By ELIZABETH GIBBS
Riding typically begins and ends in the ring. But for Gigi Phillips, the ring has always been just one small aspect of the sport.
The 17 year-old rider based out of North Carolina has gained recognition not only for being one of the best junior riders on the circuit, but by putting in as much work in the barn as she does the arena.
Her true dedication to the sport and equine care, all while balancing an intense performance schedule, makes Gigi Phillips an incredible role model for the horse community. As the hunters continue to modernize, preserving horsemanship and character in competitors is crucial to keeping our horses healthy and the sport flourishing.
“I began riding at Cedarhill farms, which is actually the same barn where my mom grew up. I initially attended a summer camp there when I was five, and followed up with lessons in the fall. I just loved the idea that not only was I improving each lesson, but the horses were so intelligent that they were learning with me. I also loved the idea that my mom rode there—it made Cedarhill feel even more special of a place to grow and train,” Gigi Phillips tells The Plaid Horse.
For many junior equestrians managing school, a social life, and the barn can become overwhelming. Finding balance in life alongside riding was a challenge for Phillips as well.
“Initially, it was very challenging. I felt like I was always turning down friends or events to be at the barn. It all changed when I was fortunate enough to receive an offer to be a working student at Cedarhill. I switched to an online academy and was finally able to work school around the barn. Even though I had given up the traditional teenage life, I never felt alone. Cedrahill is such a large farm that I found myself surrounded by friends. We all hangout on weekends and it feels like one big family. I also have to give thanks to my trainers Andrea Guzinski and Caroline Foto. I am not even their kid, but they have become like second parents to me.”
Phillips says she has gained so much from being a working student at Cedarhill. Her barn chores usually include laundry, cleaning up tack stalls, organizing the tack room, caring for horses, and sometimes administering medications. She also ride a variety of horses at the farm ranging from extremely green to developed hunters, developing her riding abilities further as well.
“My work continues through the weekends when we show, so I take on some performance care like pulsing, lasering, and poulticing. When I am not training or working, I make an effort to meet with the farm’s vets, so I can better understand how to make our horses feel comfortable. I noticed my confidence at the jumps greatly increased and I felt better prepared to deal with unplanned situations with my horse. I’ve learned how to manage my time and become someone the barn could depend on, whether at home or at shows. I know the experience that has come with being a working student is something that I will carry with me the rest of my life.”
Unfortunately, it is a common theme to see many riders struggle with burnout nearing the end of their junior years. However, through her experience beyond just showing has helped her keep a nice balance with her work and riding.
“I think being involved at every level has not only made this a major sport to me, but a lifestyle as well. Competing in the juniors can get very intense and one of the ways I have found comfort at shows is getting to watch my mom ride. She competes in the long stirrup and seeing how much joy each round brings to her really helps me remember why I do this. On days at the barn where I am struggling or feel defeated, I tell myself that this will all be worth it. This is a sport with constant progress from teaching a young horse how to canter to working on technical skills like perfecting jumping form. There is always growth even if some days it does not feel like it.”
Phillips own horse, Thunderbird, who goes by “Birdy” at the barn, have set an impressive record the past few years.
“I first got Birdy when he was doing the 7-year old jumpers with no hunter experience at all. The next week I showed him in the 3’6 juniors where we ended up champion. Even from those first few rides, you could just tell he loved to learn, had a great work ethic, and truly respected the jumps. I think another big thing that made our partnership so strong is that Andrea and Caroline really pushed me to be the only person who rode Birdy, an this was definitely challenging. Many times I found myself discouraged, or convinced I could not perform some skill. However, my trainers were right there to walk me through it. Their belief in my abilities allowed me to mature alongside Birdy, rather than riding just the finished product. I think I kind of earned Birdy’s respect in that way. We just got to know each other so well both on and off course. I can predict areas in the ring where he may look or have green moments as well as read his behavior in the barn. I think he understands me just as well, which is why he is able to help me in the arena when I make a mistake or need support. By having only one horse, you have the advantage of really getting to know them and creating not only a teammate but a friend.”
Thunderbird and Phillips now show in all three rings. Her current goal with Birdy is to compete at the International Derby Finals in Kentucky this August.
“We showed there last year and made it back for the handy, so I am looking forward to experiencing that again with Birdy and our amazing team at Cedarhill.”
It’s the Hunter Derbies, however, that are by far her favorite out of the three rings they show in. For larger classes, Phillips has found a way deal with nerves before entering the show ring.
“Controlling my stress on a big day starts with my prep at the barn. As my trainer Caroline put it, I like to separate myself from everyone and focus on completing my tasks. I have experienced great results with pulsing and lasering, so I like to do those on all our show horses. You can tell Birdy especially likes it by the way he licks his lips and yawns. I try not to lounge too much but focus on other ways to adjust Birdy’s energy levels like a good walk or early morning hack. Moving towards show time, the worst of my nerves comes during the course walk. I try not to think of them as nerves but rather that I am just super excited and ready to perform. By the time I hit the schooling area, most of my stress has faded into motivation and I start locking in to show. I enjoy the chance to gallop around the ring and Birdy definitely likes showing off at the bigger jumps.”
With her years spent in the hunter world, Phillips says there is one thing she wishes to change in the sport.
“I would love to see horses carry more personality and become less robotic in the ring. It would be nice if a hunter could express itself by showing its ‘greenness’ or playing a little and not receive a harsh penalty. It hurts me as a rider seeing horses over-prepped, over lounged, or over medicated for the purpose of competition. We need to let horses be horses and grow as equestrians to learn to ride them as they are. I think in the end, our animals will become way happier and it will return some energy back into the sport.”
