Rider Interview Series: Madelyn Bricken
In the last few months I have had the privilege of meeting some incredible equestrians through Instagram. Bailey Nolte, Kristin Montero, Joslyn Jakoubek, are just a few to name. Recently, one rider stood out to me that I really wanted to get to know: Madelyn Bricken. You may also know her as @theblondeandthebay_ on Instagram. Her and her horse Leah are an awe-inspiring partnership. They trust each other, love each other, and have accomplished many great things in and out of the saddle.
Madelyn is an USDF bronze and silver medalist and her career is only getting started! With her incredible partner and a bright future ahead of them both, it’s only a matter of time before the entire dressage world knows their names! Excited to learn more about her? Let’s get started!
Click here to get to know more equestrians from my Horseback Rider Interview Series.
1. Tell us more about what got you started in dressage? What stoood out with this discipline amongst the rest?
It’s a bit of a humorous story…My mom originally got me started in dressage against my eleven-year-old self will. You see, I came from a Hunter background, and at the time, enjoyed the small thrill of bopping over fences with Brightwood, my first Welsh pony. When my mom decided she was going to make the switch to dressage with her youngster Hanoverian at the time, she encouraged me to give it a try with our newly sourced trainer. I strongly opposed, in fact, I cried and threw a mild temper tantrum. Dressage was boring, why would I want to maneuver through circles for the rest of my life? Laaaaaaame.
Obviously, I was completely, utterly mistaken, but pre-teen mood swings make it difficult to see past pegged stereotypes. I took my first dressage lesson in 2004, with Brightwood, and I’ve yet to look back. What stood out the most was the heightened sense of communication between horse and rider, and precise refinement of the aids. You’re always working to be a better version of yourself, and developing a partnership with your horse is the be-all-end-all goal. I loved how technical the sport was, and is; dressage has challenged me in ways I’ve never thought possible. In competition, you’re essentially competing against yourself. Ever since I trotted down centerline for the first time in 2005, I have been hopelessly hooked.
2. How did your partnership with your Welsh pony Brightwood begin? What did you two accomplish together?
When my parents divorced in 1998, my mom and I moved back to her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. She made the transition seamless, immediately settling into our new lives together without any fuss. Before I knew it, she enrolled me into first grade at Woodridge Elementary, and more importantly in my eyes, a local barn for weekly riding lessons. Here, Oakwell Farms would become my haven. A hunter/jumper facility, I felt right at home in comparison to the stables I had once known in New York. The lesson ponies were stubbornly cute, finding every excuse to pull shenanigans against their tiny riders. The aroma of Fiebing’s Hoof Dressing lingered heavily in the air. Life couldn’t have been better.
For the majority of my after school lessons, I was paired with Brightwood, a 14.1 hand Welsh pony. His strawberry roan coat was noticeable from across any pasture, and his white face made his soft pink nose extra kissable. A larger than life personality, Brightwood held himself in the highest regard, ha! His extreme fear of water stemmed from a traumatic experience, actually – he and Bailey’s pony, Apple, were two of the only horses that survived a massive flood in San Antonio circa 1997 or 1998. The barn was away at competition, and grooms could not reach the stable due to high waters. Many horses lost their lives, but Brightwood and Apple were able to swim out of their stall windows and find high ground. Apparently, Brightwood was caught standing on top of a hill on the road surrounded by flooding. Since then, he’s slowly accepted the idea of post-ride baths, but it was a very long training process to regain his aquatic self-esteem.
We never received his papers, so his age is still a toss-up… It was one of those situations where he was 15 for 5 years straight, you know? According to my veterinarian now, he’s estimated to be 40 years old and still thriving. I swear he’s going to outlive me!
But, back to the point of the question! Our partnership began to develop, and naturally, I fell in love with him by age 8. Introducing horses into my world was the best thing my mom could have ever done, and I am externally grateful she unveiled this passion. One day after school, I don’t remember exactly when, we arrived at the barn and something seemed fishy. I couldn’t rush to Brightwood’s stall, offer a hug around his neck or produce a carrot from my pocket right away – fun fact, he loved Big Red soda too. My mom distracted my anxiousness by suggesting I clean tack before b-lining to his aisle.
What felt like forever was I’m sure a mere 10 minutes or so, and finally, my kiddo Ariat paddock boots didn’t touch the ground when my mom gave the “okay” to retrieve Brightwood. My steps slowed as I noticed balloons, streamers, and cards adorning his stall, all mentioning “congratulations, Maddie!” in one form or another. I burst into tears, salty water trickling down my flushed cheeks. My mom had given the ultimate gift and Brightwood was officially mine. It was the best day of my childhood life.
Brightwood and I went on to continue competing in the pony Hunter division. I was far too little to control anything, and he’d race around the course with me bouncing around on his back. The typical child-pony relationship developed…I’d ride a few of his bucks or he’d pull me to the grassy side of the arena. We would try to canter, or rather, I would try to canter, and Brightwood would just trot really, really fast. He truly showed me how to ride, and he definitely taught me how to find my seat. When our Hunter years began to transition into Dressage, we competed at the Introductory and Training Levels, qualifying for Region 9 Pony Championships our first year in this new discipline. At the 2005 Region 9 GAIG Championships, Brightwood and I took home Reserve Champion for Pony Training Level…there were only two of us in the class, but you know what? I wore that neck sash with such great pride. Soon after this competition, my height kicked in and unfortunately, I outgrew my pony of a lifetime.
Not to fear, we’ve owned him since all those years ago. When we sold our horse property in 2014, we gave Brightwood to my veterinarian’s daughter in law. Michelle and her family have been a huge Godsend, and truly take the BEST care of Brightwood! The situation couldn’t have worked out any better.
3. How old were you when you found Leah (or she found you haha)?
I found Leah in August of 2013, so I was 20 years old at the time. She totally found me! Leah was age 12 when we first met.
4. Tell us more about her! Height/age/breed/quirks? P.S. Happy belated birthday to her! 🙂
Leah, formally known as Ulfilia DG, is a now 18-year-old, Dutch Warmblood mare standing at 16.3 hands high. Thank you for the birthday wish, she just turned 18 on July 10th! She is incredibly levelheaded, patient, kind, confident, poised, I could ramble on and on. Her favorite treats included peppermint puff candies, and yes, they have to be the puffed kind of else she turns her nose away. Apples, crisp watermelon and bananas also prove to be her cup of tea. Any type of horse cookie is deemed acceptable, too. Her main quirk is sucking her tongue in the crossties while tacking or during feeding time. It’s super ladylike, not really, and is a habit I assume she developed somewhere in her youth. She also is a kicker, which is also not the most flattering habit. She uses her stall walls as a personal drum set usually around feeding time, or at shows when her neighbor becomes too inquisitive. I’m lucky in that she really doesn’t display many “mareish habits” either.
5. What are a few of your favorite accomplishments so far with Leah?
My favorite accomplishments with Leah aren’t necessarily competition or award related, although three stand our more prominently in my mind. I’ll get to those in a second. The moments I am most proud of? Little milestones we’ve reached during daily life together. When Leah and I first dove into our training journey, I couldn’t put her on the bit, ride her through her back, and my core muscles were virtually nonexistent. In 2016, we debuted at Third Level and scored in the low 60%’s, as well as into the 50%’s. Through diligent training and incredibly hard work under the tactful guidance of my trainers, Eva Oldenbroek and her husband, Joshua Tabor, we chiseled away at the training pyramid. Slowly, things began to click through triumph and failure. Distant goals transformed into realities, and my confidence I had once lost slowly blossomed, all thanks to Leah. Setting the fear aside is hands down my favorite accomplishment to this day, and it was all made possible by my mare.
As far as show-ring accolades, Leah and I earned our USDF Silver Medal in April of 2017. This was a huge goal I set out to achieve, but never knew if it would even come to fruition. We then competed in our first Intermediate I a few months later, pulling nearly a 70% our first time out. I wept tears of happiness into my white gloves when the score appeared on the dim screen of my IPhone.
October of 2017 at the Regional Championships, Leah and I won the Southwest Dressage Championships Intermediate I AA Gold Medal, and a few days later; we secured the GAIG/Region 9 Intermediate I AA Championship, which resulted in an invitation to compete at the 2017 US Dressage Finals in Lexington, Kentucky. We sadly passed on the opportunity due to devastating damage at our home caused by Hurricane Harvey.
By December 2017, my main goal for the following year was set in stone: go back to Lexington as a qualified rider for the finals.
2018 was incredibly taxing and tough, a real roller coaster ride through the motions of dressage and the fervors it can stir. I learned a lot about my partnership with Leah as we faced an up and down competitive season. We were inconsistent, terribly inconsistent, and the honeymoon phase with the FEI level was over. Our scores ranged across the board, but by God’s grace, qualification for regional championships was secured. Continuing with the 2018 trend, championships proved no differently, and we laid down some of our more disastrous tests. The shining beacon of hope was a 65% in our Intermediate I freestyle championship, and by placing, Leah and I were invited to complete at the 2018 US Dressage Finals. This, ya’ll, will forever be, probably, my most favorite memory. I am blessed to have shared the experience with my heart horse, and the show was a dream come true. For me, ’18 finals represented years of determination, grit, and perseverance through obstacles I never saw coming. It was the pinnacle of my competitive career. Sure, my nerves took over and we didn’t ride our best test, but we walked away with a 60% and some change for my first time ever to perform on a national stage. I cried through sickly sobs – nothing like battling a severe sinus infection while showing at such a prestigious venue – as I praised Leah after our final salute. She had given me everything.
6. What is something that Leah has taught you?
Oh boy, where do I even begin? Well, I’ll attempt to narrow the list down because honestly, I feel as if I could ramble on and on for hours.
Most notably, Leah has taught me how to trust. Because of the way she trusts me, I now trust myself. Before she danced into my heart, I succumbed to the fear sparked by my previous horse. I won’t bore everyone with the details as I’ve jotted them down on my own blog, but horses became an area of timidity and insecurity. Leah transformed my outlook for this world, and through patient strides, she restored my confidence. Our partnership is formed upon mutual respect, which has developed into a bond unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed.
The trust she instilled has transpired into confidence, and its importance in everyday life; another lesson brought to me by Leah. Self-confidence comes from inner-happiness of which we are solely responsible for creating. When you believe in yourself, you’re capable of achieving great things. Trust me, I know.
Ask properly and you shall receive. Overall, Leah has taught me how to ride. Yeah, I knew how to maneuver through lower-level dressage tests and stay in the saddle before she became mine, but my refinement of the aids, finesse, and feel were all developed through her. We’ve worked tirelessly over the last six years to improve. The proof is in the pudding. She allows me to make mistakes, but won’t offer any magic for free. When I ask correctly, she blooms. Our connection runs deep; she’s showed me the path to her heart through listening to her ways of communication.
Patience. Cliché, but Rome was not built in a day. Becoming a proficient dressage rider takes time, and we’re never done absorbing knowledge. If there’s anything that stands out in my brain, it’s this golden token…My partnership with Leah is the perfect example of “patience is a virtue.”
Lastly, Leah taught me not to take myself so darn seriously! Us dressage riders can be quite the perfectionists, don’t ask me how I know, and I often find it more difficult to let my hair down or fly by the seat of my pants. Leah has shown me that sometimes, things aren’t going to go according to plan, whether at home or in the show ring, and laughter is the best medicine. Horses are unpredictable, and riding is my hobby!
7. What is your dream-riding goal?
Earning my USDF Gold Medal is the ultimate dream, goal, experience, etcetera, and etcetera! Perhaps one day…
Another dream is to own a youngster and develop HER – mare power – myself into the FEI levels. How amazing to create a partnership with a horse from the very beginning? Now that is my type of fairy tale.
8. How do you prepare for a show? Any tips you can share?
So, 80% of the year, I do not school the “tricks,” or test movements, at home. I spend my time training to improve the movements through the basics. When a show begins to approach, we’ll slowly incorporate segments of the test into our daily rides; haunches-in at the collected canter on a 15-meter circle becomes a working pirouette which morphs into a pirouette on the spot, for example. The week before we leave, we’re focused on test movements, but mindful to integrate many stretch breaks between more difficult sequences. This mentality can also be found within our schooling ride on the day before competition.
We usually head to local shows on Thursday’s, then warm-up in the ring on Friday, compete Saturday and Sunday. Wednesday’s are my days to pack, trim Leah’s mane and tail, things of that nature. I prefer her every beauty routine to be completed before we leave – it’s one less thing to worry about!
As far as tips for competition prep, I have a few one might consider adding to their repertoire. First, I’m a huge believer in visualization. Each night before my head hits the hotel pillow, I’ll close my eyes to envision my test and how I plan to tackle the technicality. My corners are ridden accurate, because if you ride a bad corner, you’re going to ride a bad movement, my transitions are on the spot, and my temp is energetic. The following day as I’m riding down centerline, I have a procedure nonetheless if things go awry. I use it as my base, a guideline, and how my ride should ideally feel…even if Leah should think otherwise. Visualization also helps calm any nerves that might start to form in the put of my stomach.
My second tip is to organize and pack more than 24 hours before your departure date. If you’re anything like me, I hate feeling rushed. There’s nothing worse than throwing things together last minute only to realize you’ve forgotten a key piece of equipment or clothing upon arrival at the show. Lists are an incredible invention.
A huge tip that I can offer is to be ahead of schedule and have a plan of attack, especially on a hectic show morning. Let’s say my ride is at 9:30AM – I’m in the warm up arena by 8:30, which allows 10 minutes of walking before picking up the reins and going to work. This means I need to start grooming/tacking by 8:15. I do all my own braiding, so I calculate the time and allot myself 40 minutes, give or take, to complete the task, bringing us to 7:20AM-ish. Because Leah is older, it’s vital I take her for an early morning hand walk to loosen up her muscles before any saddling commences. Thus, I’m usually arriving to the show grounds around 6:30AM for a 9:30 test.
See what I did there? Setting an agenda at its finest. Now, I know everyone isn’t as OCD as I am, and that’s fine. This is just what helps me stay on course and not become stressed that I’m running behind. Pro tip status!
9. What shows are you working towards this year?
I’ve mentioned before that my competition goals are much smaller this year than ever before. My attention is directed towards education opportunities such as clinics, or daily training to improve as an overall equestrian for my mare and myself. However, we have competed a couple times this year so far with good results. We’re qualified for ’19 regional championships in the Intermediate-I, and have hopes of earning scores for our I-1 Freestyle come September. Our intention is to compete at regional championships come the first week in October and produce consistent, solid tests. Returning to US Finals is up in the air.
10. We all love your mare graphic tees! What inspired your fun mare-inspired merchandise? Is there anything new in the works that we can prepare our wallets for? Haha!
Thank you so much! Leah is the inspiration behind my mare-inspired merchandise line. Plain and simple! I love to create and enjoy using fashion as means for expressing myself, so designing my own tees is something I find wholeheartedly rewarding. I’m always conjuring up new ideas, and plan to launch more shirts in the fall. Each shirt is designed by me and brought to life using local resources. I’m a one-woman show, packing orders, writing thank you cards for each purchase, updating my website, and making countless trips to the post office in our small town. I wouldn’t have it any other way because my heart beams with joy when I receive a message exclaiming how much a customer loves their shirt. It’s the best feeling
11. What inspired you and Barrett to start your podcast?
Stories From The Saddle is a venture I can’t take credit for; it’s all Barrett! Barrett’s grandfather was an avid storyteller, a trait Barrett admired from a young age. He has loved hearing and sharing my experiences from the dressage spectrum, which I’d like to think contributed to this podcast idea. When he pitched the platform over morning coffee, I couldn’t help but enthusiastically encourage him to pursue it. You see, Barrett thoroughly enjoys talking about horses – lucky me – and is fascinated by other people’s journeys in the saddle. Discipline doesn’t matter, and opening this door for conversation and connections was something he felt as if the equestrian world was lacking. Alas, Stories From The Saddle was born; a chance for the everyday equestrian to share their equine adventures from the good, the bad, the ugly, the funny, the embarrassing, you name it. The podcast isn’t meant for those just at the top of the sport; we want to talk with adult amateurs as well as professionals, ranchers, and really, everyone in between. It’s a chance to create relationships and showcase the meaning of authenticity. So far, those who have taken the time to listen have warmly welcomed its underlying message, and I couldn’t be more proud of Barrett. It’s an honor to be called his co-host.
12. What is your favorite episode so far and why?
Oh my, I don’t think I can pick a favorite! I appreciate each episode for the diversity they provide.
13. Can you share any sneak peeks at some upcoming episodes? We’re so excited!
I love sneak peeks! Think along the lines of dressage riders from Florida and Germany, a coach for a university equestrian team, rodeo athletes, so on and so forth. We are so looking foward to recording and producing more episodes! What a treat to connect with equestrians across the community.
14. What is some advice that you can offer to someone who’s interested in starting their own podcast?
I am a total podcast newbie! Barrett and I didn’t have anyone to mentor us or offer keys to success; we figured it out on our own. The best advice I can offer is to just do it, said Nike. Find an idea that is unique and run with it! The podcast world is your oyster. Keep your content real, relatable, and down to earth, because truthfully, there isn’t any other way to be. Don’t expect overnight success, everything in life takes time to grow. Believe in your voice, your platform, and your mission!
15. Last but not least, let’s talk about roping! I loved the blog post you shared in January about how you met Barrett and how roping entered your life. How have you continued to add this into your schedule and lifestyle while working towards your dressage goals?
Thank you, I certainly appreciate that! Honestly, incorporating the roping world into my life continues to be a seamless addition. During the summer months, you can find me at the barn in the fairly early mornings, work schedule permitted. Barrett’s career allows time for evening riding, which luckily doesn’t overlap with my training. He might not be able to make it to the barn with me during the week, but I cherish our late afternoons together at his arena with Blue Duck or weekend mornings with Leah.
One day, we plan to just have one barn; our barn.
In the year and a half we’ve been together, I’ve yet to miss a team roping due to a coinciding dressage show, thankfully! We plan our competition schedules out in advance, and it also helps that the majority of ropings are held during the summer where my showing seriously slows down. Often, I’m asked how do I balance dressage and team roping with my careers, running a household, and everything that comes along with being an adult. I wish I could share a specific magic potion for balancing everything, but I cannot. At the end of the day, we just make it work. My life with Barrett is nothing short of a blessing I always prayed for, and we wouldn’t trade busy schedules, late nights at the barn, or weekends around the horses for the world. Hopefully one day, you’ll find us both in the roping arena…But for now, I’ll revel in braiding Blue’s mane, videoing, and sipping a cold Micheleada while watching my guys do what they love
Thank YOU so much for reading today’s post! Isn’t she great? I had so much fun working with Madelyn on this post and I can’t wait to get to know her more and follow along her journey!
I highly recommend checking out her blog and following her on Instagram for more!
If you loved this post, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! 🙂