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Many horses who are head shakers are sensitive to sun-


light, but sunlight doesn’t seem to be the cause of Obie’s discomfort. “Some days he is better than others. I’m not sure what causes it, but it seems to be worse on windy days; this past week it has been windy and it seems to be worse than it has been in months,” she says. “I have tried various treatments, from bonnets to masks


to dexamethasone therapy to antihistamines, and nothing seems to really help. I don’t have the funds to go on a ‘fishing’ mission, so for now we just do the best we can. I have just learned to deal with it, and am hopeful that one day I will find a cure for it.”


Southern Cross While Obie was recuperating from


his suspensory injury, Ellen had plenty of time to reflect on her business situation, and made the move to her current location in Terrell, Texas, at Southern Cross Equestrian Center. The 80-acre facility is located 25 minutes from downtown Dallas and features a 20-stall barn, sandy footing and turnout, indoor and outdoor are- nas and a low-level cross-country course. The center is owned by Michelle


and Kim Cheney, sisters and ama- teur riders who realized a lifelong dream when they went into busi- ness together. Ellen is excited to have found a barn that feels like home and says she plans to stay with Southern Cross for the long term. “Kim and Michelle are two adult amateurs who built a


The pair finishing up their third place win at the 2013 AEC championships in Texas.


earned her U.S. Dressage Federation bronze and silver rider medals with Obie in just three recognized shows. “I think competing in dressage shows really helps us to


relax in the dressage arena,” she says. “Also, competing him at Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges, which is much more dif- ficult than anything we’d see in an eventing test, makes the eventing tests much easier and less stressful for both of us.”


Unexpected Rewards It was this attitude, and a successful track record, that led


to Ellen receiving a Broussard grant to compete at Rebecca Farm in Montana last summer, and then a $4,000 Land Rover USEF competition grant to compete at the Fair Hill Interna- tional in Maryland in the fall. Fair Hill was the pair’s first inter-


national three-star, and Ellen used the event as a gauge to measure their readiness to compete at Ro- lex Kentucky in April, 2014—and hopefully a qualifying score. Things started out positively at


Fair Hill, with their trot work show- ing improvement in the dressage. On cross-country, Obie put in a clean and fast round, moving from twentyfirst to sixth place overall, and they only touched one rail in the show jumping. Ultimately in the end they went


above and beyond merely qualify- ing for Rolex when they placed sixth overall and earned the Amanda


barn because they love horses and wanted a place they could surround themselves with other people who love horses and want to compete,” she says. “We have built a facility with a wonderful group of people, all of whom are very supportive and friendly. Every boarder is someone who I would call a friend; you can’t say that at most barns! I really love the people at the barn, especially the owners, and love the facility.” In addition to Obie, Ellen is also currently competing


Fuerst Harrisburg, known as “Harley,” a big grey half Hanove- rian, one quarter Selle Français and one quarter Holsteiner gelding. “I bought him as a yearling and have done every- thing with him myself, from backing to breaking to taking him to his first show,” says Ellen. “He is currently competing at Intermediate and will be nine this year.” She also shows a few horses for clients.


Secrets to Success Ellen is a firm believer that improving her dressage affects


every aspect of her riding and training and helps Obie to perform better in all three phases of eventing. In 2013 Ellen


34 March/April 2014


Warrington Memorial Trophy as the highest-placed first-time three-star rider and the U.S. Equestrian Federation Alexander Mackay Smith Trophy as the highest-placed rider in the USEF National Developing Rider Championship. “I am so thankful to have received the Land Rover Grant,”


she says. “It covered my gas and hotel expenses to get to and from Fair Hill, plus the entry fee, and the remaining funds will also cover some lessons and coaching! I don’t think I would have been able to afford to come to Fair Hill had it not been for the grant, so I am so thankful that I was awarded it.” Thanks to U.S. selectors recognition of Ellen’s hard work


and success in competition, she and Sir Oberon were named to the U.S. Eventing Team’s National Training List, which means they will be able to take part in team training sessions with coach David O’Connor. Gearing up for Kentucky Rolex, Ellen’s plan is to take more


lessons to hone her skills. “I can count the number of lessons I have had over the past four years on my two hands. I’ve got- ten as far as I have pretty much on my own and I’m looking forward to learning from team training sessions and some extra lessons as well.” Come April, she and Obie will be bound for the Kentucky


Horse Park and their first four-star competition. It’s a big step she simply can’t wait to take.


Hannah Bennett/USEA


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