall; he just does whatever he wants. He lives the life. Every once in a while kids go and ride him.”