Since most of the rest of the small community that is US eventing is weighing in on the Winter Training Lists, I think I should too.
Back when Cam was running Advanced I thought we had a real chance to do big things. He was running so well I was convinced that we would have been to the 2011 Rolex. Alas, as we all know it wasn't meant to be. Horses are heartbreakers, they give us the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I was also convinced since he and I had run so many Advanced Horse trials that we might be able to get on the Developing Rider List. That is what we all want isn't it? We want to be noticed. We want someone to say, hey good job, look how far you and your partner have come.
The truth of the matter is, those lists are as cliquey as any high school prep group. Its more about who you know and who knows you than what you have done or how promising you know your horse is. Some really good riders got overlooked because they are like Cam and I. They aren't known by the greater eventing community and they don't have the money and the sponsors to run with the big dogs. Its the truth and its tough, but thats life. We all wish eventing wasn't as political as a lot of other sports, but it is.
I think those riders should know that no matter what those lists say it doesn't mean that they can't be the best. It doesn't mean that they don't have a shot at getting to the top of the sport. It just means that when they do get there it will mean that much more in the end. There is nothing better than being able to show all the doubters and nonbelievers that they are wrong. I truly feel it makes the achievement mean that much more.
So good luck to those of you who didn't make the lists. Stick with it. You will get your day :)
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