When is the Right Time to Move Up?

My answer, there is no right time, per-say. 

I'm sure everyone has had the same concerns as I regarding when to move a young horse up. But the truth is, every horse is different. Every horse matures differently than the next both mentally and physically. In the past, I have taken my time as well as pushed a little. It all depends on the horse that you have.

The horse that I currently compete, B'Ambitious (Boots), has taken a while to grow up and mature. When I got her, I had a feeling that she would be that way. She was a very baby-looking three year old off the track. Most of the first year that I had her, she was turned out and lightly ridden. The second year, after growing up, we focused on clinics and schooling shows. Finally, I felt as though she was ready for her first show. We ran Beginner Novice at a show here in Arizona and she was amazing; confident, poised, and even a little mature.

Boots at her first show, 2012

Moving up to Novice the following year came with some struggles. A little drifting of the shoulder here, and a little spook there caused a couple of 20's added to our scores. Therefore, my trainer and I decided to finish the year at Novice to solidify our confidence and training. We ended up finishing the year with a Novice-Three-Day and the Novice Championship, which we won in 2013!! The following year Training level was a piece of cake. I felt as though taking our time was paying off. We competed almost a whole year at Training, finishing with a Training-Three-Day. The last few shows, we finished on our dressage scores. The big move up to Prelim was a bit frightening yet exhilarating at the same time.

Boots and I at our first Prelim, 2014

Our first few Prelims went really well, only adding a few time and maybe a rail to our scores. The next year, the difficulty of Prelim became more apparent. We went to some bigger shows with questions like one stride banks and corners out of water. It was clear that our technical aspects needed to be refined. The last few years due to the demand of school, I have been trying to better my horse and I at the Prelim level without thinking much about trying to move up. I know that with this horse, pushing it is not a good idea.

Now, I have also experienced the other end of the spectrum. I rode a horse named My Mercedes (Sadie) who was 10 years old at the time I bought her. Because she was a little older and more mature, I only competed in one Beginner Novice and one Novice before moving up to Training. Because she was older and more mature, she handled everything in stride. I was able to get my first few Trainings under my belt with Sadie in 2012!

Sadie and I JR Training, 2012

I have recently realized that its not just moving young horses up the levels that you have to keep an eye on. I recently started working with a pure dressage trainer, Tracey Krajenke from Equus Dressage, in order to further my skills in the sandbox. Working with Tracey, I have realized that dressage uses many different muscles, many different ways, both within the horse and within myself. Boots is now 9 years old, and maturing before my eyes. I believe that there is a right time to start working those different muscles and working on those harder movements. Boots and I would not have been ready a couple years ago when she was still finding her feet and we were getting to know each other. I think that it is important to plan when move up, whether in level or difficulty, depending on the horse that you have. I always like to take a step back, assess where Boots and I are as a team, realize where we need improvements and work on those first before moving to the next big thing.

Boots and I Tucson in August, 2017 scoring a 25.9 in Prelim

Why We Do This Sport

Why Do We Event?

Is it the countless hours spent out at the barn? Is it the rushed preparation for horse shows? Is it the long nights hanging out with your horse because you fear they might be colicing (Hypothetically speaking of course!). I’m assuming the answer is no, not necessarily. However we do these things on a regular basis because we LOVE this sport. We love the horses, the people, the adrenaline rush, and the memories that we make along the way.

Eventing is unique in the sense that it is a very hands-on discipline. We take round-the-clock care of our horses at shows, groom the horses ourselves, and warm them up to show. It makes the reward that much greater when the effort is put in yourself rather than just showing up and riding. I might be speaking for myself when I say that it makes me the happiest person to spend time with my horse after I come off cross country. Helping them cool down and giving them treats while they sit in their ice boots literally gives me joy after that horse just crossed the finish line for me. The work that we invest is put into perspective when we realize how much harder our horses work for us. Getting that ribbon, whether blue, red, yellow, etc. is just the icing on the cake. The love for this sport stems from the appreciation of all of the dynamic aspects.

Another reason I love this sport is because of the people and friends that I have met along the way. It doesn't really matter whether I've just met someone or have known them for years, "eventers" are great people and even better friends. The last horse show I attended, a theory of mine proved to be correct. Whether I've just met someone that weekend, or have been great friends with them for years, everyone seems to be a small family around the horse shows. At Copper Meadows in early June, I not only got to spend time with a best friend that I have known for what seems like forever, but I also became friends with some new people as well. These are the people that will be cheering you on while you gallop by on cross country, and hang out with you at the barn by the horses late at night. The lasting friendships are unlike any other you try to find in other sports.

Eventing in unlike any other sport that I am familiar with. It seems like it doesn’t matter whether you are a professional, an adult amateur, or a young rider that just started showing, everyone does this sport because they LOVE every aspect of eventing. I don't know what personally made me love this sport, whether it was the people, the horses, or the competition, but I do know that this is a sport worth every drop of blood, sweat, and tears that we all put into it.

Finding Motivation

There is no doubt that life can get really busy. And factor in an equestrian sport and its enough to make anyone pull their hair out. Eventing is a unique sport because it incorporates three extremely hard disciplines. Each discipline requires precision, focus, and a whole lot of practice. Practice takes time and energy, and requires motivation to make it all work. I know from experience that with an extremely busy schedule it can be very difficult to find that motivation.

As I am writing this, I have about 60 deadlines running through my mind that include event entries, work, school, horses, among other things. Just thinking about everything that I have to do tonight to prepare for a dressage show tomorrow morning can be stressful and tiring. However, I know that I will jump out of bed tomorrow morning, stop at Starbucks on my way to the show grounds to be there by 5:45 in order to braid, lunge, groom, and tack up before my 8:17 ride time. For me it's all about my motivation. I have to think about what all of the effort leads to: trotting down center line, leaving the start box, or jumping that last fence in show jumping. We all have to find and hold onto that motivation in order to be productive and successful.

It can become extremely hard to keep pushing and working towards goals amidst setbacks. With so many moving parts in life before factoring in horses, it can take a tole on anyone's motivation. Just recently I wrote about how I was eliminated for the first time from an event late last year. This was a huge setback for my horse and I. I had to take a step back, break everything down, and start to rebuild. However, throughout this process I have learned that taking my time to produce instead of push has been so rewarding. Holding onto that motivation has been anything but easy, however seeing even minor improvements show that hard work can pay off. These minor improvements are enough to keep me motivated to work hard.

How My OTTB's Have Been So Influential

How My OTTB's Have Been So Influential

Boots, 9 year old OTTB

Before I get into how my thoroughbreds have changed, helped, influenced, and rocked my riding, here is a little history. I was about 10 or so, my sister was taking riding lessons that I would frequently tag along to. I never had any interest in horses until my mom asked if I wanted to take a lesson as well. I didn't really think much of it at the time other than it was just something other than chasing the barns peacocks. Fast forward about a year, I attended my first horse show, Western Pleasure, 10 and under. I was riding a lesson horse with my GPA helmet and a flannel shirt. After a couple of local wester shows, my family thought it would be a good idea to purchase a horse for myself. We ended up with Dakota, my first horse. A red dun, quarter horse that was in "training" for barrel racing (imagine ~10 year old me, trying to get this horse to do wester pleasure). After a couple months, we figured western was not our calling. One day, my trainer Wendy caught me paying more attention to the jumpers in the other ring instead of my millionth or so western lesson. Wendy made the executive decision to throw me in one of the jump lessons the following week. I have never looked back since and Dakota and I went on to win multiple horse trails and even the 2011 Coconino Challenge for Beginner Novice.

2011 Coconino Summer Three Day 2: Alex Pavone won Novice CC and I won Beg. Novice CC

In November of 2010, after months of looking for a horse, my trainer Tavia brought home an adorable thoroughbred mare that had a reverse-question-mark-looking stripe on her face. She had been off the track for a little while, but not too long. I immediately fell in love. I named her Sadie (don't ask me why, I couldn't tell you). After a couple months, Sadie and I grew into each other a bit. She taught me how to keep my cool when I was out in the 110 degree weather trying to make this hot head run through a dressage test. And I taught her a little bit about how to handle an 12 year old boy that was still learning how to ride. She was my partner for many shows and although we never achieved any top placings, her and I conquered many demons and won by our books. Sadie is now retired on a farm in Missouri with my moms “second mom” and the person who taught her an amazing love for horses (Margie). They love to explore trails together and I could not be happier given how much they love and take care of each other.

Sadie and I at Three Day Ranch Horse Trials 2012

Sadie and her forever Mom, Margie! <3

In November, 2011, I didn't know it at the time, but my parents purchased the horse that would teach me almost everything I know now. Her name was Too Fancy for My Boots and we pulled her off the track as a three year old. She is the half sister of my sister's amazing thoroughbred, Sampson. Because of Sam, we could not pass her up. Her show name is now B'Ambitious and she is 9 years old. She took me to my first preliminary, my first elimination, my first championship winning, and so much more. There is a lot to be said for the heart of these OTTB's and Boots is no exception. Although she has a huge personality and little bit (a lot!!) of attitude sometimes, she is all I could have ever asked for in a horse. She has taught me never to tighten her girth too much, never lean down at a jump, never change her tack before a show, and even to never just turn her out before dressage day. She has taught to always keep my calm in the dressage ring, always give her a treat when she thinks she deserves them, always bring hind wraps to shows since she refuses to keep them on in the trailer, and most importantly to always be humber and never take her for granted. We have learned so much about each other as well as the sport of eventing throughout the six years we have been together and I hope that we continue to grow and learn each and every day. 

Boots' first ride off the track in 2011

Boots at Copper Meadows in 2016

I feel like there are thousands of people around the world with stories similar to mine. My sister has had many thoroughbreds throughout the years, each one with their own personality but the same heart and drive to do what they love. Thoroughbreds are a special breed that take over the hearts of their owners. I know that I will always appreciate the drive and the heart that each of the thoroughbreds that my sister or I have had. 

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.