and successfully, learning as much as I could along the way. Looking back, I feel as though I was able to accomplish that goal. I moved up from the Low Junior Jumpers to the High Junior Jumpers, with Unari and Cypria 6; I was champion in the Small Junior Hunters 16-17 with Glass Castle; and I was thrilled with how the first round of the $50,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby went aboard Vida Blue. Riding is just one piece of the puzzle. True horsemanship is just as valuable as the actual time a rider spends in the tack. Knowing your horses, truly knowing what makes them tick, is something that is irreplaceable in the show ring. I am incredibly grateful to Susie for teaching me the ropes of becoming a horsewoman; time and again she has stressed the importance of horsemanship to a successful riding career, whether as a professional or an amateur. Reflecting on the many things I took with me from my time at WEF, perhaps the most important thing I learned was that consistency and repetition are key for the riders and horses. To me, WEF was very beneficial in practicing that consistency and repetition through a 12week circuit that allowed me to stay in one place for such a long period of time. Learning to ride by feel is far more easily said than done; it takes time, dedication and the desire to learn. Mastering this concept of riding remains quite the challenge. I am grateful for the team I have behind me. My parents, trainer Susie Humes, our rider Andrew Lustig, and the veterinarians and farriers who keep my horses happy and healthy, are the keys to my success. WEF 2010 was an experience of a lifetime, and I cannot wait to return next year! Leah DeMartini rides Elm Rock LLC’s Vida Blue (above right) and Elm Rock LLC’s Cypria 6 (left). Photos by Jessica Nemzoff/PMG WELLINGTONTHE THEMAGAZINE MAGAZINE••August August2010 2010 WELLINGTON
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