”That’s what brought her to Rolex: the dedication and time she was willing to make to do the things that aren’t glamorous and glorious.”
tense, but I was happy with her test. It was particularly excit- ing that she did so well at such a big event,” Madeline says. “We get more nervous for dressage than cross coun-
try because that’s when the mare gets more explosive! We walked the course Wednesday and Madeline was a little nervous before that, but after a couple of walks around she felt confident—we’ve never walked a course where I thought she might get hurt, and I was afraid Rolex might be that course, but it looked very do-able,” Laura recounts. Of the cross-country course, Madeline says, “It was a good,
The pair complete their first Rolex Kentucky and finish in twentieth place after the final phase of show jumping.
coming from Colorado,” she says. “They also bring in people like Max Corcoran and Dr. Copenhagan for unmounted sessions. It’s been very beneficial to me and I’m grateful to be a part of the program.” Now graduated from high school, Madeline says she
attended a public school that was flexible about letting her go for six weeks of every year. She worked hard to keep her grades up despite the absences and graduated with honors.
HER ROLEX EXPERIENCE While 2017 was her first time competing at Rolex, Madeline had attended as a spectator as a child and had competed at the Kentucky Horse Park previously for the Young Rider Championships. This familiarity with the venue helped ease her nerves when she trotted down the centerline in her dres- sage test. “There’s a lot of atmosphere there, which is great. Having
done Young Riders there, I’d ridden in the big stadium and it was a huge comfort to have done that before. My horse’s weakest phase is dressage, because she usually gets really
BAKING HER WAY TO KENTUCKY Horses take a lot of her time, but Madeline also enjoys baking. She was able to put her skills in the kitchen to work to help raise funds for her trip to Kentucky by sell- ing baked goods at events over the winter in Florida. “I was a little hesitant, but I’m glad I did it. People were so kind and had so many nice things to say. I made a lot of bread and some cookies, horse treats and dog treats. It was heartwarming, actually. It also really helped me out. I set up a
gofundme.com account because I had a lot of people asking how they could contribute, but I really preferred doing something to give back. My mom’s a really good cook as well and, when I have time, I like baking—it’s a fun way to spend time. My dad’s a pianist and I love music, too—anything creative.”
20 July/August 2017
big course and the nerves did build up walking it, but Missy and my mom were there for me. I was grateful to have Missy there, and our Emerging Athletes coach Leslie Law helped me too if I had any questions.” Madeline is easily recognizable on course with her pink
cross country vest and helmet with pink stars on it. “Our cross country wasn’t pretty, but we got around—I made a few green mistakes but my mare still jumped and was fantastic,” she says. “I felt her get a little tired but I was told that was to be expected so I kept riding and finishing was an amazing feeling. The show jumping was good, she did really well—she tries her heart out for me every time. We had one rail but my horse was fantastic the entire time.” Laura says that she is proud of her daughter’s riding, but
even more proud of her horsemanship. “For a year and a half she walked her mare for forty-five minutes a day and at the end twice a day, with the vets warning there was only a 50-50 chance that she would be able to ride her again. She never complained; she made sacrifices in high school. She could have gotten very upset because we have to produce horses, we can’t just go out and buy them. I remember that she had only one day where she didn’t really want to ride, and that was it. That’s what brought her to Rolex: the dedication and time she was willing to make to do the things that aren’t glamorous and glorious.” While she spends this summer working with her mom’s
young horses, Madeline says she is considering her options with Ari. “I’d like to do another four-star; that was amazing. I’d love to get some overseas experience too if the opportunity presents itself—I’d love to take Ari over there to compete.” Reflecting on her experience in Kentucky, Madeline says, “I think it was so much fun, but there’s so much to learn from every show. It was really great to complete the competition. Now I know what it’s like to run a four-star with Ari: where I can be better on my line, where she gets tired on a four-star course. It was really great.” Laura hopes that Madeline will keep eventing for as long as she finds joy in working with horses. “I am a profes- sional myself, and not every day is fun, but I love working with horses. I want for her at the end of the day to be able to go home and feel like she has done some good in the world. I also believe in balance in life and I hope she has that and enjoys riding, whether at the four-star level or around a beginner novice course. There has to be balance there as well.”
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