We have more sunshine and blue skies from California with Kelly Pugh who recently won the North American Young Rider Championships 3-star. What’s with those Area VI riders? I certainly wanted to know, and figured you might as well. That’s why I caught Kelly for a conversation about her win, the powerful bond to her mare, Chloe, and some words of wisdom that have served her well and might do you.
Kelly Pugh and Chloe on their victory lap. Photo courtesy of Kelly Pugh
Q. Let’s start at the beginning. Tell me about the North American Young Rider Championships.
A. It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. I went for the first time in 2005 on the one-star team for Area VI. I went wanting to be competitive but wanting to come back with a good experience. This time around I went and the people, the team, and support system were fantastic. Being there before the World Equestrian Games there was all the buzz and we were staying in same place that the WEG riders will be staying was amazing. And to be sitting on the horse I’m sitting on; I feel lucky. It was a long process for us from California. Just geting our horses there was as huge deal. We had drive, fly, and fundraising. There were so many more factors involved.
It was so important to have the team we had with the helpers and grooms and parents. They made it such agreat experience. It was amazing coming back with the medals but just being part of the whole experience made it prety special.
Q. What made the support so great?
A. All of riders got along so well. Some riders didn’t have as good a show as others but we never stopped supporting each other. We only had one groom which we thought was tough but we helped each other. We had to be up at 4am to come and help; parents cooked meals every day. We’d forget to even eat when we were so busy but we had home-cooked meals every day. The parents were the first to run to Walmart and grab whatever we needed. It’s hard to talk about my coach since it’s my mother but she made it fun and less stressful and a team atmosphere. We were all here for each other. That made it a fun experience too. Our Chef d’Equipe was amazing. We never stopped helping each other.
photo courtesy of Kelly Pugh
Q. Why are you so lucky to have your horse Chloe?
A. She’s one of the most amazing horses I’ve ever had the privilege to sit on. [It's the] bond we have. She has a heart of gold and loves her job and there’s nothing on cross country I worry about. That’s a good feeling. Mom says she doesn’t worry because she knows Chloe will jump out of any trouble. She just doesn’t stop.
Q. How did she come into your life?
A. A good friend of mine, Jennie Brannigan, called me two years ago when I was going off to school and had one horse, Annie Oakly. Jennie called and said, “I found this amazing horse I think you guys should give it a try”. We bought her sight unseen. We said “We’re trusting you!” She was six years old and hadn’t done anything. When you start a horse from so young, and with mares especially, you form that special bond. In two years we went from green Novice to stellar Intermediate; she shows so much potential. I’ve never been lucky enogh to sit on horse that talented. I jump with a jump strap jumps because she jumps me out of tack. It turned out pretty ok.
Q. What’s her personality like?
A. She is a total tomboy. It’s kind of embarrassing: she’s been called a mule before. She has huge ears that go straight to the side and a droopy lower lip. If you saw her in a pasture you’d be like that’s a mule. She’s happy-go-lucky. When I bring her in at night she follows me in without a halter. After cross-country in the ten-minute box she was eating grass. You can’t get her mad at anything. She actually had baby when she was three and that’s the only horse she really dislikes-her own kid!
Q. What was the most memorable thing about NAYRC for you this year?
A. I think when we first got there we did the rider’s meeting and that’s when it all sunk in. They were talking about how just to get to this point we were are all champions. You worked so hard to get there and that made it all real for me. I think also after I found out [that we won] and everyone was shaking my hand and congratulating me and I was holding my horse and feeling on top of the world like we could conquer anything. I had my teammates and mom and dad right there-it was pretty special. Also just being on the property and walking Chloe around. I took her on this long trail ride and the place is spectacular. We could have walked for hours and not seen the whole place. The people were so nice pulling up to stop signs so you could cross road. It was all around a great experience.
Photo courtesy of Kelly Pugh. Note the excellent jog outfit perfectly accesorized with the yellow hair band!
Q. What was your team like?
We had my other two star team members and two for the one star. Natalia’s horsemanship was unbeleiveable. She was like a horse dictionary. She probably studies Pony Club manuals at night which is good for me! She definitely someone you want around. The girl who won the one star, Kelly Loria, is the person who kept everything level. When it was stressful she would calm you down and help you out. Especially on cross-country day when everything is a little tense. The other girl, Madison, on the one-star team, if you ever started doubting yourself she was the first one to remind everyone how amazing they were. Everyone was equally hardworking. Our vet, Laura Werner, was unbelievable and came out at 4 am and would be there all day. We had two grooms. Scott Coleman was with the mentorship program with David O’Connor and still found time to come help. Amanda Sanchez worked her butt off and had an amazing attitude about it. Everyone was there for there horses. At the end of day it was about the horses and it’s always nice to see that.
Q. Young Riders from California just keep winning. Why do you think you all are so strong? What are you drinking?
A. Especially after two Californians, Jennie [Brannigan] and Max [McManamy], have won gold the pressure was really on! How do we keep doing this? I think especially coming from California and going back East we have something to prove. Don’t forget about us! East coast gets a lot of attention and we kind of want to show we’re in it to win it too. Max and Tiana [Coudray] and Jennie are all amazing competitors and to follow in their footsteps is pretty cool. It’s a great training program too.
Q. What makes a great training program?
A. I know for my training program I took the time to acknowledge my weaknesses. I’m like, “Let’s just exemplify the pros!” It’s hard but important, especially befofe big events. Dressage was my weakness. We dug deep and decided if we’re going to go and be competitive we gotta fix that. It’s part of a good training program to acknowledge that. Also to acknowledge that the heat and conditioning are different. You want to go back there feeling confident. Don’t wonder, “Can I do this or can I not?” It’s important to know your training program has gotten you to the point where you’re trotting down the center line thinking, “Yeah, I’m going to win this.”
Q. Did you get to meet the riders on the other teams?
A. I became good friend with Area III girls. They won team gold and we met at press conferences and were on the podium with them. Now we’re all Facebook friends and it was pretty cool. I went into it telling myself I won’t like any of these people but I met them and they’re all so nice! It was good getting to meet them and form friendships. Everyone was going through same thing and everyone understands. Everyone was wishing everyone good luck. It made me realize why this sport is so special. It’s such a close-knit family feeling with eventing.
Q. It might be fair to say that most 20 year olds aren’t on podium stands winning medals. Where do you find the focus and the motivation?
A. When I first got Chloe I was just going into college at San Francisco State. At the time Chloe was still green. In my second year of college she showed a lot of potential and I had to decide on my focus. I wasn’t getting results from either. I had to decide to give up school and focus on horses or sell Chloe and focus on school. At the time it was a hard decision. You meet new people and school’s so fun. Now that I’ve given up school and focused on Chloe I haven’t looked back. It’s hard to sacrifice the social life aspect but being on that podium stand and riding at any horse show, come Sunday it’s like, that’s right, that’s why I made those changes! I know there are a lot of kids struggling with that and it is hard. Another friend was in same position and she chose to study abroad. It’s whatever your calling is; and for me it’s the horses.
Q. Are there more Copycat Chloe’s out there?
I want to keep her forever and populate the world with Copycat babies! With horses you always have to say: ”That’s the plan!” Hopefully in the future that’s something we’re interested in dong. She has great bloodlines. Her sire is Stiletto. He’s thrown some good babies. Her kid, Coycat Cadee, will be something special too.
Stiletto. photo by Reg Corkum via Valhalla Farm
Q. What would you tell other Young Riders who want to be successful the way you have been?
A. Stay focused. There were times when I first got Chloe I thought I’d never do dressage. Stay focused and work hard. People will tell you that you can’t do it. Know your horse, believe in your horse, believe in your training program. If you want it know you can get it.
photo courtesy of Kelly Pugh
Q. Anything you want to add?
I’d like to add to thank everyone who supported me. APF is an amazing sponsor to have as a product while traveling across the country. Thank you to the people at barn and my teammates that have believed in us. Thank you to all of them and to my parents.
And thanks to Kelly for taking the time to talk with all of us at Three Days Three Ways. I love how she made winning NAYRC seem so simple and second nature. Even more I loved how she talked about Chloe; it reminds me so much of hos I feel about my Ellie and imagine it might remind you how you feel about your horse. She and Chloe both are inspirations!
