Claire Stevenson: The Power of Hard Work

Claire Stevenson wrapped up the 2000 show season as the Reserve Grand Champion of the Short Stirrup division of the Winner's Circle series in Eastern Long Island. She followed it up in 2001 as the Grand Pre-Children's Champion of the Winner's Circle Series. Riding her 14.0 hand flea-bitten gray Connemara gelding, "Firecracker" (AKA "Ben"), Claire represents one of many hard-working youngsters participating in the highly competitive world of horse showing in New York.

Growing up watching her cousins, Mary and Vanessa Stevenson, and her sister, Alexandra Stevenson, riding ponies, it wasn't long before Claire became involved as well. At the age of 5, she began taking lessons at her school, Woodward North, and training with Alexandra's trainer, Laurie Beck of Hidden Oaks Farms. Living in Georgia at the time, Claire began competing at local schooling shows at the age of 6 with her pony, Ben. The schooling shows were small and the competition light, so Claire and Ben were almost always winning their classes.

"I went in the ring expecting to win," she comments now, "[but] I wasn't ready for the real horse show world."

Claire met the "real horse show world" head on when she came to live in Southampton, New York, on Long Island in 1999. Competition in the area is fierce and she found that many riders out-classed her on expensive, high-end ponies, and were much better prepared for competing at this level. Ben and Claire found they had to work very hard to be successful on these circuits, and this was exactly what they set out to do.

After a not-so-successful show season, Ben and Claire worked very hard over the following winter on improving their skills and came back to showing the following season much better prepared and began seeing their hard work pay off. Claire is most proud of her Reserve Grand Champion title because it was a direct result of her hard work and Ben's competitive spirit.

Claire loves her pony, even though he may not be the top end type of pony she sees so often at the horse shows she attends.

"[Ben] moves like a horse, with a huge stride. He has an ego the size of Texas but I think that is what makes me like him so much. He tries so hard and always thinks he's right. He's also extremely competitive, like myself. He'll push past other ponies in the flat classes when they are trying to cut him off."

Although Ben suffered an injury last winter that kept him out of commission for about 2 months, Claire reports, "He has come back strong, he has a fighting spirit, and now he's better than ever."

Claire keeps riding as the main focus in her life, but other activities she likes to participate in include swimming and hockey. She has many friends in school, but admits that it's difficult to socialize with her non-horse friends outside of school because with homework and her focus on riding there often isn't time.

"I always say to myself that riding has to come first. If I ever want to go to a movie or party I make sure I have time to ride that day and not be rushing. It is a sport that takes up a lot of time and commitment."

If there were anything Claire would change about pony riding and horse showing if she could, it would be the expense of the sport.

"So many young and talented riders are out there that can't get noticed because they don't have enough money to pay for a show every weekend."

Claire carefully picks the shows that she will attend because of the great expense involved with showing, but even with her limitations she is showing that she can successfully compete in this area.

Claire's goals for the coming years are to try to work toward competing in the AHSA Pony Medal, which has always been a dream of hers, as well as moving up to compete in the large pony hunters. Ben will be retired this year at the age of 18, so Claire is in search of a new partner. Claire currently trains with Christie Bigelow of Rose Hill Farm.

When asked about what advice she would offer younger riders looking to break into the world of pony hunters, Claire offers:

"It is important to never let anything set you back. You may not have the perfect pony - I know I don't, but I've worked with him and I've never given up on him. He's become such an amazing pony now, but he's not an easy ride for just anyone. You have to work with what you have - your time to shine will come sooner than you think."

It is the hard work and dedication of youngsters like Claire and her brave pony Ben that exemplify the spirit of pony riding, and we wish her the best of luck in accomplishing her goals.