While the Area 1 season is at its height, our program is rapidly growing, and the list of achievements of all growing longer by the weekend, we had some time to catch up with Rory Cashman! Something that sets Rory apart from the majority of our other program members is that she sits on our Young Rider Committee which was newly formed earlier this year. Along with some of her fellow Young Riders, Rory helps us create, brainstorm and organize ways to grow the program and offer more opportunities at large.
Being a new member to the Young Rider Program came from Rory being fairly new to eventing. “It is a great place to learn about the sport while also taking part in some of the amazing opportunities they offer,” she said about the program, “I love the chances to learn through camps and clinics as well as being able to meet other eventers through fun events like the team challenges.” While she is new to eventing, Rory is no stranger to the equine world. “My first riding lesson was my sixth birthday present from my parents. They say that the moment they saw me sitting up on the horse they knew this was going to be my passion!” The lessons she took were at Hunter Jumper barns and it wasn’t until she was 14 that she decided to explore the Eventing world.
As all eventers know, our versatile partners come in all different shapes, sizes and have different histories. “When I first started Eventing, I spent a good amount of time working with rescues and that taught me so much about training and working with horses not only while riding but also from the ground.” Less than a year after falling in love with Eventing, she “finally found the right trainer for [her]” in 2021 when she met Katherine Cooper of Beniah Lane Farm in Epping, NH. After being with Katherine for a year she got a call from her saying one of her old students was headed off to college and needed someone to lease her 13-year-old OTTB, Sandy Prince. “I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to lease Prince and it has been a wonderful journey so far! I have gotten so many opportunities since then such as competing in my first sanctioned events, becoming president of the Pinkerton Academy equestrian team, and being a part of the Area 1 Young Rider Committee.”
Rory and Prince had their first official meeting shortly after Katherine gave her the call. “We’ve been a great team ever since!” It’s hard to disagree with that when the pair came home with the win for their debut event as a pair. The duo ended on their dressage score in the Junior Open Beginner Novice division at Huntington Farm’s August Horse Trial in 2022. “I’ve had many memorable moments as a rider but one of my most memorable was from my first sanctioned event. In spite of a stressful start to the day, Prince and I placed first and got closest to the optimum time out of all the divisions!” That sounds like a pretty memorable moment to us too! Especially having a solid grasp on time on cross country for a first horse trial. “He loves cross country,” she said, “and German horse muffins! He also enjoys hacks through the back roads of New Hampshire and he gets so excited when we come to shows. I’m so lucky to have him as my partner and I have learned so much from him.” We think Prince is pretty lucky too, Rory!
Looking ahead to the season, Rory’s goals consist of qualifying for the Area 1 Championship for Beginner Novice which will be held next month at Genesee Riding and Driving Club Horse Trials in Geneseo, New York. “In the long term, I hope to move up to Novice either this season or next and I hope to be able to build a career in the Eventing world.” It’s safe to say Rory’s on the right track as not only is she making new connections in Area 1 this year, but has begun outlining a podcast for the Young Rider Program! “I hope to not only meet new people in the horse world but also learn from their experience and be able to share that with an audience.” We are so excited to see where Rory takes this and are so fortunate to be the platform for her great ideas!
While still in high school, she also has plans to attend a college that has a competitive riding program to continue her training. We can’t wait to see where she ends up and make sure to tag along with us and tune into the first episode of the Area 1 Young Rider podcast!