Author Archives: victoria
My August PhelpsSports.com Column: My First Show — Take Two
While the top equestrians were gathering to compete in London earlier this month, I was busy getting ready to compete, too. It was my first show in over a year… August 1, 2012: Its 3:00 on Wednesday afternoon. I just need to wrap up a final work project and head home to change into my more »
Go Irish!
At the “Meet and Greet” during the Fidelity Jumper Classic, Hampden Falls, NH this past week children posed questions to their idols in the sport including Anne Kursinski, Candice King, Christine McCrea, Chris Kappler, Peter Leone and international course designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. The event was hosted by local celebrity amateur rider and award winning more »
Guest Blog — Tracy Vandegrift
My name is Tracy, and I found Victoria’s Facebook page through a mutual “like” on someone else’s horse oriented Facebook page. I, too, am on a “Quest for the Prix”, and although I have an age disadvantage, I just turned 50, my passion and my horse’s talent are going to get me there. I got more »
Show Advice From My Riding Friends
My first competition was a year ago and I fell off! Tomorrow is my first show since. I have been asking everyone at my barn for their advice (as I am so nervous!) and here is a video of what they had to say. Do you have advice for me? If so, comment here. Share more »
My First Horse Show… Take Two
This video was of my very first competition – ever. It was taken over a year ago at Fieldstone Show Grounds in Halifax, MA. I seriously think I was demented to have even considered, let alone actually attempted, a one meter course with 12 fences on my young horse as a novice rider for my more »
Learning from the Master
The saying “Man plans and God laughs” comes to mind with respect to my trip to meet and train with show jumping great Peter Leone this week. I was scheduled to meet Peter at his equestrian estate, Lionshare Farm, on Wednesday and Thursday, but my horse, Jaliska, was injured last Tuesday. We think that she more »
A Brief History of My Quest: From Gypsy to Jaliska
I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. When I was five Santa brought me a dappled gray Shetland pony named Gypsy. My father put me on her with just a bridle to cling to. Gypsy took off galloping, tearing across the neighbor’s property lines; I was instantly hooked. When I outgrew Gypsy my more »