As newcomers in international jumping competitions, Corona and Marilyn Little won the FEI-World Cup Grand Prix in Ocala/USA in March 2016. The friendly blonde rider usually successfully competes in eventing. She also breeds horses. Twelve-year old Corona by Cordalme/Lenz xx (breeder: Udo v.d. Haar, Ankum) is well known in the circle of jumping riders. David Will, Andreas Kreuzer and Jasmin Chen, who competes for Taiwan, rode her successfully in Europe. She also has a talented son, Little Spezi by Lord Pezi, which already has M-placements.
“The jumps were quite high today and the distances difficult,” Marilyn Little said after her success. “It was the first Grand Prix for me in years. Riding in a 1.60m jump-off against the clock is very different to finishing a cross-country course in the allowed time.” She proved that she is able to do both. Rider and horse did not allow much time to get to know each other, and the 35-year old has owned the mare for less than a year. Two weeks ago, she was still participating in smaller classes in Ocala to get acquainted. Marilyn Little rode her last Grand Prix, when she was a teenager. “We needed the first weeks to understand each other. It was not easy. But now she is on my side and fights for me,” Marilyn Little says. A successful debut for this pair!
Marilyn Little owes the surprise success to the strikingly beautiful grey mare. Beauty alone is not enough. Success requires a combination of numerous factors including ambition, courage, rideability and jumping ability, and, not to forget, trust between horse and rider. The chemistry between Marilyn and Corona is good, which the ride proved. The quick, ambitious mare fought with her rider. She was attentive at all times and listened to her rider. The ride was harmonious and beautiful to watch. One could not miss the influence of her former coach and trainer George Morris. “I owe today’s success to my partner Corona. She has a lot of experience, a super attitude, and she fights for me. Never before did I ride a horse with such ability!” the rider shares.
Marilyn Little does not only determine the direction on a stadium course, but also in the air. She is a trained pilot. Together with her parents, she runs a competition and breeding facility in Maryland and in Florida. Mother Lynne represented the US-colours for decades as a member of the US-team. In addition to her mum, Andrea King and Katie Brown train Marilyn Little, who plans for the future to not only impress the eventing community. Together with her mount Corona, she hopes to compete at the international level against the best in jumping competitions.
