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Anna Jane White-Mullin & Rivet: Horsemanship and the Heart of a Thoroughbred

Anna Jane White Mullin and Rivet

Anna Jane White Mullin jumping the last jump at 1971 Maclay Finals. Photo by Budd.

There are great riders and great horses, but there’s a certain magic that happens when just the right combination is paired together. Anna Jane White-Mullin and her Thoroughbred horse, Rivet, are an excellent example of such a partnership. Their story is one of hard work, horsemanship, and the heart of a thoroughbred.

While most of the top junior riders competing in the equitation classes today have mounts specifically dedicated for that purpose, that was not the case decades ago. Riders often had one horse to show, and that horse would typically perform “double duty,” ridden in both the hunter and equitation classes, and sometimes in the jumpers as well. Rivet was no exception. Anna White-Mullin was kind enough to share her story with me so that I might share it with others. The following is her account of how she and “Rivet” came to be.

Anna & Rivet Riding Without Stirrups at Ox Ridge in 1971

Anna & Rivet Riding Without Stirrups at Ox Ridge in 1971

We bought ‘Rivet’ from the well-respected Hungarian horseman, Gabor Foltenyi, who was running a barn in Michigan at the time.  He was working to develop trust between himself and ‘Rivet,’ who had been physically abused by a young male rider. Gabor’s stated philosophy was, ‘You get more from a horse by winning his confidence and allowing him to enjoy the sport, and then keeping him, at all times, under gentle but complete control.’  I watched Gabor quietly tack up the horse with flowing, gentle movements that made me realize he was trying to gain the horse’s trust.  Gabor was famous for his ability to develop a horse through flatwork, and this really showed when I tried out ‘Rivet.’  He was a beautiful mover and the most supple horse I’ve ever ridden, so we were pleased to be able to buy him.  We were told that he was suspicious of most everything and had to be dealt with quietly to get the best from him; but it was still a surprise at the first horse show when my father went into the stall to feed him and ‘Rivet’ sat down on his haunches in the corner, looking wide-eyed and panicked.

Later that day, he had to be measured before we could compete in the junior division, and the steward said he measured as a Large Junior Hunter.  I tacked him up and showed in my first hunter class at the Ox Ridge Horse Show and was lucky enough to win it.  Afterwards, my coach, George Morris, said, ‘How did this horse get measured as a large?  He couldn’t be a large!’  So we had ‘Rivet’ measured again, and he came up as a small.  I was then faced with the decision of whether to keep my points for the win in the Large Jr. Division and show as a large for the rest of the year, or to forfeit those points and show in the Small Jr. Division thereafter.  I decided to keep the points and continued to show him as a Large Jr. Hunter for the rest of my time with him.  After he was sold to Bradley Caine at Winter Place Farm in Maryland, he was measured again and shown as a Small Junior Hunter thereafter.

Anna & Rivet 1971 Maclay Finals Presentation at the National Horse Show

Anna & Rivet 1971 Maclay Finals Presentation at the National Horse Show

‘Rivet’ turned out to be an interesting horse to show. He was easily spooked, so I had to longe him or give him a controlled gallop on the show grounds to work him down enough to score well in the early classes. He served as both my Equitation horse and Junior Hunter, and he usually came through for both.

Anna with her trainer Ronnie Mutch after winning the Maclay Finals

Anna with her trainer Ronnie Mutch after winning the Maclay Finals

In 1971, he was the Large Junior Hunter Champion at the National Horse Show and carried me to a win in the ASPCA Maclay Finals that same year.  He also crossed into the realm of jumpers when competing over U.S.E.T. courses (now known as the U.S.E.F. Show Jumping Talent Search) and took me to a gold medal for 20 wins.

Thoroughbred Horse Rivet on the cover of the Chronicle Of The Horse Aug 20 1971

Anna’s Rivet on the cover of the Chronicle Of The Horse Aug. 20, 1971

‘Rivet’ was a wonderful partner, and I’m grateful to George Morris for finding him.  He searched a long time for not only the right horse, but also one that was affordable.  I feel so lucky to have had the opportunities afforded me by this multi-talented horse who overcame his fear and distrust to become a true champion.”

Article by:

Jennie Carleton

Jennie is highly involved in the horse show community. As one of the founding members of the USHJA Wheeler Museum Committee, established to highlight and educate the membership and the public on the history of the Hunter/Jumper Sport, she has assisted in the formation and promotion of every exhibit. Having pursued an education in journalism, among other fields, Carleton has authored a number of articles and press releases for various equestrian publications, and considers writing and horses her two greatest passions. Carleton also established and continues to manage several Facebook Groups dedicated to the history of the hunter/jumper sport and its preservation. This includes the USHJA Wheeler Museum Group, which was the brainchild of Carleton and her close friend and committee co-chair, Bill Rube. In 2015, Carleton began working for the National Horse Show as a social media coordinator, and she hopes to soon be assisting the USET Foundation as they prepare for the 2016 Olympic games.

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