Stop to Smell the Flower

Elliot faired pretty well on the journey back south after the disappointment of Fair Hill. He got about a couple weeks of vacation since there was nothing else for he really needed to do this year. It seemed well deserved after all the shipping and competing and general stress of the trip and the season as a...

Read More

Un-Fair Hill?

I was so looking forward to putting my mistake at the AECs behind me and proving to myself that we were ready for our first CCI2 at Fair Hill. I didn't get the chance. Most people know what happened to us, especially since there was an article in the Chronicle of the Horse and it appeared all over Eventing...

Read More

Bad Call

Seems as though time has gotten away from me. Fall has flown by. I cannot believe we are already on the way to Fair Hill. I can't tell sometimes if the feeling in my stomach is excitement or terror. It's a toss up; either one seems appropriate at any certain time. A couple weeks ago weeks ago we took off to...

Read More

what's in a name?

Many people ask me where he got the name L.E. Font. Most assume it's something fancy. Maybe it relates to the breeder like RF 'so and so' or our very own Calysta MWF? No. It's mostly meant as an inside joke and references Smellie's formative years. Elliot was not a naturally brave horse. He was skittish as...

Read More

Unbelievable

I just realized that it's only been a year since Smellie ran his first event after the colic surgery. I missed the one year mark of his surgery. It seems so long ago now. I remember that day so vividly. Betsy and I went to the farm and Smellie looked fine. He was out in the paddock with Warren. Head down. Grazing...

Read More

Mostly I Just Admire Elliot

I don't always order photos from the events, though I definitely enjoy looking at the pictures over and over and over. And then one more time for good measure. I like to scrutinize my position and see how I can improve, but mostly I like to admire Elliot. I'm still so blown away with him every day. Brant Gamma...

Read More

On Top of the World

There is a song by Imagine Dragons called 'On top of the World' that pretty much describes my outlook at the moment. The refrain goes like this: ... I'm on top of the world, 'ay 'Waiting for this for a while now, Paying my dues to the dirt I've been waiting to smile, 'ay Been holding it in for awhile, 'ay Take...

Read More

Thank you Stephie

For those of you who really know Stephie Baer, you know that she is kind, generous, a tremendously hard worker, and a phenomenal horse woman, rider, and teacher. I have been very lucky to work closely with Stephie for many years. I'm not sure she has any idea what an impact she has had on me both in the riding...

Read More

Change of Plans

Elliot's New England summer schedule was comprised of two events: Stuart and then Millbrook. Both are Area I CN's, which means they hold the same weight as an FEI qualifier. It would be excellent to have both since we need one more CIC2 to qualify for Fair Hill, and you never know what is going to happen so extra...

Read More

Road Trip!

In a little more than a week we're off to Massachusetts! I think we are all very excited to be there. However, we are DREADING the drive. First, if you've ever been on a road trip with your whole family in a small sedan, you will understand what the horses are going through back there. There's a lot of 'I'm...

Read More

Living the Dream, part II

Elliot also works hard. Those 6 or 7 hour work weeks are really rough on a guy... But seriously, Elliot is like any other professional athlete: He works hard, gets treated very well, and is completely adored. There are different theories on how to condition an event horse. I buy into Jimmy Wofford's theory...

Read More

Living the Dream, part I

Life with horses is crazy, especially where I am in my horsey career. It's non-stop. There aren't many days off. There are many late nights, early mornings, and just long days. You don't make lots of money, and the money you do make inevitably finds its way back into your horses. You have to LOVE it to want to...

Read More

Where No Smellie Has Gone Before

I entered Stuart Horse Trials in New York this morning. Well, I overnighted my entry this morning. Fingers crossed I get in. It's about a week after the opening date. Betsy and I are headed up to my old stomping grounds for July and part of August. It's going to be so awesome. We are taking six horses; three...

Read More

Show Jump Phobia

Every horse and rider has their weak link. I find mine to be the show jump. I have 'Oxer-itis' Jimmy Wofford told me. It's a fairly irrational fear. I am a capable rider. Elliot is a phenomenal jumper. His front end is tight and his back end is as good if not better. Plus, he wants to play. I don't have to worry...

Read More

what's in your grooming box?

I take a lot of pride in the way my horses look. There is nothing like seeing a beautifully turned out, good looking horse at a three day. The grooming, however, does not just take place at the event. It has to happen at home. I have a pretty strict grooming regime that I follow most days. It starts with a...

Read More

Just Happy to be Nominated

It's always good when you show up to a three day with your horse's leg pressure wrapped above the knee. After the week leading up to the CIC2, I was just happy to be get there and pass the jog. I rode Elliot at Chatt Hills Thursday Evening and he felt much as you might expect after running through a three...

Read More

Struggle City

Any one who knows me or Smellie probably has heard (and probably has heard ad naseum) about Elliot's tough road to the CHC International Two Star. However, in an effort to document Team Smellie's entire journey (and for those of you who missed this epsiode, I'm laying it all out here too! Our goal is to qualify...

Read More

Legit

We ran our second Intermediate horse trials at Poplar Place last weekend. My goal was to have another solid cross country round before we head off to the CIC 2* at Chatt Hills in a couple weeks. River Glen was spectacular, but getting around one event makes you lucky; two makes you legit. Elliot was on form!...

Read More

The Big Stuff

This winter while we were in Ocala, a warm up steward asked me if I was there for the big stuff. I was running preliminary an it was the highest I had ever competed so for me it WAS the big stuff! I told the steward "yes". Turns out I was not doing the real big stuff and it was a little embarrassing. However,...

Read More