Nealia's Articles
Quest for the Holy Grail
By Nealia McCracken
Our journey through our first year in equitation with our daughter can best be described as a crusade. As rulers of kingdoms in the distant past had done making preparations, taking their knights to conquer all in the quest for the Holy Grail so did the kingdom of North Wind Stables. The Princess Jessica (in our case our daughter) expressed a desire to compete in equitation with her goal being to participate in the national finals across the land. To indulge her wishes a plan was needed. The rulers of North Wind (that’s Nealia and her husband Mark), a small kingdom located in New Jersey, met with their advisors and came up with a strategy needed for this quest. Mark it was decided would stay home to collect taxes (a real job outside of the horses) to help fund this endeavor. While Nealia on the other hand would gather her bravest knights (Lalo our head groom, Jason her son and Stephanie an assistant) and would venture out and to start the adventure.
Many elements were needed before even partaking this quest. The first being a noble steed and it couldn’t be just any noble steed as we were told. A horse that was beautiful and refined with spirit yet contained in manner enough for the beautiful princess. With a name befitting a princess, Callaway’s Royal Request was chosen as her mount. (Mark assessed funds from the royal treasury [translation: his bonus]) and the horse was acquired. Next a tailor had to be found with finely woven materials. Not just any tailor, a tailor who was capable of designing a riding habit fit for a princess. With the guidance of Instructress Lisa from the kingdom of Cricket Hill we found a suitable tailor. With the help of Sir Carl and Sir Dale, Master Instructress Lisa used a talent that almost seemed magical. With an ever-knowing eye Lisa chose the material and selected the color almost out of thin air that transformed the maiden Jessie into a princess. The secrets of her kraft were not shared and reveled to only a select few.
As the noble steed was being prepared under Nealia’s tutelage the princess began her daily regime to ready her for the upcoming quest. During the winter months mother and daughter worked tirelessly on form, patterns, strength and attitude. Each component being as important as the next in the overall picture. To ease the strain within the royal family between mother and daughter, Nealia sought the advice from her colleges in the training world. The decision was made to consult with a master instructress with an almost magical touch, the Mistress Lillian.
As winter turned to spring and with a break from her studies the princess and her mother journeyed to a very De Lovely kingdom far away to sharpen the skills needed for the quest. Meanwhile back in the North Wind kingdom, Mark was hording funds and other valuables into a reserve ear marked to fund this venture (still working). During this visit a feast was prepared to allow the princesses Alexandria and Gabriella and the young prince Tyler to become friends with Jessica over a rousing game of ping-pong. It is our belief as well as the Flynn’s, that children of all kingdoms are friends first and only competitors in the ring. It was held at the Flynn manor with Dr Flynn and his wife Mira graciously hosting the event with fine food and lively conversation. It was during this break in spring that the princess, her mother and the master instructress Lillian formed a new alliance to perfect the princess’s equitation skills. Mistress Lillian after weaving her magic and strengthening the equitation bond between mother and daughter sent them are their merry way to compete for their quest. During her time spent the princess made a bond that made her also feel a part of this other kingdom. Part of this learning process encouraged by Mistress Lillian is all princesses shall prepare their own mounts for practice rides and help others in need.
The advisors at this point felt it was important to deliver well-crafted messages that contained a likeness of the princess informing the people of the land about her progress and abilities for this quest. (Ad with a photo) Alas how should such messages be delivered? In the national saddlebred horse publications of course! (Mark immediately had to increase taxation in the kingdom of North Wind [translation: work harder!!!)
In late April of the year 2002 a small army was amassed to begin this quest and many vehicles were called upon to move our small village from competition to competition across the land. With the premiere show in the spring there was need of a consultant who could refine and enhance the natural beauty of the princess with her magical paints and potions (doing make-up the right way). Since the attention to detail is so important the nationally known horseman Mistress Karen was called. This multi talented petite lady cheerfully volunteered her services before every competition. At this show the princess multi qualified in competition to be able to continue her quest later in the season.
It was time to return home for fresh supplies and horses and to Mark who was still collecting funds (still working) to maintain the coffers at North Wind kingdom. While back at our kingdom trainer Nealia was again refreshing and preparing her stable of noble steeds for the onslaught of competition. The princess Jessica during this time continued her work on equitation by utilizing the kingdom of North Wind’s practice horses. More lunge lessons! More pattern work! More strengthening exercises and work without stir-ups. All this was needed to hone her skills for the quest of the finals.
It was during this time that King John from the Kingdom of Chestnut Lane, from more southern lands arrived to visit and exchange ideas with the Queen Nealia. King John and his loyal subject Jenny came to request Nealia’s skills and help. While Nealia worked her magic on their noble steed, John using his skills as one of the past top equitation riders shared his knowledge with the princess. Fun was had by all and ended with a great feast before John and his companion made their long journey home.
As the middle of May approached the bonnie blue state of Virginia welcomed our traveling party. After several shows already under our belt, the strain on the trainer-mother combination had reared its ugly head once again. It was time to seek the advice of another master instructress. Alas Mistress Lillian was traveling in other parts. What will we do? Hark! Nealia spotted colleague and friend Mistress Ellen and maid Molly, from the kingdom of Cryst-A-Kell, taking a morning stroll. For this competition an arrangement was made and the princess was introduced to the Master Instructress Ellen. Nealia’s faith in the Mistress Ellen’s abilities was rewarded seemingly by magic. Jessica’s enthusiasm and competitive edge returned allowing her to qualify yet for another final. The kindness and generosity of the kingdom of Cryst-A- Kell went beyond that of Mistress Ellen. Let it be known that the people of Cryst-A- Kell and their ruler James were seen offering words of encouragement to the princess during this bonnie blue competition. As Mistress Ellen had done in the past with the banished older princess Erin, she unselfishly worked her magic again with the princess Jessica.
As the summer progressed the Kingdom of North Wind ventured to areas far and wide to compete and qualify for the remaining finals. By the first of August the team of Princess Jessica and the noble steed named Royal Request had qualified for 8 equitation finals. (11 and under, 13 and under and pleasure 13 and under ( UPHA), 13 and under Pleasure Olympics, USAE Medal, East Coast Equitation Event, New England Medal finals and The Good Hands ) Since the summer competition went well it was decreed by the King and Queen of North Wind that it was decided that the princess would go to work again under the tutelage of Mistress Lillian. This time Jessica was accompanied by the Queen Mother Cora and the dutiful knight Sir Jason. Master Instructress Lillian had only 3 days to again work her magic that allowed Jessica to rekindle her edge in equitation.
After receiving the summons to join all equine kingdoms in the land of Kentucky, call is Camelot if you will; it was now time to once again journey to another competition. With the entire royal court in tow the Kingdom of North Wind staked their claim in the newly formed tent city of Camelot. It was all that we expected it to be with the noblest of steeds, the fairest of maidens and many kingdoms from across the land watching the bravest knights compete in tournaments. After qualifying to top honors Princess Jessica along with the many other prince and princesses now were to test their skills in the championship class. The noble steeds carried their riders in the required preliminary rounds (rail work) and 6 teams were called out to perform a very intricate pattern to determine the winner of this championship class. As this was the princess’s first major competition in the land her nerves ran high given the inexperience and young age of our competitor. Under these conditions Jessica preformed the pattern with fine determination, but accidentally left out a portion of the pattern. After the class it was necessary to view the royal recording of events with the masters at Richfield. Upon seeing the errors of her ways the princess vowed never to let her nerves take control of her again. All in all the entire court of North Wind felt it was a valuable experience for the princess that is now much wiser.
With less than a fort night to prepare for the first national final (the Pleasure Olympics) the Kingdom of North Wind once again was venturing to distant lands to compete in the green lands of Wisconsin. This was a homecoming event as the kingdom of North Wind was originally created in this area. Returning to this show was a special event for the North Wind court. The competition consisted of the princesses mounted on their steeds to compete in a 2 staged tournament (rail work and workout). With all the competitors performing at their peak it was a very exciting competition and all that was left was to award the top 10 placings and finally the top three winners with the bronze, silver and gold medals. The town crier, announcer Dennis Porrick, announced to all that the bronze winner was Princess Victoria from New Orleans, the silver to xxxxx and the gold being awarded to Princess Jessica of North Wind. These were honors never previously bestowed on anyone from the distant eastern lands. As the steeds were cared for and returned to their lodgings the Princess Victoria from the Kingdom of Cascade under the direction of the Master Instructress Barbie visited Jessica to begin a friendship bond between competitors. Jessica was awarded not only the gold medal, but a very large silver chalice. Was this the first step to the Holy Grail? Did we achieve it?
We are on to the quest for the 2nd jewel in the crown traveling to the lands of Indianapolis. This tournament hosted the UPHA Pleasure Equitation competition in a three sectioned event. The morning rail and workout and later followed with the finalists (top 10) returning for one final rail phase. After the top 10 were announced the Reserve Champion Princess Magdalena from the Kingdom of Knollwood under the rule of King Scott and Queen Carol was called. The champion once again from the North Wind kingdom was the Princess Jessica. As the noble steeds were being cared for the 3 princess’ from the Cascade kingdom greeted Jessica to exchange hugs and friendship. (It was difficult to tell who actually the champion was among this group given their excitement for Jessica. They were all champions.) All were questioning the princess if she was venturing to the land of St Louis to compete for the 3rd jewel in the crown. When Jessica explained that the North Wind court was not making this journey this year they were genuinely disappointed.
Since it was again about a fort night before we returned to the land of Kentucky to compete in the UPHA 11 and under, North Wind returned to the land of Jersey for rest, gather more supplies and empty the coffers to finance the next tournament. As we readied the noble steed Calloway’s Royal Request (a.k.a. Royal) for this national competition the nerves of both the Queen Instructress and Princess Jessica were once again frazzled. With Mistress Lillian at hand Jessica was readied for the competition the next day. This event is also a 3 part competition requiring the participants in the morning to compete on the rail and in individual workouts and in late afternoon bringing the top 10 prince and princesses back for the final rail work. Reserve is called first and the Princess Olivia from the kingdom of Zubrod was asked to accept her award. We nervously waited to see if the Princess Jessica could once again rein victorious. She was chosen as champion in the competition. The winds of good fortune have truly blessed us and we once again journeyed back to the east bringing along with us two more mighty silver chalices. Hark are any of these the magical holy grail that can put an end to our quest? King Mark back at the North Wind kingdom wants to know so that taxes can be lowered throughout the land (bonus to be used for family vacation-maybe?). The advisors could not appease the King and suggested that the journey must continue.
We found it was customary for us to send announcements across the land on the Princess Jessica’s good fortune. We once again hailed the experts from the national magazines to create the appropriate greetings to be sent to all.
During a brief rest before the final grouping of national competition we received from couriers (US Mail) several sealed parchments (letters). Among them there were acknowledgements from Master Instructress Donna Pettry Smith from the Kingdom of Royal Scot, the queen Sewell mother of Princess Rachel from the kingdom of Clover Leaf and likenesses of the princesses Jessica and Magdalena (photos) from the kingdom of Knollwood from the queen mother of Magdalena.
Alas it is now time for us to ponder and reflect on our good fortunes and a vision appeared to us to remind us that no one person can enter this quest alone. It required master craftsman in many areas and kings/queens who willingly sacrifice their hard earned treasure to allow the financing of such ventures. This goes even to the skilled groomsman of the steeds, the blacksmith whose profession appears to have not changed much over time but has moved into the space age and lastly we thank the caretakers of the health and well being of the steeds (the vets). We know now that the quest for the holy grail is never ending, but the journey along the way if filled with many fine people and numerous and uncountable life experiences that makes this voyage one that shall be continued.
