“It is an honor and privilege to ride a once-in-lifetime horse like McKinlaigh. Even without all of our competi- tive success, I would still count myself blessed. To sum it up in one word, it would have to be partnership. Together we are in sync and we know exactly what the other one is thinking.”
What’s Next? After returning to the United States after the Olympics, Gina got back to her normal life as a rider, a trainer, and US Eventing Association task force member. Gina volun- teers large amounts of time to several USEA committees and has been instrumental in helping to make the sport safer.
“From the time I was a child, I have always wanted to make the world a better place,” she said. “This is just my way of channeling that desire. I have always admired the upper level riders who do so much for the sport. I’m not the kind of person who expects other people to do things for me, and my philosophy is that if you don’t like something, you step up and help make it better. If you’re not willing to do that, you can’t complain about it. In 2009, I will be continuing on as the Chairman of the Eventing Standards Task Force and will be involved with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Technical Committee as well. I am also working on a couple of projects including a pilot program called ‘Technical Merit’ and the exploration of a 3’5” level.” (Author’s Note: A 3’5” level would help bridge the large gap between the Training and Preliminary levels, and many riders and train- ers feel that it would be extremely beneficial in making the sport safer.)
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Gina also enjoys furthering her own education as a rider with regular riding instruction: “I love taking lessons!” She not only works with numerous world class riders and train- ers in the eventing discipline, she also trains with several top level riders and trainers in the disciplines of dressage, equitation, and show jumping.
“Brian and Lisa Sabo have been instrumental in my devel- opment and I continue to clinic with Brian when he’s in my area,” she explained. “This past winter, I spent a lot of time with Laurie Doyle in San Diego working on McKinlaigh’s flying changes. She had [Dressage Olympian] Robert Dover out to her place several times as well. He helped the Eventing team in 2006, so it was great to work with him again. And of course, Sandy Phillips continues to be an important influence. I went to England early this summer, primarily to be able to train with her leading up to the Games. I always like to get a clinic in with [Hunt Seat Equitation trainer] George Morris when he’s in California, and [Olympic Show Jumper] Laura Kraut helped us in Europe a few times and then was there for us count- less times in Hong Kong as well.”
The pair jump clear during the final Jumping phase at the Olympics.
For Gina and McKinlaigh, 2008 was
an unforgettable year. She looks forward to many more successful years in the future. “McKinlaigh is only fourteen, so he will have a light season in 2009 and we’ll hopefully gear up for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010. I am also currently working on a syndicate to buy some new horses with London 2012 in mind, but they are sure going to have big shoes to fill!”
WT
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