HITS – Page 2 – EquestriSol

Showcasing Young Talent: Laura Teodori

By Jackie McFarland

Increasingly becoming more consistent, twenty-year-old Laura Teodori is yet another West Coast rider showing potential at the grand prix level. We’ve watched her gallop in the arena on her big chestnut jumper, Kasoar D’Uxelles, since 2008. She competed in Europe this summer on the USEF Developing Riders Tour and upon her return we sat down for an interview. Laura is one of many young riders along with an extensive list of veterans vying for a chance to go to Geneva and compete in the FEI World Cup Finals in April 2010.

EqSol: Where you are from, how did you start riding, the early years…
LT: I grew up in Scottsdale, AZ and started taking riding lessons with my mom when I was four. She always had a passion for horses, but wasn’t allowed to ride growing up. I showed ponies and Junior Hunters with Sherry Templin, Kathy Johnson, and Lucy Alabaster. When I was 12 my dad was badly injured in a car accident, forcing me to take a couple years off of riding. When I came back I rode with Betty Beran. I continued to show in the hunters and bought my first jumper when I was 15. When I was ready to do some bigger jumper classes, Betty found ‘Luc’ (Kasoar D’Uxelles) from Barney & McLain Ward. We bought him sight unseen as an 8 year old. He had jumped 1.35m but didn’t have many miles. We got very lucky.

EqSol: You were competing as a junior in AZ in 2007, in medals and hunters. When did your grand prix aspirations begin?
LT: Like most kids, I had big goals. I’ve always wanted to represent the USA in international competition. I competed in my first grand prix in Arizona when I was 16 (2006) at 1.40m. Luc was still new to me, I’d only had him for two months and it was my fourth show with him. In 2007 we went to the first week of the HITS Desert Circuit and ended up Champion in the High Juniors and 3rd in the Jr/Am Jumper Classic. We went back and competed on the HITS Arizona Circuit, did the grand prix classes and I qualified to ride for Zone 8 at NAYRC (Young Riders). He gives me a lot of confidence, I feel like I can jump anything when I am riding him. We get along perfectly, he’s so brave – he’ll do anything I ask him to. For as big he is – he’s very special. He’s scopey and careful.

EqSol: The NAYJRC is always an interesting event. Tell us about Young Riders in 2007.
LT: Anthony D’Ambrosio did the courses. Guy McElvain was our Chef. He was great – very supportive. By far the toughest courses I’d ever ridden. The first day I had two rails and thought I had no chance. Then Friday I was the only one who managed to go double clear. That helped with my confidence. And on Sunday I was double clean again. I ended up winning a Silver Medal in the Individuals. It was a great experience.

EqSol: And how have things evolved since summer 2007?
LT: I briefly rode with Rudy Leone and had my first grand prix win with him at the 2008 Del Mar National. That was such a thrill! That show has an incredible atmosphere. But I wanted to be in southern California. Joie Gatlin has always been one of my role models as a rider, so I was very excited to move to Morley and Joie’s barn a year ago (July 2008). They are so professional and organized – the picture of how a show barn should be run. From the ground up – the vet, farrier – my horses couldn’t be better cared for. They work so hard – Joie wants the win as much for her clients as she does for herself. When she walks a course with me she is just as intense as if she walking for herself. I love that.

EqSol: Specifically what was your plan for 2009?
LT: They are very goal oriented at Joie and Morley’s – which I love – everything has a purpose. The first thing we did this year was to have a 2009 goal meeting. My biggest goal was to go to the Vegas Grand Prix. So I had to be competitive and consistently in the ribbons in World Cup qualifiers to achieve that goal. It was a lot of hard work – Joie and Morley boot camp early in the year – but it all paid off because we did it! The indoor at Thermal was ideal for preparing us for Vegas – the crowds, challenging courses, small space. Once you finished there the Thomas & Mack Arena looked like a Grand Prix field!

EqSol: The Saturday Grand Prix in Vegas – another Anthony D’Ambrosio adventure. You were the first to go clean!
LT: My favorite thing about Vegas was when I was walking the course – it was like a mix of all the courses at Thermal (again I have to say a good prep). Every mistake I had made during the qualifiers was in the course in Vegas, so I was able to correct those mistakes. It was very rewarding for the whole team to have everything come together. The coolest thing was being in the warm-up ring with all those international riders. Not only could I watch them warm-up, I jumped alongside them! Hearing all their names and my name announced together was amazing. To get to the ring you ride through a dark tunneland enter into lights, music, and a packed audience, it’s such incredible energy. It was just how is should be, a horse “show.”

EqSol: Almost directly after Vegas in April was Europe in May. How did that come about?
LT: You apply and are chosen off the computer list rankings. The experience was completely surreal. We laid over in Barcelona at the Polo Club where the ’92 Olympics were held. We competed at a CSI2* and a CSIO4* in Linz, Austria and finished at a CSIO4* in Lisbon, Portugal. Of course some of the biggest and most challenging courses I had ever jumped. I didn’t go with any expectations, so even though it would’ve been great to come home with wins, it was invaluable. From the team camaraderie, working with Michelle Grubb and Eric Hasbrook, wearing the pink jacket with the stars & stripes, watching all the great riders – it was all amazing.

EqSol: And your future?
LT: What’s next – hmmm. My life is very day-by-day. It’s been a fantastic year and I look forward what the future has in store! I’m so lucky in so many ways – great support from my family, a horse of a lifetime, and working on developing another, and most of all Joie and Morley’s guidance and expertise – I learn from them every day.

Thank you Laura and best of luck! To read more about her time in Europe go to PhelpsSports.com – she wrote the 2009 Developing Riders Tour Blog.

Fremont Hills: A Sanctuary for Riders in Portola Valley

By Erna Adelson & Jackie McFarland

Located in pastoral Portola Valley, Fremont Hills is an equestrian haven with a grounded nature. Each of the core team – Wendy Carter, Debbi Sereni and Missy Froley – has a distinctive background in equitation, hunters, and jumpers, so they can draw from their varied experiences for teaching all levels. “When we arrive in the morning, our goal each day is to make this day better than the last. We don’t say we specialize in one discipline, better said that every one of us contributes in many ways,” Wendy explains. So students at Fremont Hills benefit from not only a fabulous facility but also get to ride with three trainers at the same location—a prime opportunity for a diverse riding education, offering riders a library of experience to attain their equestrian goals.

Nestled between San Francisco and San Jose, Fremont Hills borders Woodside and Palo Alto and is easily accessible from Santa Cruz and Monterey. The group has 25 horses in training at the Portola Valley Training Center and eight others at nearby Bay Rose, where Wendy and Missy also train. They compete at prominent west coast ‘AA’ shows, including HITS, Blenheim, LAEC and Del Mar down south, as well as closer to home Menlo, Pebble Beach, Golden State, Brookside and Woodside. The team at Fremont Hills sees that each rider gets personal attention, providing a diverse program where each client progresses at his or her own pace. Missy commented, “We have ponies, 3’ hunters, 3’6” hunters, open horses and Grand Prix jumpers. Each of us have pieces that we’re good at, so we make a solid team.”

The three collectively agree that as the business manager, the communication hub between trainers and management, and the one who manages the pre-show details from schedule to entries, Debbi is the glue that holds it all together. More active in horse shows in previous years, (her son Matt Sereni won the 2003 ASPCA Medal Maclay Finals), Debbi knew she wanted to be able to spend more time with family when she adopted daughter Mia, now four years old. She contacted Wendy, who was working privately at Bay Rose, and convinced Wendy and Missy to take on a big piece of the training and traveling so Debbi could stay closer to home.

By then, Missy and Wendy had been working together for several years, moving north from Coto de Caza in 2004, and already had a successful team dynamic—they have, in fact, spent the last seven years in working partnership. Missy started riding at the age of 6 with Jerry Daniels, then rode for a while with Michael Croopnick before she found her way to Caroline Bonham. She spent her junior career with Caroline where she excelled in equitation. Graduating from the junior ranks, Missy worked for Caroline until she met Wendy at Coto De Caza Training Center. Now, “We come as a unit,” Missy jokes, referring to her professional relationship with Wendy.

Wendy Carter grew up in Beverly Hills and also began riding at age 6, where she went on pony rides every weekend. That progressed into lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy where she credits Nancy Turrill and Joanne Postel for teaching her about the love of horses and the passion of riding, not just about winning ribbons. Wendy was lucky enough to ride with a variety of trainers through out her Junior and Amateur career, including Mike and Lolly Edrick, Bennett Kurtze, Jimmy Williams, Susie Hutchinson and Lucy Stewart, who collectively brought her success in the show ring as well as taught her how to be successful as a professional. She feels most indebted to three well-established professionals: Leslie Steele, Carleton Brooks and Scott Wilson.

At home in Portola, work starts at a reasonable 8:00 a.m. every day with lessons from morning until late afternoon. Everyone works together sharing in the duty of daily Starbucks runs. With such a busy competition schedule, an important part of the agenda is reaching goals and making time for fun. “At horse shows clients take what they’ve learned at home to the show ring. When they come out of the ring it’s about accomplishing their goals not necessarily the ribbon.” says Missy. “Having fun is also part of it. We try to do at least one night out with everyone since there are usually around 10-15 riders with us from Fremont Hills.”

Last year, the Fremont Hills team completed 145 days on the road, traveling to sixteen away shows, spanning northern and southern California. While they will stay closer to home in 2009, they always spend at least two weeks every year at Pebble Beach and Menlo. Past accolades include medal final champions, trips to indoors and grand prix placings, with several riders enjoying success in the show ring already this year. Missy Froley and Plein Air © Deb Dawson, other photos courtesy of Gail Morey.

Conversations With Equestrians: John French

Anthem to Zen with John French
By Jackie McFarland

A well-known name in both the hunter and jumper circles, John French is famous for his style in the saddle. Some weeks ago spectators and exhibitors alike were surprised to hear, literally, another side of John when he sang the National Anthem in front of a World Cup Qualifier crowd. Speak softly but carry a big booming singing voice is just one of the interesting aspects to this multi-faceted equestrian.

Certainly successful as a hunter rider, a handful of years ago John also proved he has what it takes to win at the international Grand Prix level. Over a five-year period, John went from Rookie Grand Prix Rider of the Year to qualifying for the World Cup Finals, placing in Britain’s Hickstead Grand Prix and representing the US on Nations Cup Teams in Great Britain, Belgium, Spain and Sweden.

In this conversation we not only wanted to delve into John’s vast equestrian knowledge and experience but also learn a bit more about who he is through a series of questions from A to Z…

Anthem: So Week II of this year’s Desert Circuit you sang the National Anthem in front of hundreds of people. Many questions spring to mind – how long have you had a passion for singing? Do you have any formal training? Have you ever sung the National Anthem in public before? How did it feel? Would you do it again?

John: When I was 10 or 11 yrs old I was one of 400 kids that tried out for this folk ensemble group. We had to sing the National Anthem for the audition. Only ten kids were picked, I was one. We performed all over as a group, I really enjoyed it. My parents didn’t really get involved, so I decided to drop it and focused on riding.

We had a singing coach when I was a part of the ensemble. I remembered learning the National Anthem for the audition, but had not sung it since age 11. I wanted to see if I could do it – so I off-handedly mentioned it to a client that I would like to. Turned out HITS needed someone, the word got out that I would do it and I thought ‘I can’t back out now…’ At least it was in front of friends and people I knew – but I was still super nervous. My mouth was getting so dry while I was standing there waiting.

Sometimes you have to take risks like that – do something beyond your comfort zone, it makes you a stronger person in the end. Next time I’m nervous before a class I will remind myself – ‘John, remember when you sang the National Anthem? Can’t be that bad.’

Favorites: Do you have a favorite memory from the show ring? A memorable ride among the thousands you’ve ridden?

John: Probably my most memorable ride was in 1985 at the Washington International Horse Show – I was riding a horse named Ice Palace in the Regular Working Hunter Handy class at night. I had gone back to the hotel to change, it was rainy, there was traffic and I missed my place in the order. When I finally got to the ring, there were only five rounds left. It got worse, I had forgotten my hat, so I had to run up and get it. The horse’s owner was angry, it was a mess. On top of that, the course was challenging, full of twists and turns. So I ran up to the stands to watch a few horses. Jumped two jumps in the schooling area and then had to go in the ring. I didn’t have time to be nervous; I was trying to remember the course, going from jump to turn to jump to turn… It was amazing – everything fell into place. Rodney Jenkins had the leading score and he was standing at the back gate. When the crowd cheered after my last jump, he mumbled, ‘Sh–.’

I had won! Rodney was 2nd, Katie Monahan was 3rd, Charlie Weaver was 4th. There has not been a bigger win in the hunter ring than that one for me.

Finesse in the Saddle: An avid performer, you’ve won in the hunter ring on both coasts, at all the top horse shows on a number of different horses. What advice can you give to a hunter rider on how to achieve that winning round? Tips to finesse the ride?

John: You have to go in and be confident. Pick up the pace right away – don’t doubt yourself. To have a winning ride, you can’t think ‘am I going to find the distance’ you have to let that go. When you are tentative it interrupts the flow. Let the doubts go out of your mind – that’s when you ride the best. Take risks – believe in the ride.

In the show ring you do want to finesse the ride – try to get relaxed in your body – relaxing your muscles will carry over to your mind. If your body is relaxed your mind will follow – so if you choose to be relaxed and breathe, that will in turn finesse the ride.

Idols: Whom do you consider your idol – equestrian and non-equestrian?

John: Idol – let’s see… my equestrian idols would probably be… ones that are no longer riding. The one I have the most respect for on the ground and as a rider is Bernie Traurig. He is so insightful. Also Patricia Heuckeroth – she is such a horsewoman. And another is Kathy Kusner – not only as a horsewoman but also because of what she’s doing now with Horses in the Hood*. She’s giving back and I have a lot of respect for her. [*a non-profit organization that offers 5-day riding camps to inner-city children in Los Angeles, learn more at horsesinthehood.org]

Non-equestrian idols – Jack Kornfield* – do you know who that is? He’s a spiritual teacher. And the Dalai Lama. [*A practitioner for over 40 years, one of the leading Buddhist teachers in America. Author of many books and CDs, he is also the founder of The Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, CA.].

Nerves: Do you ever get nervous? Any advice for dealing with nerves?

John: Oh yeah – I always get nervous. When I do there are certain things I do to un-nerve myself. One is to remember to enjoy the process – have fun. Smile and think how lucky I am to do this. Mistakes are not the end of the world – it’s a horse show! Another is I remind myself that it doesn’t help to be nervous about something I can’t control – a ride happening in the future – so I let go and focus on what I can control which is being in the present during the ride. Yet another is I pretend no one is watching, that I am just schooling. I don’t go out thinking that I am going to win – or that I need to beat somebody else. Just do the best I can – ride better than the last time.

Sometimes when I’m on a really good horse, I’ll go in and pretend I’m somebody else on a different horse – depending on how the horse needs to be ridden, then I’m not nervous because I’m not John French, I’m somebody else!

I rode in the clinic with McLain – he definitely taught me a few things. So when I went in the jumper ring after that, I pretended I was McLain. It went well, first class on a horse I hadn’t really shown before I won, beat Richard. Then I only had the last jump down in the Futures.

Relaxing: Since you spend a majority of your time riding and competing – when you do have spare time what do you like to do? How do you relax?

John: I live in a really super quiet place – an old western mission town – San Juan Bautista, population about 1,700. Walking down Main Street, you would think there is going to be a shoot out in one of the saloons. I can relax, no hustle, bustle of a big city. I don’t get a lot of free time – when I do I go on retreats. I’ve been on four retreats.

Winning: What’s your approach to winning? Losing?

John: I’ve learned to get perspective – center myself – which can be difficult when you are always competing. A few years ago I was winning but not happy. I would win this big class or award but I felt nothing. I was essentially depressed. I wasn’t certain if I wanted to keep riding.

I went to a retreat. I learned that I wasn’t alone feeling this way – it’s not you alone against the whole world – but everyone is connected in feeling and wanting the same thing. To be happy. But that has to come from within. So I gained perspective.

It is so easy to get caught in that winning cycle. But the winning can’t be the only reason. You can’t be happy – achieve true happiness just from that. When I put it in perspective I let go of the winning as the reward. I remembered that I ride because it’s my passion, I love it. That is happiness.

Zen*: The path of enlightenment… Can you tell us about your interest in Buddhism and how that helps you? [*school of Mahayana Buddhism asserting that enlightenment can come through meditation and intuition rather than faith]

John: That’s a hard question. In the big picture, so many other religions tell you what you can and can’t do. But Buddhism is about a state of consciousness, seeking that greater interconnectedness, it’s a way of thinking. Things happen for a reason. Buddhism helps you learn about these lessons presented to you and to seek the path of enlightenment.

In order to achieve that state of consciousness, I practice the ability to acknowledge the nerves, the stress and then let go. Sometimes I meditate before a special class, when there are too many things going on in my head. I try to do some yoga and meditation in the morning in order to clear my mind.

Conversations With Equestrians: Paige Dotson

By Laura Ware

Ten riders are heading to Colorado in late July to represent Zone 10 at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. Congratulations to all who participated in the trials– successfully competing at 1.40 is a huge accomplishment. Young Rider Team Member Paige Dotson was generous enough to share her trials experience. Part of Zone 10’s Gold Medal winning ‘B’ Team last year in Virginia, Dotson, 17, is hoping to strike a repeat performance at Young Riders this year participating on the ‘A’ Team.

Laura: Please tell us a bit about your Young Rider horse.
Paige: I am taking Friponnier II CH (aka Flip) to the Young Riders championships. He is a 16 year old Swiss warmblood gelding, but he likes to pretend that he is still seven! Mandy Porter rode him as a young horse in Europe and brought him back with her when she returned to California. He has qualified for young riders at least three times – with me, Erica Buie, and once or twice with Kelly Fong. I cannot thank the Buies enough for selling him to me and my parents for buying him; he has done wonders for my riding! He moved me up from the low jumpers to the highs, to the opens, and I did my first (very small) Grand Prix on him in Del Mar last October. He’s a grumpy old man but he’s all bark and no bite. He will charge out of his stall ears pinned back, snarling, but all he really wants is for you to pay attention to him and play with him. And besides his strong dislike of Keri Potter’s dog, JJ, he’s a favorite at the Buie’s barn.

Laura: What did you like/dislike about the trials format?
Paige: I really like the trial format; it’s the reason I’m on the team. I was a little worried that it would be a lot of rounds for Flip but he almost bucked me off in the warm-up on the last day! Having experienced these trials and how they prepare you for the finals, I love them. It is nice to know what to expect when you get to the finals, and Linda Allen set the courses so that they are comparable to the finals, which allows us to know what we are going up against.

Laura: How much experience have you had competing at 1.45m?
Paige: I have been doing the 1.45m with Flippy since the end of last September. At HITS I competed in the Jimmy Williams future classes to get some more experience and have been doing the 1.45m at the previous trials this year.

Laura: Tell us about the trial rounds at Oaks Blenheim. How were the courses, difficulty factor, number of clean rounds, format…
Paige: The final trials were challenging and asked the riders to be consistent over a three day period:
Speed class: The first day faults were converted into time. There were some very tricky spots such as the double combination of verticals which were very tight. In order to be fast enough you had to do a forward eight to the jump, making the rails difficult to leave up. There also was a tall vertical that you had to jump on a very sharp angle. That one came down quite a bit. After a course that encouraged you to come very forward, a lot of horses got strong. Linda asked us to jump across the open water and go directly to a VERY tight one-stride. Many people had beautiful rounds until this point then had a rail at ‘B’ of this combination because they could not get their horses back after the beginning which was so forward, and then the forward water jump.
Day Two: The course was very technical, with a few wide oxers asking for scope. Once again, Linda asked if you could get across the water, this time going to it right after another jump, then get your horse back for a tall airy vertical. The last combination was a tight one stride where ‘B’ had black boxes underneath that scared some horses. The four Young Rider/horse combinations that were clean in the first round came back for a jump off. There was a very tight inside turn to the second jump that saved time, but was very risky and caused problems, as well as the last long gallop to a huge airy vertical. We had Saturday off, and then returned Sunday for a two round competition.
Final Day: The first course was very hard. The time was tight and encouraged riders to rush, causing them to have rails. The triple combination was early on and was a very quiet two to a longer one-stride at a rather wide oxer. Some people got the two done but had trouble getting across the oxer. The last line was the water jump, then a quiet seven to an airy vertical. Most of the class had a foot in the water, even while riding at it hard. After galloping hard to the water, they then had difficulty fitting in the quiet seven, in order to leave the last jump up. The second round was fairly straight-forward and much shorter, with many clean rounds. The time was tight and it seemed that the problem area on this course was the wide oxer that rocketed you into a tight two-stride of verticals. Then you had to protect your horse’s front end at the oxer that was seven strides away.

Laura: After last year, what do you expect and what do you hope for at NAYJRC?
Paige: Last year both the junior and young rider teams won gold, with Karl winning individual gold and Aurora winning bronze. It was the first time in a while that Zone 10 did that well. Our group was tightly knit and there was great team camaraderie. I expect the courses to be technical and the jumps to be big, but I think that our trials prepared us well. I’m sure that our teams this year will be just as close as last I hope that we can win some medals again – gold would be great! I hope to place in the top individually and maybe even get a medal.

Laura: Why did you choose to focus on the jumpers instead of the equitation or hunters?
Paige: I chose to concentrate on jumpers for several reasons. Ever since I was little, I have enjoyed going fast on things, whether it’s a roller coaster, a dirt bike, or a horse. After I competed in the short stirrup classes on my first horse, I got a pony jumper who was really fast and fun. From there on I did jumpers. Since I really enjoyed it and so did my parents, that’s where I ended up! A few years back, I got to watch the Olympic Trials held at Oaks Blenheim, while I was riding there in Children’s Jumpers. I got hooked on international competition and decided that I would really like to compete in the Olympic Trials someday.

Laura: What are your future riding goals?
Paige: Next year, I hope to start competing at the Grand Prix level regularly. When I graduate from high school I am going to go to college in California in order to continue riding and training with Keri Potter. Hopefully, after college I will turn professional. One day, also, if I have the horse, I would like to compete in international competitions such as the World Cup.

Thanks for your input, Paige, and good luck to you and both teams at the Championships!

Laura Listens is brought to you by Laura Ware. Winner of the 2007 LAHSA Junior Medal Finals and a recipient of the 2008 WCAR Jumper Rider Grant, Laura rides with First Field Farm and often trains with Archie Cox. She is very successful in the all three disciplines on her own mounts as well as catch riding other horses.

My Horse Tustin

By Laura Ware

Growing up around horses, I could handle watching them get sold. I could even handle watching them get hurt, and could usually keep a stiff upper lip when the vet would say that this particular horse was not going to be able to do its job anymore, but watching them die was something I had never had to deal with. None of the horses at my mother’s barn had ever encountered any life-threatening injuries, and even the school horses were sent off to an old friend’s stable when their time loomed near. This, however, all changed on March 17th.

TustinIndio2006 — Laura Ware and Tustin at HITS Indio 2006. Photo © Flying Horse Photography

My horse died. My horse Tustin, whom I purchased from Europe as a five year old, who took me from borderline terrifying rounds in the Modified Junior Jumpers to wins in the High Junior Jumpers, who tolerated my mistakes like an old school master even though he was barely eight years old, who would stand stock still as four-year-old riding school students (and myself, of course!) fawned over him, who would leave the ground from any distance at any jump without question, shattered his pastern bone in the turn-out.

This simply was not supposed to happen. This is my last junior year; we were supposed to qualify for Junior Young Riders together, and Prix Des States at Harrisburg, and maybe even Washington or Devon, and then, when this beloved, amazing horse could no longer do what I asked of him, he was going to be some lucky kid’s children’s jumper until he was at least 20 years old. All I’ve ever wanted was to become a Grand Prix rider, and after finally hitting the High Junior Jumper mark, I felt so incredibly close. I had so many dreams for myself and my little horse, and, in the time it takes to pull the plunger on a syringe, watching them all float away was unbelievably hard to deal with. Unfortunately, these things happen, and I’m glad I had the pleasure of owning and riding this very special horse. We grew by leaps and bounds together, and he was, and will probably always remain, my absolute favorite.

I don’t know how to say this without sounding cheesy, but receiving everyone’s condolences was wonderfully heartwarming. Hearing all these trainers and competitors and parents say how sorry they were gave me a great sense of belonging; people really do care. I look up to these trainers, and when the ones to whom I’d never really spoken (yet always admired from afar) came over and let me know how sorry they were, it made me feel good, like I wasn’t the only one who thought my little horse was great. I really wanted to be able to keep my feet in the jumper ring (hunters and equitation are fun, but nothing compares to going fast and jumping big!), so Archie Cox was kind enough to arrange for me to ride Marnix G, a horse who used to be in training with him, but is now at Joie Gatlin and Morley Abey’s barn. I got to show Marnix in the Low Junior Jumpers at the first two Oaks horse shows, and had a blast. Tustin was the only jumper I had ever ridden over anything bigger than 3’9”, so it was nice to be able to prove to myself that I am capable of successfully piloting a different horse over a decent-sized course.

I’m young and impatient and hate having to accept the fact that my goals are being delayed, but my parents have been generous enough to purchase another young jumper prospect. Hopefully this horse will eventually be able to take me back up to where I was, and will be able to stand the inevitable comparisons to his flawless predecessor. As the wise adults have been telling me, life goes on!

Highlights From 2008 HITS Golf Tournament

Monday, March 3rd

PremierTruckVID — Team Premier Truck & Trailer
and Video in Demand
Photo © Kathy Hobstetter

Premier Truck & Trailer / Video in Demand capture 2008 HITS Golf Tournament

Once the scorecards were added up from the annual HITS Desert Circuit Exhibitor Golf Tournament, it was Team Premier Truck & Trailer/Video in Demand that captured the bragging rights.

Team members Grahem Dreiling, Darryl Dickinson, Vid Laurusaitis and Ben Woods finished 10 under par at Indians Palms Country Club to upset two-time defending champion Monarch International/Sovereign Place. The Monarch team featured Joe Thorpe and former major-league hurler Mark Langston and finished 9 under to grab a share of second place with Team HITS, captained by starter Ben Watson.

“We all bailed each other out,” said Laurusaitis, who owns and operates Video in Demand. “Darryl hit the pin three times so I would say he was our MVP. It was my first year playing in the tournament and I will not miss it again. It was so much fun!”

The most popular hole on the course was the Margaritaville hole, sponsored by Amanda Tallman and Hidden Creek Farm. Devoucoux and Bill McConnell hosted an open bar at the conclusion of the round where all 15 teams added their totals and shared stories of how many houses they plunked that align the course. “Five houses and three pools,” joked course decorator Evie Frisque.

Other sponsors of the tournament included Diamond Mountain Stables, Designs by Arlene, Huntover, Little Valley Farm, Joie Gatlin – Morley Abey Show Jumping, Game Ready Equine, Willowbrook, Everwood, Equifit, Karen Healey Stables, Apollo Farms, Monarch International, Sovereign Place, Threadneedle, D’Ambrosio & D’Ambrosio, Hagyard, and ShowHorse Productions.

“Thanks to the generosity of today’s sponsors we were able to make it a fabulous event,” said Chris Mayone, who organized the tournament. “We had some great prizes and almost $2,000 in prize money!”

2008 Exhibitor Golf Tournament Team Results:

1. Premier Truck & Trailer/Video In Demand: -10
2. Monarch Int’l/Sovereign Pl. (w/ J. Thorpe): -9
2. HITS: -9
4. FarmVet/Bill McConnell: -7
5. Monarch Int’l/Sovereign Pl. (w/ L. Thorpe): -5
5. Maple Leaf Farm/Guy Thomas: -5
5. Leone Equestrian: -5
6. Peter Breakwell: -3
6. Quail Hollow: -3
6. Karen Healey Stables/Sam Perlow: -3
6. Juniper Farms: -3
12. Far West Farm; -2
13. Eddie Macken: -2
14. CWD/Rubicon Farms/Threadneedle: -1
15. Game Ready Equine/Roy/Frisque: +4

As another circuit comes to a close, EquestriSol would like to make note of some memorable experiences – the excitement of watching World Cup Qualifiers and a Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum clinic in the intimacy of the EquiBase Systems Arena, daily delectables and friendly service in the Oasis Club, watching hunters be handy under the lights of the Grand Prix field and a variety of entertaining events from singing contests to fashion shows.

Congratulations to all the successes from simply staying aboard to winning a big class.

We hope that everyone has enjoyed reading these weekly newsletters – look for us at other 2008 circuits. Contact Tammy at 818.472.5930 to participate.

Buying And Selling

By Tammy Chipko

Finding the right horse can be an exciting and rewarding experience if you are prepared. When it comes to selling a horse there are a variety of marketing options, from sale barns to online listings or a combination. I had the opportunity to speak with four very different professionals who specialize in “matchmaking for horses and owners.” Whether you are buying or selling, their collective knowledge may help you.

TAMMY CHIPKO: How would you describe your professional life in the horse industry and what led you to buying and selling horses?

JULIE: For more than 30 years I have been managing a 150+ acre facility in Nevada that encompasses everything from lessons, training and sales to a breeding program. In order to showcase my personal horses for sale, I set up a viewing of sales horses at the Indio Polo Grounds near the former location of HITS on Mondays. I invited people to bring their own horses for sale and present them in a quiet, casual atmosphere. People could come and see and ride the horses knowing they were all for sale. This proved to be a successful hands-on approach that everyone really seemed to enjoy.

JOHN: I started as a kid growing up in the Quarter Horse world. I would go to auctions when I was 16 and pick up what I could in order to sell them. I suppose it has always been in my blood I have always wanted to work for myself and own sale horses, so I started Apollo Farms in 1993. With my own place I can manage the horses and have a facility to showcase them.

ALAN: I grew up in California and went to Palm Springs High School. I was always around horses and planned on making this my business. I took 24 horses to Florida one year and sold 21 of them. I decided to go to Europe to buy some new horses and return to Florida. I never returned. I have developed a special niche and enjoy developing horses from the beginning to the show ring. With a large stock of my own home-bred horses and connections with all the local farmers, I have built an excellent American style working facility because I have an understanding of what Americans look for. I know how a Hunter should look, understand what is expected of an Equitation horse and know the different levels of Jumpers.

SCOTT: I used to buy and sell horses myself and found the turn-around time extremely slow. Buyers would fly all over looking for horses without knowing what they would see when they arrived. Sending videos was a drawn-out process – a horse could already be sold by the time the video would arrive. Websites that showed horses were either not specific to high-end show horses or the horses were not represented well. We combine the power of our website and publication to ensure that both the people and businesses we represent reach the maximum number of horse enthusiasts. Our goal is to connect the show horse world’s riders, trainers, and horses with each other more quickly and efficiently through print, web and video.

TC: What advice can you give to a potential buyer?

JULIE: It’s important that buyers are realistic about their abilities and goals, and honest about what they are able to spend on a horse. People are funny about discussing money but it makes the process so much easier for everyone if they are just honest about it. Another bit of advice I would offer is to be patient. If someone calls me, I keep a record of what they are looking for. I may have seen them ride at horse shows, or know of past horses they have owned. I am always looking for the right match.

JOHN: Apollo Farms is an established sales and show barn which is based on integrity and passion for the sport. I want to be sure that the rider and horse make a good match. If I don’t feel good about the combination, I will suggest that it is not a match. I stand behind the horses I sell and have almost none returned. With that said, if there is a problem I fix it. I think this is key to my success.

ALAN: Be honest about your background, what you want in a horse, your level of riding and what you are able to spend. It cuts down a lot on time. Also, don’t go looking for “the perfect horse”. What suits you will suit the horse. Be honest and I can find the horse!

SCOTT: Suitability, suitability, suitability! Find the horse that suits all your needs, not just some of them. This is especially important for juniors and amateurs.

TC: Common mistakes people might make when they are looking to purchase a horse?

JULIE: Try not to be gun-shy if you find the perfect horse and it happens to be the first one you sit on. If the first horse seems perfect, then that’s great! It’s a big decision, but it’s best not to procrastinate. A year later you may have no horse because you are still looking for the perfect one. Another mistake people make is buying a horse without their trainer. The trainer has the expertise to help assure that the horse will work for you. And ultimately the trainer may also be responsible for trying to sell the horse for you.

ALAN: Do your homework. Most people who sell horses are honest and trustworthy. Some may not necessarily be dishonest, but may not be knowledgeable. Some Europeans might not really understand what an American Hunter or Equitation Horse, or a Low vs. High Amateur Jumper is. Ultimately, do your homework, check records, and know what you are purchasing.

TC: Common mistakes people might make when they are looking to sell a horse?

JOHN: The seller and I have to believe in the same price. I do not want to take a horse that is overpriced for the market – it doesn’t make sense and it makes everyone unhappy. If a horse is priced under or fair market it is much easier to sell. I also have to believe in the horse. To make sure I know what I am representing, I like to take the horse to one or two shows. By doing this I feel I get to know the horse. I give my opinion on what the horse needs, and how long it may take to sell. Each individual horse is different and some may take longer than others. I am honest about my expectations and costs in order to eliminate any confusion.

TC: What advice can you give to a potential seller?

SCOTT: Anyone who is buying or selling can use Central Equine. We work with top trainers, sales barns, and individuals. We now have an alliance with EquestriSol so sale horses can be seen weekly in print and e-news, 24/7 on our web site and in our eBook which has distribution on both coasts. We do not make commissions or charge a fee when a horse sells so we are not eliminating the use of trainers and or agents. It’s quite the opposite – we want to help them reach the maximum audience to showcase their horses. All a seller needs to do is provide pictures, a video, and the information about the horse. We do the rest. Our website is very easy to use and allows sellers to update their sale horse’s information as needed on their own. Your role is to present your sale horse correctly. Low quality pictures, poor video, or weak descriptions will get your horse overlooked. We provide the information buyers need which can more effectively help them find the type of show horse they are looking for.

TC: Most rewarding experience?

JULIE: I love seeing horses that I matched up with people at the horse shows. It is especially rewarding when someone comes up and thanks me for finding that special horse, or I see someone achieve something great because of a good match.

JOHN: Just to walk around the horse show and have people come up to me and say that I sold them the best horse they have ever had.

ALAN: Oh, I have so many. First and foremost, I am a father of two incredible kids.
As far as the business – well, where do I start? I love the horses. I love the training process. I have a huge attachment to my horses. I do not look forward to seeing them walk out of my stable – I do however, love seeing them be successful!

SCOTT: Since we began Central Equine in 2004, we have had an 800% increase in traffic on our web site. In 2006 we started printing 1200 copies of the magazine and now we print 12,000. That is rewarding!

TC: Thanks to you all for your time and expertise.

EquestriSol News: February 21, 2006

EquestriSol Offers Fabulous Marketing Opportunities at 2006 HITS Indio Desert Circuit
This year, through our sponsorship with HITS, we are able to combine web, print and display options never offered before at HITS Indio Desert Circuit. EquestriSol is now offering marketing packages as well as a la carte options that can be customized according to your business’s goals. For more information, call 310.930.2744. We look forward to enhancing your market reach at the HITS Desert Circuit.

Chronicle of the Horse
Mark your calendars! Winning strategies begin in the Chronicle! Advertise in these upcoming special issues:

NEXT! February 24th, Published March 10th – Horse Show Issue!

Creative Saddlery

You envision it, we create it. See your creative tack room dreams come to life. Dress all your horses in matching attire for day and night.

Book your orders by March 1st and mention this EquestriSol Newsletter Ad to receive a 10% discount! Call (626) 351-0407 today!

EquestriSol News: February 8, 2006

West Coast Active Riders
The mission of West Coast Active Riders is to support and promote the riding abilities of show-jumping riders of all levels who compete primarily in the western United States. Become a member of WCAR today!

Spruce Meadows Applications are now posted!

Mark your calendars for the WCAR Indio Party & Fundraiser on Friday, March 10, 2006 at the beautiful La Quinta Resort. More information coming soon!

Ad Campaigns
Now Available! The 2006 winter issue of Show Circuit Magazine features impressive ads designed by the EquestriSol team. It was a pleasure working with Arwen Stables, Highland Farm, Sunnybrook Farm & Ranch and Susan Artes Stables and we look forward to new opportunities in 2006.

Wouldn’t it be cool to have a fabulous ad in the Chronicle of the Horse? The annual Horse Show Issue will be available on March 10th. Deadline for ads is February 24th. Contact EquestriSol today about ad design for your champion horse, sale horse or business.

To view current and past clients and our portfolio, go to EquestriSol.com

Equine.com
Celebrating their 10th Anniversary online, Equine.com is hosting a great giveaway. Beginning in March check out the site for the 10-A-Day-Giveaway where ten prizes will be awarded daily and a special Grand Prize will be awarded each month.

EquestriSol News: December 2005

West Coast Active Riders
EquestriSol is excited about working with Dale Harvey and the WCAR Board as well as taking on the responsibilities of marketing, advertising and project management for WCAR. Gaby has done a fabulous job managing this organization for the past two years and we will strive to continue the spirit of her efforts. If you have a question or concern, please send an email to [email protected].

Important ! WCAR Meritorious Rider Scholarship Program applications are now available! Applications have been distributed via email and snail mail to many West Coast barns. This wonderful scholarship will award two deserving, well-rounded equestrians a total of $4,000 for showing and stabling fees at horse shows run by Dale Harvey and West Palm Communications, Robert Ridland and RJ Brandes at Oaks Blenheim, Larry and Marnye Langer of Equestrian Sports, Inc., and Tom Struzzieri and HITS.

Applications are due on or before JANUARY 9th, 2006. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nicki Fraioli at (619) 200-3463 or by email at [email protected]