Hunt seat or forward seat riding was the basic form I studied. Along with Dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. Competition in North America includes both flat and over fences for show hunters, and equitation classes. My focus was 3 day event. Stadium Jumping, Dressage, Cross Country.

Trainers I worked with: George Tossick, Col. R. Ragoose, Victor Hugo-Vidal, Harry Gillheise

Competitive stables I rode for included: Sunnyfield Farm, and Cedar Lodge Stables

For many years our family had a small barn. We boarded horses as well as keeping our own there. Gradually I moved from Smoky, a Shetland pony, to larger competitive mounts. Sandpiper was our most talented. When her hooves were long she was a horse. Just over 14.2 hands. When there were trimmed, she was a pony. We rode in both divisions. When riding for stables and trainers a large variety of horses came along. Each had their talents and eccentricities. From 4-H, Grange and Pony Club A level, Captain National Rally, to hunting, show competition, Medal and MaClay and on to 3 day, a variety of competitions formed this body of experience. The training included, dressage, stadium jumping, and cross country. Many seasons of hunting added to the sport. Toward the end I also did some judging. There was a lot of winning, a lot of loosing, and a lot of maturing in dealing with both.

My last competitive ride was at Ox Ridge CT. After the death of my horse and failed attempts to gain a sponsor for the Olympics, it became clear my days in the sport were over. I had no interest in becoming a professional. So one last summer I groomed for a competition stable just to be close to the action before going off to art school. The class was the grooms bareback jumper. I rode Another Foggy Dawn. I had ridden "Foggy" before and we got on well. Waiting for my ride I said something to another groom about my riding experience giving me an unfair advantage. He gave me a sharp look. "Some of these boys are better than you think. Whatever you've done, or been, is in the past. We all have a past. Your one of us now. Ride for us. Ride to win." The rider before me was a big guy who lost it on the second part of an in and out. Somehow his horse kicked his head and they took him out in the ambulance. I had been hospitalized several times but was actually more concerned about not embarrassing myself with a bad ride. I won the class. Between the riders, most of which were friends, and the grooms "Foggy and I had a big cheering section. Emotion counts. It galvanizes the discipline and focus within the moment.