Harrisburg, Pa.—Oct. 12
Emma Reichow didn’t go on the horse-shopping trip to Europe last fall with her trainers, Harley and Olivia Brown, so she had to rely on history and a little faith. They had never steered her wrong before when it came to horse matchmaking, so when they said Forever Alve was the one, the 17-year-old believed them.
“My trainers are incredible at finding horses,” said Reichow. “I never tried her before I bought her. They’re just so talented at matching horse and rider. The first time I sat on her was probably exactly a year ago.”
And her instincts on the Browns proved correct.
Emma Reichow and Forever Alve topped the Neue Schule/USEF Junior Jumper Championship. Laura Lemon Photos
“We have such a good bond,” said Reichow. “I’m so thankful for her. She’s my exact type ride. I love big, scopey horses, but she’s super quick and nimble as well. I think we’ve really developed a special bond. We really understand each other, and we’ve had some great wins together. So I’m really excited to keep going up on her.”
With the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Numero Uno—Balvea, Berlin), Reichow competed in the Adequan/FEI North American Youth Championships, finishing in silver in the young rider team competition and fourth individually. And coming into today’s performance in the Neue Schule/USEF National Junior Jumper Championships, Reichow sat in second behind Mimi Gochman on Street Hassle BH.
“It’s definitely been the best year of my life, I’ll never forget it,” said Emma Reichow.
“I’ve never done Prix des States. I’ve been back here for [the USEF] Medal a couple years, but this is my first year doing Prix des States,” she said. “With coming in second I wanted to obviously move up. With everyone being so close in points, I wanted a clear round. My mare really gave it her all, and I’m just so thankful that she helped me out in some places and it worked out.”
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And when Reichow got that clear round and Gochman pulled a rail, Reichow secured her gold medal, making the ideal anniversary gift. In a jump-off to determine the silver and bronze, Ned Cunniffe and Buckle Up went clear to earn silver, with Gochman taking the bronze.
For Reichow, this win coupled with a victory in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals—West has made 2019 the best year of her riding career.
It’s been a banner year for Emma Reichow and Forever Alve.
“It’s such an honor. It’s such a prestigious class, and I don’t think someone from Zone 10 has won it in a couple years, so I’m truly honored that I was able to do that this year. It’s always been a goal of mine to come here and do well,” said Reichow. “I’m very thankful for such amazing horses that have helped me out this year. It’s been incredible. It’s definitely been the best year of my life, I’ll never forget it. The talent search and then this, I didn’t expect this to happen. I’m over the moon.”
Ned Cunniffe and Buckle Up took the silver.
Ned Cunniffe thanked Buckle Up.
Mimi Gochman and Street Hassle BH took the bronze medal.
Maggie Kehring and Cole Haan took fourth.
Emma Seving and Brighton Bay took fifth.
Paige Matthies and Dirkie Z were sixth.
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