MEETING CWD X ADRIENNE STERNLICHT

Adrienne Sternlicht, Patience Through Hard Work

At the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, you won the Jumping Team Gold medal with your teammates Laura Kraut, McLain Ward and Devin Ryan.  Tell us a few things you realized after winning the gold medal with your teammates that has changed you and your career?

I think the greatest realization was that I could pull through for my country in the most pivotal moment.  I have always been a rider who thrives under pressure and I think my performance and my contribution to the team was evidence of that.  Also, it is a bit crazy when you dream of these things as a little girl and even growing up, to be associated with World Champions such as Jeroen Dubbeldam. I think it has brought up a bit of almost an imposture syndrome for me.  I have to admit, it is taking me a little bit of time to think that I can own that as my experience and integrate that into my identity and self-perception.

What were your expectations going into the World Equestrian Games?

I knew, at least I believed, that I had one of the best horses in the world and so I knew that I could possibly contribute to the US Team.  I definitely knew that we had a strong enough team to medal.  For me, the process of getting there was reaching one milestone after another. Initially my goal was to make the long list, then it became performing to the best of my ability at the observation events, and finally, I was to focus on medaling.

So, I knew I could have a positive contribution to the team, but I didn’t expect to finish in the Top 12 individually.

Did your strategy with your horses and trainer change after your success at Tryon?

No, not really.  I think one of the greatest strengths of McLain’s program is his faith and belief in his own system and sticking to what he knows.  It is a quite traditional and classic system that we follow.  As he describes it, it aggregates hundreds of years of knowledge and backing behind us.  I would like to think that my results in Tryon kind of reinforced McLain’s confidence in me as well as my confidence in myself.

Throughout your career and as you keep growing, who are your top supporters?

My parents!  McLain Ward, Linda Langmeier, and my two top grooms Emma Chapman and Sean Kissane as well.

In Tryon you said that your mare didn’t have any weaknesses.  With your partner Cristalline, did this win bring you maturity in the sport?  Team CWD knows it did, can you give us some details?

For me, the best moment was Sunday at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon.  It was sort of an “easy like a Sunday morning” feel.  I remember walking into the ring to the two biggest rounds of the week.  It was bigger than the Olympics, almost a meter seventy!  I was so relaxed that I nearly forgot where we were, it was just my horse and me. In that moment, I felt closer to her than to any human being on this planet!  Every day that I look back on my experience there and what she gave me, I feel nothing but gratitude and love for her.  It is an unconditional love that I didn’t know I could feel!

For me, it’s like the purest embodiment of love, which sounds cliché but it’s not cliché to me because it’s something I have never known before.

As a female equestrian, do you think that you have some extra abilities compared to a male equestrian?

Yes, I think that female riders tend to be more intuitive with their horses and connect with them on a deeper level.  I feel like the connection with the animal is a huge part of a rider’s success.  I feel like females tend to ride a bit lighter and softer than male riders.  I have been able to find success with some larger horses that were previously ridden by men who I believe ride much better than I do, but I think the horse might prefer a little woman’s touch (laughs).

Now that you are a World Champion at the age of 26, can you tell us your Top 3 dreams for your riding future?

Tokyo number one, Tokyo number two, Tokyo number three!!! (laughs)

My short-term goal would be to jump in on nations cup teams with some other mounts, including my new mount Just To Gamble and really solidify that partnership, as well as World Cup Finals next year.  I also care deeply about doing social justice work and in the past I have been able to work with several non-profits.  It’s not always the easiest to do because I travel a lot, but I try to do my best to help.

If you could go back in the past, what would you say to the little Adrienne Sternlicht who was dreaming about doing horse riding as a career?

Be patient! It's amazing the way that dreams can manifest into reality through hard work and patience.  I think a big part of patience for me has been learning to trust the massive support system that I am so lucky to have around me. I am always battling my tendency to act impulsively, so taking steps to combat those tendencies has been hugely beneficial for me.

Fun Facts About Adrienne

- Favorite Series/TV Show/Movie:  The Looming Tower, it’s amazing, you have to check it out
- Your CWD Saddle:  SE03 17 2L
- Favorite City:  London
- Two Rider Mentors (Past and Present):  Linda Langmeier and McLain Ward
- Guilty Pleasure:  Dark Chocolate!!!  Actually, at the moment, it’s probably Hu Kitchen’s vegan chocolate. I have to say that I am a chocolate and coffee aficionado.