Hannah Burnett had a meteoric rise to the highest levels of the sport, after coming up through the Young Riders program, she completed the 2007 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* with Keep the Faith at the age of 21. She has since won the 2009 USEF National CCI2* Championship and the 2010 National CCI3* Championship, both with Dick Thompson's St. Barths. Find out more about Hannah at:www.HSBEventing.com.
I can’t believe it’s already 2011 and time to start the winter eventing season! Last year almost feels as if it didn’t happen, it went by so quickly and was very exciting. I’m so proud of my horses for being so willing and competitive and I’m looking forward to another, even better year!
Hannah and St Barths Look for more Success in 2011
(Josh Walker/US Eventing Photo)
The year has started out with a bang and we’ve already been to a Ocala and Rocking Horse Horse Trials and we’re about to go for our second round in the next coming weekends. We also had our first USET Training Session with the High Performance and Developing Riders. I was able to ride both of my top horses, St Barths, owned by Richard Thompson and Harbour Pilot, owned by Jacqueline Mars. Captain Phillips was happy with the progress I’ve made from last year with Nike (St Barths), and was happy to see that I had another horse working up the ranks. I’ve been working hard on my flatwork with the recent help of Gunnar Ostergaard and consistent help of my coaches Karen and David O’Connor. Gunnar has been working on my position and getting Nike to work forward and in an uphill frame.
In addition to all the lessons, we went to a schooling show at Sharn Wardley’s farm down the road last Saturday and had a blast with all the young horses and getting to practice on our upper level horses in a less-pressure situation in a proper arena with great footing. The next few months have a lot in store, we have another Training Session on the 16th and 17th of Feb. and then back to Rocking Horse where Nike will have his first run of the year. Next month includes my first Derby Cross, put on by PRO on March 5 in Wellington, FL. I’m really looking forward to competing with and against some of the top Eventers, Show Jumpers and Polo Players. Should be a ton of fun and a great competition. Then it’s off to Tallahassee for Red Hills. The life of an Eventer is never dull!
This year I’m working hard to increase my personal fitness and nutrition with the help of the USOC. They were great at our first Training Session and will be helping us to boost our game and stay on track. I’m hoping to see a surge in my competitiveness as my fitness escalates throughout the year. If I expect my horses to be healthy and fit, I shouldn’t expect any less of myself!
As for my horses, I will continue to try to listen to what they need and are ready for. I’m so thankful for the wonderful team here at the O’Connor’s and the best family and friends a girl could ask for. Check out my new website at www.HSBEventing.com. Thanks to Red Horse Media for their continuous hard work.