Conversations With Equestrians: Richard Spooner

By Tammy Chipko

Anyone who has spent any time at the Jumper Ring has certainly seen Richard Spooner, either on one of his many mounts, or helping someone from the ground. He shows up first thing in the morning with a backpack full of supplies to keep him going all day, including a full supply of horse cookies. He always has a smile on his face and something nice to say. Aware that he is one the most competitive Show Jumping riders in the world, I was interested in researching how he prepares, trains, and keeps his horses fit and happy throughout a hectic show schedule.

Tammy Chipko: After a very busy and successful year in 2007, did you get to take a little time off?
Richard Spooner: Yes, my wife Kaylen and I spent two weeks in the Cayman Islands. It was a very nice break.

TC: Do your horses get a break too?
RS: Yes, they definitely get a break and we usually start back slowly after Christmas.

TC: How do you prepare for a new season?
RS: I usually start with the three or four horses that have had a lighter year or are greener. This way they can compete in the first half of the circuit. The other horses get a couple extra weeks off then I will start them back in preparation for the middle to end of the circuit. I don’t ask too much from these horses until the end of the circuit.

TC: How do you decide which horses will compete?
RS: Each horse has its own goals so I develop a plan based on that. My top show jumpers will do much less at the beginning of the year and end up doing more towards the middle to the end of the year.

TC: How do you keep your Grand Prix horses fit and happy with such a busy schedule?
RS: Fortunately, I have a large pool of horses. I can back off with one for a while because I have other horses to fill their shoes. I am lucky that way and it certainly keeps the horses much more excited about their job.

TC: Are you going to compete in Europe this year?
RS: Yes, one of my goals is definitely to spend time in Europe. I really enjoyed it last year. I plan to compete on the Global Champions Tour (read more about this tour below), which starts in Doha, Qatar then proceeds to Hamburg, (GER) Cannes, (FRA), Monte Carlo, (MON) Estoril, (POR) Valkenswaard,(NED) and Arezzo (ITA). To top it off, the Two Million Dollar Euro Final will be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

TC: What an amazing tour – how many horses will you take?
RS: Two or three, and this will be those horses’ top goal for the year.

TC: How are you able to travel so much and have your business here in CA?
RS: I am very fortunate to have a terrific staff! A great team effort is absolutely essential to facilitate this type of schedule. Chris Pratt can prepare horses and show them either on different circuits or on the same circuits as I do. He also works well with clients and is all around a tremendous asset to me.

TC: Is their anything most people don’t know about you?
RS: No – (laughing)

Maybe that would be a different interview…

Well, you are certainly starting the year off great with the first
Grand Prix win of the season aboard Gerry the Grey.
Good luck with your 100+ Grand Prix goal and be safe!