Elizabeth Simmeth-Ensor & Liuteris Star 2011 Equiery Perpetual Dressage Award Winner
early age. A native of Maryland, Elizabeth grew up riding at some of the best-known farms in Harford County. For her 12th birthday, her parents gave her her fi rst pony and at age 16, Eileen Prichard Brian, a family friend, introduced her to Pony Club. What she once thought of as a simple hob- by became a passion. Competing professionally in the sport of
by Carly Weilminster Time is key when creating a lasting partnership.
Dressage rider Elizabeth Simmeth-Ensor’s pa- tient waiting for just the right partnership has fi nally paid off and her journey to greatness has begun. Her relationship with Baltic Hanover- ian gelding Liuteris Star began in 2007 and has been progressing ever since. But this past year, their partnership has developed into something she only could have imagined, a move up to T ird Level, a U.S. Dressage Federation Bronze Medal, and countless accolades including T e Equiery Perpetual Dressage Award.
The Journey Begins Elizabeth Simmeth was the youngest of four
children and the only girl. Her parents decided to give her an activity she could call her own and enrolled her in weekly riding lessons at an
eventing was her original goal; however, in 1980 she met Greg Ensor, and they were married seven years later. T ey bought some land in Jarrettsville and built a house and a barn. Together, they decided that a life of traveling and competing was not conducive to raising a family, so Eliza- beth chose to lay her profes- sional dreams to rest. Her son Corbin was born in September of 1989 and her daughter Lau-
rel followed three years later. Even though competing professionally was out of the question, she con- tinued with her riding. Elizabeth would often bring Corbin to the barn with her, set up his playpen near the ring, and like many other horse moms, multitasked, riding while also keeping a close eye on her son.
Committing to Dressage THE EQUIERY PERPETUAL DRESSAGE AWARD is an annual
year-end award given to the highest pointed, Maryland-based amateur rider at Third Level or above. This rider must have an average minimum score of 50% earned by competing in at least half of the U.S. Equestrian Federation/U.S. Dressage Federation recognized shows held in Mary- land or sponsored by the Potomac Valley Dressage Association. The award is meant to not only promote the sport of dressage through highlighting an indi- vidual, but also to encourage amateur riders to achieve high scores at a level dominated by pro- fessionals.
PAST WINNERS
2010 - Pamela Owens/Gardes Grace 2009 - Anne Hurwitz/Nando 2008 - Beth Stambaugh/Lindern 2007 - Elizabeth Hattenburg/Chopin
www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580
As time passed, Elizabeth com- peted and worked with several horses, but one, Korbin’s Keila, a Percheron/T oroughbred mare, helped Eliza- beth realize her need to “fi ne-tune” her dressage skills. Elizabeth fi rst competed Keila in eventing but an injury prevented the mare from jumping at that level and she turned to dressage. What was only meant to be a quick tune-up through a few les- sons turned into one of Elizabeth’s longest-lasting friendships. Mar- garet Haskins, now Elizabeth’s trainer, friend and confi dant, helped guide her in the transition from dressage as just the fi rst phase of eventing into preparing for the classical dressage world.
Elizabeth began competing Keila with Mar-
garet’s guidance up through First Level. Her scores began to improve. “Earning my USDF Bronze medal was my goal and I did everything I could to make sure that I would succeed,” Elizabeth stated. She already had the scores she needed at First Level from her rides with Keila.
Finding the Partner
T rough Keila and Margaret, Elizabeth deep- ened her appreciation of dressage. When it came time to purchase a horse who would help her learn the ropes of the upper levels, Eliza- beth had a schoolmaster in mind. But when she was shown a video by Jim Armstrong of a feisty chestnut gelding in Virginia, she could not pass up the opportunity to “at least go look.” Lo and behold, Elizabeth fell in love with Luisteris Star (aka Alexi), who she comically nicknamed “Bubble Boy” due to his lack of turnout and extreme “dres- sagesque” upkeep. Elizabeth went
Elizabeth with her fi rst pony in 1974
back to try Alexi twice before decid- ing that he was the
horse for her. He was only four years old and she knew that he was no schoolmaster, but he clearly had the talent to reach the top if she could continue to be patient. With Alexi, Elizabeth set out to earn the fi nal
scores she needed for the USDF Bronze Med- al. In order to qualify for this award, one must
continued...
Elizabeth’s fi rst love was eventing, which she was introduced to through pony club.
SEPTEMBER 2012 | THE EQUIERY | 15
Remne Park Photography
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