5Q eventing Seth Tousey

EVENTING
Five Questions for Seth Tousey

Seth Tousey and Griffin at the Southern Pines
Horse Trials II in March
Photo by Amber Heintzberger

By Amber Heintzberger

Seth Tousey, 17 is a rising star in the eventing world. Since he won his first preliminary horse trials at Poplar Place (GA) in 2005, he has brought along a young horse, Griffin to the Intermediate level and is looking forward to continuing up the ranks. A California native, Seth’s family moved east a couple of years ago and landed right in prime Carolina horse country. In addition to riding, Seth says he enjoys reading, music, history, hockey, and spending time with his family. He is sponsored by CWD Sellier Saddles and HoofClix.com Equestrian Photography.

Sidelines: Please tell me about your background with horses.

ST: I have been riding since I was six, beginning on a pony named Spanky who had one gait – fast! He could gallop up and over the hills of our farm while doing the drive through, fast food thing. My brothers and I would topple off, Spanky would stop to savor the long grass, (that he was not otherwise allowed to eat), and we could easily catch him and ride/gallop some more. He was a great pony on which to chase Canada Geese that landed in our fields during their migration. I learned about horses from living with them on our farm, reading a lot of books, a few home school research projects and a home school equine science unit. I have been lucky enough to be around young horses and have learned from them from the beginning.

Sidelines: Please tell me about your current horse and your goals for him.

ST: I own and ride my horse Griffin. He is a six-year-old Selle Francais/ Thoroughbred cross, born and bred here in Tryon, North Carolina. The owner of the sire is LaNet Johnson at Spindle Top Farms. Griffin has Galoubet bloodlines on both sides of his pedigree, giving him his scopey jumping abilities, in addition to the warmblood "big" movement important in the dressage ring - now if I could just ride in the dressage ring, we would be all set...! My current goals are Radnor or Bromont this fall (2007), for Griffin and I to go advanced next spring, to compete at the 2008 North American Young Rider Championships at the CCI** level and then to compete at Rolex in 2009.

Sidelines: Who is/are your coach(es) and what have they done for you?

ST: I work primarily with Amy Barrington. She helps me on the flat and over jumps. I have learned solid dressage training and wonderful teaching tools from Carol Bishop. I have worked closely with Beth Perkins and spent 1 1/2 summers as her working student in Area I. I am fortunate that Amy and Beth share a close friendship and now that I live so close to Amy, I have the benefit of Beth’s influence through her. Moving to Tryon, NC, an equestrian community with trails, riding rings, schooling shows, etc, has been an added boost to my riding.

Sidelines: How do you balance riding with school and other activities?

ST: I have been a home school student since the 6th grade. Now, I am able to balance my riding with school because of a flexible high school correspondence school - Keystone National High School. I am able to work at my own pace, turn in my tests and research papers to my teachers within the given deadline. The Polk County High School has opened its doors to home school students for the fall of 2007 - I will enter there to take the required math and science courses that I can then "transfer" to Keystone.

Sidelines: How is your family involved in your riding?

ST: I have two brothers that are no longer remotely interested in riding (they gave it up after they outgrew Spanky) who help take care of horses if I am away at a competition. My brother, Nick, helps photographer, Mark Lehner when Mark is the sports photographer at horse shows. My youngest brother, David, is a world-class kid-sitter, and looks after Amy Barrington’s son as well as other "hangers-on" when we are at horse shows. They both help with farm chores including the endless mowing that accompanies a farm located on a lush river bottom. Mum has been at nearly every competition I have ever entered. She is the administrator for the endless paperwork that is required by USEA USEF and the FEI! Besides meeting me for lunch dates (Mum works full time) to go over schoolwork, she is the groom, stall mucker, confidant and check-writer that helps make it all happen. I couldn’t do this sport without the help and support of my family.