EN Today: Catching up with Caitlyn

Caitlyn Silliman and her mare Catch a Star are defying the odds after last year’s True Prospect Farm fire. Samantha Clark shares a moment with them at The Fork.

From Samantha:

This is one of the best posts I’ve been able to put on Eventing Nation, and I’ve been lucky enough to share some wonderful stories over the last couple of years. Caitlin Silliman lived in the apartment at True Prospect Farm when the barn burned down almost a year ago. Although she and her flatmate Ryan lost everything they owned, they were lucky to survive. The tragedy has been well-documented, but now we can start to follow Caitlin and her horse Catch a Star, stable name Hoku, as they compete at the highest level again, defying the vets who told Caitlin  it was unlikely she would ever be able to ride her mare again – sound familiar?!  This weekend Caitlin and Hoku will compete in the Advanced division at The Fork, and Caitlin kindly introduced me to Hoku before the competition started.

Hoku is a Holsteiner cross – she is eleven years old and was actually bred in California by the same breeders as Hawley Bennet-Awad’s Gin’N’Juice, Terry and Linda Paine.  Caitlin is taking it one event at a time, but is tentatively thinking about the CIC at Bromont as a goal this season. Wishing Caitlin the very best of luck!  Go Caitlin and Hoku, and Go Eventing!