Natalie Rooney Pitts
E-mail: Natalie@fourstarfarm.com
Q. In the short-term, how much time would you say goes into preparing for a show? Does your riding schedule change prior to a show?
The week before a show is very hectic. For me it has a lot to do with managing the rest of my life in order to be able to be gone for four or more days. The riding schedule for the particular horse that is going to the show changes according to the horse. Some horses need to jump right before a show, others should absolutely not jump. In my case, the rider isn't part of the equation. Somethimes it is the rider who needs to jump (for confidence, practice, technique or just reassurance). All the extra stuff....packing and doing all the things that I would have done while I am going to be away takes up most of my time. If the horse wasn't ready when I sent the entry no amount of training will fix that in the last two weeks.
Q. Long-term how much time in general would you say goes into preparing for a show with a horse that is running Preliminary Level?
A horse running Preliminary needs to have an hour and a half of work six days a week at a minimum. Again, it depends on the inividual horse whether most of this work is conditioning or training.
Q. So how long does it take to get a horse solidly at the Preliminary Level?
There's not a simple answer. Aladdin was broke as a four-year-old and competed his first time at Rolex as an eight-year-old. He was six when he ran Prelim, which is the youngest possible. He only ran a handful of times at Training Level. Most of the other horses I have brought up through the levels have spent the most time at Training and Prelim. Preliminary used to be the level that had all the technical stuff introduced but recently more and more challenging questions have been introduced at Training Level. I think if you spend the time at the lower levels to master each level the upper levels go more smoothly. The qualifications for me are the minimum of what the horse should do to be ready to move on. I actually think the flat work and rideability of the horse are THE MOST IMPORTANT part of the decision of whether the horse and rider are ready to move up the levels. Solidly at a level to me means that the horse is going clean XC (not necessarily making the time) and putting in a decent test every time. The occasional rail and some time penalties are the things that get tweaking before one moves up. I believe you should finish on your dressage score before moving up. In theory, I think a green youngster that has been started, knows how to jump, has NO baggage, has three good gaits and NO soundness issues, and has a trainable character can be successfully competeing at Preliminary in 18-24 months.
Q. What is it like to compete 3-5 horses at a show?
Busy. Coaching is really what makes it complicated. As long as I have a good groom, three horses is very doable. And of course it depends on what level the horses are competeing. And it probably is not what you think. Often-times riding horses that you don't normally ride and or riding at the lower levels is more difficult than riding your regular partner Advanced. I think I would rather skip Intermediate and ride Jedi Advanced than ride someone else's problem child Training Level. At this point in my career I would rather ride 2-3 horses and coach than try to ride five and not be as helpful to my clients as I want to be. So I really feel the pressure because I want to do a good job as a coach. The riding part is easy.
Q. What does it feel like to win at the 1-4* level? Does it feel like your work has paid off or that you still need to improve?
There is always another show to win. Winning makes you hungry. At the same time it is so hard to be successful at this sport that you MUST enjoy your accomplishments when they happen because they are hard to come by! Being good and staying good is a lot of work and requires a huge time and financial committment. You will always want to improve. That elusive perfect ride will always be right in front of you!
Q. I remember you saying at, I believe, Kentucky Rolex that you took a rail that cost you $7,500. What did that feel like?
I still got a check for close to $9,000. It is all relative. My horse was sick that day, and I was happy he wasn't having colic surgery. Being sixth at Rolex was a huge accomplishment. You have to focus on the positive—on what you were able to do, not on your faults or what didn't go right. It is important to learn from your mistakes but you shouldn't focus exclusively on them.
Q. Do you feel more pressure when you're riding someone else's horse for them?
Absolutely
Q. Do you do anything differently when you are riding somebody else's horse?
It takes a lot more time because the relationship with the horse isn't as solid. The approach is also much more conservative with a client horse. You don't risk anything when you ride a client's horse. Whereas on my own horse I might push the envelope in the dressage test or go all the straight ways XC.
Q. If you get eliminated on a client's horse is there more of an effect on how you feel afterwards?
Of course. You feel bad not just because you failed but you also let someone down. It is much worse to disappoint someone else.
Q. What is it like to get eliminated at the 1-4* level, including horse trials. How do you feel afterwards?
Getting eliminated is disappointing no matter what. I haven't actually been eliminated at the upper levels. Mostly because I train my horses to do their job well at the lower levels. I am okay with the learning curve of the horse including having an elimination at the lower levels. I think if a horse gets eliminated at an upper level it is a clear sign that not enough work was done at the lower levels and it is prudent for that horse to spend more time at the previous level or at least doing the homework necessary to fill the hole.
Q. Have you ever had a bad fall at a show? If so, how did it affect you and how did you feel because of all the preparation that you put into the show to have a fall? Did it scare you?
I have had one bad fall at a show, although I have probably fallen at a show 3-4 times. The first time was at Young Riders. I fell badly at fence number nine, at the two-star level, and I went to the hospital. The following year I returned to Young Riders to win the Gold Medal. (I took the option at fence nine.)
Q. I remember your talking about your fall with Ian Stark over the finger jump. What was that like?
Eyelash jump actually. It was scary for everyone who saw it. I scared Ian! He told me that he would need a diaper if I was going to go do it again! I told him that I would not be able to do it in competition if I didn't fix it right then. He understood and went and sat in his car. We did it well and that was that. I believed in my horse and knew we could do it. That made all the difference. If you meet Ian you should ask him about it. He remembers!
Q. How did it feel to be so sucessful at the 4* level on a horse that you had trained yourself? Was the success that much better since he was your own, as well Rafabi?
I don't have anything to compare it to. All my upper-level horses have been made by me. Not that I haven't had help and great instruction. I have never been given a made horse to compete. I would imagine that it is sweeter to win on your own made horse than something you catch ride. But winning is all about the relationship and experience. You don't come by experience easily. The struggle, i.e. the blood, sweat and tears that you go through in the process of making a horse and competeing is what makes success and winning sweet. All my successes have been incredibly life changing. They certainly have caused big decisions with regards to my life path.
Q. How would you say our sport compares to others, say soccer or swimming, in time effort and skill? Is it more work, less work, more ups and downs or less?
Riding is a lifetime sport. It is also a lifestyle. You can't take a week to learn to ride. It takes years! In soccer or tennis you can learn the basics in a week and then play to get better. You don't really find many people playing ball sports in their 50s, but lots of people still enjoy riding. Swimming is different. Many people swim well into their mature years to stay fit. With riding there is a lot more risk involved and the benefits are more than just exercise. Riding is therapy. The challenges that horses and riding present normally coincide with life lessons. Qualities such as patience, teamwork, responsibility, respect, confidence, accountability, hard work and many more are all taught at the barn! The more you learn, the more you realize you have a lot more to learn. Innate skill or natural talent will only get you so far in riding. Whereas a good athlete can often times be good at all the ball sports. Riding just doesn't work that way. It is a relationship. There is another living, breathing, thinking, being involved. As soon as you think you have mastered it inevitably something will happen to humble you in your tracks! Horses are a passion that once has been lit will burn brightly and can end up being the fire that drives you!I am not sure soccer or most other sports usually cause such life changes and or choices as the love of horses in an individual's life so often does.