Allie Sacksen - Gearing up for Kentucky
How did you get started in Eventing?
I got started in eventing through Pony Club when I was 5 years old.
What part of the weekend are you looking forward to the most?
Getting across finish line on Sunday with a sound and happy horse. Nio is more than a horse to me, he has taught me so much and we also have learned so many things together through the years that I only want the best for him.
What do you think will be the most challenging part of the weekend?
Not getting too wound up by the environment and letting that distract me from executing my plan.
What are some of the main things you worked on with Nio leading up to Kentucky?
Working on his dressage and developing strong accuracy in the harder movements. We really want to lay down an accurate and honest test.
What are his strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths: His mileage and experience
Weaknesses: Has always been showjumping so we continue to work hard on that phase.
Do you have any tips on staying focus at an event like Kentucky?
I try to break things down into the smallest possible parts, so for instance in dressage I try to view the test as each individual movement and then how best to execute that single moment. I find this to be easier than taking in the picture as a whole which can get overwhelming and cause a mental block.