ON THE ROAD
Event Planning
All Creatures, Great and Small As an all-around equestrian, Eileen owns three Miniature horses with whom she competes on the Pinto and Miniature show circuits, and also brings to driving competitions. She’s a member of the New England Pinto Horse Association (NEPtHA), as well as the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) and American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA). Additionally, she’s involved with the American Kennel Club, competing with her Cavalier King Charles’ and bringing them to the Yale-New Haven Hospital as therapy dogs. Despite her busy schedule, Eileen has a number of events ahead of her this year. Read on to learn about her competition schedule, what her idea is of a proper venue for her dogs, and what was the best competition advice that she’s received. EJ: Can you tell me about your horses and what your competition schedule will be like this year? Eileen: My [Minis] are all out of Due Process Stable in New York. I have DPS Ima Star, aka “Zoey,” who received her Supreme Pinto Championship. The next one in line is DPS Riccin for the Stars, who we also call “Keaira.” I’m starting her in Pinto shows this year. I’ll be retiring Zoey from the Pinto circuit, but she’ll be doing more driving. Then I have a tiny one that was born on my birthday two years ago—DPS Quick Cinsation. Her call name is Joelle. I’ve already started her under cart, and she’s already a wonderful little hunter/jumper. EJ: Do you bring your dogs with you to a lot of events? Eileen: Yes, as a matter of fact, when I saw you [at the OSV Sleigh Rally], I had a Cavalier with me. My tri-color was in one of the classes with me. I sometimes bring them to the Pinto shows, too, but some of those events get too hot. I’ll bring them on occasion, but it’s confusing enough to have to worry about your horse and cart and everything else that you’re doing to bring them with you all the time. I really do get a lot of help from others, though. EJ: What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received about competing? Eileen: The best advice I’ve gotten is from the judges— they’re very instrumental with advice, because they’ve been on both sides of the fence. When you go out in the show ring, you want to have confidence. You don’t want to go out there 16
EQUINE JOURNAL
| April 2013
(Left) Jim Chevalier with his granddaughter, Katelyn, driving Minis Blue and Moon; and (Right) Eileen Flynn Ricci driving DPS Ima Star at the OSV Sleigh Rally.
and be nervous, and fussing…even if you don’t know what you’re doing, just be confident.
Driving for Fun As the owner of Chevalier Carriage Company (and over 100 horse-drawn vehicles!), Jim Chevalier knows how serious you have to be when it comes to operating an equestrian-related business, but when it comes to competition, he’s all about having fun. I sat down with him to get his two cents on how competitors can make their event schedule enjoyable in 2013. EJ: What does your event calendar typically look like? Jim: I don’t compete as much as I used to; many of my family members are also involved in horses, and compete, though— my granddaughters, Lydia and Onna Downey, show Quarter Horses, but we do a lot of parades now, and more fun things than just competitions. If you’ve ever been up to Lenox, MA, they hold the Lenox Tub Parade there, which is all horse-drawn. We participate in that. And then the town of Belchertown, MA, had their 250th anniversary last year, so I participated in that as well. We were also in the 300th anniversary parade in Quaboag, MA; I put a sign on my carriage, and represented the Salem Cross Inn there. And of course, I was at the OSV Sleigh Rally. EJ: Do you have any pre-show/competition rituals? If so, what are they? Jim: Preparing for these kinds of events is a lot of work; you have to get your horses cleaned up and all set beforehand. At the OSV Sleigh Rally, we had the tailgate down on our trailer, and brought a generator so we could set up a table inside with all kinds of Crock-Pots and food. We just try to make a fun day of it. We had coffee and doughnuts, and everything you can think of in the Crock-Pots. EJ: What is some advice that you can share with our readers who plan on competing at events this year? Jim: I feel that it’s important to just go out there and have fun. It’s not all about winning. Just go out and enjoy the day and your horse. For some classes, like the Currier & Ives class, you have to do some preparation and research, but for the most part, it’s about having fun. Looking for more friendly advice from Jim and Eileen? If so, check out my blog at equinejournal.com/community/ blogs/on-the-road. Executive Editor
PHOTOS: ELISABETH-PROUTY GILBRIDE
AS WE GO TO PRESS WITH THE April issue, it is still mid-March, and the ground is covered in snow from a rather late Nor’easter that we had here in New England. I’m fairly confident in assuming that I’m not the only one looking forward to spring and all of the excitement that comes with it: the beautiful flowers that will surely be in bloom, warmer weather, and of course, more equine events. While we were still experiencing large quantities of snow, I had the pleasure of attending the Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) Sleigh Rally on February 17. There, I met up with Eileen Flynn Ricci and Jim Chevalier, and got their perspective on how to make the most of your show and event season.