Horsing around Horsing around (April 29, 2005)

Pleasanton student wins big at national riding competition
by Rebecca Guyon

As visitors drive along Doolan Road, they may worry that they somehow wandered into Livermore circa 1890. The sprawling Livermore foothills are more reminiscent the Tri-Valley's early ranching days rather than our modern era. But don't be fooled into thinking nothing is there. Tucked away within these hills is Horizons East Equestrian Center, a stable that houses 40 horses and trains 35 fulltime riders in hunter/jumper riding techniques, including Pleasanton resident Mary Easley.

Mary, a seventh grade student at Harvest Park Middle School, is a standout rider at the Center and recently won first place in the flat equitation division at the Indio Desert Circuit. The Indio Desert Circuit is a six-week horse riding competition that takes place in Indio, Calif., just outside of Palm Springs. Equestrians come from around the country to compete in the event, which is known as the largest hunter/jumper riding competition west of the Mississippi. This is Mary's third year competing at Indio.

"The hard part about competitions is the details," Mary said. "The judges want you to be on top of your game."

Mary attended the fourth and fifth week of Indio and competed in jumping and flat equitation rounds for her age group. In the flat equitation competition, riders are judged on how well they handle riding skills, such as walking, trotting, and cantering. When Mary started training this year one of her goals was to improve her equitation skills, which made it even more thrilling when she beat out 30 other riders to take first place in the event.

"I was excited because I was having a tough time with equitation and I worked really hard to get better," Mary said. "The hours of practice paid off. It's times like (winning in Indio) that help me remember why I keep riding and pursuing this sport."

And Mary certainly works hard at her sport. She trains after school for an hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays with her horse Casey, who goes by the name Social Butterfly in competitions. On the weekends, she spends her mornings practicing her jumps and riding other horses.

"Mary puts a lot of dedication and hard work into her riding," said Barbara EnDean, Mary's trainer. "Riding is different because it's not a team sport - well it's a team sport between you and the horse - but an individual sport in that if you don't rise to the occasion there is no one to cover for you. She works hard, has a great desire, and a real natural talent."

Mary started riding four years ago at the Horizons East Equestrian Center after she saw her brother training in the sport.

"I thought it looked like fun and I like to try new things," Mary said. "I enjoy the feeling of working with the animal and I get an adrenaline rush from jumping."

Barbara said Mary's fearlessness was a great asset as she learned to ride.

"She excelled quite quickly when she started because she does not have much fear," Barbara said. "A lot of people are hampered by their fear. There's a lot of anxiety about jumping, but she came with bravery and the mentality that if I fall I'll just get back and do it again."

Currently, Mary rides English saddle in the hunter category. Hunter events are focused more on the rider's grace and skill, whereas jumper events are focused on strength and speed in completing a course. Jumping events are also included in the hunter category, but the riders are judged on their consistency and style.

Now that Mary has succeeded in her equitation, she wants to focus on her jumping skills.

"I want my jumping to be softer," Mary said. "The judges look for jumpers that have a good flow and keep it solid each time."

Mary's next competition is scheduled for May in Pebble Beach. She will compete in the 3-3 jumping event. The number refers to the size of the bar, which is 3 feet, 3 inches tall. In addition to the jumping competition, she will compete again in the flat equitation round for her age group.

While Mary continues to train and improve her sport, credit must also be given to the other half of her riding team.

"Casey is a good horse," said Barbara. "To do well in riding, it really does require a simpatico relationship with the horse and Mary and Casey work well together."

@photocredit:Rebecca Guyon

E-mail a friend a link to this story.