Today is a very exciting day for Chasing a Fox. We are now traveling to PA for the races! The only bad thing is I am stuffed in this tube traveling with a bunch of people I don’t know. But I have to look at the bright side, at least, I can finish the rest of the interviews and schedule them for posting. So here we go. Our next lovely lady is the very brave Cathi Grove.
Cathi on her mount Fig
So, Cathi, inquiring minds want to know…..
How old are you?
I just turned 28 years young
Who are you riding?
My horse is currently in Aiken, SC being leased to good friend of mine and my other gelding isn’t quite ready to race over fences. My friend, Christina Mulqueen, was generous enough to offer me her amazing OTTB, Figure it Out. Fig is a handsome 16.1, 7 year old, bay gelding.
Where are you coming from?
I live just north of Lexington, Va. I love the Shenandoah Valley!
How long have you been riding and when did you take up sidesaddle?
I grew up in Aiken, SC in a non-horse family. However, when I was five my parents were given a Shetland pony named Sugar and Spice. I did just about everything with that pony. We would swim in local ponds, camp overnight, trail ride, participate in parades, fox hunt, dressage, jump, and when I outgrew her, she learned to drive. My brother and I would even sneak her into the house when my parents left us home alone. I wish I learned to ride sideways at a young age. I had the perfect pony for it. I saw many ladies hunt aside in Aiken. I always thought that they were so elegant. I started riding aside 11ish years ago? At a hunt ball, I bid on a sidesaddle lesson and won. Betty Alexander and Davera Ackenbomb were overly generous lending me habits, saddles, appointments, horses and anything else I needed to get me started. I will forever be in their debt. Riding sideways is my absolute favorite way to ride. I didn’t do much showing until recently when I was able to show Betty’s AMAZING horse, Wyatt, about three years ago. Showing is just so expensive that I prefer to hunt aside.
Are you a Foxhunter and if so, how long have you been hunting and who do you hunt with?
-This season was my twenty-third season following hounds on horseback. A wonderful neighbor asked my parents if he could take Spice and I hunting with Whisky Road Fox Hounds. They said yes, and the rest is history. I was hooked at a very young age. I loved the hounds and galloping around on my pony! I became very involved in the hunts around Aiken. I earned my colors and later learned about whipping-in at a young age. In high school, I became very involved with Why Worry Hounds. George and Jeanie Thomas are like a second set of parents. I spent as much time as possible in the kennels with the hounds. I was fortunate to help them show hounds up and down the east coast. I am so grateful that George and Jeanie are so generous! I have also been very luck to hunt with so many different hunts. I have been hunting in the following states, FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, MD, and PA. I currently hunt with Rockbridge Hunt in Rockbridge County, VA. I Love hunting with them they are such a fun low key ground of people who love to hunt! I also travel to Aiken on a regular basis and enjoy hunting down there as well!
What do you love about sidesaddle?
My absolute favorite part of sidesaddle is that it is different, and challenging. I love the history and tradition. I was very fortunate I had so many people help me get into the sport. I try very hard to pay it forward, helping others by letting them borrow habits, appointments, and occasionally a spare saddle, etc. when I can.
What do you do besides ride?
– I am an advanced life support provider on an ambulance for the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad. I also work at a local ER. I recently just got accepted into nursing school which will start in the fall. I absolutely love both of my jobs. I usually work 12 and 24-hour shifts. The shift work allows me to make my own schedule and have time off to hunt, show, and sidesaddle point-to-point! Thank goodness I have a very supportive husband who supports all of my sidesaddle shenanigans!
What part of the weekend are you looking forward to most?
I am excited about promoting the lovely art/sport of riding aside. I think it would be pretty great to get some young ladies from the next-generation hooked! I am also extremely excited to meet so many wonderful people who love the sport of sidesaddle as much as I do! I have talked to many of my fellow “jockeys” on social media. It will be nice to meet everyone in person. I am an extremely competitive person. However, my goal for the weekend is to have a fun and safe ride! Last year there was only one race, this year we have three. It would be great to have more than that next year.
Chasing a Fox would like to wish Cathi and Fig good luck on race day!
If you’d like more information about this event go to cheshirepointtopoint.com
