ever learn to ride him. It was a challenging winter as he would rear or take off. Finally, in April of 2012, she moved him to trainer Krista Tycho Noone’s Silver Crest Equestrian Center in Butler, Pennsylvania to begin schooling for show season. “I had worked odd jobs to pay for training and I
couldn’t wait. As soon as we got to Krista’s everything changed. Nash transformed to a mannerly gentleman,” Gwen recounts. The two were developing a mutual fondness for one another and together they progressed immensely. Within a month, Gwen and Nash were headed for their first show together, which was also Gwen’s first show ever, if you don’t count the schooling show with her pony mare. It was a recognized show at Kentucky Horse Park—it was the big time. “I was frazzled, but he brought his ‘A game.’ In the warm up I had never felt him move that way,” Gwen says. “He was proving to all the horses that he deserved to be there. When I heard our name announced to go into the arena, I had to hold back the tears. It was like all the outside noise was gone. When we were in the arena alone, we melded into one and all the problems getting there were worth it.” Apparently the judges agreed because at their first show,
they won their First Level class with a score of 69.5 percent. In July, they tackled Virginia Horse Park and between the two shows Gwen earned her qualifying scores for regionals at Training and First Level. She was proud of her horse and thrilled at their progress. The Regional Championships were in September in
Saugerties, New York. Unfortunately, college was starting just about the same time. Gwen froze. “I was not going to go,” she says. “Then I knew I had to do it for Nash, Krista and all the people who were there for us.” For Gwen, the experience was surreal. The pair won the GAIG/USDF Region 8 JR/YR Training Level Championship with a 72.100 percent, besting 26 horses and then went on to win the JR/YR First Level Championship, scoring 70 percent.
Discipline Pays Off SUSAN AND CAVU
her daughter to high school while her husband takes their son to day care. On she goes to her office, where she is the CEO and founder of a thriving business. At the end of the day, it’s home to family time, checking on the horses and off to bed—to get up at 4:30 again. The routine and Susan’s dedication to it has its benefits: it helped her to win the GAIG/USDF Region 2 Adult Amateur Third Level Championship last year, although not without a share of frustration and newfound wisdom. Twenty years ago, Susan bought 16 acres in Walton, Kentucky, determined to one day turn it into a horse facility
S
usan Jones gets up at 4:30 a.m. to work her horses. Some days her trainer arrives at 7 a.m. to give her lessons or to ride the horses. After she’s done, she takes
Above (and with article title on right): The pair won both the Training and First Level Championships at USDF Region 8 J/YR division last year.
“I wish I could bottle the Training Level ride. I was in his
stall afterwards and the trainer called and said I won. I cried and thanked Nash over and over. I never expected that. I didn’t even bring white polos for the awards ceremony.” Gwen and Nash had not one but two victory gallops that weekend. “Nash is so spirited and intelligent. He has taught me a lot
about riding. I know this sounds cheesy but he has molded me into a better person. He’s the reason I get up in the morning. He’s charismatic, confident, and graceful—he’s the person I’d like to be,” she says with her beautiful smile. “Purchasing a horse sight unseen was uncharacteristic
for my mother and me,” Gwen admits, “but I am so grateful that we did! Nash is the perfect example that everything truly does happen for a reason, although the reason may not always be clear. We are privileged to have an incredibly talented trainer whose patience has elevated us to heights I never believed we could reach. Nash and I have overcome so many challenges, and advancing to the next level will bring new frustrations, but I have no doubt that we will be able to achieve our dreams together.”
and on her farm put horses of the quality that would fulfill her dreams. “I made a drawing of what it would be if money wasn’t an issue.” To fulfill that
fantasy, Susan started and grew her marketing company, Seed Strategy, and patiently watched for the plan to grow fruit. “I started my company, got divorced and built up the farm,” she recalls. “While I was working on making other parts of my life work, I gave up competing and just rode for fun.”
Susan and her new horse Connaisseur, aka CAVU.
Warmbloods Today 21
Courtesy Susan Jones Debby Wojewodka
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