Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless at Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event 2015
When it comes to riding, it is all too easy to get discouraged or lose your way in chasing your dreams. Even the professionals are only human and can face these struggles. At Ecogold, we understand that the road to accomplishing your dreams can have a few too many bumps in the road, which is why our team is made up of riders that are not only insanely talented, but are wonderful people who can inspire others to chase their dreams.
It is our pleasure to introduce to you a new series where riders can share their stories about how they find their inspiration through the wisdoms, tribulations, and success stories from other riders. We asked riders who and what inspired them, and they answered! Ecogold is proud to present our new Riders That Inspire series:
Ashley Harvey
Ashley Harvey spent three years as a working student and groom before making the decision to delve into the “real world” of public relations and embrace being an adult amateur. Ashley owns two off the track thoroughbreds, Donatello and Valhalla. She aspires to bring both of them up the levels to their fullest potential and enjoy the more laid back adult amateur life. She shared with us who inspires her:
I have never met Elisa Wallace, but I’ll never forget the first time I saw her ride in person. It was May 2014 at the Chattahoochee Hills International Horse Trial. I watched her compete this beautiful paint pony named As You Wish. I had watched her warm up for cross country riding skillfully and bold in a busy warm up. Despite the many horses or the small size of her mount, she had a look of fierce yet calm determination on her face. I ran out to the largest hill to have the best view of her cross country course. I held my breath as I watched her gallop across the course, at every fence her distances were perfect and her ride was flawless. I was completely taken aback, I had heard of her before, but to produce such a flawless round at preliminary on a pony seemed so strange to me. Even the best riders often had difficulties maintaining pace and distances on a pony, yet Elisa and As You Wish ate up the course as if it were beginner novice.
About a year later I watched Elisa compete at her first 4**** at Rolex. This time, she was on her Australian Thoroughbred Simply Priceless. Despite it being her first 4****, Elisa threw down in dressage to go into cross country in the top 10. Per usual at Rolex, it down poured on cross country day. Many competitors withdrew before attempting the course or had to retire on course due to the harrowing conditions. Elisa rode the course the same as she did at Chattahoochee Hills. She skillfully navigated the course giving her horse ample support to make it over the substantial fences. I couldn’t believe this was her first time at Rolex, let alone dealing with such harsh weather. She finished cross country with no jump penalties and a handful of time. After watching her, I knew I had to work that much harder to ride how she did. Be it a 4**** or preliminary level, Elisa kept a level head and rode her butt off. That is what I needed to do. It doesn’t matter what level I was competing at, I need to keep a level head and ride the way I know I can.
I left Rolex feeling inspired, as do most spectators. I had renewed vigor to go home and not only work on my riding ability, but also my mental game. Often I am convinced that it is our mental game that can matter more in this sport than our riding ability. No matter how far I go in this sport, I’m not ever sure I’ll remember the way Elisa conducts herself at events. I may not know her, but she has left me inspired to not only work harder in my riding, but to be the best competitor that I can be.
– Ashley