How I Prepare For Working Hunter and Eq Over Fences With 2015 AQHYA World Champions Emma Graf and Madison Eichstadt

By: Brittany Bevis

So far in our AQHYA World Show Prep Series we’ve covered the following:

• How I Prepare For Showmanship With 2015 AQHYA World Champion Sydney Scheckel
• How I Prepare For Hunter Under Saddle With 2015 AQHYA World Champion Jenna Jacobs
• How I Prepare For Horsemanship With 2015 AQHYA World Champion Harley Huff

Since it’s Over Fences day here at the 2016 AQHYA World Championship Show, check out what 2015 World Champions Emma Graf and Madison Eichstadt had to say about preparing for their respective disciplines.

2015 AQHYA World Champion Working Hunter- Emma Graf with One Sweet Mercedes

1. How did you go about preparing physically and mentally for your event last year?

“The World Show is always a mental game for me. I always try to get very focused during the days and weeks leading up to the event. I work on clearing my mind and focusing on the goal I have in mind. My trainer likes me to visualize my rides exactly how I want them to be. I work hard all summer to make sure my horse is in the best physical condition possible, so he has the strength and stamina to perform at his best.”

2. Give some specific exercises and routines you used to hone both you and your horse’s skills.

“I do a lot of circles to help soften my horse and make him more responsive. We don’t just jump all the time, although gridwork is an important part of our routine. We also spend lots of time on the flat; the better he responds on the flat to my cues and aids, the better he is over fences. We also do hill work to give his mind a break from arena work, but still exercise him physically.”

 3. What are the top three most important things to remember in this class if an exhibitor is hoping to take home a golden globe?

“Consistency, consistency, consistency. Working Hunter is all about the rythmn and style. I think what got me to the finals and eventually to a globe was having a very consistent ride. It is very important to have a consistent pace throughout the course and find the distance to every fence. Working Hunter is also about style and form over and in between the fences.”

4. If you could give one piece of specific advice to help competitors looking to come out on top in this event at the Youth World, what would it be?

“My biggest piece of advice would be not to over think it. Be grateful for the opportunity to show your horse on such a prestigious stage. Try to stay calm and give it your best shot.”

2015 AQHYA World Champion Equitation Over Fences- Madison Eichstadt and It’s My Lucky Detail

1. How did you go about preparing physically and mentally for your event last year?

“Last year was my last youth year, so I tried to enjoy it as much as possible. Most of the summer, I had my horse ‘Lucky’ at home, so I was able to ride whenever. We only have a small indoor, so I think that helped my eye see the spots from the tight turns (my favorite part of Equitation Over Fences). I also kept my mentality as calm as possible. I generally tend not to let my mind become over-anxious and work hard to keep my head in check throughout the week.”

2. Give some specific exercises and routines you used to hone both you and your horse’s skills.

“Last year, I spent a large amount of time working on trot fences since they always seem to show up at the World Show. The trot fence in the prelims of 2014 is what kept me from the finals, so I wanted to redeem that aspect of my ride. I also worked on doing any kind of tight rollback I could come up with and taking the fence at any angle to help hone my eye and make me confident that whatever spot I found, if I rode it right, it would all work out.  I believe it’s important to find a routine for the day of the class that works for you and stick with it. For example, I would wake up, get a coffee, and head to the show grounds. After spending time with Lucky and getting him ready, I would get myself partially ready and walk the course. If I didn’t have an early draw, I would sit in the stands listening to music and watch. Music is a tool that I enjoy, because it makes me happy and excited while drawing my mind away from being nervous.”

 3. What are the top three most important things to remember in this class if an exhibitor is hoping to take home a golden globe?

“Equitation Over Fences is one of my favorite classes because it’s all about the decisions you make, and it’s a class that awards the poised and effective riders. Riders should remember that they need to ride a route that’s best suited for their horse. I knew that Lucky and I were able to do the inside turns, so when I walked the course, I walked that route. Second, remember to ride for your route. Since I planned on taking the inside turns, I knew I had to focus on keeping my pace and use my eyes to look ahead. Finally, riders need to keep their poise.  If something doesn’t go as planned, or a spot wasn’t one hundred percent perfect, keep riding as if it was. Most of the time, what you feel is way more noticeable than what judges will see. You can often convince the judge that’s how you wanted it to go, if you act like nothing went wrong.”

4. If you could give one piece of specific advice to help competitors looking to come out on top in this event at the Youth World, what would it be?

“I believe that the riders who come out on top are those who have the best mental game. Most of the time, I don’t get nervous until I am sitting in the shoot waiting to go. But every time I walk into the ring, I think about the fact that I can be at the top. As I pick up my gallop, I strive to show the judges that I expect just that, to be at the top. If you can rein in your nerves and use the energy to have the best ride possible, then you will definitely be at the top. My favorite thing about the fence classes is that every person there has the ability to take home the globe if they keep their mind in check and give a good enough ride.”