POZNAN, Poland -- For one week, a Fort Meade Reservist competed against some of the best military equestrians during the 2012 World Cavalry Championships in Poland.
The competition was held April 18 to 22, 200 miles west of Warsaw.
Master Sgt. Cindy Babb, a noncommissioned officer assigned to the 200th Military Police Command, won first place for the show-jumping portion and third place for team scores of the inaugural competition.
Babb and 23 other competitors representing Poland, Austria, Germany and other European countries tested their skills in dressage, skill at arms, horseback orienteering, tent pegging, show-jumping and other cavalry-related events.
"Here, it doesn't matter who comes away with the time prize," Babb said. "What's more important are the new friendships that were developed throughout the week. I am here representing not only the Army Reserve, but all Americans."
From the start, Babb was the favorite among competitors, media and local onlookers. As the only female competitor, Babb said it was important to demonstrate that women and men can compete, work and, if needed, fight side-by-side.
"Gender is not a factor in a cavalry competition," she said. "What is important is that we all stand here this week carrying our countries' flags with honor and remember those who have sacrificed before us."
Although Babb initially struggled with communicating with her teammates from Poland, their love of horses quickly bridged any frustrations with the language barrier.
"Without a translator it's tough to express my thoughts to them," she said. "But when it comes to horses we share something in common, and that language barrier seemingly disappears for a brief moment."
Polish rider Miroslaw Bajak said watching Babb was amazing.
"Cindy showed all riders in the competition that Americans have the will to succeed and honor for others who win," he said.
Babb, whose horse Calvin is stabled near Fort Meade, arrived in Poland a week earlier to train on a Polish horse.
When riding another horse, it takes time to build confidence between the rider and steed. Babb used that short week to grow a bond with Finka.
"I am so excited to be able to ride Finka," Babb said while tightening the saddle prior to a military inspection.
Using a small piece of cloth, Babb buffed the round metal "U.S." emblem that connected several leather straps around the horse's head.
Finka remained calm as Babb walked around the horse, making final adjustments to the saddle and combing the long hair running down Finka's back.
"Good girl," Babb said to reassure the dark-brown muscular horse as she prepared for the next event of the competition.
"I want to take her home with me, but I don't think I could get her in my luggage," Babb said laughing. "She is so beautiful and rides fantastic."
Following her Polish comrades who filled her international team, Babb wore her Army Service Uniform with riding pants that matched the blue and gold colors of her service pants.
Babb appeared from the large stable's sliding door and into the cool air of the training facility where some of the best Polish equestrians have trained. Onlookers quickly focused their attention on Babb. They took turns standing next to Babb for a quick photograph while she waited for her inspection.
As the announcer started speaking in Polish, "Cindy Babb" were the only familiar words that cued her to move to the center of a line of more than 20 cavalrymen.
The judge talked with the scorekeeper as Babb's eyes were trained forward. A little chuckle between the two judges raised concerns before a military translator calmed everyone's nerves.
"It's OK Cindy," he said. "They are looking for something wrong, and they can't find it."
For a brief moment, Babb broke her military bearing for a small smile, but quickly refocused on the inspection.
"She is perfect up there," said one cavalry service member from Great Britain. "She is doing wonderful, and you would never know she has been riding the horse for only a week."
Babb returned to the line of competitors, and her Polish teammates had their turns with the judge.
"Horses require less attention than Soldiers," she said laughing. "The best thing about horses is they don't ask why, but at times they will do what they want to do."
The most difficult and dangerous event of the competition was on the last day of field trials. Skill at arms tested both the rider and horse in various elements of a cavalryman including working with a saber, pistol and lance and engaging various targets.
By this point Babb was clearly the crowd's -- and fellow competitors' -- favorite.
The crowd cheered and international media focused their cameras as Babb entered the skill-at-arms arena. A black pad with the 200th MP patch sewed near the bottom rear corner above a gold "U.S." sewn into the fabric let everyone know a military police NCO had entered the large grassy area.
Babb was representing not only an entire country, but also was exposing others to the Army Reserve.
"I am very proud of who I am and what I have accomplished as an Army Reserve Soldier," she said. "Hopefully, the international community here will walk away with a positive experience and better understanding of who we are as a nation and the values we understand are important as Americans."
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