LAURA
listens
A Top Rider’s Strategies for Medal Finals
BY LAURA WARE competing in this year? fences that you would typically see in
August is here, and once again, medal Michelle: I will be doing Maclay
these finals, and practice things I have
finals season is upon us. For many Regionals, Maclay finals (hopefully, if
trouble with. I do a lot of right bending
junior riders, now is the time for chasing I do well at regionals), and the USEF
lines; I sometimes have trouble with this
down some last minute qualifying National on Eventual. I will do the
because of my horse’s crookedness in
points. Along with the abundance of USEF Talent Search on my jumper,
this direction. Karen Healey, my trainer,
entries to fill out for the upcoming finals,
Lichtenstein 7.
also makes the practice courses and
we’ll need lots of motivated schooling
lines harder in schooling than the they
sessions over trappy jumps, natural
Laura: How do you keep your horse
actually are in the medal finals, which
obstacles and tricky courses. Although
fresh and happy for all these finals?
keeps me from feeling intimidated by the
competing in equitation classes can Michelle: Luckily, Eventual pretty much
courses in the finals.
sometimes seem a bit tedious, nothing
takes care of that himself. He loves
Laura: What is most challenging
beats the feeling of competing in a
to work; he’s definitely a show horse,
about competing in the medal finals?
high stakes event like an important
and much prefers doing this to being
medal final. The detailed course walks,
at home. Of course, I give him lots of
Michelle: The mental aspect is the most
obsessive boot shining, crowded
treats, and he has a routine that he likes
challenging for me. The finals are not
stands, and back gate jitters are all great
(I have to lesson or gallop him at 6 am
so much a question of whether you can
fun!
at shows), which keeps him emotionally
do it physically. They’re more a test of
whether you can control your nerves
That said, preparing for medal finals
comfortable and ready to work.
and not let the fact that it is a national
is also a long, strenuous, and often
Laura: When walking the course (for
final get in the way of your riding. This
stressful process. Top equitation rider
any medal final) what are some things
was a huge problem of mine a couple
Michelle Morris was kind enough to
that you try to keep in mind?
of years ago, and I’ve learned that you
share her thoughts and advice with us
really need to get yourself in that “zone”
on medal final preparation. Michelle
Michelle: I definitely treat it as just a
and stay focused on the job ahead.
has earned top awards in many finals,
normal course; I don’t let the fact that
including CPHA Junior, LAHJA Junior,
it is a national medal final get into my
You have to apply the same mechanics
USEF Talent Search West, and ASPCA
head because that just creates nerves.
and riding basics that you would to any
Maclay Nationals, and also received a
I also try to visualize a lot. If there is
other course, and you can’t get psyched
scholarship to ride on the University of
a particular turn or combination that I
out by the prestige of competing in a
Georgia equestrian team.
have trouble with, I try to imagine how
final. The lessons are still essentially the
I would like to ride it. I like to get into
same: to ride difficult courses and focus
Laura: What is your favorite medal
“the zone.” I just sit there by myself and
on my weaknesses as a rider.
final, and why?
visualize how I’ll ride these courses.
Laura: How will being across the
Michelle: I think my favorite medal final
Also, when Eventual is indoors for the
country at school affect your medal
is probably the USEF Talent Search
first time, he holds his breath and gets
finals schedule?
because, with the flat, gymnastics, and
a little nervous, so when I’m walking the
show jumping phases, it is completely
Michelle: I think it will be a little easier
course, I try to find a place or two where
different from all the other finals. Plus,
for me being on the East Coast already; I
he can take a breath and just relax. He
if you make the top four, you get to do
won’t have to deal with the time change!
likes to bulge a little right and lands left,
the rotation (all of the top four riders ride
The only two finals I’m flying back for
so I pay attention to these details when
each of the top four horses) and that’s a
are Maclay Regionals and USEF Talent
I’m walking the course, particularly in
great experience. I like how the judging
Search. I’m going to talk with my coach
bending lines.
is not based on “how pretty” the round
about it; there are members on the team
looks, it’s more about efficiency, and Laura: What do you do in both
in the same situation, and the coaches
how you prepare and ride your horse. It lessons at home and while warming have always been understanding.
is more of a horsemanship medal final up for shows in order to better
Thanks for your input, Michelle, and
than a beauty contest. prepare yourself for medal finals?
good luck this fall at school and in the
Laura: Which medal finals are you Michelle: I jump really difficult lines and medal finals.
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