Laine's Medical Update - Sunday, April 27th - 7PM

It’s been one long and enduring day after Laine's terrible fall on Rolex's cross country course and we are encouraged by her progress. For those of you who know Laine, you know her amazing tenacity and drive that will be the saving attributes for her recovery. But, first, the good news! Actually, the very good news is that Laine did not suffer either brain or spinal injury. What she did suffer were multiple broken ribs, a badly broken jaw, broken clavicle and scapula. The most critical being her collapsed lungs. The primary focus of the medical attention is on reviving Laine’s compromised respiratory function. Laine is currently breathing with the assistance of a ventilator. This is necessary because of her fractured ribs and the pain associated with filling her lungs to a healthy capacity.

Laine made good progress today, although we have been forewarned that this recovery cycle can be a roller coaster.

I can not convey enough how precious all your incredible well wishes and prayers have been. I feel we are all in this together which makes my shoulders not buckle so much. I love all of our riding friends who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure Laine knows how loved and missed she is.

It’s these difficult times that bring all us closer together.

Sincerely,

Valerie Ashker

Lainey's Accident

Laine was severely injured in the cross country course at the Rolex Three-Day event in Lexington, Kentucky yesterday, April 26, 2008. She was riding Frodo Baggins when the fall occurred. Laine was immediately airlifted to the University of Kentucky hospital where she remains in stable but critical condition in ICU. She suffered a broken jaw, a broken collar bone, and multiple fractured ribs.


The family asks that you remember Laine in your prayers. Her blog will be updated daily with her progress so please check back here for news of her condition. You can also read her blog directly (with RSS feed) at LaineAshker.blogspot.com.

Praying for Darren, Missy, and Jen and John

They say time flies when you’re having fun. For the most part, that saying couldn’t be more true when it comes to the space between all of these Rolex installments. When I last wrote, Frodo was preparing to show at Rocking Horse in the Intermediate division. He started off the show well, winning the dressage with a solid score of 27.0 and finished with the lowest score to win the division. As expected, another perilous storm swept through Altoona, Florida over Rocking Horse weekend, causing torrential down pours and disastrous winds for show jumping day. As I was trying to make out what Buck was saying to me before I entered the ring, along with just trying to see my practice fence, I came to the conclusion that if Frodo could jump clear in these conditions, he sure could jump clear in the beautifully manicured Rolex ring. And jump clear he did!
Because Frodo’s performance was so sensational at Rocking Horse, I was overly excited for the arrival of the next Winter Training Session and my favorite event (aside from Rolex), Red Hills. What made the Winter Training session so interesting is that every one of us had the opportunity to meet with the USOC staff. Because I am a believer in sports psychology, my first appointment was with Suzie, the US Sports Psychologist. We discussed different aspects of the events, what types of scenarios made me nervous, what types made me calm and what exercises to do to create that tranquility. The next session I had was more physical. I met with Zach, the USOC fitness instructor. As event riders, we tend to only ride horses and think that is enough to keep us fit and trim. Oh contraire! With Zach, we discussed my problem areas and went over different fitness moves to help tone and build muscle which certainly made me break a sweat. Lastly, but certainly not least I met with Karen, the USOC nutritionist. I cannot tell you how much meeting with her was beneficial to me! Because I usually have multiple horses at events, I find it hard to stop and take time to eat, especially on cross country day! With Karen, we pondered ways of providing my body with the nutrition and energy it needs, without making me feel full. Along with two amazing dressage lessons from Mark, and having it all filmed by the USOC crew, meeting with Suzie, Zach, and Karen was extremely informative and helpful to Frodo’s and my path down winding road to the Olympic Games.
Next up was Red Hills. After meeting with my coach Buck Davidson, we both decided it was best to move Frodo into the CIC*** World Cup class so that he could compete with the “big boys” so to speak. I also had three other horses competing at Red Hills: My young up and coming horse, Anthony Patch was doing his first CIC*** and my other upper-level horse, Mazetto, owned by Christine Brennan and Carousel Farm was in the Advanced class. I was also excited to have my homebred six year old, Seajack compete in the extremely competitive preliminary class.
Before Bronwyn and I left for Red Hills, we were pleasantly surprised to find goodies in the mail from some of my generous sponsors. My newest sponsor, Heritage Gloves, sent me many types and colors of gloves to use both inside and out of the competition ring. You can go to their website to check out their wide array of gloves at www.heritagegloves.com. Also, I was happy to receive more sheepskin comfort half pads from my first and most munificent sponsors at Thinline (www.thinlinepads.com ). Additionally, Jim Chiapetta from Flair Strips (www.flairstrips.com) sent me more equine nasal flairs to use on cross country and show jumping which is extremely beneficial to each of my horses’ performances.
After receiving all of these helpful items, Bronwyn and I were more than eager to make the three hour trip to Tallahassee in anticipation of the exciting horse trials at Red Hills. We had to arrive early because of Frodo’s demanding schedule of the Winter Training Sessions. After a few days of dressage with Mark, Frodo and I were poised to cause a stir in the dressage standings. However, this was not so. Perhaps it was because it was my horse’s first show away from home, but for some reason all of them, especially my most seasoned mount, Frodo Baggins, seemed to have an unlimited amount of energy and nerves. These two ingredients never mix well in the dressage ring so needless to say I was quite disappointed with Frodo’s test. However, I knew that I would need that excess energy for the demanding cross country course that was to come next. Every year Red Hills proves to be a Championship course at all levels, and this year, Captain Mark Phillips made sure this was no exception. However, my horses proved to be more than ready for the questions the course presented. Frodo, as always, was a rock star and galloped around the course like the seasoned champion he is. I was so thrilled to ride him once again across country, because he one of the most maneuverable and fast horses I have ever had the chance to sit on. I was also elated with his fitness level in the heat, which means that once again, Buck’s fitness regimen is spot on. My other mounts went phenomenally as well. Anthony Patch (Alex) went around his first three star course very positively only to find out that we were eliminated because of my misunderstanding of an option at the end of the course. Nevertheless, we completed the course, ears pricked and all. My young horse, Seajack, galloped around the prelim course with ease. My final ride of the day, Mazetto showed his vast experience as he cantered around the Advanced course making it seem rudimentary. Needless to say, all of my horses were stars. The final show jumping day went equally as well, with Frodo finishing 6th in the CIC*** World Cup class, Mazetto 3rd in the Advanced division, and Seajack 8th in the prelim. Although I would have liked to take home the Mercedes Benz, I was happy to see my fellow Winter Training Session comrade, Clark Montgomery and his mount, Up Spirit take home the prize.
However, a dark cloud loomed over Red Hills weekend with the loss of two amazing horses, Direct Merger and Leprechaun’s Rowdy Boy in addition to a horrific accident involving Olympian and well respected rider, Darren Chiacchia. As a fellow competitor, my heart goes out to Missy and John and Jen for their losses as it is such a heart break to lose something so close to you. As for Darren and his family, both will constantly be in my thoughts, hopes, and prayers for a speedy recovery. Darren is not only an remarkable athlete, but has been a great friend and mentor to me, and was exceedingly supportive when I lost my long time equine partner, Eight Saint James Place. I truly believe that Darren’s strength and courage will carry him through and bring him back to the sport he loves the most.
I will be in touch next month. In the meantime, I am headed home to teach a clinic in Virginia, headed to Poplar Place and the Fork, and keeping my horses and myself fit and healthy for their upcoming event schedule. Until next time, chin up, sit back, and kick on!

Lainey Ashker

UP UP and AWAY

Hello all!
It's been a while since I have posted a blog so there is a lot to catch you up on. First and foremost, the horses have been doing amazing! Here is a list of horses that I currently have with me in Ocala:
1. Frodo Baggins- self explanatory (NZ TB advanced horse)
2. Anthony Patch - TB advanced horse
3. Seajack- my young NZ TB homebred horse who is now a preliminary horse
4. Mazetto (aka Eric)- Advanced Cleveland Bay/NZ TB horse owned by Christine Brennan who has run Badminton and been to Athens for the New Zealand Team
5. Beaubaxtons (aka Corona)-Novice warmblood chestnut mare owned by Marcia Carabell

So, there's the run down of all the ponies I have the pleasure of riding. So, here comes the news. The first show was at the end of Jan where I had Seajack doing one final training level event before his first prelim debut and Corona was doing her first event at the beginning novice level. Both were brilliant. Seajack finished on his dressage score with a respectable third and Corona was foot perfect in her dressage and show jumping tests. A small spook on the cross country was what left her out of the ribbons.
The next event was Rocking Horse 2. There I had Alex going Intermediate, Frodo doing prelim, Seajack doing his first prelim, and two catch rides of Kristin Viellenueve's Footloose and Tommy Star, both of which were entered in training. Alex was a star, scoring a 25 in the dressage and holding his winning status throughout the whole event winning on the lowest score of all intermediate divisions. I was very excited for his success since his next event would be his first Advanced at the Rocking horse one day. Frodo was a star as always and finished on his dressage score of 32 and placed a respectable second. Seajack was perfect in his first prelim and scored a 31 on his dressage test, had a double clean show jump round and only one refusal on xc to give him his first qualifying round for the upcoming CCI* in the spring in Ocala. The two catch rides went very well and Kristin was pleased, which is what we all hope for as riders.
The next event was Ocala 2. There I had Eric doing his first event of the year at prelim, Seajack in prelim, and Corona entered in novice. Corona was perfect in her second show and finished on her dressage score of 26 which was good enough for a tie for the lead which ultimatley we lost and finished second because we werent as close to the optimum time as our counterpart. Eric was very exhuberant in his dressage test, but finished strongly in the last two phases leaving him in ninth. Seajack was a star as usual and had only one rail in SJ and with a clear XC he came home with the white fourth placed ribbon and a second qualification out of four for his upcoming one star.
The next event was held over one day and it was the Advanced horse trials at Rocking Horse where Alex was to complete his first advanced. Alex really surprised me with his maturity and readiness for the level. He placed fourth after dressage with a solid 34 in dressage and had a clear SJ round which shot us up to the top of the leaderboard. However, rider error caused us to lose the lead with one refusal on xc dropping us down to seventh but overall, I was ecstatic with Al's performance. Additionally, we gained another qualification for the CIC*** at Red Hills coming up in mid March.
In the midst of the chaotic show schedule, I also had two winter training list sessions with Frodo. The first was with Laura Kraut and the second with Lauren Hough. Captain Mark Phillips was in attendance at both clinics to watch the progress of each of the riders and horses. In both clinics I took away an immense amount of information, most of it based on my position in the SJ. Both Laura and Lauren really emphasized a need for a low heel, a soft knee, and flexible arms. Additionally, they taught me how to correctly half halt my horse without making him rigid from my seat or my hands. In both clinics, both Frodo and I improved vastly. The first clinic was run over three days where the first two days were show jumping with Laura and the last day was a dressage lesson with Mark. The second clinic was two days long, both show jumping with Lauren. I feel as if the clinics have really helped my performance because they have given me the chance to ride difficult and technical courses, under scrutiny, and under a lot of pressure which is something that I dont feel really until the end of each of the season's. Since the clinics have started, I dont feel as nervous entering the show jumping ring which is something I thought I would never conquer.
The next training session is in two weeks and I am excited to hear that the USOC will be in attendance to watch the riders. The US Olympic Committee is sending over the US Olympic Sports Psychologist, the US Olympic Athelete Nutritionist, and the US Olympic fitness trainer to meet with each of the atheletes to offer advice or aid in our quest to Hong Kong. Needless to say, Ill have them on speed dial!!!!
Before I finish with this blog, I wanted to inform everyone of my new groom who has been a godsend to both my horses and myself. Bronwyn Watts is a Virginia native who has worked for many seasons under Natalie and Michael Pollard. She will be going with me to Rolex and to Hong Kong (if the cards are in our favor). Where you see me at the events, not only will you see my mother, you will see Bronwyn! Keep an eye out for our loud crew!!!! Until next time, keep your heels down, shoulder blades together, and soft hands! See you in the start box!

Lainey

PS if you would like to read my monthly Rolex blog, go to www.rk3de.org and click on '2008 event,' and then click on 'featured riders,' and then on my name, 'Laine Ashker'

Ocala, Part I

Wow! Just writing about the speedy manner in which these last few weeks have passed makes me tired. Where shall I begin? The trip down to sunny Florida went smooth as silk and all of the boys walked onto the sandy footing both healthy and hydrated. As soon as we unpacked the trailer, the work began. Because I only had a week to prepare Frodo for the upcoming Winter Training List Sessions I guess you could say our regimen of fitness was “fast-forwarded” a few weeks. With an exciting cross country school, a few jumps lessons, and some schooling on the flat, the boys were now in full work in preparation for the upcoming show season. After a week of being in Ocala, another addition to the string of horses arrived to Buck Davidson Stables in the form of a chestnut mare named Corona owned by my dear friend and coach, Marcia Carabell. She will be a great addition to the string of Crow’s Ear Farm horses.
Frodo was the first to experience any kind of pressure from the rigors of traveling. The training sessions were held at the Florida Horse Park, in Ocala from January 21-23. The first two days would be show jumping with the amazing Laura Kraut, show jumper extraordinaire, and the always critical Captain Mark Phillips would help on the flat work for the final day. To my surprise, Frodo stepped his game up. He jumped so well that Laura commented on how “careful” he was over fences, which, if anyone knows Frodo’s and my jumping rounds in the past, was an extraordinary compliment. The first day of show jumping with Laura consisted of grid work and bending lines, to improve the arch of the horse’s jump and to hone in on the rider’s positions. Frodo jumped with ease and incredibly, no tension whatsoever, which made my job a lot easier. The second day would prove to be more difficult but all the more informative. Laura had set up an intermediate level course for all of us to perform in order to work on our horse’s canters in between the obstacles. She also set up tricky lines and distances to ensure that we rider’s were making the correct decisions about speed at the approach and departure in combinations. Because Frodo has always been a bit difficult as the number of fences increases, I was little nervous about losing that relaxation that I had been able to establish the day before. To make matters worse, Captain Mark Phillips surprised all of us by being present and watching all of the horse and rider combinations in their jump schools with Laura. I knew that I would have my hands full when Mark stopped me in the middle of my warm up to inform me that my position was all wrong. For show jumping, I needed to be more forward in the saddle, and extend my arms even more to allow Frodo his neck and freedom in his back. A year ago, had someone drastically changed my position at a prestigious clinic in front of the most important horse people I have met, I would have probably made a complete fool out of myself. However, during the lesson, as Mark came up to me to comment on my position, I became a sponge, soaking up any information he and Laura had to offer. When my turn finally came around to jump my course, Frodo and I do so flawlessly, much to both Laura’s and Mark’s surprise! In fact, because it was so good in their eyes, I only had to do it once! Needless to say, I was very proud of my Frody and myself for not buckling under pressure. The final day was a dressage lesson with Mark. Having had the opportunity to work with him in England with Alex before Hong Kong, I was greatly looking forward to the chance to work on some difficulties that I had with Frodo. Right away, Mark sent me into the canter where we would stay for most of the lesson. We worked on flying changes, doing four loop serpentines with flying changes on the center line. I can’t tell you how much I felt like a dressage queen leaving that lesson! My smile must have been visible from here to the other end of the ring. Overall, Frodo and I did a great job for our first time being apart of the USEF Winter Training List. I cannot tell you how much of an honor it was to be along side people like Amy Tryon, Karen O’Connor, Stephen Bradley, and Darren Chiacchia to name a few. I even got the chance to see the infamous Theodore O’Connor and Poggio jump together around a few courses. The whole experience was simply amazing.
With all the training sessions over and finished, the show season will begin with the first outing at Rocking Horse in Altoona, FL. I will be riding both Seajack in the training and Corona in the beginning novice. Still have had a hard time finding help which always takes a toll on not only my physical strength but even more that of the mental. Please keep your fingers crossed on finding an adequate groom to suit my horses and my needs. I will be in touch in a few weeks. Make sure to check out the Rolex website (www.rk3de.org) and read up on Frodo’s and my progress towards the coveted four star title. From down south in Ocala, Frodo, Alex, Eric, Baby Seajack and Coronita all send their regards!!! Stay tuned!

Lainey

Recent Important News

Hello all! I have some recent updates I thought you should know about:
First and foremost, it has been announced that Frodo and I made the short list for next year's olmypic games in Hong Kong. Being on the winter training list, as I have heard, entails a lot of hard work and determination which is right up Frodo's and my alley! The clinics for the training list will start at the end of January prompting my boys and I to head down south a little earlier than expected.
Secondly, I am so thrilled to say that my deceased equine star, the apple of my mother's eye, Eight Saint James Place is going to be honored at the Jersey Fresh CCI*** every year by naming the trophy to the three star winner the Eight Saint James Place Trophy. In addition to that honor, a tree and gravestone have also been planted at the Horse Park of New Jersey that oversees the water fence thanks to the great people at the horse park of NJ, Ann and Troy Glaus, Wendy Bebie, Kristen Bond and Buck Davidson, Darren Chiacchia, Jess and Matt Kiener, and Carl and Cassandra Siegal. Also, Brendan Furlong and Associates gave a grant of money in Jamie's name in research to study anurisms in horses and the reasons for their happenings. I cannot tell you amazing it feels to have your horse loved not only by myself and my mother, but by the whole eventing community as a whole. Jamie's legend will live on forever because of what these eight groups of people have done. For that, I am so greatly appreciative.
Finally, the end of the year rider rankings from the USEA were published and because of Frodo's excellent standing at Fairhill and Alex's phenomenal showing at Ocala and because of my horse's consistency throughout the whole year, they helped me to finish 12th in the overall rankings and 7th in the woman standings in the whole nation, which also includes foreign riders riding in our country! What a feat!!! Stay tuned for more!

Remembering Eleanor

As I sit here typing on my phone and reminisce about the past month my mind is sent into a vast whirlwind. Fairhill ended up with the results I have always longed for: a position in the eyes of the us selectors.

Not slowing down, I took alex to rubicon to hop over a prelim course before the two star in Ocala, where he performed effortlessly and won with flying colors. Driving down to Ocala was a long and tedious pilgrimage but nevertheless proved to be a fruitful and gratifying experience when al came 6th and we finally got a a qualifying result at the two star level. On a sadder note, a fellow competitor and close equine comrade, eleanor brennan was killed in an accident going xc which also took her horses life, mister barnabus. Her death has effected not only my morale, but also the morale of the eventing sport as a whole. Although I do believe our course designers are doing fantastic jobs of fabricating safer courses, I believe as riders and endorsers of this grueling sport, perhaps we should take a step back to put things in perspective. Eleanors and barneys (her horse) deaths will not go in vain. We as competitors need to find a more innovative way of protecting our younger equine and human athletes. Eleanor is survived by her loving mother, cristine and her younger sister isabel, both of whom are horse lovers. With my highest respects, I send them my condolences during such a traumatic and gruesome time in their lives. Eleanors 4 star horse, bailey zwei, passed earlier this year so I know now she has been reunited with her long lost equine partner. I love eleanor and will deeply miss seeing her illuminating smile and contagious cheery attitude at all the events. Until next time, be safe, and give your ponies a few extra carrots for me!