Nicole A. Musmanno
With so many new things happening within Go West Equestrian, LLC, I thought it time to revisit why and how it all came about. My goals for GWE began as an online outlet for horses and riders of the western states. It has morphed into so much more. The excitement revolving around GWE is palpable and at times like these it is fun to go back, see where we started, see where we stand, develop where we are going…
Go West came about on my early morning drive to the gym. At about 5:30 in the morning anyone’s mind might be prone to wander and as I have a wandering mind at all hours, including in sleep, it was no surprise that I found myself on Foothills Parkway in Boulder, driving in an autopilot daze. In one of my moments of sudden clarity, which often result in my wondering if I ran a red light while on autopilot, I realized I was singing “Go West”, or at least I think that was the name of the song as I only really know the chorus but have always loved the song.
What happened to be preoccupying my mind while on autopilot and singing (I can multi-task my mind wanderings even) I seemed to be mulling over the lack of support we receive in the west for our achievements in the equestrian sports. Here we are, the larger portion of the United States and the equestrian community seemed to be convinced equestrian sports, or rather those worth writing about, were only happening east of the Mighty Mississippi River. Interesting since many of the top riders got their start and began making their names west of the great river.
Which got me to thinking in a, What about us?, frame of mind. Throughout history the east has had a habit of, if looking at all, looking down their noses at the west. Rivalries like those between Seabiscuit and War Admiral were not exceptions and still today are the rule. Often it can be heard, well they are good in the west but they would not cut it in the east. Or, my favorite yah, but that’s the west. Yes, we are the west and we have been consistently going east kicking major butt, pardon the vernacular. Lest we forget all those “westerners” currently on the U.S. Equestrian teams for various disciplines. We deserve our dues and recognition.
My mission with Go West Equestrian, LLC is to provide an outlet for the west to display and market our achievements across the equestrian community. Too often, riders go east and the east absorbs them as theirs, allowing them into their circle like the Victorian era “Old Money” was forced to except “New Money”, those who were not born to money but created it with hard work. Well, it is time they be reminded where those riders came from and to be on the look out for the next crop of riders and horses from the west.
Ultimately, I hope more western riders take pride in their roots and stay west. I hope through good marketing and advancements in quality courses the east comes west on occasion. After all, we have the land to make great courses. What we need are those in the west to take pride in our achievements in the west. Show our passion for the sport we love, the land we love and pride in the fact that in the west we are forced to make ourselves, make our opportunities. We have the horses, which have the toughness of the west bred into their very bones, and the riders who are used to driving dozens of hours just for the opportunity to school and show. The west historically is a place where people make themselves. We are the “New Money” of the equestrian world.
