Maddie, EnNou &Cruze

So excited to show you all some of my favorite memories captured for this new pair: Maddie and Cruze Control. Along with of course, her big beautiful gelding En Nou in their return to the hunter ring in the 3'6 hunter division at the Coveside Series.

Q: Maddie, how do you usually prepare for an upcoming season?

A: Typically, I take the winter off to provide both myself and my horses with a well-deserved break. During this time, I stay fit by engaging in other activities and focusing on my schoolwork. By spring, my horses are feeling their best and are eager to return to work, which makes the process enjoyable for them. As they transition back into full-time work, I dedicate time to hanging out with them, lunging, and riding again.

Q: Who do you rely on for encouragement and support during the show season?

A: Definitely my Mom and Dad, as well as Clayton and Cathy. All these people have an incredible way of preparing me for the ring. My Mom is my personal groom and does whatever she can to keep me and my horses looking their best, my Dad always gives me words of motivation in the ingate and always tells me to just “do what you know how to do”. My coach Clayton Goldring makes sure me and my horses are ready and prepared with help from Cathy who cheered us on from home last year but will be showing with us this year.

Q: What has been your proudest moment of your athletic career so far?

A: Winning the series championship in the derby at the Coveside Classic with EnNou (Eli) has been an incredible journey. The year before, in the spring, my horse Eli suffered an injury that forced us to scratch from competition and dedicate an entire year to his rehabilitation. At first, we were uncertain if he would ever jump again. I was given the option to retire him and find another horse, but that was never a consideration for me. I chose to invest the time in rehabbing him at the age of 14, while most other kids were off showing all summer.

It was a difficult decision, but I followed my heart. Fast forward a year, and I now have a fully recovered horse who is not only extremely talented but also willing to do anything for me. In my eyes, that's the greatest prize anyone could hope for. Eli has truly become a star in the ring. In the derbies, he has earned the reputation of being "the one to watch" due to his remarkable agility and skill. He finished the year as the series champion, achieving a season-high score of 103. I couldn't have asked for more, nor could I have wished for a better horse. ❤️

Q: What specific goals do you have for this year's show season?

A: Some personal goals that I have set are having an overall better mindset when it comes to me making mistakes. I am very hard on myself and beat myself up over small things so my overall goal is to just find a positive for everything and just take it round by round.

Photography Marie Roy Photography, Venue Coveside Stables, Coach Clayton Golding, Attire: Samsheild helmet, Equiline breeches and show coats, Samsheild shadbelly. Tack: CWD, Braiding: Samantha Sharpe.