Allison Springer's How To: Win Best Turnout at Rolex and/or Make it to the Top

Another beautiful photo by Josh Walker

Arthur at Rolex 3-Day Event; jogs 2009

Allison's Mom says she's tenacious. And, you know, she is. We talked first on the tail end of her cold and a lost voice. We made it through about a quarter of the interview of Allison gamely pressing on before we agreed perhaps it was best for her to rest her voice and talk again later. So we did that and I got to finish the interview perched on the wooden steps of my barn after a lesson with Allison in Aiken, SC resting between Team Training Sessions. She talked enthusiastically about everything from her childhood, to her involvement in the Professional Rider's Organization, to how happiness happens works for her. So she was more than tenacious. She was an inspiration.

Q. What happens at training sessions? Can you walk me through one?

A. The training sessions begin the year before they put out the high performance list and developing rider list. The people that are on those lists will receive training. It used to be that developing riders got to do one or two days of lessons. It seems to me that they’re really trying to make our developing rider program a little better now and they’re getting more training. Last year [Captain] Mark [Phillips] started training them as well. It’s great they’re doing something more.

I do have mixed feelings about having him teach the developing riders. I’ve felt he should spend more time with riders on the high performance list getting them ready. I’ve liked what I’ve heard about what they do in England where you go to each of the riders’ farms and spend a day with them and ride a lot of their horses including their young horses. It’s funny, here they pick who’s hot on what horse and you get lessons. For the long terms and building a team and understanding individual rider’s needs. Not every rider is the same. Some need pressure, a kick in the pants. Some need training. This year they’ve been trying to get some more specialized help. In the past we’ve used Laura Kraut and Lauren Huff; they’re both really good showjump riders. This year we’re using Katie Prudent who’s my showjump instructor and one of the best horse people I’ve met. She’s amazing. We’re also using a grad prix dressage rider and we’re really taking all the horses to a whole new level of engagement.

photo courtesy of Allison Springer

Allison and Arthur dancing their way through the World Cup Finals, France

When the high performance list comes out there’s a conference call and we decide on what dates work and set a calendar. Generally that changes a couple times! They’ll schedule lessons. I feel like we’ve done something every week in February. It’s been a hard month. I’m excited Arthur isn’t competing this weekend and gets a few easy days.

It’s set up like a clinic where we have our ride times and come and take out lessons. It is open to auditors and it’s free for people to come and watch. Especially when Katie Prudent comes back in March. She actually teaches the auditors as well. You can’t help but learn when you’re around her. Katie really talks to the crowd. Everyone should come and watch. I think it’s March 16^th and 17^th

Q. You grew up in a place called Barrington Hills. What was it like?

A. It was amazing. It’s kind of why I’m doing what I’m dong today. I was blessed to grow up in that area. I owe so much of my riding to that place. Barrington is a North West suburb of Chicago. It’s a really neat place with a forest reserve and a park district with a riding center with indoor and riding arena. No one boarded but you could trailer in. They had such a dedicated riding community that Barrington Hills Riding Club kept an extensive riding system and from anybody’s place you could take a trail and get over to the forest reserve. I Pony Clubbed and fox hunted too. My playtime was with my friends cruising around on our ponies. I had a wonderful childhood because of that.

photo courtesy of Allison Springer

Allison Springer with some Barrington Hills fans

Q. Your mom uses the word “tenacious” in describing you. How would you describe yourself?

A. I think I’m very hard working. I’m very hard working! I’m very honest. Even if I have plans to go to dinner and I didn’t want to go I wouldn’t make up an excuse. I am honest. I think that I’m a happy person. I think that happiness is something you can choose to be and I choose to have a happy life. Everyone has problems. Everyone knows someone who has been sick or had tragedies and I’ve had them as well. Even with those things I choose to be a positive person and I choose to see the positive side. Even when something is tough or doesn’t go well like at a competition I choose to see the positive. That’s kind of me. I’m pretty positive and choose to be that way.

Q. A lot of eventers go to Aiken, SC or Ocala, FL. You go to both Wellington and Aiken. How did you make that decision?

A. My time in Wellington is all about me. I don’t take students down there and I might have some horses in training but it’s really the time I take to get the lessons I need and work a lot with Katie Prudent. I used to be not great in dressage and the winter I went to Wellington I started working with JJ Tate. I had been doing well at Advanced but I felt like I’d gotten to a spot where I ‘d been doing well, but how do you make it to the top? That’s a foundation thing. It’s the basics that make you the best. I went down to Wellington the first winter and I went thinking I know nothing and I want to learn all over again. I want to produce horses correctly and do it right. I learned so, so much. For two years I went for the entire winter. There was a chunk in my career where I didn’t have Advanced horses so that was a good time to do that. You can stay down there when you’re doing Intermediate but not Advanced. You can’t get the conditioning and it’s too far to travel to competitions. Aiken has so many more choices for competitions and so many more of them and the footing is great. So Aiken is the place to be in February and March.

photo by Josh Walker

Wellington is a totally different world. One of my best friends has a farm there so I can be a little out of the circus. It’s wonderful to spend time with her and it becomes a little more affordable. It’s done so much for my riding.

Q. Tell me about your horses

A. Arthur is competing right now and will go to Rolex [Kentucky 3-Day] this spring and trying to get on the WEG [World Equestrian Games] team this year. I’ve had him since he was five and he’s sort of a momma’s boy. He’s sweet and kind and a little spooky and tricky to ride, but honest. Some are spooky and nappy and naughty but he’s genuine and a superb athlete. He’s eleven this year and he’s a very sound horse and we just keep him happy with his ulcers and stuff like that. I have Burger-Destination Known-my gray horse. He’s a totally ham. He puts a smile on your face every day. Burger is more of the frat boy of the bunch. He’s hopefully doing some rehab work and then a trot program then flatting next month. He won’t make it to [Rolex] Kentucky, which is disappointing. We’ll go to Bromont and we’d love to go to Germany for the four stars but I own him so if I do that I’ll have to syndicate him. You know it’s not cheap to go into that sort of thing! He’s very ready to do a four star. We just sold Tiamo this week to a little girl who will adore him in Memphis, TN. We bought him to be a big horse for me or Katie who owns him but there was a question if he would really be a 4 star horse and if he’ll have the scope. He’s like my son I cry so hard when I sell a horse. Anything I sell is something I’ve had for a while and supposed to, maybe, be for me. But if they’re not going to be an upper-level horse I do what’s best for them. I just get so attached to them.

photo by Emily Daily

Allison Springer on Arthur

Q. You’ve won the Best Turnout award at Rolex. Any tips for the rest of us?

A. I don’t know. You’re going to have to ask Arthur about it! We call it 'The Most Handsomest Horse Award'. He’s this gorgeous liver chestnut but he has a harder time in Florida than in Aiken and gets that skin irritation in the winter. He’ll have hair growing in different colors through January and February. Last year he looked like someone threw bleach on him. But there’s something about Rolex: come time for the jog he’s just blooming dapples. He always dapples in Kentucky, I think he enjoys being there. I don’t know what he does, but come Sunday, we’re like--he looks good! We were surprised he got it the second year last year. They give you your cooler right after showjumping for the awards ceremony and we were like-- we won it again?

As far as turnout my style at the jog is more of a classic. I wear outfits that compliment my horse. I think a lot of people go to the jog and just get attention drawn to them. Some people look down right trashy. I think a classic, clean look that compliments your horse. We are athletes as riders but our horses are what we’re showcasing especially in the jog. It’s important to have that classic look. It is a ground jury who picks that award which is a real honor to win.

Want to go to a training session? You can! Call Sara Ike at the USEF at 908-326-1164 or email her at sara.ike@usef.org. Check back in for more from Allison Springer including creating balance and happiness in your life and why no whining is allowed! See ya soon.

Best of the Horsey Web: That's Us!

Helena Bakun and Glenn the Geek of The Stable Scoop Radio Show have really honored all of us (that includes you!) at Three Days Three Ways by including us in their most recent show: "The Best of The Horsey Web".

Are you not swelling with pride?! I know I am. Added bonus? You can get to know more about me, the person behind all this interviewing business, and just how horse crazy I really am! Tell me what you think of the show, the history of Three Days Three Ways, and where it could go from here by leaving a comment below. Thanks as always!

Happy Weekend!

(image via Simply Marvelous)

Is spring around the corner? Will we be seeing scenes like this one soon? I'm hopeful for t-shirts, cold water fresh from a garden hose and long grass. While we wait I thought this might be of interest:

How neat is it that a whole heap of Three Days Three Ways riders topped the leader boards last weekend at Pine Top?

Leslie Law on Fleeceworks Mystere du Val (1st Advanced A)

Boyd Martin on Remington XXV (3rd in Advanced B)

Sharon White on Russian Roulette II (1st Open Preliminary 2)

Phillip Dutton on Vidalia (Open Preliminary 1)

Also,

Buck Davidson, writing for The Chronicle of the Horse, on what happened in Florida and a clever new safety vest.

The Aiken Standard puts the word out for an Olympic Gala to support the Olympic High Perfoirmace programs. Held at Phillip Dutton's farm: Red Oak Farm at the Bridle Creek Equestrian Development. Phillip and Captain Mark Phillips will both be speaking. This Tuesday at 7:30pm.

3-Day Eventing meets Nike with Frankie Thieriot

Keep up with Jan Byyny's progress through Sinead's blog. Team Three Days Three Ways sends love and positive thoughts.

Happy Weekend!

The Eventing Radio Show a la Three Days Three Ways

Hey Folks! Three Days Three Ways has partnered with The Eventing Radio Show to bring you their amazing interviews. A perfect fit for us here! This first installment includes 3-Day Eventer Leslie Law, a Three Days Three Ways interviewee. Did you catch that one? If not, read it! Either way, tune in to hear him...

Former Olympic Champion, Leslie Law, is our guest this week fresh from his win at Pine Top and with a view to Rolex, Kentucky Three Day Event with 2009 Horse of the Year, Mystere du Val. Plus, why co-host Ashley Adams says, 'Don't Be Afraid to Ask!' Listen in...

Eventing Radio Episode 66 - Former Olympic Champion Leslie Law:

• Show Hosts: Chris Stafford & Ashley Adams


• Guest: Lesley Law


• News: Twin Rivers Winter HT


• News: Pine Top Spring Advanced HT


• Please visit our sponsors as they make this show possible:

_________________________________________

Listen Now, Download or Subscribe:

Josh Walker's Method Behind the Magic

Thanks for coming back for the second part of photographer Josh Walker's interview here on Three Days Three Ways. I know I'm not his only fan so I'm happy to have the opportunity to showcase his moving work and give you a chance to revel in it!

Q. What’s it really like behind the scenes at an event?

A. It varies from event to event but, I’ll take Rolex as an example. This will be my fourth or fifth year. Every year it gets better and better because you start to know everyone. You see Buck Davidson and Karen O’Connor and they say hi and know who you are. Not to sound star struck but it’s nice to go as a part of the sport that they are the top of. You’re helping progress the sport that they are reining over-so to speak. That’s one of the exciting parts of being behind the scenes at an event.

photo courtesy of Josh Walker

Then you interview people like Buck who’s been winning nonstop. You start to build a repore. It’s nice to have a conversation that turns into an interview and you get to share that with people. I was in Ocala filming for the Young Event Horse stuff and Karen O’Connor was there; she’s a legend, but she’s so nice. I was watching the dressage and she just walked up and sat down next to me and started talking. It’s cool. There are so few sports in the world where that would happen. It’s a very unique community. As far as the atmosphere for Rolex: exciting. For AEC [American Eventing Championships] I would say: so busy. You’re going in twenty different directions at one time. So many horses and riders and things that need to be done. Being a part of the staff you’re a part of everything. You’re not just taking pictures. If you need to unpack or organize merchandize you do it. Everyone is a master of many trades and you do what needs to be done and have your specialty that you’re really good at.

photo courtesy of Josh Walker

Q. What are you thinking about when you take pictures?

A. Gosh, it all kind of comes second nature now. I guess mood. It’s really one of the biggest things I try to focus on: to capture the mood. Taking into consideration the lighting, what’s the background, the angle it will capture. There are good angles but there are angles that are unflattering to a horse and rider. I like it when they’re looking in my direction. When they’re looking away I feel like viewers will lose the connection. It has a whole different dimension when you can see their eyes and the emotion and the horse really doing it’s job. When you find your angle you have to look at the sky and make sure you’re not shooting directly into a low sun. Sometimes it works but mostly you get a muddy backlit photograph. Usually it’s not as appealing as side light. I really like sidelight because it reveals texture-you can see all the muscles and veins in the horse. If it’s behind my back it’s flatly lit; I like to give it a little more dimension.

photo courtesy of Josh Walker

Once I’ve got my angle and light I have to look at the background and make sure it’s mostly neutral and not distracting. Second, that it’s far enough away to get that separation and keep horse and rider nice and sharp but the background blurred out to give it that nice soft quality that is unique to a photograph. After that it’s having the horse come through and getting the timing right. That just comes with practice. Another thing is how many jumps can you get, you know? It’s really hard to get more than one jump with trees. Or if it’s winding you can get only one or two fences. Where at Rolex you can get six or seven efforts in one short distance and you have a variety of pictures. One of the main differences between the way I shoot and a photographer that’s selling to the riders is that I try to get as many different angles and as many different jumps on the course since I’m trying to give an overall feel of the whole venue. It’s second nature after a while and the main thing is finding a rhythm. When I’m out there the first few horses I’m still trying to find a rhythm and where I’m supposed to be and capture this horse coming through. Once I’m in a good spot—it’s kind of like listening to a good album. When the horses come through you’re listening to the song. The horse goes by and it’s the break before the next song. Okay now here it comes again. That rhythm goes through wherever I am. You have to find that complex’s rhythm and stick with it.

photo courtesy of Josh Walker

Q. What photographers do you look up to?

A. Richard Avedon was my biggest influence. He did a lot of portraits of regular people on a stark white background. I did a project to mimic that. I had people hold their dogs up in front of a white background. There’s nothing to focus on so you really start looking at the subject. In the horse world I worked with Shannon Brinkman all last year in 2008. As far as capturing the mood and the beauty and the power and everything that makes eventing what it is-she was the person that revealed how to do that. She’s been doing that for 25 years and is one of the best in my opinion. Amy Dragoo, also. I love her work. She’s up in the Pennsylvania area. Also Amy McCool—on the West Coast and very artistic the way she captures it. Charlie Mann does different horse sports and sports in general.

from 'Dogs and Their People' series. That's love.

photo courtesy of Josh Walker

Q. Where do you want this to go?

A. This is where I want to be. I watch football on tv and other mainstream sports and I always admire the guys on the sideline but at the same time, I feel like there aren’t any other sports that are as unique or have that special mood and feel that eventing and horse sports do. There’s no other sport like it. I feel like it’s a pretty special niche to be in. I like where I am now. The only other sport I would go back to would be surfing. But it’s so hard to get into that. I’m lucky to get into this industry the way I did. I’ll stick around for a while.

I love the Brady Bunch look!

photo courtesy of Josh Walker

Q. What about when you’re not behind a camera?

I sit around and putter with my guitar and piano and record stuff on my computer. As far as type of music I like-lots. I tend to listen to things that you don’t often hear on the radio. I like to scan internet radio to hear independent artists, alternative rock, and movie soundtracks—scores. Those inspire me, I like that they’re so powerful. If you think about it if you watch a movie without the music it’s not as powerful without the music. If you took the music out it wouldn’t work. When you put the music behind it, it works. Long story short, I like the emotion in the music. I’ll seek out some of my favorite Hollywood composers—Hans Zimmer, James Horner, John Newton Howard.

Q. Anything else?

A. Literally and figuratively I wouldn’t be here without Emily. I got into the horse world with hard work. But she has been the number one inspiration to me in advancing so quickly as I feel I have.

photo courtesy of Josh Walker

That concludes the Josh Walker interview. I hope you enjoyed it. If you've fallen in love with Josh Walker's photography the way I did you can see more of it on his website: www.theredhorse.net. See you next time!

Amy Tryon on Poggio's True Character and Getting Ready for Rolex

We continue Amy Tryon's interview with a bunch of stories about her experiences at the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event. Which is timely since it's coming right up! Plus she talks about Poggio's willingness to always try his hardest despite not being a natural to 3-Day eventing. It's hard to believe given their impressive career together!

Q. You retired Poggio last year at Rolex. How would you describe him?

A. He’s quite a charcter. I got him when he was five and he’s been a very interesting horse to train and have. Contrary to popular belief he was easy to train. He always tried his hardest. He was not natural at this sport and he’s incredibly long. He did it because of attitude instead of aptitude. He’s wonderful in the barn and wonderful to travel. He was had his own idea about doing things on cross-country and I had to get used to that. But he never thought of running out or stopping or not doing what was asked of him. He’s still at the house. I was so worried he would get kicked so we decided to buy him a donkey. He’s a very generous horse.

Above: Amy Tryon at the Athens Olympics

photo courtesy Dean Rutz/ The Seattle Times

Q. Did he like any kind of treat in particular?

A. He likes his ears scratched, the inside of the ears. He’ll like anything you feed him.

Q. What preparations do you make for Rolex?

A. You know when you’re on the way there! I have two young horses, Cold Creek and Leyland. Leyland did two 4-stars including Burghley. Cold Creek had most of the season off with a leg injury. They both had a little time off in the fall and started back working and did their first event at Galway [Downs]. They cantered quietly around intermediate to get their feet wet for first of season. I try to be up on fitness levels when I travel since I don’t know if the facilities will room to gallop. I did a lot of work at home before we left. Now they’ll do a couple horse trials not with the idea of going quickly or trying to win just trying to prepare for [Rolex] Kentucky.

Amy Tryon with Poggio and the girls

photo courtesy of Samantha Bergin

Q. Do you have any favorite parts of the Rolex course from the past years?

A. It has a great atmosphere to it. Jeanie Atkinson does an excellent job. For us it sets the tone so we always like to do well; it decides if you will qualify for a championship or not so it’s a little stressful. The crowds and great.

Q. What was it like the first time you competed at Rolex?

A. It was interesting. It was my first season I went and so this is when they still had the three-star. It was something I felt very prepared to do and the horse that I was riding was a very generous horse called My Beau. I knew if I rode him he would go well. It was great to do that and think how I could do better next year.

Poggio and his buddy, Jethro, all bundled up

photo courtesy of Samantha Bergin

Q. Anything you would like to add?

A. Thank you to all my owners and sponsors who support me and who enable me to do this sport because it’s not something we could do by ourselves. I’m very lucky to have a great group of supporters.

Thanks for reading Three Days Three Ways. Feel free to leave a comment and remember our Wednesday giveaways start next week!

Josh Walker: An Inside Peek at His Photography

When I started writing this blog I spent a lot of time trolling eventing photography and I fell in love with several images. Then, about two months ago, I realized they all belonged to one photographer. Who, you might be wanting to know? Well, that would be Josh Walker. And you know what's even cooler? He works for the USEA so chances are he's snapped your photo as you've barreled across a trakehner or galloped across a field. So I figured he'd be a perfect interview: A brilliant photographer with the heart of an eventer and the eye of an artist. Plus (true story) he's engaged to Emily Daily who also works at the USEA. So sweet! Read on for more on the love of his life, one very focused Jack Russel and how he fell in love with photographing horses.

Above: This image comes from Josh's minimalism series. Somehow the stark background conveys even more of the emotion and power of cross-country. Copyright Josh Walker.

Q. Where do you live?

A. Well, I just recently moved to Kearneysville, West Virginia on the border of West Virginia and Northern Virginia. It’s nice; it’s about ten minutes away from where Sharon White lives and we have four acres and four ponies on those four acres. It’s a little farmette and the previous owners had it ready made for us. It was turn key, we’re just doing one thing at a time to make improvements: footing in the ring, extend the pastures. I’ve moved around a lot in the past few years and I’ve finally found a place I want to be for an extended amount of time.

Q. Are you in a relationship?

A. Emily Daily is my fiancé. I met her at the Chronicle of the Horse, I worked there about two years. In the Fall of 2006 she was the intern there. We worked together, she was on my editorial staff, we hung out outside of work as well and started to get to know each and we just kind of clicked. Horses are always something I’ve wanted to do and it’s something she’s always done her whole life. What she knows is such an attraction to me. She’s also very creative and is a great writer with a great sense of humor. It all came together and one thing led to another and we decided, hey, let’s do this for the long haul. There’s very few people that I can spend 24/7 with and not get sick of. We live together, work together, ride together. And I have yet to want to strangle her or anything.

Above: Remember how I said I fell in love with several images? This was one of them. It makes me want to gallop across a wide-open field and hear nothing but wind and my horse's breath. Copyright Josh Walker.

Q. Who are your pets?

A. We have two dogs. A Jack Russel and a Corgi. The jack is called Samson and the Corgi is Bailey. They’re interesting. Samson is a very focused dog, let’s just put it that way. If you have a ball or stick, nothing else matters. You can hold it in your hand and he’ll stare at it until you throw it. He’s a ball of energy. Bailey, you could say the same thing about him but with food. True story: he has eaten an entire leather belt. His main goal in life is to eat more. He spends most of his day lounging around until it’s time to eat again. But they’re good boys. They have been my photo subject a number of times. We have a cat, an ancient cat. Emily had her years ago before I even knew her. Her name is Wookie and she’s is a Himalayan without teeth or claws and she’s senile. But we love her anyway.

Above: Samson and his unyielding focus. Copyright Josh Walker.

Q. When did you start taking photographs?

A. To be honest I didn’t really pick up a camera until late in high school. I’ve always been into visuals and arts. I’d flip through a magazine to look at the advertisements. I always wanted to communicate visually. I grew up in Carlsbad, San Diego and at the end of high school I grabbed my parent’s camera. My friends were like let’s go surf so I took the camera and after surfing I started taking pictures and thought how cool it was to freeze that moment in time forever. It hit me then.

Above: A classic surfing shot. Copyright Josh Walker

After high school I knew I wanted to do something with visuals and photography. In college I found a neat program for photography and graphic design at California State University, San Marcos. So while I was there I met a lot of people who rode. Hunter Jumpers and eventers and I started becoming a part of that crowd. I hadn’t ridden up until this point. Every time I’d go out to ride I’d bring my camera and take pictures and go to shows and take pictures. When I did that I got the same feeling I got when I took pictures surfing—freezing time. I spent a year in Australia studying abroad. That’s where I studied photojournalism and how the whole industry works. I came back to California after that and had one more semester and graduated and found an internship at the Chronicle which is a funny story in itself since I had only been riding two or three years. Getting in there-some of the editors are A pony clubbers and had been on horses their whole lives-I don’t know how I made it through the interview process. I promised I would learn as fast as I could. I sent them pictures and a writing sample and they said we’ll give you a shot.

Q. Where all do you travel for work? What is your schedule like?

A. Last year I went to 15 or 16 different events which is a fair amount. That’s about two events a month and that ranges from local things in Area II all the way out to California and Galway Downs. It’s busy. It’s crazy. But it’s fun. I definitely enjoy it. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it. I do cherish my home time and my solitude but when I go out there I remember why I do it. It’s such a unique sport and capturing the unique feel, the power, the beauty is something I’ve always loved to do and now having an outlet to share that makes it all worthwhile.

Above: Of my initial favorites this was the very first. Love at first Connemara. I think it almost looks like an oil painting. Copyright Josh Walker.

Q. What’s your schedule like when you’re at a competition?

A. I’ll give you an example. The AEC [American Eventing Championships] is probably one of the busiest events that we do. A typical morning will start by getting out of bed at 5:30 or 6:00am and get enough coffee in us. I’ll hit the ring or the field at the first horse and pretty much be out there until the last horse goes. That’s half the day. Then I’ll go back to the hotel or stick around for the competitor’s party and take more pictures there. Talk to people, get quotes, take everything back to the hotel and plug in the computer and order room service or pizza. Then I’m up until 2:00am editing video and putting it on the website and doing interviews. You finally get to bed at 3:00am and get up at 5:30am to do it all over again. It’s an intense weekend. One thing that keeps me doing it is being out there and doing those interviews and capturing these pictures of people who are so happy to be there and loving their horses. It makes it all worth it to me. Not all events are like that. At some smaller events you get out there at 8am and last horse at 3pm you go back to the hotel get the pictures processed and done with work at 6:00 or 7:00pm and you get a regular bedtime. I appreciate those too!

Copyright Josh Walker

I invite you to browse Josh Walker's photography and get lost like I did. Or check back here for part II of Josh Walker and some more of his unique work.