Mothers and daughters share a special bond. This connection is even stronger when the pairs share the same love for horses and competition. This was evident last weekend at the Colorado Horse Park July 8-11th at the Rocky Mountain Classic as mothers and daughters shared the spotlight and supported one another during the tough competition.
For my mom, Susie and I, riding and showing horses has strengthened our relationship. As my mom said, “We speak the same language and can talk about our experiences. We have a common ground.” I watched as my mom entered the ring on Saturday in the Adult Amateur Hunters, 50 and over division. She rode her horse, Dauntless, two smooth rounds and placed 3rd in one class and then went on to win the Under Saddle. It is great to be able to share successes with one another and be there for the disappointments, and know how it feels in both positions.
Later in the day, my mom stood by the Main Hunter Ring as I rode her horse, Unlimited, in the Amateur Owners, 18-35. She looked more nervous than I felt, which made me want to do well for both of us. It is oftentimes more difficult to watch than to actually perform, because we so badly want each other to ride well. Luckily, I made my mom proud finishing second a class and getting third in the other over fences class. When watching each other, we know how difficult the sport is, especially under pressure, so there is mutual understanding and compassion.
Suellen Walker and her daughter, Claire, are no strangers to the show ring, and know that competing together has brought them closer. Mrs. Walker explains, “The best part is the better level of communication we have because you both put in a lot of effort into the sport and are striving to achieve the same thing.”
Claire added to her mom’s comments, “There is a level of understanding. My mom knows how hard you have to work to succeed and the amount of time and effort that goes into those successes.”
Last weekend at the Rocky Mountain Classic was nerve wracking for the Walkers. Suellen was seen at Hunter Ring 4 watching intently as her daughter Claire navigated the two Adult Amateur Hunters, 18-35 Classes Sunday morning. “I get way more nervous watching Claire, than I am when I ride,” Mrs. Walker said. Claire rode two smooth rounds on her dark bay, Grand Signature and placed second in the first class. You could see the pride in Suellen’s face as she watched, knowing the hard work had paid off for her daughter.
A few hours earlier, the rolls were reversed. Claire stood by the in gate as her mom competed in the same ring over the same courses in the Adult Amateur Hunters 50 and over division on her horse, Don’t Blink. While Claire gets nervous when she rides, it doesn’t compare to when her mom rides, “I get nervous because I so badly want her to do well. I would rather have my mom do well than me.” Luckily, it was a good day as Mrs. Walker finished up with a 4th place in one of the classes in her division.
For another mother-daughter pair, Page and Sarah Tredennick, support for one another comes from a distance. Mrs. Tredennick explained, “I get so nervous for Sarah because I want her to do her best and I am not able to watch.” Both Tredennicks had their plates full with multiple rides over the weekend.
Her daughter, Sarah, agreed, “If it’s a really big event I am there to watch, otherwise I prefer to be a silent supporter.” Despite such a hectic weekend of showing horses, competing together helps the pair stay connected. Sarah continued, “There is a certain sense of understanding of the time, the money and the effort that goes into the sport and my mom understand the responsibility. Our relationship has gotten better as a result.”
Sarah, 19, had two horses in the Open Jumpers and the Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon. Her mount, Special Verdict, placed 3rd in the Open Jumpers and her other horse, Dynamyte, was 7th in the Speed Derby Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately, both horses were out of the ribbons in the $40,000 Rocky Mountain Grand Prix, which was won by Son of a Gun owned by Forest View Farm and ridden by John Pierce.
Page had just as little time to watch her daughter as she showed three horses in the Rocky Mountain Classic. Her horse, Blue Note, was Adult Amateur Hunters, 50 and over champion winning three out of five classes in the division. Mrs. Tredennick was also 2nd in the Ariat National Adult Medal and 2nd in the $1,500 Marshal and Sterling Adult Amateur Hunter Classic Sunday afternoon. Her Adult Jumper, Contessa, placed 2nd in one class and was just out of the money in the $2,500 Marshal and Sterling Adult Jumper Classic on Sunday.
The fourth and final week of the Colorado Summer Circuit continues July 15-18th with the Colorado Summer Classic and features a $10,000 Hunter Derby Friday afternoon and a $50,000 Grand Prix of Denver Saturday afternoon.
