About Huxley (b. February 11, 1991)
The
Early Years
Huxley
Greer was born on February 11, 1991. She was brought into a family of
four people, 2 dogs, and four horses and she was first on a horse's back
just days after she was born. She was born into a family who loved to
go on trail rides and go foxhunting. It would
seem only natural that Huxley would be a rider but actually, for the
first ten years of her life, she spent a lot of time riding around bareback,
playing with the dogs, and enjoying the horses, but it appeared that
she was either going to skate competitively or do gymnastics.
It wasn't until her 10th birthday that Eventing took over her blood and
determined her purpose.
Huxley Starts Eventing
Longtime family friend, Katie Crosby,
offered her experienced eventing pony, Fawn, for Huxley to ride. Fawn
was an ideal teacher. She was excellent at jumping provided Huxley was
present and riding, and good about refusing if she felt Huxley was napping.
Huxley and Fawn completed their first Beginner Novice event when Huxley
was 11 years old. In the two years that followed, she worked hard and
was very focused. Her seat and hands developed and she started to eye
the bigger jumps and the bigger ponies, Octavian especially. However,
Juel didn't feel that Huxley was ready for Octavian, but when Huxley
turned 12, Juel and Huxley made a plan to start seriously training the
youngsters in the field. Tara, a Clydesdale/TB born to their
Clydesdale, Molly, four years before was ready to start under saddle
and Darby, a young Halflinger, was also ready to start work. Juel had
planned to homeschool Huxley to give them plenty of time at the barn
together - it was clear that Huxley was serious about riding, and she
kept pestering her mom about Octavian. She insisted she wanted to ride
him, but Juel wasn't sure she was quite ready. Their plan to work intensively
with the horses did not materialize, however, because Juel was diagnosed
with metastatic cancer shortly after Huxley was going to start her
7th grade year at home. A few months later, Juel finally let Huxley
start riding Octavian.
Huxley & Octavian
At
the age of 12, Huxley started riding Octavian. Octavian was, despite
being 12 years old as well, quite green.
Little did Huxley know that the partnership she was forming would prove
to be one that would teach her invaluable knowledge in not only the sport,
but in lessons of perserverence, determination, and quite literally,
stickability. In the summer of 2004, Huxley's parents passed away. It
is often said that horses offer comfort, and for Huxley, this was very
true.
In 2005, Huxley and Octavian officially started their eventing career together. Huxley had been working under strict financial constraints and had been working without the help of a trainer or coach, other than occasional help from her sister, Christy, who had competed primarily in Jumpers, but had done some foxhunting and Dressage. The experience of bringing along a green horse left her with knowledge she may not have obtained otherwise, but the road was a bumpy one. At their first novice horse trial together, Huxley and Octavian received a score of 50 in dressage, but were double clear in both stadium and cross country, which left them in 2nd place at the end of the day. In the summer of 2005, Huxley and Octavian did their first training level horse trial, but were eliminated during cross country when Octavian stopped three times at the next to last fence, a trakehner.
Despite the difficulty of working through some of Octavian's resistance on the flat and the difficulty they had getting out to see new jumps - a necessity in eventing - Huxley persevered. She was determined and laid out her schedules and goals each winter. She hoped to reach the highest level of the sport at some point and wanted to take Octavian as far as he could go, whether she had help or not. Huxley did a lot of reading, watching, and listening. Octavian still had a lot of behavioral issues to work through, including rearing and balking.
Huxley
began thinking about competing at 3 day events when she started learning
about the sport. She used to eye pictures of riders during the first
horse inspections, during the Jog. There was something really special
about the Jog - it symbolized a rite of passage, entry into real 3 day
eventing. In 2007, Huxley finally saw a light in her training with Octavian
and started planning officially, rather than sunconsciously, for their
first one star together. On paper, she had planned to take him to his
first one star in the Fall of 2007, but she and Octavian came face to
face with some clear gaps in experience that summer.
Early in 2008, shortly after her first lesson with new dressage trainer Gabriele Hooten, Huxley began looking for more extensive Eventing guidance. She learned that Molly Bull at Plain Dealing Farm was accepting students. Although located in Scottsville, a 2 hour drive, Huxley, Christy and Rob agreed that good training was a necessity at this point. Molly's teaching style clicked immediately with Huxley, and Hux came away from her first lesson with Molly with a much better understanding of how to ride different kinds of jumps. Molly was exactly the coach she needed. Read more about Molly
A Dream Realized
Molly and Gabi went on to help
Huxley have a good season in 2008. That season culminated in Huxley and Octavian's completion
of their first CCI* at Morven in October 08, a realization of one of
Huxley's lifelong dreams. To find out more about the path to Morven,
read Huxley's 2008 competition and training blog, The
Road to Morven CCI
With Molly and Gabriel's guidance, Huxley and Octavian decided to set their eyes to NAJYRC at the CCI* in the summer of 2009. The 2009 spring season brought a lot of excitement. Huxley and Octavian had a fantastic season, putting them in contention for the Area II CCI* team. In June, the news came that the two of them would be representing Area II at NAJYRC in July! The experience was one that greatly benefited both Huxley and Octavian. They were members of the Area II gold medal winning team. The journey to NAJYRC was full of learning experiences, new friendships, and long lasting memories. Thank you again to all sponsors and donors of the Area II Young Riders team!
Thank You, Octavian!
After NAJYRC in 2009, and after a fabulous performance, with a clean bill of health, it was hoped that Octavian would move up to the intermediate level in 2010. After a rough spring season, with indicators that Octavian was ready to step back, the decision was made to retire Octavian from the upper levels. It was not an easy decision, and Octavian will be greatly missed. Octavian, at the age of 17 & 18, completed two CCI* (2008: Morven CCI* - Long Format - 10th place), (NAJYRC: 29th & Team Gold), and had a wonderful career. Although they will not be competing at USEA events together, Huxley and Octavian plan on pursuing the goal of enjoying themselves at several jumper shows in 2010.
What Others Say about Huxley
Julie Georges (Catawba, Virginia): Giovanni's person and Huxley's student and friend
I play a game whereby I find one word (and only one) to describe my friends. My word for Huxley is “dedication”. ..“Complete and whole hearted fidelity!” OK, so what is “fidelity”? “The unfailing fulfillment of one’s duties and obligations and strict adherence to vows or promises” Wow!! That is perfect! There are plenty of young people who keep a goal in sight and arrive there at all costs. They are “fearless” and “driven” achieving all goals they set for themselves. But Huxley is different. She has a surplus of devotion that spills over onto all she meets, coating them with her excitement, expectation and confidence!
I first met this interesting young woman as a 16 year old with a “will work for competition fees” sign up in the barn that I frequent. She was willing to do anything horse related. Great!! Will you ride the horses I can’t get to and “leg ‘em up” for summer? No problem! And so I became acquainted with this inspirational teenager. She was completely independent as she came and went. Soon she was giving me lessons. I started asking what the heck eventing was, anyhow. She explained. I voiced that it must take a special (read “expensive”) horse to event – she said, “No! Giovanni could event!” My newest addition, a 15 yo quarterhorse would jump the moon for me but I am OLD – I mean WELL over 40. I laughed and said maybe YOU can event Giovanni. Then she introduced me to an awesome 4 star eventer who was willing to train “even me” and so it began! I felt rather pathetic as I begged her to go places with me (I’ll haul!!) so that she and Octavian would lead me over fences. Then I paid her to jump my horse over Novice level jumps. I finally asked if she would be interested in running him Novice for me. She said she would be happy to do that but she really thought that I could do it myself. So I did! Because a talented young teenager who lives and breathes eventing still found the generosity of spirit, after training daily through wind, sleet, and snow, to instill her love of the sport with others. This sets her apart from “competitor” to “steward” of the sport. I look forward to her “legging up” my newest love, Equinox!
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Molly Bull (Scottsville, VA): Huxley's Eventing Trainer
Huxley is one of my favorite students because she is such a hard worker and a caring horsewoman. She truly wants to learn, not just how to ride better but about all aspects of horsemanship. She has a great partnership with her preliminary horse Octavian. He is not an easy ride on the flat but they excel at jumping, especially cross country, which is her favorite part I think. Huxley always maintains a positive attitude and is kind to everyone, horses and people alike. I am excited about her new young horse too - hopefully they will eventually go on to the upper levels together!----------------------------------------
Gabrielle Hooten (Roanoke, VA): Huxley's Dressage Trainer
Huxley is an outstanding young woman who is truly dedicated to the welfare of all she comes in contact with. She's the one who will pull over to rescue the stray dog on the road, or remove a turtle to safety before it gets run over, no matter how much in a hurry she is. Huxley is every instructor's dream student, always eager to learn, practicing diligently in order to progress at an impressive speed. But above all is the welfare of the horse for her. It's wonderful to see someone who's so dedicated and ambitious put her horse first no matter what. When we go out of town and Hux takes care of all our critters, I always know that they get all the attention and affection they need. I let her ride any of my horses without hesitation, knowing they are safe with her. All of us wish Huxley all the best in her life, no matter where it's going to take her.
