From the Chair

Whelp, the end of the Area 1 Season is here and most of us are resting our ponies and bank accounts. 2023 has been a tough year for all of the Areas and particularly hard for Area 1. We can all recall the devastating affects of the summer floods on our beloved GMHA, Huntington Farms and Larken Hill. I was at Huntington when the flood warnings blasted on our phones. Trailers were lined up waiting for the results to be posted so we could grab and run in an effort to beat the storm. The ride home was frightening as we hit walls of rain so quick and dense that it felt like driving through a brick wall.  

I was also at GMHA picking up rocks after the second catastrophic storm destroyed a quarter of the cross country field. GMHA raised the white flag and asked for help and so many showed up. Area 1 is like that. When the going is rough, our eventers show up. We happily donated our entries, gave what we could and did seriously manual labor not only to protect a sport we love but to help and give hope to those living with such devastation. We give back - all ages and sizes - we give back doing what we can.

And its been an emotionally tough year as we mourned the loss of Jessie Aikmen who embodied the love of the sport and the comradery of eventers. Jessie was an amazing soul and our community is smaller with her loss. Area 1 also felt the burden of losing a horse at a competition. This is a huge emotional loss for the owner, the competitors on the ground, the officials and Organizer. None of this is expected or easy and it is important that we all take care of ourselves, our horses and all that work to make this sport safe.

I want to thank all of you for making my term as Chair interesting, exciting and enjoyable. I started with COVID and ended with some serious natural disasters. I'm leaving Judy with a clean slate, beautiful weather and a healthy atmosphere. Heck, it's gotta be, right?! So I'll retire as Chair wandering around the Area wondering what to do next and trying not to volunteer to do another role. Although, based on my record, you've not seen the last of me yet.

Suzanne Adams

chairman@area1usea.org

Suzanne Adams is an Insurance Consultant by day, a crazy horse girl most of her waking moments and believes strongly in volunteerism. She was the Area 1 Adult Rider Coordinator from 2014 - 2019 before assuming the Area 1 Chair in 2020.

Incoming Area 1 Chair - Judy Rossi

Hello Area I! I’m Judy Rossi and I’m honored, humbled and excited to be the incoming Area I Chair beginning in January 2024. I’ve been an Area I adult amateur eventer for over 25 years and have met many of you and your amazing horses. Some of you will recognize me as “one of the Area I twins” and I apologize in advance (to you and my sister) when you believe you’re talking to the Area I Chair, and you find out you’re talking with my twin.

I love the sport of eventing, and so much of why I love it is because I’ve been able to learn, ride and compete in Area I. This community - from the event venues to the coaches & trainers to the visiting clinicians to the owners and organizations that make their property available to us and support us – is made up of some of the most dedicated, passionate, and generous people I’ve ever met. I have been “Living the Dream” and I finally have the time and a way to give something back.

We have challenges for sure, but we also have amazing opportunities. Let’s find the opportunities that will grow our sport and take it into the future as well as address the challenges we face in getting there. I’m looking forward to working with anyone and everyone to make it happen.

Over the next few months, I will be working with our current chair Suzanne Adams and the amazing people on the Area I council to make sure I am ready to be the best chair and representative for everyone affiliated with Area I (competitors, organizers, coaches/trainers, owners, sponsors, towns, landowners, and so on).

We have an amazing community with a very exciting future. I hope to see you/meet you at one of the Area I events or at the Area I annual meeting in January!

Judy Rossi

chairman@area1usea.org

Judy Rossi has juggled a crazy corporate marketing career with her passion for eventing for over 25 years. Having retired from corporate life, nothing thrills her more than to dedicate her time to horses, Eventing and in particular giving back to Area 1. 

Area 1 Annual Meeting Preview

Join us Sunday January 7th at the Willits-Hallowell Conference Center & Hotel, located at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, for a wonderful day celebrating eventing in Area 1!

Registration (with coffee!) begins at 9:30am. There are three morning meetings running from 10am until noon:

• Organizers Meeting
• Adult Rider Program (ARP) Meeting
• Young Rider Program (YRP) Meeting

Buffet luncheon will be available at 12:15, during which Year End Awards will be given out. Congratulations to all the award winners!

• Stay tuned for the year end awards status on the Area 1 page. Want more information on the competition points system? Check out these two links about the USEA leaderboard point system and the Amateur Upgrade system!
• Please plan to pick up your ribbons and awards in person or arrange to have them picked up - in order to defray costs, there will be a nominal shipping charge to ship ribbons and awards to winners.

The Area 1 Business Meeting will begin at 1pm, followed by our Keynote Speaker, Bobby Costello. Originally from Hamilton, Massachusetts, Bobby earned team gold at the 2003 Pan American Games and was eighth individually at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. He served as chair of the USEF Eventing Selectors as well as numerous other roles with USEA and USEF. We are very excited to have the chance to speak with Bobby at the start of an Olympic year!

Don't forget to check out the silent auction, always a hit with amazing prizes to be won by the crafty and quick. Who will be the highest bid before it closes at 1pm? There will be gift baskets, riding lessons, and event entries up for bid! Winners will be announced after the keynote speaker, and auction items should be paid for and picked up before leaving.

On-line pre-registration will be available - check the Area 1 website in December for more details. Day-of-event registration may have limited availability so please register ahead of time. Rooms are available at the Conference Center Hotel for overnight accommodations. Click here for more information. The Willits Hallowell Center is located at 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA. Hope to see you there!

What to Expect When Importing a Horse From Canada

By Jen Clapp

With the end of the Area 1 season, many folks begin considering a new mount for next year and some of our eyes turn towards our northern neighbors. With the dollar currently very strong in Canada, buying a horse from across the border is even more appealing. Surprise, surprise: I was recently lured in by the prospect of owning a nephew of my current competition horse and I took the plunge. While trying him and vetting him was relatively straightforward - the biggest challenge was understanding the vet’s lovely French accent - I was definitely confused about what I had to do to bring him home. I didn’t want to pay a professional shipper, since he was just five-ish hours away, but it was hard to find information on just what to expect when bringing him across the border. Veteran Area 1 eventer Katie Murphy was a terrific resource, so I thought I would share what I learned from her and my experience.

The first hurdle to cross is to get the import certificate testifying to the horse’s health. I asked the vet who did his pre-purchase to draw blood for a Coggins (not necessary if the horse already has one) and to do the health certificate as well. What I did not know was that this is not like the health certificates we all regularly get to, say, take our horses to Vermont; this certificate also has to be signed by the Canadian state vet and you must have the original (not a digital copy), which has an official red stamp on it. It can take over a week to complete, so it’s important to leave enough time to have that completed before you plan to go pick up your new pony.

Once that is in motion, it is necessary to make an appointment with the USDA vet at one of the three crossings in Area 1 that allow for the import of large animals: Highgate Springs at the Vermont border, north of Burlington, or Alexandria Bay or Buffalo/Niagara Falls in New York. Appointments are during the week only, usually between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and it is rare to get appointments on Friday after noon. You must contact the USDA vet at least four business days in advance to make the appointment; I found email (see here for contact info) to be the most effective way to get in touch with them. They were generally very helpful; I had to reschedule once because the health certificate had not yet come through and it was pretty easy. They will also send a border form to fill out in advance, but, honestly, there are no instructions and it is not clear what information goes where - the vet ended up filling it out again for me at the border.

Once you’ve gotten your import certificate, Coggins, and border appointment, make a plan for the trip. Our horse was coming from near Sherbrooke, in Quebec, near the Derby Line crossing and we had the last appointment for the day, at noon on a Friday. Because we didn’t know how well the baby horse, who’d been on a trailer once in his little life, would load and ship, we decided to drive up to the Vermont border the night before so we could be ready to load him up first thing. We brought plenty of hay and water; although on paper it’s a relatively short trip, having to drive over to Highgate Springs and wait at the border adds a bunch of time.

Once you get to the border crossing, you will stay to the right in the truck lane to go through Customs. At Customs, you have to show your own paperwork (passport), the registration for your rig, your Bill of Sale, and your import certificate and Coggins. They will ask you a series of entertaining questions (our favorite was “how much money do you win in competitions?” My husband and I both broke out laughing), essentially designed to make sure you aren’t bringing in a horse with a belly full of drugs, and send you to the vet station, which is a separate building. They will keep your passport while you see the vet and you have to return to Customs before you continue on your way.

The vet will inspect your paperwork and probably laugh at your failure to fill out the border form correctly and then come take a look at your horse to make sure it matches your paperwork. You won’t have to unload; it’s a fairly brief inspection. Once the vet has signed off, you will go back to Customs to pick up your passport.

The one thing I found it very difficult to find official information on was on import taxation. You’re allowed to bring in under $1,500 tax free, but obviously, most horses are significantly more expensive than that. We handed over our Bill of Sale and were prepared to pay something, but were just sent on our merry way. It seems like animals, especially for personal use, are not taxed at the border. I cannot state this as fact, but I did not have to pay tax on the new baby!

While it was definitely a learning experience, it ended up being a pretty easy journey and I’d encourage anyone thinking about it to not let the process discourage you!

Area 1 Championships Wrap-up

By Carol Kozlowski

Area 1 Eventers met in western New York in August for the 2023 Area 1 Championships! Hosted by the Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club, the event was held on August 19-20 with their regular Fall Horse Trials and was worth the trip, with beautiful weather, gorgeous courses and amazing prizes.

“S” Eventing Judge Peter Gray headed up the Ground Jury, joined by Annemarie Cochrane (PA), Cathy Slaterback (MD)(dressage) and Matthew Trynoski (IL)(TD).

John Williams designed the cross country with lots of good old-fashioned running and jumping. Show Jumping were held on excellent established turf. All cross country and show jumping areas were mowed and aerated all season and we had amazing good footing on well-established turf.

Our popular competitors party was held Saturday night and our special patron tent also returned this year, with excellent food and viewing of the competition all weekend.  A "Disaster Basket" raffle was pulled together to raise funds for GMHA recovery after their flooding this summer. 28 baskets were donated and $1100 raised at the Area 1 Champs at GVRDC, donated to GMHA!

We thank you for joining us, and we hope you also felt that the Genesee Valley was one of the most beautiful spots in Area 1. Great prizes, great volunteers, and a special competition to crown new champions. We invite you back again in August 2024!

Carol Kozlowski is a competitor and coach based out of Mothersfield in western NY. She is well-known for riding Hideaway’s Erin Go Bragh, a 15.1 hand Connemara, to the advanced level, and has served as USEA President as well as numerous other volunteer committees and roles with USEF and USEA.

Young Rider News

Area 1 Young Riders: 2023 Was Extraordinary!

Starting off at the Young Rider breakout session at the Area 1 Annual Meeting in January, we laid out some ambitious plans for 2023. We had been hearing from youth, parents and trainers all around Area 1 that Young Riders was an organization that still was thought to be only for a certain set of elite youth that wanted to go to Young Rider Championships. We had some work to do to make sure our programming showed that Young Riders is for ALL youth under the age of 25. The youth in Area 1 took notice. Our membership swelled to a total of 204 members this year. The highest in recent memory (maybe ever?)

Here is a list of Young Rider highlights of 2023. We think we had something for ALL Young Riders!:

Spring Startbox Symposium at UNH: In-person and virtual symposium with panelists of students from college equine programs and professionals from a variety of equine professions; afternoon hands-on workshops on grooming and veterinary care.

Emerging Athlete 21 (EA21) Program - Area 1 had 11 applicants at the Modified and up levels to be considered for the regional clinics that were held in Virginia and South Carolina. Five of our Area 1 applicants were selected to attend! Congratulations to Madison Blodgett, Ayden Schain, Kate Servais, Annabelle Sprague and Carly Stiller. And further congratulations to Annabelle Sprague who was selected to attend the EA21 National Camp in Temecula, CA in January!

Spring Tune-Up Clinic with Booli Selmayr and Emma Lomangino in Amenia, NY - This one-day clinic was open to ALL levels and included a private flat lesson and a group jumping lesson with a great lunchtime chat with the clinicians.

Mentorships - We took the mentorship format from the North American Young Rider Championships and brought it to Area 1. This gave our YRs a chance to learn from USEA officials. One of our riders had the opportunity to spend the day with Noll Smith at Apple Knoll Farm learning about cross-country course design. We hope many more will take advantage next year as we develop this further.

Newly formed Young Rider Committee - In May, we formed a committee made up of 8 Young Rider members (and 2 adult advisors). The committee members have elected 2 co-chairs and a secretary and have been doing amazing work throughout the summer. The purpose of the committee is to help provide a youth perspective for programming, to communicate with members and provide feedback, and to take leadership roles and take action in developing the Young Rider program. Committee co-chairs are Myles McLaughlin and Ava Applebaum, secretary is AJ Korka and other members are Ally Krohg, Lea Adams-Blackmore, Tory McCallum, Rory Cashman, Annabelle Sprague. These members have been a wealth of ideas and feedback, they put together a stall stripping fundraiser, and are active in carrying out plans for new programs. As examples, look for their educational video series coming soon, and see below how they have created a Young Rider Podcast.

Area 1 Young Riders Podcast - Yes, we have a podcast! Wherever you get your podcasts, search for Area 1 Young Riders. YR member, Rory Cashman, has come up with the idea and followed through on it. The first episode has been published and many more are planned. Rory, being new to Area 1 eventing, is curious about all things Area 1, and wants to share her journey of finding answers to her questions. Check it out!  

Team Challenges at June GMHA, Millbrook Horse Trials and September GMHA - Our Young Riders at every level competed at fun team competitions held at 3 events this summer. Nine teams competed at June GMHA, 14 teams made up of Young Riders combined with a pro competed at Millbrook and 10 Young Rider teams competed at September GMHA. At the June GMHA, Young Rider teams were treated to a pizza meet and greet, and at GMHA in September they had a Breakfast meet and greet. Prizes and ribbons were given to the top teams.

Stall Stripping Fundraiser at Huntington Farm Horse Trials - $450 was raised. After Huntington Farm flooded the next day, the Young Rider Committee opted to donate their earnings back to Huntington Farm to help defray the cost of the flood damage. 

GMHA Camp - 36 Young Riders and their horses enjoyed 3 1/2 days of the best Young Rider instruction at our famous annual overnight camp at GMHA. Six Young Riders received Young Rider Vouchers to help make camp financially possible. Somehow GMHA managed to clean up from the early July flood in time for our camp - for which we are extremely grateful!! (only to be flooded again the very next day after we left.)

Youth Team Challenge at Plantation Field International - We had 5 YR members who joined teams with other Areas and Canada for a fun competition at Plantation Field International CCI1*-CCI4* in September. (in a hurricane!!)

USEF Young Rider Championship Presented by USEA - Sadly, we did not send any Area 1 Young Riders to the Championships this year. They were in Temecula, California, November 1-4. Such a long distance to travel and during a difficult time of year for any Young Riders in school. The USEF is working on plans to have the Championships during a more accessible time of year for our Young Riders. Stay tuned for future plans!

And next year??? We have so much in the works! This is an invitation to EVERY rider under the age of 25. When you renew your USEA membership this year, add Area 1 Young Rider membership (its under Area Programs on the renewal form)

How can you become involved if you are over 25? Volunteer!! We need adults to: coordinate our mentorship program, serve on a scholarship/fund raising committee, organize clinics, and so much more! It takes a village!

Speaking of a village - while I am the only one listed as Young Rider Coordinator, you can bet I can't do this alone. Thanks so much to Jay Olcott, Lauren Mair and Chelsea Sprague who have put countless hours of work and mountains of expertise into this program. And of course, special thanks to the many trainers in Area 1 who are doing the work of teaching all of these Young Riders in your programs. You are nurturing the future of eventing. 

Here's to keeping it going in 2024!!

Melanie Loschiavo, Area 1 Young Rider Coordinator

802-279-6228

melanie.loschiavo@gmail.com. 

Melanie Loschiavo has been eventing in Area 1 since 1975 - as a rider through the Preliminary level, and as a mom of a 4* rider. A Pony Club B graduate, she has worked for many years with youth equestrians in various roles in US Pony Club and the USEA. She is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and owns her own virtual nutrition consulting business. 

Photo Credit Melanie Loschiavo

Adult Rider News

November is here. This month I remember to be grateful for all I have, especially as the turning back of the clocks can lead to some depression. This competition year didn’t quite go as I hoped but isn’t that horses for you!! I’m grateful for not only my horses and my barn family, but the broader Area 1 eventing family. The Area 1 Adult Riders showed resilience, camaraderie, enthusiasm, and their hard work was rewarded with achieving new goals. I’m looking forward to seeing some of you at the Annual meeting.  

2024 Program Membership Fees 

I was once told bad news doesn’t get better with time, so I will get the not-so-great news out of the way first. The Adult Rider Program fee is increasing to $35 a year; $25 will continue to come to the Area and the other $10 will go to the USEA. The $10 will contribute towards program administration including staff time, supporting the ATC at AEC, and overall USEA programs such as safety programs. Despite this increase, with over a dozen program offerings, challenges, and reimbursement programs combined with lots of prizes, it still might be the best return on investment with horses you can get 😊  

You can set your membership to auto renew each year. Membership sign-ups are in your USEA online services in the “membership box” on the left side when you are logged in. 

Virtual Team Challenge (VTC) is Complete 

The season long virtual team challenge began with 13 teams competing for top honors and 9 members of the booster pool. Competition started with the UNH Horse Trials and completed with the last event in Area 1. Competitors racked up the points for volunteering and competing. The competition is a fun way to meet fellow eventers and it can be a bit feisty as the season evolves. This year over 34,000 points were awarded, and competitors worked the equivalent of 182 volunteer days.  

The winning team this year was “Make it Rein.” Team members were Suzanne Adams, Sarah Murawski, Katy Raynor, Erin Risso, Emily van Gemeren, Carrie Wehle, and Lourie Yelton with a score of 3,698.1 points.  

The top three overall individuals were Missy Ilg Alaimo, Jen Clapp, and Melanie Loschiavo. The top individual on each team were: Freaks for Flags - Missy Ilg Alaimo; Keep on Kicking -Jen Clapp; Ride On - Melanie Loschiavo, Insane Pony Posse - Danielle Downing Viano, Make it Rein - Erin Risso, Oxer Achievers - Ann Grenier, Horseplay - Kimberly Crane, Booster Pool - Jocelyn Hawe, Pocket Rockets - Erin Furler, Shite Sticky Britches - Julie Walden Howard, Quantum Leapers - Kathleen Kirkwood, Galloping for Cocktails - Kenzi Seely, Naughty by Nature - Hannah Lowin and Lucky Charms - Sandra Holden.  

Adult Team Challenge Events (ATC)

The ATC's this year took place during June GMHA and GVRDC Area Championships. Both had lots of team spirit with 16 teams at GMHA and 15 teams at GVRDC. Top teams will be announced on Facebook and ribbons will be available at the Area 1 Annual Meeting!

American Eventing Championships (AEC) Adult Team Championships  

Area 1 was well represented at the AEC Adult Team Championships. This year we had 30 riders represent Area 1 on teams in the Adult Team Championships and several other ARP members were there to volunteer, coach, and cheer on their friends. We want to thank Strafford Saddlery and Wehle Farms with helping supply items for the team goodie bags. Also thank you to some of our Adult Rider Professionals who led cross country course walks: Mikki Kuchta, Taryn Pearce, Carrie Wehle, Danielle Downing Viano, and Carol Kozlowski.  

In the Team Championships we saw some Area 1 riders in the top of the podium:

Coast to Coast - Second Place Preliminary Team

Michele Kuchta - Chiraz 

Rachael Gill - Chance for love 

Amy Conforti - Just Say Yes 

Sissy Sugarman - Carmani 

Area 1 and Done - Third Place Preliminary Team

Danielle Downing - Dikory Doc 

Sandra Holden - Evil Munchkin 

Emily van Gemeren - Winter Carnival 

Michele Kuchta - Special Reserve 

Geldings on the Run - First Place Modified Team

Jennifer Coleman - SS Palantir 

Carol Kozlowski - Welbourne 

Melanie Loschiavo - Spartacus Q 

Waredaca Classic 3 Day Series 

Once again Area 1 had a strong contingent of program members participating in the event. Three of the champions were Area 1 members. Area 1 ARP members are eligible for some reimbursement if they volunteer at least 8 hours at an area event and present at the first jog. Congratulations to all that participated.  

Living Courageously Award Call for Nominations  

To honor the lives of Devyn Merritt Anderson and Jessica Halliday, who both lost their courageous battles with cancer, we have established an annual “Living Courageously” sportsmanship award. 

Both ladies were active Adult Rider Program (ARP) members. They continued to support their riding friends and family no matter what life threw at them and could often be found cheering others on with a smile. 

The award will be presented at the Area 1 Annual Meeting each year to an active ARP member and rider who exemplifies their spirit. The recipient will have demonstrated support of their eventing community with fairness, integrity, humility, and kindness, regardless of competition results and/or what life might be throwing their way. The recipient, when not competing, can be seen giving back to the sport through volunteering, cheering on friends, and generally supporting the success of others. We will also be accepting consideration criteria from their families. 

The winner will receive $200 towards a future USEA Area 1 sanctioned event or USEA sponsored clinic and a commemorative prize.  

Please submit nominations for this award by December 15, 2023 to adultriders@area1usea.org - please include in your email who you are nominating and why you believe they should receive the award.

 Jessie Aikman Adult Amateur Award 

As some of you might be aware, we share our condolences for the family and friends of our Adult Rider Jessie Aikman. Aikman passed on September 3, 2023, from injuries received as a result of a fall at a USEA-recognized/US Equestrian licensed competition. In lieu of flowers, her family said donations could be made to our Area 1 Adult Rider Program to be used to establish a memorial fund award. I will be working with her family in the new year to discuss how they envision this annual award for adult amateurs like Jessie, who loved eventing and the eventing community, be implemented. If you want to donate the form can be found here: 

https://www.cognitoforms.com/USEA2/Area1AdultRidersProgramDonation 

Win Some, Wine Some Awards are Forthcoming! 

If you have ever had an event not quite go your way, this award program could make you feel a bit better. The award will be offered at each Area 1 recognized event, for those ARP members who did not quite have the go they wanted. The prize is a travel drink tumbler allowing you to have some wine (or beverage of choice) while you whine about what went wrong. Winners will be contacted and asked if you want it mailed, donated, or picked up at the annual meeting.  

Prizes and Ribbons for ATC and VTC Available at Area 1 Annual Meeting 

Prizes, Ribbons, and other ARP awards will be available for pick up at the Area 1 Annual Meeting. If you cannot attend or have a friend pick up, there will be a fee for mailing similar to last year. You also have the option of not receiving a prize.  

Thank you again for a great season. We hope to have the Young and the Rest of Us event return next year and more social gatherings. Hope you all have a safe and peaceful holiday season.  

General Reminders and Information

Please make sure you have a current email on file with USEA, as that is used for our mailing list to inform you about events and prizes. Also, please join the Area 1 Adult Rider Facebook Page to see announcements. More information on the Adult Rider Program and related activities can be found at: https://area1usea.org/adult-riders/

If you have questions on how to become an ARP member, any comments, program ideas, or good peanut butter cookie recipes feel free to contact me at adultriders@area1usea.org 

Amy Winnen is a biotech professional residing primarily in Rochester, NY. She owns three horses: Eddie, an upper-level horse with bigger ambitions than she has, Gia, her eventing and dressage competition partner, and the new addition, a colt born April 2023 - Artie.

In Memoriam

by Julie Howard

As I sit here struggling to find the words

To describe my friend Jessie, who I’m sure you’ve heard

Took a really bad tumble down from the tack

We were all positive that she was to us coming back

For she’s a fighter, we’ve seen her in action

Don’t ever cross her for you’ll get a tongue lashin’

She used to ride Harleys or so I’ve been told

She was a true bad*ss and ever so bold

I’ve seen the great photo of her on a bike

She was in the sidecar and beside her was Mike

But what you don’t know is bubble bath was the cover

‘Cuz they wore their birthday suits in the picture and it’s like no other

When she dressed as a biker chick on Halloween and put handlebars on the horse

She surprised everyone with that get up and we all laughed of course

She always was grinning and had a full of life spirit

She had a great laugh and we all loved to hear it

She had her share of tumbles off of her mount

She injured her body and her head more times than you can count

She was tough as nails, like New Hampshire granite

She’d always get back on with a “Come on, horse, goddamn it!”

To know Jessie was to love her, she was a ray of sunshine

If you were feeling down she’d give you a hug and you’d be fine

When I think of Green Acres and everyone enjoying their horses

I always think of her galloping with her horse joining forces

She worked her *ss off to show in sanctioned events

She once told me, “there’s no way I’ll jump that! You’re crazy my friend!”

Yet she worked and she worked and soon she was jumping

As high I was which will get your heart really pumping

She did GMHA, Coursebrook, UNH and more

And her success at those venues wasn’t measured by the score

She loved her some cross country she’d gallop away

“I thought I was going so fast!” she said to me at a show one fine day.

She loved everything she did

And attacked life with glee

And she was a true friend 

Both to you and to me.

To know Jessie was to love her 

With that glint in her eye

It doesn’t seem fair 

That we have to tell her goodbye.

I know she’s still with us in our hearts and our minds

I can still hear her voice and it sounds mighty fine.  

I will never forget her hug with a big “I love you”

One day at the barn when I was feeling particularly blue.

We will smile when we remember her every single time

We didn’t have enough of her and will look for the signs

It might be a sunset at Green Acres or a big ol’ rainbow

Over our heads as we ride or snag a ribbon at a show

We know she’s in heaven with Stella 

And rides now without fear

We’ll think of that often 

When I do I’ll sure raise my beer

She didn’t slow down over the years of her life

Age didn’t define her she was as sharp as a knife

She put the meaning in this phrase that I hold very dear:

It isn’t the years in your life, it’s the life in your years.

So rest easy dear Jessie, we will miss you a ton

I know you’re reunited with Stella, with others and that you’re of course having fun

We will hug each other and think of you often

Your passing is a blow that will never ever soften.

We love you, we miss you 

We don’t want it to be real

You’ve left a huge hole in our lives 

That will never fully heal.

Kick on and kick ass

My wonderful awesome friend

Our love for you is real

And it will truly never end.