(On a Horse) by Geoff Young

JUST DO IT. (on a horse) By Geoff Young

erena Williams, LeBron James, Tiger partner and horse, Sjapoer (by Contango), completed her fi rst I-1 competition and Woods and Ayden Uhlir all have a 14-year-old KWPN gelding. had scored a 72.7%. Needless to say she S one thing in common. Three of the Horse Connection caught up with was very excited. names listed are known to anyone who Ayden while she and Sjapoer were HC: How do the classes at the Del has been on planet earth the last several competing in Dressage Week at the Del Mar show compare to the NAJYR years. They are superstar athletes who have Mar National horse show. She had just Championships, where you won two won multiple championships, gold medals? Olympic Gold Medals, and a fan base in the millions. So AU: It felt a little more intense who is Ayden Uhlir and what than NAJYRC, but I was able does she have in common to keep my nerves in check so with Serena, LeBron and it didn’t bother me that much. Tiger? Nineteen-year-old Ayden HC: How long have you been Uhlir has been signed to competing? a sponsorship deal with Nike, making her the fi rst AU: I’ve competed since I was US equestrian athlete to about eight-years-old, but join the giant sportswear only for the last three and a conglomerate and take her half years at FEI level. place along side the other illustrious athletes who wear HC: Did you ride in any the swoosh logo. And the other disciplines before Nike slogan, “Just Do It,” getting into dressage? certainly applies to Ayden, because against all odds she AU: When I was seven, my went and did it! mom let me do some jumping, Ayden, while unknown but only for a little bit. It was to the general public, is an uncomfortable for me because equestrian superstar in her my mom made me wear this own right winning back-to- Sjapoer has shoes and now, protective safety vest that was back Individual Gold Medals at the 2012 thanks to Nike, so does Ayden. so large and restrictive, and I’m all about and 2013 North American Junior and feel in the saddle and this vest was getting Photo courtesy of Lisa Uhlir Young Riders Championships (NAJYRC), in the way. If I’m not comfortable I don’t becoming the fi rst young rider to achieve like to do it so I got out of jumping really such an accomplishment. Of course Ayden quickly and then got hooked on dressage, couldn’t have done all of this without her and have been ever since.

“… we are so affectionate towards one another and I know all his likes and dislikes.” photo by Elma Garcia 2014 62 | JUNE 2014 | HC RUNWAY | HORSECONNECTION.COM THE PLAYGROUND OF LIFE™ | HC RUNWAY | JUNE 2014 | 63 HC: Are you someone who likes to be HC: Getting that connection with a horse have a job and be going to school but that’s in control? is important isn’t it? just not what my life was meant to be like, and I really needed to fi nd a way to fund my AU: Well, some people think that being AU: It really is. Why would a horse want riding myself. So, I decided to send sponsor a control freak is a bad thing but in the to work hard for a rider he isn’t connected books out to every company I knew of, dressage world I think it’s a good thing, with or cares about? and not just companies but families and especially when executing the movements. breeders and individuals. Because what’s HC: You are the fi rst young rider to win the worst that could happen? They say no. HC: Tell us about your horse Sjapoer? back-to-back gold medals at the NAJYR Championships. Following that amazing HC: What was the sponsor book all AU: Sjapoer is a Dutch Warmblood I accomplishment, you started reaching about? What was in it? bought in Holland in the winter of 2011, out to fi nd sponsors to help further your and he just turned 15 in February. riding career. Can you take us through AU: The book was all about me - my life your process for fi nding a sponsor? and my story, the bond between Sjapoer HC: Did you develop a quick connection and myself and what I want to achieve in with Sjapoer? AU: Basically, my parents can’t continue to my career. And what I really wanted the pay for my riding forever and I’m 19 and book to portray to potential sponsors is AU: Oh yes, within three months of getting like most normal 19-year-olds, I should that Sjapoer and I are worth taking a risk him we did the Juniors but we on. There are not many people didn’t do too well that year; we who want to invest money were just working the kinks and products on a young out in our relationship and we person because there isn’t a didn’t know each other very lot of show experience, results well. We were brand new so or consistency. I really want it took some time to develop people to believe in us like I a bond, but the next year we believe in us. I’m really proud really jelled and that’s when of the book and I feel like it we won the gold medal in showed who we are as a team. Individual. The book has lots of photos of me growing up, my fi rst HC: To get to the top of ponies, going up the levels, the podium, it usually and of course, Sjapoer. takes years to develop that partnership with a horse. You HC: I fi nd it interesting did it in one year. that none of the equestrian companies you sent sponsor AU: Yeah, I love to spend time books to agree to sign you, with Sjapoer, just sitting in his but then here comes Nike, stall with him, and I don’t even and suddenly you become have to spend time petting the fi rst US equestrian to him. I just have to be in his be sponsored by this huge area and he in mine, and we sportswear giant. That had are so affectionate towards one another “I love to spend time with Sjapoer, to be incredibly exciting. and I know all his likes and dislikes. It has just sitting in his stall with him, defi nitely been a journey. and I don’t even have to spend AU: Yes, some executives at Nike were interested in my story and they were time petting him. I just have to be in southern California for an ironman in his area and he in mine…” competition and contacted me and wanted Ayden Uhlir is the only young Photo by Elma Garcia 2014 to meet Sjapoer and me and see my barn. rider to have won back-to-back Individual Gold Medals at the NAJYRC. She accomplished the double gold in 2012 and 2013. Photo by Susan Stickle/ USDF.org 64 | JUNE 2014 | HC RUNWAY | HORSECONNECTION.COM THE PLAYGROUND OF LIFE™ | HC RUNWAY | JUNE 2014 | 65 Sjapoer stands patiently as Ayden puts their sponsor’s iconic logo on his fl ank, using colored hair chalk. Signed as a team, Sjapoer, at 1800 pounds, has to be the largest athlete ever signed by Nike. Photo courtesy of Lisa Uhlir

We hit it off and they wanted to know my HC: What Nike clothing do you enjoy Nike, I got some colored hair chalk and plans and goals. A week later they emailed wearing? drew a Nike swoosh on Sjapoer’s fl ank. me and said they were interested in helping It was really adorable and I can do it in me out. Then around the fi rst of April they AU: I really love the Nike Tech Fleece different colors but I don’t think the show fl ew me out to the Nike headquarters in jacket that is a lightweight shell that is so regulations will allow that. Beaverton, Oregon and I met with the soft with really great material that I wear team and took a tour of the campus and it to the barn and over my workout clothes. HC: Have you met any of the other Nike was amazing. If I had to work at an indoor They also sent me some great shoes with athletes, and if not, whom would you job I would work at the Nike campus. It is a my favorite being the Nike Free 3.0. I wear like to meet? wonderful place. them all day at the barn when I ‘m not in my riding boots. AU: I haven’t had a chance yet because I HC: What is it that Nike wants to do was only on the Nike campus for a day, but for you? HC: So will we see the Nike swoosh logo I’m sure I will next time I visit. Nike would on your saddle pads or on you? like to see me become part of the Nike AU: As a rider you have to be in great team going to different events with the physical shape and Nike really wants to AU: I have to see if the dressage rules other athletes. I would really like to meet help me with that by providing products allow it, but I think it would be a great idea. Gabby Douglas and Shawn Johnson, the and different workout techniques using the This is a funny story; after I was signed by Olympic Gymnastic medalists. Nike Training Club App that features videos of workouts HC: Speaking of the that take you step by step, Olympics, is that a goal of showing you how to properly yours? condition yourself. It is a great app and I can take it with me AU: Oh absolutely, that is everywhere and still get the my main goal. Since riders workouts that I need. have a very long career, I can potentially qualify for seven or HC: So Nike is putting eight Olympics, and Nike is together a training program excited with that possibility. At for you? the last Olympics, there was a 70+ year-old Dressage rider AU: Yes, they’re really excited competing. about dipping their toe into the equestrian world and they HC: That’s a good point thought that this would be a because potentially, Nike good time to test the waters has an athlete that can be on with me. The dressage world the world stage for 40 years, is fairly big and Nike is really something that can only be intrigued with the sport, done in equestrian sport. especially with how hard you have to work when you’re AU: Yes, that is one thing that on the horse, while making Nike is excited about – that the it appear that you aren’t doing anything. “Why would a horse public can kind of grow up with me, that Nike has developed a lot of resistance want to work hard for a rider young girls can go through life with me. training and core strength techniques and he isn’t connected with That excites me that I could be a potential they think they can make me a better- or cares about?” role model and help young girls. The sport conditioned athlete in those areas. is amazing and I am so excited to be able to expose it to everybody and give it the appreciation that it deserves.

66 | JUNE 2014 | HC RUNWAY | HORSECONNECTION.COM THE PLAYGROUND OF LIFE™ | HC RUNWAY | JUNE 2014 | 67 HC: I think you are in the perfect for me is learning how to keep my hands don’t know how.” And everybody started position to be a great role model, not just steady and not disrupt the horse’s natural laughing and we all just started calling her because of winning the double gold movement. I need to be able to go with the that. medals in young riders, but the initiative gaits of the horse and follow him with my that you took to fi nd a sponsor, and to hands and be steady. That’s the fi nesse end HC: What are your plans for the rest present yourself in such a way that a of it, to be able to follow the horse with a of 2014? huge company like Nike would take an calm steadiness. interest in you. Has the discipline of AU: Right now Sjapoer and I will be doing Dressage given you some tools that have HC: I heard that you have a funny I-1 classes while he is preparing me for my helped you achieve all of this at such a nickname for Christine. What is it? future horse. I am looking for a younger young age? horse that could do the Brentina cup AU: The “magical unicorn.” I think it is so classes. Sjapoer is not able to take me to AU: I think Dressage has helped me funny that this has become a thing. All of the grand prix level - it’s a huge jump from become more independent – not in a way us who ride with Christine have a really fun young riders to the under 25 grand prix, where I can do whatever I want, but in relationship with her and we were talking and it’s hard to make that jump to reach a way where what I do is done correctly. one day about how awesome she was and I that next level, so I’m working on creating Especially with horses - you have to be in said, “she is like a magical unicorn, because a solid base for myself for that next horse. charge of taking care of this big animal. It’s she can make things happen and we not like a soccer ball where HC: What lessons has when you’re done with it you Sjapoer taught you in your put it in the closet. You have to life? exercise and feed and groom a horse and it is a really big job AU: He has taught me that teaches you responsibility unconditional love. He is for yourself and the horse. always there for me no matter what and that is something HC: You are now training that I want to be for my friends in California with Olympic and family - someone that Bronze medalist Christine they can count on. I also need Traurig. What are you to learn that you can’t always learning under her guidance? control things and horses can defi nitely teach you that! AU: She has been teaching me fi nesse with effectiveness and HC: Since you and Sjapoer she is a wonderful teacher and have been signed as a team I admire her and what she has by Nike, does that make done throughout her career. Sjapoer the largest athlete Nike has ever sponsored? HC: What is fi nesse with effectiveness? AU: Defi nitely the largest. I don’t think there is anybody AU: It is being able to sit on larger than him. He is 1,800 the horse and look like you’re not doing Ayden trains with Olympic Bronze pounds of raw energy and I wouldn’t be anything. Achieving effectiveness is about medalist Christine Traurig. where I am today without him. getting the horse connected without Photo courtesy of Lisa Uhlir pulling him around and forcing him into the contest - being able to get him to be willing to go there without force by using technique and leg aids. The fi nesse part

Ayden - photo by Elma Garcia 2014 68 | JUNE 2014 | HC RUNWAY | HORSECONNECTION.COM THE PLAYGROUND OF LIFE™ | HC RUNWAY | JUNE 2014 | 69 yden will certainly be a fantastic ambassador for the sport of A dressage and equestrians everywhere should be excited with the news that Nike has entered the world of sporthorses. However, it remains to be seen where all of this will lead. Dressage as a sport is far from mainstream, but this is a step that could be very positive in moving horse sport into public awareness. We can only hope that one day we might see Air Uhlir Dressage Boots or Air Sjapoer saddle pads and bell boots under the Nike brand. After all, there wasn’t any Nike golf equipment until Tiger Woods came along. One can only hope and wait. To keep up with Ayden, visit her blog at http://dressagespot.blogspot.com/