What single common thread draws all event riders to the sport of eventing?  I personally believe it’s the thrill of galloping safely and boldly through the finish flags of a cross country course.  For the last several years, I’ve been lucky enough to train with Sally Cousins.  Sally is located in my area and is also one of the most talented and successful cross country riders in the United States.   On any given weekend she will be out there (often braving all sorts of elements) riding three to six horses at a single event.  At Middletown, several years ago, she actually rode nine horses in one day!  I happened to be there and that meant 27 mounts and dismounts. Can you imagine?  So, in the spirit of interviewing sponsored riders, Sally took some time to talk to Tack Culture about cross country, the phase that is dear to her.

TC: When schooling cross country with your students what are some of the essential truths you teach and try to instill?  

Sally:  I want all of my students to have a good margin of error. They should be safe out on course and be schooling a little bit higher than the level they are currently competing.  

TC:  I have watched you ride so many horses at all different levels.  How do you build confidence in the horses you ride?

Sally:  Every time I school, I try to set the horse up for success.  I want them to come away confident.   When I am on course or even in schooling I evaluate how the horse is reacting to the new things I might be asking of it.  Often horses are more mentally overwhelmed than physically challenged. I also make sure that the horse is well confirmed at the level I am currently training and competing before I ask more of them. 

TC: What characteristics do you think make a good cross-country horse? 

Sally: I want them to be safe jumpers.  They don’t necessarily have to be the bravest horse.  You can train them to be brave, but you can’t train a horse to be safe.  If a horse never ever, ever stops and runs at the jumps that horse just might not be the safest ride.

TC:  Is there one cross country fence you personally don’t like? You know the ones that keep us up at night.    

Sally: Over the years I have had many bogey fences.  Then I realized that if I was worried about every type of jump I had ever had a problem with I would never get out of the start box.  I still have jumps I don’t love on certain horses but it is usually specific to what the horse does not do well.

TC: What is one of your most memorable cross country rides? 

Sally:  It was Burghley 1984. I was 20 years old and I was riding a twelve year old mare that I had since she was two.  As is common at Burghley there were a number of well known riders having trouble.  I had gone with Bruce and Torrance and both of them had problems so I was shocked to canter through the finish flags with a clear round. 

TC:  Do you like the long or short format?

Sally:  I must say I like the short format.  I was fortunate enough to ride many horses in the long, but I believe the short is easier on the horses.

TC: What words of wisdom do you have about using studs and any recommendations regarding footing?

Sally:  I think using a little more stud is always better.  I want my horses and students to feel confident when they are out on XC and I don’t want them to slip.  On harder ground I use a pointy stud and on wet ground I use a square one. There are times I use different studs in the same foot.  I always put a smaller one inside and a larger one on the outside.   If you are unsure make sure to ask someone who is knowledgeable.

TC:  How do you stay mentally tough? 

Sally: Great question and I wish more trainers talked about this.    I work at it every day.   If I am having an “off day” I constantly remind myself and discipline myself to stay focused.  On those days, I don’t put my horses or myself in spots where we might fail.  I try and do something that will set us up to succeed.

TC: How do you stay physically fit? 

Sally: I ride a ton! During the season I ride about ten to twelve horses a day.  Even in the off-season I ride a minimum of six to eight.  It is important for me not to let myself get too unfit in the winter months. If I had more time in the day, I would do some stretching or try and swim.  I would like to do some impact exercise such as running but my joints won’t hold up to that.

TC:  Which cross country riders inspire you? 

Sally:  I like to watch Phillip and Buck ride. They are not tall men, but it is amazing to see how they use their bodies to help get horses to go.

TC:  Do you have any major goals for 2012?

Sally: I plan to head toward Rolex and I will be moving all of the babies up. 

2011 was a stellar year for Sally Cousins who is sponsored by Tredstep.    Sally finished the season as USEA Intermediate Rider of the Year, Leading Lady Rider for the fourth year in a row, and her horse The Robber Baron was the Intermediate Horse of the Year.

A big thank you goes out to Sally for taking the time to talk to us.  So TC eventing  fans, we hope you kick on, stay focused and are safe in 2012!