Katy Gates: 2011 Equiery Perpetual Eventing Award Winner, continued...
of Arts degree in Art History and took on a working student posi-
tion at Sharon White’s Last Fron- tier Farm. “It was an opportunity of a lifetime to learn fi rsthand what it takes to be a part of the profession- al world of eventing,” Katy said of her time at Sharon’s. Katy has been a longtime student
of Sharon’s, even before she was a working student. T rough the years, Katy has impressed Sharon with more than just her riding. “She is a wonderful, kind, dedicated person. Her compassion for the horses is tremendous. I felt very fortunate to have her come to the farm,” Sharon said. When Katy graduated and was looking for a full-time job, Sharon even off ered her a position at Last Frontier. “I tried to get her to stay!” Sharon stated. Instead, Katy took the position of offi ce manager for Spurlock Equine Associates in Lovettsville, Virginia.
The Equiery Season
In 2011, Katy and Gizmo competed in sev- en USEA-recognized horse trials from May through October. “I was anxious to apply my
Katy and Gizmo competing at The Maryland Horse Trials in 2011, where they earned their best dres- sage score of the season
training gained from working at Last Frontier Farm to my 2011 competition season. My hope was that Gizmo and I were prepared to be as competitive as possible at the Training level,” Katy explained. In all but one event in 2011, Katy and Gizmo placed in the top 10. T ey started the season with a ninth place fi nish at the Virginia T ree-day Event and Horse
Trials where they competed in a Training Rider division. From there, the pair placed fourth at Olney Farm in July. Later in the season, they earned a third place ribbon at the Marlborough Horse Trials. T eir best score of the season was at T e
Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm in October. T ere, they earned a 35.9 in dressage and jumped clean all day to place third in the Open Training C division. Katy said that event was her favorite of the season. “I had the best
ValerieVizcarrondo A WINNING PROGRAM FOR HORSES & RIDERS ALIKE
dressage score of our season and he was fast and clean in both jumping phases. He was brilliant on cross-country. He was totally on his game and was ready for more,” she said. Her scores from the six Maryland events in which she competed earned her the Equiery Perpetual Eventing Award through the Mary- land Combined Training Association, an award that Katy did not think she had qualifi ed for and was surprised but grateful that she won. Katy said, “It is a feeling of great accomplish- ment. I am so proud of the recognition that my equine partner and I have received.” Sharon White stated, “Katy is totally deserv- ing of this award!”
A Preliminary Future
For 2012, Katy has plans to move Gizmo up to the Preliminary level. “We will take it one step at a time. I try not to plan too far ahead because as I have learned with horses, every- thing can change in an instant,” she said. Such wise advice! Katy went on to add, “I know that riding at the Preliminary level will require even more commitment, conditioning and training. I feel confi dent that Gizmo and I will be suc- cessful at the Preliminary level with the help from our trainers.” Sharon White could not agree more, saying, “T ey’ll move up together, no problem.”
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