OLYMPIC DREAMS

News and views about the proposed Lakewood Olympic Equestrian Center.


What's Happening:

As you’re receiving this issue in the mail, you’re most likely swept up in watching the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. As horse enthusiasts, we search the schedules for coverage times and dates for all the equestrian events and set our VCR’s and TIVOs to capture every minute of it.

Mayor Richard J. Daly and members of the Chicago 2016 Olympic committee have been in attendance, getting ideas and gathering interest for the city’s bid for the 2016 games, even taking out a full page ad in the local paper. We find ourselves watching with greater interests, wondering what it would be like to have this worldwide spectacle so close to home.

We follow the human interest stories and root for our countrymen and standouts from other countries as well. We become familiar with the Olympic athletes and during the duration of the games these individuals are transformed into sports superheros. The following are our 2008 Team USA Equestrian Event superhero contenders (riders and horses alike):

Dressage:
Steffen Peters - Ravel
Debbie McDonald - Brentina
Courtney King-Dye - Harmony’s Mythilus

Show Jumping:
Beezie Madden - Cazenovia
McLain Ward - Sapphire
Will Simpson - Campeon’s Carlsson
Laura Kraut - Cedric

Eventing:
Phillip Dutton - Connaught
Becky Holder - Courageous Comet
Gina Miles - McKinlaigh
Amy Tryon - Pooggio II
Karen O’Connor - Mandiba

 

Name: Anna Clarice Brown
Age: 18
Home: Woodstock, IL

What horse-related clubs or organizations do you belong to? I am in the 4-H Horse Projects.

What are your favorite horse activity? My favorite horse activities are the Speed classes at the fair and fun shows: Poles, Barrels, Plug Races

Tell us about the horse(s) in your life. Just recently I purchased my very own speed horse, Eliza. She is seven years old and is an Appendix Quarter Horse. She has a very spunky personality and then the mare in her comes out at times. However, I am very happy with her and look forward to bringing her to college this fall and attempting to try out for the Rodeo Team at University of Wisconsin-River Falls..

How long have you been involved with horses? It all began by taking lessons at Crystal Manor Stable when I was 10. I stopped taking lessons when my aunt and I were left with a 1-year-old filly at my grandma's farm. We tried our best to care for her, but she was accidentally bred by her father. When it came time for her to deliver, the foal was too big for her and ended up being still born. Once the foal was removed, Pretty as we called her, was left distressed and wounded beyond recovery. A couple days later we were forced to put her down. Our very first horse ownership ended with no horses. Being 10 years old it was one of the most traumatic events in my life that I will never forget.

What is the best thing about having a horse? The best thing about having a horse is having a friend that will be there for you always. Whenever you are having a bad day or just need some time off of your busy work schedule they will always be there ready to listen to the dreads of "real life"..

What is the worst thing about having a horse? The worst thing about owning your own horse is the responsibility it brings, which can be good and bad. In the worst case scenario you may have to be the one to make the final decision to end that horse's life, or if something terrible happens to that horse, where it was your responsibility to be there, the blame goes straight to you.

How do you finance your hobby?
I finance my hobby by working two to three jobs. But in the end it is definitely worth it!

What are some other interests/activities you are involved in?
Before I purchased my horse Eliza, I was involved in piano, soccer, volleyball, and horseback riding lessons.

What is your most memorable horsy moment?
My most memorable moment would have to be when "Pretty" foaled and both ended up dead. It happened a while ago but the memory is still fresh in my head. The filly was so big and beautiful and she never got her chance in the real world.

Who is your biggest influence?
To be honest I do not really have a true influence from anyone really. Perhaps the "Speed" people who go to speed events as a way of life and practice everyday in order to get the best time. I wish I could be like them, able to practice all the time and then travel to shows and beat everyone. That is true talent.

What have horses taught you?
Horses have taught me to never take ANYTHING for granted. Whatever happened that one day on a ride should be taken away from the arena as a lesson and nothing else. What happens there should stay there, keeping those emotions secluded from everyday life.

How do you help others enjoy horses?
I try to show people how intricate horses really are. Most of the members of my family believe that horses are giant scary animals that should not be trusted. However, throughout the years I have been trying to show everyone that they are only animals that have been taken from their original atmosphere and basically, domesticated. They are scared and most likely do not know how to act or what to do. I believe that our job is to make them welcome into this world and help them to live productive and memorable lives.

What are your plans after high school?
I plan to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and major in Pre-Vet with an Equine Emphasis I would like to possibly be on the Rodeo team and the intramural soccer team.


 

 
 !  Your involvement at this point of the project is vital to the long term success of the Lakewood Olympic Equestrian Center! Don’t be part of the silent majority. Get involved and help make our Olympic Dream become a reality in our lifetime, and a legacy for generations to come.
 

Living the dream ... Spotlight on Horse Kids
by a Horse Kid, Lisa Kucharski

Name: Anna Clarice Brown
Age: 18
Home: Woodstock, IL

What horse-related clubs or organizations do you belong to?
I am in the 4-H Horse Projects.

What are your favorite horse activity?
My favorite horse activities are the Speed classes at the fair and fun shows: Poles, Barrels, Plug Races

Tell us about the horse(s) in your life.
Just recently I purchased my very own speed horse, Eliza. She is seven years old and is an Appendix Quarter Horse. She has a very spunky personality and then the mare in her comes out at times. However, I am very happy with her and look forward to bringing her to college this fall and attempting to try out for the Rodeo Team at University of Wisconsin-River Falls..

How long have you been involved with horses?
It all began by taking lessons at Crystal Manor Stable when I was 10. I stopped taking lessons when my aunt and I were left with a 1-year-old filly at my grandma's farm. We tried our best to care for her, but she was accidentally bred by her father. When it came time for her to deliver, the foal was too big for her and ended up being still born. Once the foal was removed, Pretty as we called her, was left distressed and wounded beyond recovery. A couple days later we were forced to put her down. Our very first horse ownership ended with no horses. Being 10 years old it was one of the most traumatic events in my life that I will never forget.

What is the best thing about having a horse?
The best thing about having a horse is having a friend that will be there for you always. Whenever you are having a bad day or just need some time off of your busy work schedule they will always be there ready to listen to the dreads of "real life"..

What is the worst thing about having a horse?
The worst thing about owning your own horse is the responsibility it brings, which can be good and bad. In the worst case scenario you may have to be the one to make the final decision to end that horse's life, or if something terrible happens to that horse, where it was your responsibility to be there, the blame goes straight to you.

How do you finance your hobby?
I finance my hobby by working two to three jobs. But in the end it is definitely worth it!

What are some other interests/activities you are involved in?
Before I purchased my horse Eliza, I was involved in piano, soccer, volleyball, and horseback riding lessons.

What is your most memorable horsy moment?
My most memorable moment would have to be when "Pretty" foaled and both ended up dead. It happened a while ago but the memory is still fresh in my head. The filly was so big and beautiful and she never got her chance in the real world.

Who is your biggest influence?
To be honest I do not really have a true influence from anyone really. Perhaps the "Speed" people who go to speed events as a way of life and practice everyday in order to get the best time. I wish I could be like them, able to practice all the time and then travel to shows and beat everyone. That is true talent.

What have horses taught you?
Horses have taught me to never take ANYTHING for granted. Whatever happened that one day on a ride should be taken away from the arena as a lesson and nothing else. What happens there should stay there, keeping those emotions secluded from everyday life.

How do you help others enjoy horses?
I try to show people how intricate horses really are. Most of the members of my family believe that horses are giant scary animals that should not be trusted. However, throughout the years I have been trying to show everyone that they are only animals that have been taken from their original atmosphere and basically, domesticated. They are scared and most likely do not know how to act or what to do. I believe that our job is to make them welcome into this world and help them to live productive and memorable lives.

What are your plans after high school?
I plan to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and major in Pre-Vet with an Equine Emphasis I would like to possibly be on the Rodeo team and the intramural soccer team.

Check out this website for more information: www.lcfpd.org/lakewood2016