Irene Powlick by Captured Moment Photography
Irene Powlick, 18, is headed to the Longines Masters of New York on April 25-28 to compete in the inaugural Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association’s (IHSA) Metropolitan Equitation Invitational, where 25 select intercollegiate riders will show off their skills on unfamiliar horses. The class is going to be judged by the legendary George H. Morris and grand prix rider and former equitation star Brianne Goutal-Marteau.
Powlick, who is from Salt Lake City, Utah, is a freshman at Goucher College in Towson, MD, and rides in the open flat and open fences on the Goucher IHSA team. Powlick, who trains with Carleton Brooks in California and Michael Knight in Utah, is experienced in the hunter/jumper and equitation divisions, having shown at major indoor shows and at equitation finals. She’s looking forward to not only riding on the Longines Masters international stage on Friday, April 26, at the newly renovated NYCB LIVE, Home of the Nassau Veteran's Memorial Coliseum, but also to watching some of the top riders in the world compete.
Q: What are you looking forward to about the Longines Masters of New York?
A: “My coach told me, ‘Hey, I have this cool opportunity for you.’ I was so excited because I’ve never been to a Longines Masters event. I always wanted to go when it was in Los Angeles, but I wasn’t able to go. I’m looking forward to being at such a high level of competition. It’s going to be amazing to watch the world’s best ride, but even more special to be able to ride there, too.
“I’m definitely a student of the sport. I have a live-stream on all the time. I really enjoy watching anything I can learn from—hunter derbies, equitation, and the big jumpers. I especially like the big shows with the five-star riders, because you get to watch amazing riders and hear what people are saying in the stands, because so many people are so knowledgeable.
“In New York, I’m also going to spend a very few days with my dad in the city, which is nice. I’m just really excited to have a horse-focused day on the day I’m there. I’m going to watch the Longines Speed Challenge and enjoy seeing the high level of sport.
“It’s always wonderful to have the opportunity to ride in front of George. And I’ve never ridden in front of Brianne, so that’s exciting. I’m looking forward to getting to ride in such a beautiful arena and at such a great horse show.”
Q: What do you think about the IHSA format of competition?
A: “I didn’t have [Interscholastic Equestrian Association] in high school; I’m from Salt Lake City, so there wasn’t any IEA there. I didn’t have any experience with the format beforehand, but because of my show experience, I was placed into the open flat and fences divisions. It’s been a learning curve, but it’s been a fun two months with the team.
“It’s definitely different! Sometimes it’s fun when it goes really well, but sometimes maybe the horse has a rangey canter and you can’t sit still, so you even if you do your best, you might not win the class. I’ve learned a ton from it. I don’t like to know anything about the horses beforehand; I’d rather just rely on what I’ve been taught about how to feel the horse and react to it. I’ve learned a lot about riding a lot of different horses and trying to make the best of them.”
Q: What do you think about having the IHSA Metropolitan Equitation Invitational held during such a big show?
“I think it’ll put IHSA more on the radar for a lot of people who are watching. As someone who didn’t have IEA in my area when I was younger, I didn’t know a ton about intercollegiate riding until I was actually looking at colleges. So, maybe some people who don’t know a lot about it will get interested. Also, it would be great to get some more sponsors and support into the IHSA world. I think it’s a great opportunity for us as riders and also for the IHSA itself.”
The stage is set at Longines Masters of New York for four days of non-stop show jumping and entertainment, with tickets starting at just $25 and $10 discounted price for the IHSA. On Friday, April 26, the same day as the IHSA Metropolitan Invitational, the fastest class in the world is scheduled, the Longines Speed Challenge. That’s “College Day” at LMNY, with students receiving discounted ticket prices. On Saturday, April 27, Riders USA and Riders Europe teams take the ring to go head to head in a series of exhilarating speed duels for the Riders Masters Cup title. The Riders Europe team has won the first three events of the series, so the Riders USA team will be hungry to score a win on their home turf! Saturday is also “Family Day,” when children 14 and under get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket! Then on Sunday, April 28, the world’s best will contend for the honor of winning the Longines Masters Grand Prix of New York.
In between all the thrilling jumping action, famed equestrian performer Santi Serra and his fabulous horses and dogs will perform a jaw-dropping show that celebrates the majesty of the horse and its unconditional relationship with humans in a special “liberty” equestrian performance. The entertainment will also include the AKC Agility Premier Cup, presented by EEM, where athletic canines take the spotlight on Thursday, April 25. After the Riders Masters Cup, the official DJ of Tomorrowland 2018, Henri PFR, will spin tunes and get the crowd on their feet.
Get tickets—priced at just $10 for IHSA members —at http://www.nycbgroups.com/ihsa
Story provided by Jump Media