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Trish on Horse
Horses SubheaderFrom the first moment that I can recall a memory, it was about horses. Horses, the majestic creatures that I have ruled my thoughts, my life, my education, my free time. Horses, without them, I cannot imagine what my life would have been like. They have been my life and breath from the day I can remember.
 

The first thing I remember about my horse experience is when I was about 2 years old. Each Saturday my mom would take me to the pony rides at the park. I would happily sit on top of an old chestnut horse that patiently walked around in a circle for us excited children. 

My family eventually moved to Greenville, SC, where I spent most of my life. In about 1983, my dream of starting horseback riding lessons was realized. I began to ride at J & J Stables. My first two years were spent learning the basics and riding any school horse that I was put on. I finally decided to concentrate on Saddle Seat. Miss Piggy, a pinto Saddlebred pony, was the first pony that I ever showed. We competed on the local circuit and at the Spartanburg Horseman's Association monthly shows.

Soon, I moved onto Lite-N-Brite, a half Saddlebred, half Hackney Pony. Lite saw me through several show seasons, and we went on to become 1988 State Pony Pleasure Champions. I still look back at the 3 foot high trophy we won and remember the good times. Lite was eventually sold to a friend of mine, and she is now semi-retired and living the good life back in Greenville. I still have occasion to visit my favorite pony and give her a loving pat.Trish on Horse

I left J & J in 1990 and moved to Cleveland Park Stables, one of the country's foremost Saddlebred training barns. I was saddened to hear that Carroll Greenwell, the owner and trainer, passed away in February of 1998 from cancer. With CPS, I moved into the Saddle Seat Equitation Division with a Morgan named Derringer. In two years of showing, D and I never placed lower than 2nd. This is us at the J.D. Massey Classic in 1992 taking a victory pass.


Trish in Pink on HorseTrish Feeding HorseI also showed in the Juvenile 5-Gaited Division with Reserve World Champion Diamond Hill's Eleganza, my beloved Barbee. I am still looking for Barbee if anyone knows her whereabouts. I also became involved in the ASAC Youth Club and an officer in the CPS youth club. I recall these years as some of the most fun on the show circuit, as well as some of my most successful.

Trish in Riding GearIn the fall of 1992, I entered Clemson University. It didn't take me long to become involved with the horse community there, either! I joined the Clemson Equestrian Team and started to compete in the Novice Hunter Equitation over Fences, the Novice Hunter Equitation on the Flat, and Intermediate II Stock Seat Equitation Divisions. With much sadness, I had to make a choice between hunt seat and saddle seat in the middle of my freshman year. Saddle Seat had given me much success, and I had been on the national show circuit for several years. I was ready to move onto new challenges in a different style of riding. Also in the middle of my freshman year, the Equestrian Team split from its parent club, the Block and Bridle Club, to form its own. I spent 2 years as Secretary for the team and a year and a half as its historian. During this time, I rode with two barns. First was Wit's End in Seneca, SC. In May of 1993, I began to ride at Heel Down Stable in Greenville, SC, with Leslie Kreiger.

While with Leslie, I became one of the "Kreiger Krew," showing on the South Carolina Hunter Jumper, Progressive Show Jumping, and Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Show Circuits. As the end of my college career came to a close in 1996, I began to focus on working with several young horses at Heel Down Stable, namely Grey Sea, a 4 year old Quarter Horse mare, whose picture is on my index page. Gracie showed much promise, but alas, her owner decided to put her in a pasture. The one horse I regret not trying to buy was Gracie.



Trish Jumping I was very fortunate to be able to show several nice horses at Heel Down Stable. To the left is Thunder, a Thoroughbred gelding that gave me the confidence to jump 3'6". Thunder had wings and would jump anything. We showed in the Novice Hunter and Equitation over Fences Divisions. He took me to my first hunter Grand Championship. The chestnut on the right is Just Maybe, aka "Ely," a Hanovarian gelding. Ely carried me in the Adult Amateur Hunter, Equitation, and Low Hunter (3') Divisions. Thunder has been sold to someone in Illinois, and Ely is recently retired because of an injury.

I'm not currently riding here in Atlanta although I am still showing a horse in dressage occasionally for a friend of mine up in South Carolina. Cycling training takes up much of my free time, and I want to devote 2001 to racing on the national mountain bike circuit. I have several wonderful opportunities for 2001, and I will regret it if I don't take them. Horses will always be a part of my life. Once horses are in your blood, you can never get them out.

 


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Links

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association
Horse Breed Index
Practical Horseman
The Haynet, the Internet's largest listing of horse links
ASHA
American Horse Shows Association
Equine-L Homepage
Western Riding in the Czech Republic
Natural Saddlebreds
NC Dressage and Combined Training Association
Carolina Cup Steeplechase, Camden, SC
Florence Horse Center, Florence, SC
American Saddlebred Association of the Carolinas
FENCE, Tryon, NC
Polk County Equestrian Information, NC
Tryon Riding and Hunt Club, Tryon, NC
NC Horse News
Horse Country, Southern Pines, NC

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