Jan Byyny and Syd Kent at Rolex

By Lauren R. Giannini

Currently in the top 10 overall on the USEA leaderboards, Jan Byyny has worked hard, starting at 16 when her attitude persuaded Bruce Davidson to take her on as a working student. After three years with Bruce and her first one- and two-star events, Jan returned to the Midwest to ride hunter-jumpers. The next several years took her east again to Ralph Hill. In the mid-90s she reached the three-star level with Karen and David O’Connor. With Phillip Dutton’s help Jan learned how to be more competitive and continues to ride with him. She also values training with Silva Martin, Mark Phillips, Katie Prudent, Oded Shimoni, and Jimmy Wofford.

In 2003 Jan tackled her first Rolex with Shared Dreams and that fall earned individual and team gold at the Pan Am Games at Fair Hill. Jan and Task Force finished sixth at Rolex in 2004, were third team alternate for the Athens Olympics, and placed seventh at the FEI Eventing World Cup Final CIC*** in Germany, to name just three of their accomplishments.
Headquartered at Surefire Farm in Virginia, Jan competes at the upper levels with Waterfront, Inmidair and Syd Kent. She imports and sells event prospects, including the great Winsome Adante, Olympic medalist and triple Rolex winner. A level IV USEA certified instructor, she runs the very successful Surefire Horse Trials (Baby Novice to Intermediate).
www.surefireeventing.com

Sidelines: How do you deal with the setbacks and upsets, like smashing your foot and missing Burghley in September?
JB: Some days are better than others! It’s frustrating, but I try to get through each day and look forward to things getting better. It’s not going to do me any good to get down and mad about it. I think the more negative an attitude and the more frustrated you get, the worse things go for you. You have to play the hand that is dealt to you and try to do the best you can. I have wonderful people, who support me and help me in the barn, and my boyfriend. I really can’t do a lot and I’m lucky to have such great people around me. I hope to go to Pau (France).

Sidelines: What do you like to do away from horses?
JB: Ski, run, golf, lay on the beach, play volleyball. I love to travel and that’s a plus with the horses. We run the event here, and there’s always lots to do. I love working on the farm. It’s really nice to improve things, to plant trees and flowers.

Sidelines: What helps you get into the zone and avoid performance jitters?
JB: Every person, if you’re human, is going to get nervous. I think it’s how you channel that energy. I’m big into sports psychology – the mental game is such a huge part of it. I have a pretty good awareness of my strengths and weaknesses and that always helps your game.

Sidelines: What is your personal favorite phase?
JB: I like all three phases. Sometimes it just depends what horse you’re on and it depends on the day. I love the show jumping, but the more you learn on the flat and the more you feel you progress, the more interesting the dressage gets. I think our sport is quite challenging, because you’re never going to perfect riding, period, and then when you have three phases – I can only liken it to golf. How often do you have the day that you’re driving straight, your short game is good and you’re accurate in your putting?

Sidelines: How do you want to be remembered when you stop competing?
JB: I would love to coach. I’d like to be remembered in this sport for being a great competitor and a great coach – and for giving back to the sport as well. But I’m not ready to be there yet, to think of what I want to be remembered for. There are so many things I still want to do.

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