Interview with Amy Tryon

2006 USEA Lady Rider of the Year

True confession: when Olympic eventer Amy Tryon enters the room, I go shy and tongue-tied. In my mind, she’s a hero. Someone with incredible drive and talent. I assume the 2006 USEA Lady Rider of the Year has better things to do than talk with a mere mortal, such as myself.

Good news: nothing could be further from the truth. While Amy is a shy, private person, she started from humble beginnings like most of us and enjoys helping riders at all levels.

“I’m happy to answer questions about a course walk, or even training issues,” she says. Which is exciting for Northwesterners, since Amy has a wealth of knowledge we can surely benefit from.

Amy shared some of that knowledge at the recent (February 3rd) USEA Area VII annual awards meeting. In a panel discussion, as well as a follow-up on her experiences at the World Equestrian Games, Amy shared her perspective on training, selecting a suitable horse, and competing at the international level. Her husband, Greg, was there to help to scoop up the arm loads of awards Amy earned at the regional level.

While the information Amy shared was invaluable, it was just as rewarding to get a better feel for this amazing woman, who has contributed so much to U.S. Olympic eventing team. What’s Amy Tryon up to these days? To start, she has five horses qualified for the U.S. Event Team’s Winter Training—which is phenomenal. She’s hoping to take Le Samurai to Rolex and is considering taking Woodstock to the Pan American Games. As for Poggio, the horse she describes as having “exceeded his physical abilities,” she hopes to qualify him for the Olympics but, as she notes, “If Poggio never jumps another fence for me again, he owes me nothing.”

“The hardest thing,” Amy notes, “is keeping horses coming through the pipeline. You have to keep youngsters coming along. It can take three to five years to take them to the Advanced level, where they won’t necessarily make it. I don’t know if a horse can actually do a 4-star until he crosses the finish line.”

Amy’s approach to developing horses is both inspiring and effective. While some assume Amy’s been handed “made” horses, Le Samurai is the only horse she’s worked with that was going Advanced when she got him. The others she has developed from the lower levels. The fact that she keeps her horses going, also attests to her effective horse management practices.

“I spend a lot of time taking young horses to shows and not showing them,” Amy says. She likes to give youngsters the chance to get used to the environment before asking them to work through the distractions.

“It’s about developing the horse’s confidence,” Amy says. “99.9% of horses want to jump. You have to figure out how to let them jump a fence the way they want to. I never show a horse what he can’t do. Don’t trick it.”

“For me, the biggest thing is repetition,” Amy says. “Poles. Cavaletti. Little fences. If any time the horse questions, go back a step.” When it comes to speed, Amy uses this rule of thumb: “I go as fast as this horse can go in balance. I don’t put him in a position he can’t jump out of. I set him up in balance and give him a correct distance—never lie to him or he’ll learn to stop.”

One of Amy’s favorite training exercises was recommended to her by Captain Mark Phillips. “Even with my experienced horses, I’ll spend 45 minutes jumping a 1 1/2 to 2’ fence on an eight-foot stride. The horse needs to canter the fence without changing rhythm, staying balanced,” Amy explains. “I’ll do that three times a week, carrying it over into my warm-up at a show.” The exercise is especially effective with horses who tend to rush.

Amy also doesn’t hesitate to use a show as a schooling effort. “You have to be willing to lose points. Sometimes you have to go to a show (especially with an older horse) and address issues at lower-level shows, so they’re better at higher-level shows.” Amy’s put this into practice by halting mid-test in a dressage show, circling after a fence, or having her horse trot up to a fence. “David O’Connor would take Custom Made on course, halt and rein back, when needed,” she noted. “The goal isn’t to win every horse trial, every weekend—the goal is to have your horse peak at a particular championship.”

What’s most impressive about Amy’s training program is her attention to the needs and abilities of each particular horse. Regarding teaching flying changes, Amy recommends patience, “It took My Beau five years to do them consistently,” she notes.

To keep her horses sound, Amy ices each horse for 40 minutes every time they jump. “When you create heat in the legs, you have to take it away,” she emphasizes. Amy laughs, describing the ice machine her husband bought her from Home Depot as “the best present I ever got.” In addition to working with her vet, Amy uses Adequan as needed to protect joints, and is a big fan of UlcerGard. “Try it for five days,” she recommends. “I’ve seen it improve performance in horses that haven’t been diagnosed with ulcers. It’s worth a try.”

Setting aside expectations about moving up the levels at a particular speed is healthier for horse and rider. Being prepared to move back a step if a horse is confused or unable to do what you ask of him. Being willing to lose points by schooling at a show. In short, Amy Tryon has a long-term attitude about the development of each horse. “If he doesn’t work out for me as an upper level horse,” she says, “I want him to be able to have a useful life.”

With her husband, Greg’s, support, Amy has retired from her long-term job as a firefighter, to dedicate more of her time to riding and training horses. Upon her return from Rolex this spring, Amy will be accepting horses into training. She also sells horses on commission and is available for clinics.

Contact Amy Tryon at Mapleleaf Eventing at UpsonDowns, Duvall, Washington. (425) 867-9553; (425) 922-0839; FurryPony@aol.com or visit www.teamtryon.com

An Olympic Misconception

Myth: If you qualify for a spot on an Olympic team, your expenses are covered by the U.S.E.T.

Reality: Riders pay horse and rider expenses out of pocket.
“I spend two days a week fund-raising and contacting sponsors,” Amy notes. “People have been generous, but I depend on the kindness of strangers.”

While generous owners have given Amy the opportunity to ride talented horses, she pays most of their expenses herself. One of the biggest expenses is the cost of flying horses overseas—which typically runs $10k to $15k one way. With five horses qualified for winter training, the expenses are astronomical.

You can partner with Team Tryon to assist Amy in the costs of international competition. Donations are 100% tax deductible according to IRS Code Section 501(c)(3). Send donations to the American Horse Trials Foundation with a note on the check indicating that funds are to go to Amy Tryon.

American Horse Trials Foundation, Inc.
221 Grove Cove Rd, Centreville, MD 21617
ahtf@att.net or (443) 262-9555

Humble Beginnings

Amy started riding at age eight with trainer Ruth Moore of Whidbey Island, competing in her first 3-day event on a borrowed pony. “Ruth gave me really good basics,” Amy says. “I still take lessons with her occasionally.”

Her first big break came after she took two horses to Radnor. After finishing first and sixth, Amy and Poggio were put on the Winter Training List. “Captain Mark Phillips worked with us, facilitated opportunities, and gave me confidence,” she says.

Her chance of competing at the Pan American Games seemed slim: she was #12 of 12 on the short list. But, when six horses went lame, Amy found herself on the U.S. Team. The team won a Gold medal; Amy was 4th individually.

“I was shoe-stringing it at the time,” Amy says. “I never really set out to ride in the Olympics. I just love to ride. I’ve done more than I ever thought was possible, had incredible opportunities, and horses to ride—plus the support of my family and husband, Greg.

“It’s a misnomer that Northwest riders aren’t good enough. If you produce the goods, they’ll definitely give you a chance.” Indeed, Amy encourages riders with the goods to “go for it.”

Horse Shopping for Amateur Riders

While Amy Tryon’s had great success with off the track Thoroughbreds, she doesn’t recommend them for the typical adult amateur.

“Don’t buy a green horse off the track,” Amy emphasizes. “Buy a 10 or 12 year old horse that won’t vet perfectly. Working with your vet and good management can keep him going and you’ll learn a lot.”

“So many people want something fancy and hot. That’s unfortunate. They don’t want an Appy, a Morgan, or an Arab—which may be just the right horse for them.”

“I see parents spending lots of money on horses that are ridden only by a trainer—not by a mere mortal. Rarely do I see a horse that’s been ridden (exclusively) by a professional adapt to an amateur.”

“I look for a good mind and aptitude for the sport. I want to see a good walk and canter, since you can do a lot to improve the trot. The hardest thing to assess is the mind. Especially with young horses, it can be hard to see.”

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