UPCOMING EVENTS
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THE FULL STORY
Every day I wake up driven to compete at the highest levels of three day eventing, become a United States Team rider, and represent my country at the Olympics and beyond. After that, I hope to judge FEI events all around the world at those same levels. What I do is beyond a job, it is who I am and what I love to do. For all the detailed information about my riding, achievements, and career highlights, click here!
I wake up grateful every day that I get paid to do what I love -- my work is my passion. It's not always easy, but I am always grateful! After a bad day at work, I remind myself that I get to train and compete international-caliber sport horses all day, every day! My office is a world-class training facility, Sudley Farm. Located on 130 acres, we have essentially an eventing playground that helps our horses and clients feel and perform their best.
When you are younger, learning comes easily. I opted to attend college on an academic scholarship at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMC), the #1-rated public honors college in the country, in historic St. Mary’s City. SMC is a beautiful college and I vowed that I would take my first year off from horses and see what it was that I really wanted to do, discover what was out there that I might have been missing. That barely lasted a semester! With some good owners and some great class scheduling, I managed to juggle horses and college, riding on an NAYRC team at the same time as graduating my class valedictorian and a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
I have a quote that has stuck with me for several years now as my mantra:
“Man does not grow old. Man becomes old by not growing.”
And so I grow, personally and professionally. Even though I have a tendency to surround myself with overachievers, eventing and life is about the journey. Learning. Challenging yourself to keep growing. Over time, I have learned to identify and overcome my fear of failure.
Don’t get me wrong — I still like to win! But that’s not what defines you as a person. It is not what defines me as a person any longer. I put extensive effort into anything and everything I do. I try to work smart, hard, and efficiently. I put a huge emphasis on focusing on the positives, and with that you bring more positive into your life. You never know what life has in store for you!
Eventing has enabled me to befriend some of the most amazing people from all around the world. It has taught me so many life lessons, and how to balance my life. I believe that everything happens exactly as it is supposed to, even if you don’t love it or agree with it at the time. If you don’t get a result that you were hoping to, change something! Get creative!
I’m looking forward to you coming along for the ride with me.
BCE HORSES
Learn more about the four-legged members of Blue Clover Eventing!
FROM THE STUDENTS
KIND WORDS FROM MY LOVELY CLIENTS
“Valerie is the best trainer who is so kind and patient, and at the same time organized, efficient and intuitive.”
“Thank you to Blue Clover Eventing for opening your XC course to school this past weekend. Excellent jumps and well maintained grounds!”
“Oh my gosh Blue Clover Eventing is amazing! My daughter has never been happier about horses and the sport of equestrian!”