Lindsay Y McCall for PhelpsSports.com
Friday, April 30, 2010
Jennifer Waxman talents in the show ring have taken her to achieving top ribbons over the last few years. Her recent accomplishments include winning the United States Equestrian Team Foundation Lionel Guerrand –Hermés award, traveling to Australia to represent the United States at the 2009 Australian Olympics Festival, and being invited to the George Morris Horsemastership Clinic.
Waxman will be traveling to Europe in May with four other skilled riders for the USEF 2010 Show Jumping Young Rider Tour. Jennifer took a few minutes to discuss how excited she is for this tour, her horses Venturo and Shakira, and her strategy for this year.
LM: When did you start riding?
JW: I started riding when I was five years old at Chagrin Valley Farms in Chagrin, Ohio. I began in a school program there. In the beginning I half-leased a pony and when I was eight-years-old I got my very own pony. When I was around eight-years-old going into my ninth birthday my riding skill escalated and I really started showing competitively.
LM: What have you been focusing on over the last few years?
JW: A little over two years ago I got my two jumpers Venturo and Shakira. When we purchased both of these horses we were hoping they would be good high junior horses for me to finish my junior years on. It turns out that they have shown to be even better than that. Last year a personal goal of mine was Young Riders. I was going to take Shakira but at the last minute we decided to take Venturo and that decision really paid off. Venturo was awesome there!
After Young Riders I started doing a few small grand prix classes and then I went back to school to finish my senior year. This year I was planning on doing a few grand prix classes during the summer with hopes that I would be invited to Europe. I was ecstatic when I found out I was invited for the trip starting in May.
LM: Could you tell me about Venturo and Shakira?
JW: They are complete opposites. They are both really good horses and I enjoy riding them however they have different personalities in the ring. Venturo is my “steady eddy” horse. He always goes in the ring and performs consistently. I feel very confident on him therefore we have been doing some bigger classes together. I am planning on using Venturo as my Nations Cup and small grand prix horse. Shakira is very fast on her feet so I use her for my speed classes.
LM: What makes you so successful?
JW: I think it is a team effort. I am lucky enough to have my horses at home with me. They are only two minutes down the road. I know what they eat, their schedule, when the vet is in the barn, I know the farrier, and I know exactly how my horses act and feel each day. I am very involved with their daily program so when I am sitting there ready to enter a big class I know exactly the type of horse I am sitting on and if they are ready to show.
I am also very lucky to have so many supportive people in my life, including my parents, my trainers, Ken and Emily Smith, the people at the barn who take amazing care of my horses,
and everyone else involved.
LM: Could you tell me about your trainers Ken and Emily Smith?
Ken and Emily have been helping me since I was riding the small ponies. It has been really special to grow up knowing my trainers so well. They have been a part of my entire career. They a responsible for finding me great horses, instructing me when I need to work on a specific skill, and are just overall great trainers. I cannot really say enough good things about them.
It is because of them that I have my horses and have been able to ride so many other nice horses. Those kinds of experiences are irreplaceable and I am really thankful for that.
LM: Do you have a favorite horse show?
JW: I enjoy every single one. I always go to Lake Placid and Kentucky. I enjoy Kentucky because it is so close and I have been going there since I was little. Devon is another great show because it is so special.
LM: Are you excited about Europe and what are you looking forward to?
JW: I have never really stayed in Europe. I went over there for three days when I went to try Venturo but it was a really quick trip. I was pretty much on a car or a plane the whole time. So I am just so excited to finally see Europe.
George Morris always emphasizes how important it is to travel to Europe and show. So to be able to go over there at such a young age will be a great experience. I am also excited to be a part of the team of other riders that will be going over with me. I traveled to Australia last year with Taylor [Land] and I know the other riders pretty well. I am excited to be the only American team over there in our age group competing in Europe. I am sure it will be a lot of fun.
LM: What are your plans once you come back from Europe?
JW: After Europe my horses and I will take a few weeks off and then we will most likely go to Lake Placid, Cleveland, and then the summer Kentucky horse show.
LM: What are your future plans?
JW: I am starting college next year. I have till May 1, 2010 to decide so I have not picked exactly where I will be going. As for riding, I would like to keep my amateur status while I am in college and go from there.
LM: Thank you Jennifer!
JW: Thank you! I also want to thank everybody who put this trip together for us there is so much
organizing and planning that goes into it. I am really excited that they could put this trip together for us and give us this opportunity to travel to Europe.
USEF 2010 Show Jumping Young Rider Tour
The 2010 Show Jumping Young Rider Tour will consist of the following competitions:
CSIOY Moorsele (BEL), May 13-16, 2010;
CSIOY Reims (FRA), May 28-30, 2010;
and CSIOY Wierden (NED), June 3-6, 2010.
They will be under the guidance of: Assistant Chefs d’Equipe Ralph Caristo (CSIOY Moorsele) and Michele Grubb (CSIOY Reims & CSIOY Wierden).
These horse/rider combinations were selected based on the criteria outlined Selection Procedure for the 2010 Show Jumping Young Rider Tour.