Trainer Erin Brinkman and Fenway.
Fenway decided that flags were scary, horse-eating monsters mid-ride. But all ended well and our team came in fourth place. In the individual competition my nerves got the best of me again, and I received a score of 67 percent and fourth place, missing the bronze medal by less than half a point. In the freestyle competition, rider errors kept me out of the medals once more, but I was happy with my sixth place. Rebecca and I made a memorable victory gallop together, ending the championships on a high note. Te NAJYRC was by far the most fun I have ever had and I cannot wait to go next year!
encouragement I needed. Soon Fenway and I were improving at an even faster pace. For our first show to perform the FEI Junior tests, we
entered a CDI (Concours de Dressage International) in Wellington, Florida. Not only was it a CDI, but none other than the World Dressage Masters boasting top U.S. and international riders. Probably not the best move we have ever made! My nerves were running high especially aſter seeing Olympians everywhere. Unfortunately, we did not do as well as I had hoped, but it was a great experience and it gave me a taste of the atmosphere I would see at the NAJYRC and beyond. Aſter the CDI, my confidence was shaken, but with Erin’s
help, Fenway and I began to earn our qualifying scores for the NAJYRC. In our daily training I focused on myself and learned the valuable concept of contact and leting go—a huge leap for me. During the qualifying period, we earned an average score of 68 percent, securing our spot on the USDF Region 3 Junior Team for the NAJYRC! I was absolutely ecstatic and couldn’t wait to begin the journey. But with that excitement came nerves, so I spent a month
with Erin training at Valhalla perfecting my Junior FEI tests. I learned so much there with the other working students. Te experience leſt me with great friends and memories that will last a lifetime. I should pause to mention that thanks to Fenway’s train-
ability and amazing work ethic, we made faster than normal progress in our dressage. I believe that he has the best mind for the work. He almost never spooks and is a very calm horse, but when he goes into the ring, he has lots of energy and is ready to go. It’s the perfect combination. Plus Fenway’s conformation is built for dressage, making collection easy for him.
Te NAJYRC Experience We arrived a few days early at the Kentucky Horse Park. On the first day, I met and got to know my Region 3 teammates Rebecca Cohen, Matie Zepernick and Mallory Kent. Together we enjoyed spicing up our barn aisle with twinkling lights and flowers. However the pressure started to build when the
competition began. In the Team test I made a few mistakes and 54 January/February 2013
Bright Future Ahead Aſter the NAJYRC, Fenway and I competed in our first Prix St. Georges test and earned a score of 69 percent. We also competed in the Region 3 Championships at Fourth Level and on the FEI Junior Team there and won both of our classes with a 67 percent and a 70 percent. Two weeks later, we were privileged to be invited to participate in the elite USEF Young Rider Training Session with National Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg. Tat weekend I was able to reunite with some of my NAJYRC friends and acquire a great set of skills to use both on and off the horse. Aſter that event, for the first time, my dream of being an Olympian didn’t seem so outrageous and impossible! I love Fenway with all my heart. He is the sweetest horse
ever and is more than my best friend. We have an incredible bond that’s almost hard to describe. Fenway is extremely smart and can master something new in just a few rides. You can tell he loves what he does and is always excited to learn anything new. He also enjoys performing the Spanish walk. When he is confused about something, he will just start doing it! I am totally sold on Trakehners as a breed. Tey are very
rideable and are super smart making them fast learners. Trakehners also have great minds and are easy to train. Tey love people and enjoy having a partnership with their riders. Without the support of my parents, my trainer Erin, and of
course Fenway, we would not be where we are today. He really is my field of dreams.
Lindsey and Fenway take a break.
American Trakehner Association Shannon Brinkman
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