Riding For Reading is a non-profit (501(c)3) organization dedicated to promoting reading, literacy, and education through equestrian sports and activities. This year four different shows throughout the country have hosted or will host a Riding For Reading Class, including The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Houston, the Oregon Summer Classic, the upcoming Gold Coast 6 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center and finally the Woodside Labor Day Classic in Northern California.

  For more information: www.ridingforreading.org

  August is right around the corner, with another great round of horse shows to look forward to!

  We're excited to announce the launch of the Silverlakes Equestrian & Sports Park website. We have other sites in the final stages - look for them in the coming weeks.

  We’ve launched a new Facebook page for EquestriSol where we're posting news, articles and more - click here to become a fan!

  We love hearing from you, keep the feedback coming...

BY JACKIE MCFARLAND AND MARNYE LANGER

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EAP LEVEL I: JESSICA & HALEY

JESSICA
With a solid equitation history, including Reserve Champion in the 2008 NorCal 3’ Medal Finals, a 4th in the 2008 CPHA Child/Adult Medal Finals and a top 15 finish in the 2007 Onondarka Medal Finals, Jessica Tali is no stranger to the challenges of achieving goals and riding under pressure.

A student of Nicole Bloom’s (Round Meadow Farm) since age six, Jessica turns 15 this month. It was Nicole who recommended that Jessica consider looking into the Emerging Athletes Program, and when she found the information online, there was no question she wanted to participate. She applied and was ecstatic to find out she was chosen for the 3’ session.

Jessica explained, “It was an important decision for me because I chose to apply instead of going to one horse show. Because shows are so expensive, my family and I, along with Nicole, plan out my show schedule at the beginning of the year. I do extra work at the barn to earn some credit to help pay expenses. For example this summer I’m a working student. I chose EAP over a horse show and it was well worth it.”

The young equitation star not only excelled – even though she was challenged – at the clinic, but garnered important information that she continues to utilize. “Melanie really helped point out things I can work on and also things I was doing well. I learned exercises I can practice at home. Now, when I go out to hack, I will always think about having the horse in front of my leg, keeping him straight, doing more lateral work. From halts to turns, making certain the communication is always there. Overall, having more of a connection and better communication with my horse.”

Jessica also enjoyed learning more about the details of taking care of her horse, which was required at the clinic, and liked the backpack full of goodies including a saddle pad, a boot polishing set, t-shirt and more.

Although her show schedule was slimmer, Jessica has garnered even more blue ribbons in the equitation ring this year, winning in her age group and in the Big Eq, while also learning invaluable lessons as a working student. With a career goal of becoming a horse trainer, this ambitious equestrian is well on her way.

HALEY
With medal finals approaching, be sure to look for Haley Webster, a fourteen and under rider who hails from the Sacramento Area. Haley has ridden with Patty Ball for most of her riding years. She was selected for the EAP clinic held in Northern California this past May, and she made the most of the experience. “Oh, man when I found out I was accepted I was running around the barn like crazy yelling. I was so excited! Getting to ride in a clinic with Melanie was an amazing experience. I really liked all the exercises she had us do and she really described everything very well.”

Haley took away some valuable tips from the clinic. "One of the major things Melanie really put out there was just to go forward, and to go forward out of trouble. You would think that's something you already know, but many times when I'm riding and my horse is spooky or doesn't want to walk by something my first reaction isn't to go forward so that really helped me a lot.”

Post her EAP experience, Haley has had a great summer. During two weeks at the Woodside Summer Circuit she was champion in the Equitation 12-14 and posted some strong finishes on her Junior Hunter. She continued on to Pebble Beach where she captured her more equitation wins and then had a clean sweep in the Large Junior Hunter 15-17, won the Junior Hunter Classic, and won the Maclay and the Overall Phase of the Washington International.

Last year she was a top finisher in the Onondarka Finals and is having no trouble competing with the best in both the 3'6" medals and the Junior Hunters. There is no doubt that Haley will be one of California’s ascending stars.

COLORADO EAP LEVEL I: JENNA & PHILLIP
If the goal of the USHJA’s Emerging Athlete Program is to identify young riders with raw talent, a fierce desire to better themselves, a passion for horses, and only lacking show ring experience and refined teaching, then you couldn’t pick better candidates than Jenna Koehler (17) and Phillip Flynn (19) of Colorado.

Both youngsters were selected for the EAP Training Session Level I clinic in Parker, CO held in June. Jenna has her own horse, but almost no show ring experience. Working at a polo farm, she’s acquired solid horse management skills. Phillip does not have his own horse, but is lucky to work with a trainer who gives him opportunities to ride different mounts. As a participant on the Findley College (OH) championship IHSA team last year, Phillip will enter his sophomore year this fall.

Both riders were really impressed with Melanie Smith Taylor and enthusiastic about the experiences in the EAP clinic. “I am a clinic junkie and this was the best clinic I’ve ever done. Melanie has incredible insight and is very detail oriented,” added Jenna.

“Melanie is very well spoken and the amount of information I got was almost overwhelming. I didn’t have a fancy horse, but I went to learn. It seemed that Melanie recognized and respected ambition. She was willing to help riders with their goals,” contributed Phillip.

These two riders share another honor, given by their Zone 8 Jumper Committee as well as Melanie Smith Taylor. In order to expose the EAP riders to advanced levels of the sport, the Zone 8 Jumper provided funding for two EAP riders to attend the North American Junior Young Rider Championships this week, and they asked Melanie to select the two candidates. Phillip and Jenna where thrilled to find out they had been chosen and are looking to make the most of their experience. While keeping their fingers crossed about being selected for the second level of the EAP, this has already been a great year for these emerging athletes.

WHAT'S TO COME: LEVEL II
Following each Level I Training Session, the clinician, which this year is Melanie Smith Taylor, will evaluate the riders and create a ranking list to determine who will be invited to the Regional Level II Training Session. After the Regional Level II Training Session, a select group of riders will be invited to participate in the National Training Session. The National Training Session will include extensive instruction with riding sessions, nutritionists, veterinarians, blacksmiths and sport psychologists. It will also have a Nations Cup type competition for the riders. The top two individuals selected from the National Training Session will each receive a grant for one month of advanced training.

The Level II Training Sessions are scheduled as follows:
August 29-30, 2009: Region 1 (Zones 1 & 2) USET Training Facility, Gladstone, NJ

September 5-6, 2009: Region 3 (Zones 5 & 6) Canterbury Farm, Hampshire, IL

September 12-13, 2009: Region 5 (Zones 9 & 10) Blenheim Facility, San Juan Capistrano, CA

September 26-27, 2009: Region 4 (Zones 7 & 8) McCutcheon Stables, Aubrey, TX

November 21-22, 2009: Region 2 (Zones 3 & 4) Wrenwood Farm, Naples, FL

BY ANNE POLLI

  Life can change in the blink of an eye. A phrase we’ve all heard, one most of us have uttered a time or two, but no one can recognize the truth of that expression better than Anthony Alfaro. In a split second one late February afternoon in 2007, events were set in motion that would see Anthony’s life change forever. There was fear, sometimes incredible pain, uncertainty, and countless medical procedures, but if you are expecting to feel sorrow and pity, think again. This is a story of a young man with courage, resilience, and an indestructible spirit.

  Anthony is a “horse show kid” in every sense of the word. Nearly fifteen years ago as a young teenager he tagged along with his dad, Andy Burney, and began working on the ring crew at some California shows. He gained experience and knowledge and in a few years began working as a starter and announcer. Anthony’s good looks, sense of humor, easygoing nature and killer smile made him a favorite of exhibitors and staff alike and by early 2007 he was running a gate at the HITS Desert Circuit shows.

  Late one afternoon he was driving back to the hotel with friends and co-workers, Arturo (Speedy) Dias and Zack Price. Anthony’s car was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, he began to proceed through the intersection and the car was t-boned in the driver’s door by another car that had run the red light. All three friends were hurt badly, Zack injured his back and Speedy, his knee, but Anthony took the brunt of the impact and was in an instant fighting for his life.

  Ask Anthony his recollection of the accident and he will tell you he remembers sitting at the intersection waiting for the light to change and his next cognizant moment was waking up almost a month later in the hospital. In that time, he had surgeries to repair damage to his heart, diaphragm, intestines, and trachea. He had no medical insurance.

  After nearly two months in the hospital, Anthony returned home to Sacramento. He spent several months recuperating but in the back of his mind, he had bills to pay, a son to support, and he felt well enough to return to work in June of that year.

  Everything went well for several months but by November he was starting to experience some back pain. He visited a chiropractor however gained little relief. By the winter of 2008 he was starting to experience knee pain as well. Without medical insurance, Anthony visited medical clinics regarding the back and knee issues. No additional tests were performed and while the problems continued the solution was to prescribe more and more medications. By the Pebble Beach Summer Shows last year he knew he was not getting better and he was in constant and severe pain.

  By fall of 2008, he could not keep any food down and his family took him back to the emergency room. He was in the hospital for several weeks while they ran exhaustive tests finally finding that the material originally used to repair his aorta, (damage sustained in the car accident) was dropping off and traveling throughout his system causing blood clots in his stomach and both legs.

  At that point it was back to the operating room, first for surgery to repair the original work on the aorta and place a stent and at the same time do some vascular work on one leg. Several days later the doctors performed another surgery doing more vascular work on Anthony’s other leg. For two months, this round of surgery seemed to do the trick yet soon his left leg was numb and tingling and his toes were beginning to turn black.

  While advising Anthony that the only way he would get better was to amputate a portion of his leg, the doctors said they would not force him, it was a decision only he could make. He thought about it for almost two months before he decided to go ahead.

  It would seem likely that the trials of the last two years would have created a bitter and depressed man, but nothing could be further from the truth. Anthony today is a man with no leg pain, in fact, no pain in general. He has been fitted for and is walking with a prosthetic leg. His face is free of traces of the distress that was his constant companion and when asked how he feels now his answer is just one word, “Grateful”.

  Anthony is thankful for all the support he’s had from others in the last several years. “I’m amazed at the love other people have shown for me,” he says.

  His grandmother, Susan, has taken care of Anthony in and out of the hospital. He says that she has made sure that he can recover and get back to life. “She’s made sure that I have no worries in my everyday life…food in the kitchen, no rent to pay.” Anthony currently lives with her and his son, Anthony (“Lil' Ant”).

  In addition, his dad, Andy, and his sister and cousins step in to do whatever is needed. Friends have been there from the beginning doing whatever they can be it contributions of money, time, or assistance. Anthony says, “Whenever I couldn’t take care of myself there has always been family or friends to carry me through. I couldn’t ask for more than that.”

  The support from family and friends has been a great motivator. “There are so many people that didn’t give up on me, I can’t give up on myself. I won’t lie, there are times I just laid down and cried but I can’t give up. That would be letting down everyone, I would be spitting in the face of the people who helped me.”

  Though he plans to work at a few shows this summer, Anthony has enrolled in college for the fall semester. “I grew up at the shows, it’s part of who I am, but I’m a father, I’m responsible for someone else. I guess this showed me I had to grow up and be a responsible adult,” he says with a grin. He also admits that he enjoys going to Little Ant’s basketball practices and weekend games as well as spending weekend time with family, things he’d miss if he were working full time on the show circuit.

  There are still challenges ahead, there are monstrous medical bills to be paid and the legal ramifications of the accident will be addressed at a trial beginning in November. And though he is adapting to his prosthesis quite well, he acknowledges that the adjustment to his image in the mirror is slow.

  But throughout, that same word keeps cropping up. Grateful. “I just feel this was all a challenge to better myself, to be a better father, to support my son. I have no regrets. I just think this is something I had to go through to make me who I am. I have to learn to keep it simple, to be positive. I’m still sociable, I still go out, hang out with my family, I’ll continue to live life. All of this just added a couple of years to the original ‘life plan’.”

  As someone that considered himself spiritually “in tune” before the accident, Anthony asked himself repeatedly why this tragedy ‘hit’ him. After listening to his story, it is difficult to comprehend the trauma Anthony faced and how in the wake of such an event, has been able to uphold a positive attitude. It illustrates that through all the painful challenges he has been given a gift, the gift of life and he receives it with open arms.

BY KATIE KOTARAK & JACKIE MCFARLAND

  The time has come for the anticipated 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior / Young Rider Championships (NAYJRC), presented by Gotham North, at the Kentucky Horse Park. After undergoing a complete redesign for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), qualified young riders have the honor of competing on the same turf as the 2010 WEG competitors.

2009 Young Riders Team - Zone 10
  Amongst the ten, four on the Young Rider Team plus an alternate and four on the Junior Rider Team plus an alternate, three of the riders who train with Dick Carvin and Susie Schroer – Ricky Neal, Paris Sellon and Lucy Davis – took time to talk with us.

  Although each of them had garnered qualifying points before the show, all were acutely aware how important their results were at the Blenheim June Classic I, June 23-27, 2009. With the chance to gain valuable points, Sunday’s class was mandatory, scored at 1.5x and consisted of two rounds. All agreed Linda Allen’s course was big and technical. Professional Jenni Martin McAllister concurred. Also competing in the 1.45m class that served as a qualifier, she commented, “It was a difficult course. My mare who shows at this level was impressed, as was I.”

Ricky: Although intense, it’s nice to compete in a similar format to NAJYRC. No other zone does qualifying like ours, so we are prepared for what’s to come and I think it shows.

Lucy: It’s nice to be rewarded for consistency and make the team, as well as for riding well under pressure. Last year I qualified because I won on Sunday, this year today was not my best day.

Paris: I was leading coming into this week, but I had a rough time Thursday and Friday. Today was my best day and it was similar to what we’ll see at Young Riders, so that feels good.

About making the team:
  Qualifying was a top priority for all three riders – they planned their 2009 show schedules around it. They all look forward to competing at the WEG facility.

Ricky: It’s nice to see who made the teams. The competition was tough and I think we have some of our best on both teams. Paris: We did go through a lot this year to qualify, but I think it will pay off.

Lucy: Last year I learned so much. It’s one of the few shows where we get to be there the entire week (no school) and we are able to spend more time with our horses, our friends and focus on just the one event.

And one more...
  LEG Up News shared teammate Adriene Dixon’s excitement about making it to NAJYRC.  “This is my first and last shot,” said Dixon who is riding at the maximum age of 21.  “It was make or break and I am so excited. I feel like Young Riders is a really important step to being a legitimate jumper rider.  If you can get to the Championships then you have really accomplished something,” commented the U.C. Davis student.

  To prepare for the rigors of the championship, Dixon said that she and her trainer, Buddy Brown focused on endurance for Pom Pom.  “Buddy really focuses on all the details.  He knows I can ride, so he helps me with the little things.” Dixon hopes that all those little things will add up to big performances this week.

About the NAYJRC course designer, Olaf Petersen Jr.:
  Olaf designed last year and will return this year. All riders agreed Olaf builds tough and technical courses. Lucy and Mister Mind did not drop a single rail in 2008 – the pair rode five clean rounds and were the only ones to do so.

More About NAJYRC:
  Since 1979, these Championships have showcased the best young rider and junior horse/rider combinations in the three Olympic disciplines of Dressage, Eventing and Jumping. In 2008, the Western discipline of Reining was added, bringing the best young athletes, ages 14-21, in four of the high performance equestrian disciplines together for the first time.

  Show jumping teams are invited from the twelve Zones in the United States, each Canadian Province, Mexico and the Caribbean to compete for team and individual medals. The Championships are designed to mirror the competition format used at the Olympic and Pan American Games. In addition, the Championships offer riders the opportunity and experience of competing as a member of a team. (Adapted from youngriders.org & usef.org)