Learning from the Highs and the Lows

As this season comes to an end and everyone is making their winter training plans, I can't help but reflect on not only this season but on past seasons as well. Although eventing is a very rewarding and gratifying sport, it is also very easy to become humbled by the competition. It is important for us as students, trainers, and competitors to take a step back, look at all of the right moves we have made, but also all of our mistakes so that we can learn and grow from them. As a rider, I have experienced many highs in my eventing career thus far that have shown all of the work that my horse, my trainer and I have put in. However, we have also experienced the inevitable lows of the sport. This season alone has been quite a bit of a roller coaster for us.

We began the year late, in April at St. Johns Horse Trials in Arizona. It was cold, windy, and raining most of the weekend, however it made for great footing. I ended up taking my sisters horse, Sampson along with my horse. When the weekend was over Boots and I ended 1st in Open Preliminary and Sampson and I finished 2nd in Open Training. It was great to see a lot of our winter training pay off at a show and it was a fantastic start to the year. 

St. John Horse Trials April, 2016 1st Place OP, 2nd Place OT

Throughout the summer, we went to a few shows including Coconino in May, Copper Meadows in June, and back-to-back Coconino's in July. Our June show at Copper Meadows was one of our best shows thus far in our eventing careers. Coming out from my dressage test I was a bit disappointed, thinking that I left some marks on the table, however we scored a 29.6. Showjumping was phenomenal, Boots was jumping out of her skin. We skipped around the cross country course and finished in 2nd out of 19. 

Coconino Horse Trials May, 2016 1st Place OP

Copper Meadows Horse Trials June, 2016 2nd Place PR

Coconino Summer HT I July, 2016 8th Place OP

Coconino Three Day II July, 2016 7th Place OP

The last show of our season was just recently at Galway Downs in Temecula, California. We were extremely excited to get to this show after a few setbacks this fall. Dressage showed improvement which was exciting for my trainer and I. Show jumping on the other hand was a bit disappointing. After a stop at the third fence and another at the sixth fence we left the arena with regret and a big E on our record. This was the first time in my six years of competition that I had been eliminated. To my surprise, I wasn't mad, I wasn't upset, I was just disappointed in myself. In my mind, all I thought about was how I could have ridden differently. Instead of being upset at our performance, I figured this gave me an opportunity. An opportunity to see clearly all of our weaknesses and what we need to improve on to have a successful season next year.

Galway Downs International November, 2016

As I said before, this season has come to an end and we are making our winter training plans. This disappointing end to our season has given me an opportunity to put together a better training plan for Boots and I. We will focus on our weaknesses and refine our strengths. This winter will consist of many square oxers, which I will not run past any distances to. We will focus most on show jumping while still furthering our fitness and strength in dressage and cross country. Although this season has been both rewarding and humbling, I am optimistic of our winter break from showing to better prepare ourselves to have a fantastic season next year!

Thank you all so much for reading and for letting me share my experiences in this crazy sport!

The Support System Behind Eventing

The Support System Behind Eventing

When I think about where I have ended up in the world of eventing and my riding career thus far, I can't help but think about all of the supporters, friends, and families I have met along the way. The amount support that I have received from my family is unimaginable, but my support system goes well beyond my immediate family. Eventing is a sport that would not function without the support of others. Support comes in many forms, whether it's from your coach that has pushed you to be the best rider you can be, your teammates that are cheering for you when you cross the finish line, the other riders wishing you a good ride in warm up, or the organizers that always want to see everyone succeed. 

For as long as I can remember, my teammates have been like family. I ride with Equistar School of Riding at 12th Street Ranch in Desert Hills, Arizona. Equistar has given me life-long friends, a couple of fantastic coaches, and an extended family that I wouldn't trade for the world. The support that has come from every member of the Equistar family has been overwhelming. I remember at my first horse trials back in 2010, one of the upper-level riders from Equistar helped me get to my first dressage test in one piece. Any question that I asked (and there were many) was answered, any help that I needed was graciously given. I am happy to be that person these days for all of the little kids heading to their first shows. 

"Thanks for helping her learn the course last night, Nick Madsen! #NickMadsen #BofBNextTopRider" Photo courtesy Sherry Pickering

Over the past 8 years, I have been lucky enough to have a fantastic coach and friend. Tavia Wolcott, owner of 12th Street Ranch and Equistar, has not only been one of my biggest supporters, but also a friend that has always had my best interests in mind. We have shared many highs and many lows, but no matter what Tavia pushes me to be the best rider I can be. The support that she has willingly given me and every member of Equistar is truly inspirational. 

Tavia and I at The Area X Preliminary Championships, Las Cruces 2015

The amazing thing about eventing is that the support doesn't stop there. Eventing as a sport is a tight-knit community where everyone wants to see each other succeed. Yes, there is some sort of competition involved just like any sport, however the desire for everyone in the competition to do well and finish safe and sound is unlike other sports. I think that is the reason I choose to stay in the world of eventing. No matter how disastrous or amazing someones ride was, they will still cheer others on to do well. I love walking through warm up and wishing people good rides and hearing it back. It really shows a sense of community and support that is very unique to eventing. 

Amanda Gnatek (Tucson AZ) and I talking after awards at Coconino Horse Trials

Some of the best memories that I have so far in my eventing career come from running a long format three day. I have completed two, the novice three day and the training three day at Coconino Horse Trials. Long format three days really show the amount of support that is needed and given in the sport. There are so many aspects to a long format show that it takes more than one or two people to finish. My first three day, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. However, with the help of my coach, fellow teammates, organizers, and other coaches it was one of the best experiences of my life. I remember that there was a clinic before the show that was put on by Jeffray Ryding and Tom Angle of Goose Downs. They helped me, along with other first-time long format riders, with every aspect of the three day from pacing ourselves on roads and tracks to what we need in the vet box and even how to make our horse most comfortable after the endurance phase to be successful in show jumping the next day. Without their guidance and support, I would not have finished the show that weekend, nor would I have been prepared for the Training three day the following year. 

There are MANY more people who have supported me through the years that I am truly grateful for. You can find support around every corner in the eventing world which makes it a unique sport that I am proud to be apart of. 

Bit of Britain's Next Top Rider

Bit of Britain's Next Top Rider

I'd like to start off by saying that eventing, let alone horseback riding in general was never in my agenda as a child. I never grew up in a home where everyone rode horses and I was just jumping on the family bandwagon: neither of my parents rode horses. One day my mom gifted my sister with riding lessons for her birthday. After my sister fell in love with riding lessons, my mom (sort of) forced me to hop on a horse. Little did my mother know that eight years later we would be five horses deep and competing all over the west coast. I started my riding career as a western pleasure rider after my parents bought me my first horse (a 7 year old quarter horse that was in training to barrel race. I know, it was a disaster!). We ultimately failed at western pleasure and when my trainer caught me one too many times peaking into the jump ring during my lesson and not paying attention, I was put into an english saddle. After the first jump on one of my trainer's lesson horses, I never looked back. 

January 2010, My first Jumper Show with Dakota

My name is Nicholas Madsen, I live in Cave Creek, Arizona. I am a sophomore at Grand Canyon University here in Arizona. I live at home while going to the University to take care of 5 horses and ride my preliminary event horse, B'Ambitious (her barn name is Boots: I know, how cute?!). I am currently a sophomore taking junior and senior classes at Grand Canyon University, working towards my Bachelors in Biology. Along with being a full time student and riding my horse, I work at a restaurant. Trying to balance it all is sometimes hard, but its all worth it when I cross that finish line after an amazing cross country round. 

B'Ambitious (Boots) and I at our first Preliminary at Copper Meadows in 2014

B'Ambitious (Boots) and I at Copper Meadows Preliminary in 2016

Bit of Britain is one of the best tack and equipment providers for eventers, with high quality products for any level of rider. If its your first show or your first three star, Bit of Britain has everything you would need to cross the finish line, sound and happy! I should be Bit of Britain's Next Top Rider because I am a motivated rider, student, and worker. I am very passionate about every aspect of the event horse from the morning feed, to the right saddle fit, to the best tack providers in the industry. Bit of Britain is the best provider for the quality tack that eventers need. I would be extremely happy to represent the brand that is Bit of Britain and would like to thank them for providing this opportunity to young, aspiring riders.