Susie Hutchison Puts Her Best Foot Forward. You Can Too.

We wrap things up with Susie Huchison here with an impossibly cute puppy, what's really going on on the inside, and some really, really cool pictures.

Q. Are you in a relationship?

A. I’ve had a boyfriend for twelve years. He doesn’t have much to do with horses. I guess he’s kind of the calming one to come home to when all else is crazy. He has that calm easy way about himself. I hold a lot inside. I think I appear to be calm on the outside. A lot of people don’t realize there’s a lot more emotion going on inside than I tend to display. I just had a dog die on Thanksgiving. It had cancer but I thought we’d get through Thanksgiving. He died in my arms. It makes you appreciate every day and appreciate the people who are around and be happy and healthy and do what you want to do. If you’ve got your health you’ve got everything.

Susie's adorable, new puppy

photo courtesy of Susie Hutchison

Q. Do you find it hard to balance a professional showjumping career with relationship/ life/ etc?

A. Well, it depends on the person. My boyfriend puts up with it! It’s really different now than it was. It was much better then. It was eleven shows a year to try to get medals. The shows would be two weeks: Del Mar, Santa Barbara, etc. There would be all the different disciplines. It made it so much more special. The Oaks, when it first started, had three days of three classes a day, and grad prix at the end. Now they’re cookie-cutter horse shows with the same classes at the same venues. I’m tired of it all really. But I take that back--if you have a top grand prix horse. The amount of money you can win is incredible: $1,000,000 at Spruce Meadows. For that aspect it’s fabulous and makes having a top horse worthwhile.

1978 All Women's Nations Cup Team

Left to Right: Dianne Grod, Linda Allen, Anne Kurzinski, Susan Hutchison

photo courtesy of Susie Hutchison

Q. Do eventers carry similar patterns in their showjumping or is it really person by person?

A. It’s person to person. You ride cross-country the way you ride showjumping: there’s a gallop between fences, there’s a balance the horses need to maintain, and you ride the distance to the fences. The top riders do that. I’ve helped quite a few of the top event riders-they ride to a distance and the horse has to be balanced and that has to carry through.

Q. Do you feel like the mental focus is as important as the physical skill?

A. For me it is. I can’t say that for everyone. Everyone finds a different way of getting themselves organized and directed. I definitely spend a lot of time focusing. I watch a certain amount of horses and then I ride the course over and over again in my head until I feel I’ve ridden it perfectly.

Susie on Bionic Woman jumping 6'9", 1984

photo courtesy of Susie Hutchison

Q. So there are eventers and showjumpers out there who want to be as great as you are. What should they do?

A. Today it’s harder than ever before. But never give up. Get on like Jennie’s done and ride anything and everything and put your best foot forward in front of everyone you can is the way to go about it.

photo courtesy of Susie Hutchison

Susie Hutchison with a Bridle-Less Horse and the Trust of Eventers.

I'm huddled under a blanket wearing a down vest and my cat is curled in his basket complete with heating pad. We're cold. But on the other end of the phone line Susie Hutchsison is bright, perhaps reflective of her sunny, Temecula, California surroundings. Despite the chill I'm excited to be talking with this legendary showjumper who is the friend to so many eventers. Her accomplishments as a rider are too many to list but include winning over 30 grand prix showjumping competitions, competing in a multitude of World Cup Finals, winning the 1989 Mercedes Challenge Series (Mercedes included) and in 1992 winning a Cadillac as the American Grand Prix Association Rider of the Year. To see the full list of her accolades and accomplishments visit her website at www.susiehutchisonstables.com. Or keep reading to get the inside scoop from the first showjumper on Three Days Three Ways as well as how she got where she is today and her tight connection with eventers.

Q. You started riding when you were five. What piqued your interest?

A. My older sister and I went to summer camp in California. The school horses from Flintridge would spend the winter at the riding club and the summer at camp. We followed the horses. We lucked out; we were pointed in the right direction and had the right instruction. Jimmy Williams was the main trainer and mentor of mine and produced numerous trainers on West and East coast: Mary Marsha Poe, Anne Kursinski, Robert Ridland, Franny Starmavol. He was the man to be with and we were lucky enough to have the experience of being trained by him.

photo courtesy of Susie Hutshison

Q. You were clearly driven--becoming a professional at 18 with wins under your belt like winning the Junior Hunter division at the National Horse Show at 12. Where did that come from?

A. I pretty much knew this was the direction I would go at 16. I lived on the riding club property for 18 years and trained with Jimmy and stayed with him at the riding club past his passing away. It’s the combination a having the right trainer, having the right horses, and having the right parental support. I was also lucky enough to have the talent. I was the kind of kid that rode every horse that came through the gate. I’d teach at 6:00am until 7:00pm with the addition of riding a ton of horses. We’d have 11 top shows we’d do- we weren’t on the road week in week out like we are today. Jimmy was so open and he himself was exposed to different disciplines: dressage, saddle horses, you name it. He influenced us to be open mined. When I was a kid those different disciplines were at the horse shows together. I’ve done some reining and cutting: minimal but love it.

Center: Susie Hutchison; right: Jennie Brannigan

photo courtesy of Jennie Brannigan

Q. What about the event world?

A. The event world is fascinating. They all tell me it’s scary to ride to the showjumping jumps, but there’s no way I’d go riding to those solid jumps. That’s more scary! We help each other. I ask them what keeps them from feeling confident showjumping and give them more confidence. The lack of knowledge causes fear. If you have knowledge of what you’re doing and can pursue it and execute it then you’re no longer fearful. Without the right horse no matter how good you are you’ll never be at the top. It takes the two. You are only as good as you are mounted. The good event horses sometimes aren’t the most careful showjumpers. It’s a wonderful sport. But it’s a very difficult one in that you need to be the best at all three disciplines. That’s what’s so good about it. Going back to Jennie, she worked for me for a year-such a talent and so much energy. She was like a sponge. But she also had a lot of natural talent, she observed a lot and rode anything and everything in that barn. If you want it badly enough…I’ve watched enough kids and junior riders that I never thought would be professional but got there. You can have a horse with a lot of heart and rise. I would take that horse over one with a lot of talent but not enough will to put out that extra drive. To me it’s more about the heart and the try.

Q. You’ve won a lot of Grand Prix on a lot of horses including Red Baron, Bugs Bunny, and Cantano. Do any stand out to you?

A. Samsung Woodstock, he belonged to the Korean company Samsung. He’s buried in my backyard. I rode him at the World Equestrian Games in the Haugue. We went to four World Cup finals, he won me four automobiles, and we were 4^th in Sweden at the World Cup. He was a fantastic horse. He came from Paul Shockumeiler, one of the biggest horse dealers in Germany.

Susie with Samsung Woodstock, the 'bridle-less horse'

at the World Equestrian Games

photo courtesy of Susie Hutshison

He’s got a lot of character. When we got him he didn’t want you in the stall, he tried to kick, he bucked after the jumps. He was kinds of a brat. We got him well schooled and he went in a bridle without headstall, just a ring around mouth. He showed all over world. People called him the bridle-less horse. We could ride him without a bridle. People were amazed. Had been sold at auction in England. A lot of the top British riders hated him and we bought him for Samsung and he turned out to be a horse that took me all over the world. There wasn’t a course that I walked that I didn’t think we could jump successfully. I think people are lucky to ever have one horse like that in a lifetime. I was lucky enough to have quite a lot of nice horses. America 1; Bugs Bunny was great but didn’t stay sound; Cantato is coming along. He’s green but hasn’t been able to prove what he’ll be. We started the world cup qualifiers and he should be in his prime in the next two years.

photo courtesy of Susie Hutchison

Q. Obviously the world sees you as one of the top showjumpers in the world. How do you see yourself?

A. I see myself as having been a really lucky person to have been exposed to the people I’ve had the luck of being around trainer-wise and the horses in my life that I’ve had.

Part II of Susie's interview is coming soon. Check back for part II!

Jennie Brannigan Part II: One to Follow

I talked with Jennie for only 30 minutes or so but several things became quite clear: She's strong, determined, bright, and grateful. She answered questions directly, didn't waste time, and still managed to be illuminating, engaging, and entirely captivating. It's no wonder she has such a broad fan base. And there's no other time she could need it more than now--after losing Cooper--who was a champion not only in the field but also in her heart.

Q. What’s next on your competition schedule?

A. I’ll go out next Spring; we’ll be going down to Aiken [South Carolina]. Obviously Cooper is not on the list. I’ll do a 2 star with Cambalda in the Spring and then go Advanced. I have a young horse, Walkabout, and we’ll do a 1-star in the Spring and go Intermediate next summer. I have good stuff in the pipeline. I ride for a breeder, Elizabeth Battel (Footlight Farms) and will take a couple of those to Aiken. I’ll ride ones for Phillip [Dutton]. I’ll be out and about at a lot of shows.

Copyright Amber Heintzberger

Q. You’ve won the gold at the 2008 North American Young Riders Championships, been named to the USEF Developing Riders Team, are a host for Eventing Radio, won the USET Training Grant in 2009. What am I missing there in the list of accolades?

A. I won the young riders and was named to the training list last year on Cooper. I was Young Rider of the year last year and won the Gold Cup Series last year at Intermediate. I’m ranked 8^th this year in the top 10 list. I’ve been lucky.

Below: Jennie Brannigan and Kevin Baumgardner, CEO of the USEA

photo courtesy of Josh Walker

Q. What else do you plan on putting under your belt?

A. I really want to ride for our country. Obviously losing Cooper was a pretty big hit but I’m lucky to have some other good horses. I think next year I’d like to do a 3-star on Campalda and have a crack at seeing what happens. I’d like to compete in England again. Do all the things everyone wants to do!

Q. Who are the impressive Young Riders you find yourself up against most often?

A. Tianna Coudray, she’s a very good rider. Lauren Kieffer is another person who I really respect; she’s an up and coming rider at

the O’Conner’s barn. I have a good friend; she rode on my team, Max McManamy.

Below: Jennie's friend, Max McManamy, on her horse Project Runway

photo courtesy of Emily Daily

The Jump-Off Round

These final questions are fast and furious and Jennie answered them as quick as they came. Here's some more insight into one of your favorite riders:

Q. Show jumping or cross-country?

A. Show jumping

photo courtesy of Kat Netzler/ The Chronicle of the Horse

Q. TV or radio?

A. Radio

Q. Indie rock or country music?

A. Indie rock

Q. Dapple grey or bay?

A. Dapple grey

Q. Thoroughbred or Sport Horse?

A. Thoroughbred

Q. Beige competition or white competition britches?

A. White

Q. Extension or half pass?

A. Extension

Q. Ford or Chevy?

A. Ford

Q. Dogs or cats?

A. Dogs

Below: One of Jennie's biggest supporters, Bizzie

photo courtesy of Midatlantic Equestrian Services

Q. Badminton or Rolex?

A. Badminton

Below: Badminton House

photo courtesy of Badminton Horse Trials

Q. Anything else you want to add?

A. I want to thank everyone that’s been supportive of Cooper.

Still want to know more about Jennie and where she'll go from here? Follow her blog at The Chronicle of the Horse. We'll undoubtedly be seeing more of this brave rider.

Jennie Brannigan Part I: In Memory of Cooper

Jennie Brannigan, at 22, has rocketed to the top of the eventing world, as demonstrated by her current 8th place ranking in the U.S. Top 10 Riders. Not to mention winning the Young Rider's Championships or piloting one of her horses, Cambalda, to a 5th place ranking for Intermediate horses-in a matter of months. No, it's not hard to imagine, then, that she's got determination and talent, as well as a huge base of support, fans, and mentors. And she doesn't hesitate to look around to be grateful for who has been there for her--person or horse. All of that despite the recent loss of her top horse and partner, Cooper. That kind of loss can't be put into words so there's no need to try. Instead this interview will stand as a testament to Jennie's strength, grace, and gift, and to Cooper's excellence.

Below: Jennie and Cooper

photo courtesy of Emily Daily

Q. What was the town like that you grew up in?

A. I was born in Chicago and moved to a small town called Galena [Illinois] and that’s really where I learned to ride. It was a town of 3,000 people: a historical, small, rural town. But I’ve lived all over the place.

Q. How old are you now?

A. 22.

Q. How has the Young Riders Program influenced you?

A. The Young Riders Championships is the mecca of the young up-and-coming riders. Going to the championship and winning it was great. But the whole program is great and I was representative for the West Coast Program. I enjoyed getting people together; I’m really social. We all cheer each other along and learn a lot. You get to ride with really good people. It’s hard for it to be a big program; it’s really centered around the championships. There’s a movement to get it involved at all levels. It’s a positive step for the sport.

Q. Cooper was injured at Fair Hill and you did everything you could to save him. Sadly, the entire event world lost a champion. How have your fans been supportive?

A. I really appreciate, first of all, Southern California Equestrian Sports who put on a fundraiser to help me pay for the expenses.

Obviously it’s been a huge expense, I appreciate the people who have donated, the emails, cards; hundreds have reached out. I appreciate people being positive and not negative. It’s been amazing and Cooper is a great horse and deserves a whole lot. I’ve been quite blessed to have horses like Cooper and Cambalda.

Q. What did you see in Cooper when you bought him from Kelli McMullen-Temple?

A. Some people can see talent in young horses and some don’t. Kelli has a fantastic eye and I can safely say I would buy something from her without seeing it first. He’s got a great eye; he’s such a sweet horse. It’s not easy to explain it.

Below: Jennie on Cooper

photo credit to Kat Netzler

There was just something about him. I didn’t even know what breed he was. I just sat on him for fifteen minutes and was like, alright, this is the perfect horse.

Q. You say that Ping has a lovely mind. What does that mean?

Cambalda, Ping is his barn name, he’s top notch. He’s really blossomed in the last six months. For a little while I wasn’t sure if he was going to be the right horse for me. He’s got all of the right movement for a top-notch athlete. He’ll go advanced next year. We won the American Eventing Championships at Intermediate. He’s ranked 5^th out of all Intermediate horses in the county; and he only moved up in the Fall. I’m thinking he’ll be a really positive horse for the future.

Below: "Cambalda"

photo credit to Mid-Atlantic Equestrian Services

He also got named to the developing rider list. He has a lovely mind in that he’s really reliable in the dressage ring, he’s not as high maintenance for a Thoroughbred, and he’s always the same every day you get on him. He’s a pickle around the barn.

Q. You’re currently riding with Phillip Dutton at his True Prospect Farm? What’s life like there? Who all is around day-to-day?

A. Our barn on the whole is a pretty great place. Phillip has a lot of horses; we all have horses in training. I get to do a lot of riding and I’m around Phillip and Boyd. His wife is great. Phillip is an amazing person to get to work around every day. It’s a great job; I’ve been here a year and a half and I’m not planning on leaving anytime soon.

Q. How would Phillip describe you?

A. I don’t know. He’s not a man of many words. The words he does say are always pretty important.

Q. Who are some of the people you’ve been amazed to meet during your rise to Advanced competition?

A. There’s always a lot of press around riders. An emphasis should be on the people that help the riders get where they are. I would say I have learned a lot about horsemanship and the way things should be done and how to handle tough situations from Emma Ford. She’s been great and wonderful and supportive. Captain Mark Phillip is wonderful and his wife Sandy; they’ve been supportive and with all the bad things that have happened to Cooper. I look forward to riding with him. Mike Huber, who’s our head selector. He’s been very helpful and supportive; I’ve appreciated getting to know him. Susie Hutchinson, who’s a show jumping rider, has been really supportive and is a good person. I worked for her but I never was a show jumping rider. That was a job I was lucky to receive. She’s been very supportive of event riders. She’s helped a lot of event riders. She’s was probably one of my biggest role modes. She’s a really good person. Not many people could say a bad thing about her; she’s amazing.

Check back soon for Part II of Jennie Brannigan's interview. To read more about Jennie you can also read her blog on The Chronicle of the Horse.