Featured Rider - Jonathan Holling |
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Jonathan Holling (Part 1 of a 4 Part Series)
Lion King II
Chestnut Thoroughbred (GBR) gelding, 17.0 h.h., 1994
Shaab - Granny Smith
Owner: Jennifer Holling, Ocala, Florida
Direct Merger
Bay Thoroughbred (IRL) gelding, 16.1 h.h., 1996.
Owner: Janet Olsen
The 2007 season is officially underway this week. It all kicked off with the Ocala horse trials, here at home. We had a very successful show this week, with ten horses from our home farm and an additional ten students meeting us at the competition. Everyone had a great time and we came home with all the horses placing well. This is an exciting time of year for us as the young horses are beginning their seasons, while the upper level horses are getting back into their regular program. I have two horses heading to Rolex this year.
The first is my long time partner Lion King. He is coming off his best season to date and I am really excited about the upcoming season. The second is Direct Merger, owned by Janet Olsen, who will be making his first attempt at the Four Star level. I am equally excited about Direct Merger, known in my barn as "Monty", as I truly feel this will be his break out year. Monty is coming into this season off a pretty good year as well. He finished the season in second place in USEA Area III only behind my own Lion King! Monty is one of the most exceptionally athletic horses I have ever sat on.
While this is a good thing, he has put himself into some difficult spots in the past, so this season will be all about getting him more rideable over the jumps. I have to mention how grateful I am to Janet Olsen. Monty has been a real project over the past few seasons, and Janet’s support and belief in both of us has been amazing. I have no doubt that Monty and I would not be heading to Rolex if it weren’t for her. I am planning on starting Monty’s season at Rocking Horse on February 3rd and 4th in the Intermediate Division. I hope this will be a good chance to school him a bit and improve his negotiability on cross-country.
Lion King (Simba) and I are heading back to Kentucky to test ourselves at Rolex in 2007. Simba is a real advanced campaigner, and I have no doubt that he will give me his best effort when we return this year. Competing at Rolex is always an honor and a challenge, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to gallop through the Blue Grass and over those incredible jumps. Simba’s first outing this season will be at Rocking Horse as well, but not until February 20th. He is currently slated to run the advanced horse trial division. Hopefully this will be a good prep for Red Hills two weeks later.
Getting horses ready for a competition like Rolex in April is somewhat of a challenge. It is very tempting to do too much with them early in the season, so I have really tried to hold off until now. Mission accomplished! 
They both look and feel great and I plan to get some help from David O’Connor this week on both of them. David has been a great help to me, especially with Simba, both with their work and my approach to their training. I owe him much of my success. Of course the majority of my thanks need to go to my beautiful wife Jennifer. I couldn’t do any of the things I am doing if it weren’t for her. She completely organizes my life, my business, and tolerates me when I go into my "it’s all about me mode" for the three months leading into any major competition. I don’t know how she does it, but she makes me a better person, and for that I thank her.
They both look and feel great and I plan to get some help from David O’Connor this week on both of them. David has been a great help to me, especially with Simba, both with their work and my approach to their training. I owe him much of my success. Of course the majority of my thanks need to go to my beautiful wife Jennifer. I couldn’t do any of the things I am doing if it weren’t for her. She completely organizes my life, my business, and tolerates me when I go into my "it’s all about me mode" for the three months leading into any major competition. I don’t know how she does it, but she makes me a better person, and for that I thank her. Also exciting and happening this month is the USEA training session on the 30th. Any opportunity to get help from Captain Mark Phillips is always wonderful. Additionally, we have the opportunity to train with Laura Kraut and Klaus Balkenhol. Getting help from such great horse people is a real honor.
I hope to see you all in Kentucky this April. The journey to get there is a long one and I can’t wait to get on the road. Until next month, take care and be sure to get your trip to Kentucky finalized as I am sure this will be another great Rolex!
Jon