By Rennie Dyball

Adrienne Sternlicht

“My most embarrassing memory in the show ring to date happened when I was competing in the junior hunters during WCHR week at WEF. 

I was in the lead for champion going into the second day, and my mare always placed highly in the under saddle. When I went in for the flat, my show shirt quickly came unbuttoned revealing a bright neon green sports bra. I spent the majority of the flat class trying to rebutton my shirt, yet the buttons just kept opening one by one! 

My mom was very confused why I didn’t place! My trainer at the time, Andre Dignelli, nicknamed me ‘Casual Saturday’ as a result. While it was several years ago, and now a hilarious memory, I feel like I’ve never live that nickname down!”

Stephanie Danhakl

“In the early 2000s when I was a junior riding with Archie Cox, I thought it would be fine to skip breakfast before a horse show. I was competing in the junior hunters that day on my beloved horse Lifetime, who was always perfect. 

We had a lovely round, but I some-how managed to go off course! I was very embarrassed because it was a simple single-outside-diagonal-outside hunter round. I went in for the second round determined to get it right and went off course again! 

Archie said, ‘That’s the last time you skip breakfast before a horse show!’ Ever since then, I am obsessive about packing meals for when I show so that it never happens again!” 

Archie Cox

“In 2001, I was competing at Madison Square Garden and I hipped in so hard, knocking down all the standards. I also hit the pommel so hard that I grunted, and made eye contact with Fergie the Duchess of York. I will always remember that moment, and now smile ear to ear.”  

*This story was originally published in the April 2021 issue of The Plaid Horse. Click here to read it now and subscribe for issues delivered straight to your door!