“So often in our sport, you mess up or have bad luck or the wind blows the wrong way. There are so many things out of your control,” she said. “For everything to go right and hearing the crowd screaming after that last jump was just a magical feeling.”

Yet, even at the pinnacle of her career, Smith finds the art of horsemanship a lifelong process and is devoted to continuing her education every day. “Learning is such a crucial piece of the puzzle with horses and is one of the most rewarding aspects of training,” she said. “Horses don’t think like people do, so you have to learn how they think and process information. That way, you understand why they react the way they do.”

Like most eventers who achieve five-star success, Smith’s journey was rarely easy, but every road bump revealed a new layer to her edification in the sport. Whether she’s coaching a student, bouncing ideas off her peers, babysitting her granddaughter or fielding questions from reporters at the Kentucky Three-Day, Smith exudes kindness and a genuine passion for every pursuit in her life. She talks about what contributed to her success, balancing motherhood with her eventing career and breaking gender barriers in the sport.

Defining Success In a Sport Ruled by Murphy’s Law

After every competition, Smith journals about what worked and what didn’t and reflecting on decades of her notes, she found a common thread among the most successful people in the sport—use mistakes as learning opportunities. “That’s the key ingredient to success in eventing,” she said. “Use failures to your advantage, and eventually you start to see all these micro successes.”

Unlike many at the top of the sport, Smith never struggled with being afraid to fail. To her, mistakes are simply lessons to add to her training toolbox to help both her and her horses learn and improve.

“I work hard to never allow my ego to get involved. I simply try to learn what went wrong. I’m resilient, but I’ve been knocked down a lot and there have been times when it was a real struggle to get back up,” she said. “That’s why the mentality of not just looking at the end result but focusing on the substance of the journey is so important. You need to have the drive to make it happen, but in an empathetic way.”

 The Five-Star Grandma

When Smith had her daughter and now fellow eventer Kaylawna Smith-Cook in 1996, there weren’t many women riding at the five-star level who were simultaneously tackling motherhood. And she now jokes that she might be the only five-star grandmother, since Smith-Cook had her daughter Kennedy four years ago.

“As scary as it seemed at the time, I feel like having my kids has been such an advantage to my career. They helped me keep my work-family life balanced,” Smith, who is also mom to her 21-year-old son Tyler, said. “I had Kaylawna when I was so young that we really grew up together. During the hard times, she was my saving grace because I had this little support human depending on me who thought I was the world.”

Smith-Cook grew up riding under the tutelage of her mom, Australian show jumper Scott Keach and eventers Gina Economou and Bec Braitling. While she continues to help run Smith’s sales program at Next Level Eventing in Temecula, California, Smith-Cook now owns and operates her own training program, K. Smith Equestrian, and has a current string of exciting up-and-coming horses.

“I have a lot of pride in watching what Kaylawna has been able to do with her own career. It’s been amazing to see her cultivate a great group of owners and horses,” Smith said. “I’m really excited about that for her.”

While she admits it was challenging to stay in the “mom zone” during her daughter’s formative training years in the sport, Smith is grateful to her friends for offering up their expertise to the young, budding eventer.

“No one wants their mother telling them what to do in all aspects of their lives 24 hours a day. But we found a good balance so that I could be there to her support when she wanted my help,” she said. “It’s been amazing to watch Kaylawna grow and move up through the levels. And now being in the same sport together as adults I love bouncing ideas off her. One of my dreams is that she and I get to compete on a U.S. team together someday.”

Breaking the Mold

As one of the few five-star eventers to take on motherhood from a young age to being the first woman to win the Kentucky Three-Day Event since 2011 with her and Mai Baum’s 2023 victory, Smith has already made huge strides in breaking down gender barriers in a sport that’s predominantly been led by men.

“I don’t like to say that I’m at an unfair advantage being a woman in the sport because I genuinely don’t feel that way,” she said. “Equestrian is the only Olympic event where men and women compete equally, which is a testament to our sport in that it requires a high degree of skill and experience—not just strength.”

Smith notes, however, that as she’s gotten older, she has to hit the gym more than her male counterparts. “No matter how much we work out as women, we have to face the fact that men are naturally physically stronger than we are,” she said. “And if you’re galloping around a five-star cross-country track and aren’t on a Thoroughbred, strength matters.”

While women have undoubtedly made advances in the sport, Smith says the physical and hormonal changes that can affect muscle strength, bone density and energy levels they experience in their 40s and 50s is something that still needs to be addressed. And while most Olympic athletes don’t compete later in life, equestrians do.

“If you’re a woman my age going into an Olympic sport and are experiencing depleted hormone levels, you aren’t allowed to supplement or get help for those issues,” she said. “Men don’t go through that. So that, to me, is an unfair advantage.”

Smith, who had additional challenges after being diagnosed with uterine cancer in her late 20s and having a hysterectomy at 30, points out that for some women, those changes happen even sooner in life.

“I really think we need to look at this and figure out how to fix it for other women coming up in the sport,” she said. “Because as we all know, we become better riders, competitors and horsemen and women with more experience, and age is part of that equation.”

For More:

• Read more about Tamie Smith, here.
• To listen to our recent podcast with Smith, click here.

This article first appeared in the summer 2025 issue of Practical Horseman.

Unfortunately, war in Nilforushan’s home country of Iran resulted in trying times for his family and a pause on riding. Eventually, his family immigrated to San Diego, California, and Nilforushan picked up his horse habit again at age 12. “Then, it was just history, and that’s all I ever wanted to do after that,” he said. 

For Nilforushan, horses were an escape as he didn’t have many friends at school as a kid in California.

“I came from a country that was known for not good things here [in the U.S.]. I remember when I was in school at the drinking fountain and nobody would drink water after me,” he said. “But when I was around horses, it didn’t matter who I was or where I was from. So, the horses kept me in this beautiful bubble.”

From the past to present day, Nilforushan is thankful for having horses in his life. “It’s literally the greatest gift that could have ever come to me, so I never take it for granted,” he said. “I consider myself the luckiest person to have had this beautiful sport come into my life.”

From Humble Beginnings To the Olympics

After starting riding lessons, Nilforushan gravitated toward show jumping. “Once you start riding, you tend to tap into your passion,” he said. “And my passion was show jumping, so I kept going with it.” 

Over the next several years, Nilforushan honed his skills as a rider and worked his way up the show-jumping ranks to the top level of the sport. He began training with Eric Navet, French Olympic and world championship medalist, to help him achieve top international results with several mounts. 

Nilforushan considers himself fortunate to have connected with talented horses throughout his riding career. With Campione M, he became the first Iranian equestrian to compete at an Olympic Games in 2000 in Sydney, Australia. The pair qualified for the Individual Final, but when Campione M turned his back on Nilforushan in the stall before the final jog, it was a sign to withdraw from the competition.

 “It was clear that at that point he’d had enough competing for the week,” he said. “Eric Navet always taught us to be horsemen before sportsmen.”

Nilforushan also achieved a string of impressive results with Cellist 2. In 2006, the pair competed at the FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They qualified for the FEI World Equestrian Games that year, but after Cellist was diagnosed with a lung problem, Nilforushan opted not to compete at the major event to prioritize the horse’s health.

“I was lucky enough to do some very good things with him,” he said of Cellist 2. “He was a really wonderful trier.”  

Taking on the Role of Horse Show Organizer

Competing at international championships and national events allowed Nilforushan to partake in a variety of horse-show experiences. In 2017, he believed it was time to change up the horse-show model that he was experiencing, so he decided to retire from competition to pursue horse-show management. “I realized there were a lot of things I could do to change the sport because what I was seeing was not enjoyable for me anymore,” Nilforushan said.

His first foray into show organization was at the National Sunshine Series, which he purchased from the Langer Group. Shortly after, he sold the show to Tom Struzzieri, formerly of HITS Horse Shows. Nilforushan then took a hiatus before creating his ideal horse-show experience. 

“I just waited for my opportunity to do what I envisioned without having to be apologetic or worry about how long it’s going to take for it to be profitable,” Nilforushan explained.

He founded Nilforushan Equisport Events, a horse-show management company, with his wife, Francie Nilforushan. The company developed the Temecula Valley National Horse Shows at Galway Downs Equestrian in Temecula, California. The endeavor proved to be popular with competitors and grew into a successful show series led by Nilforushan.

“I always thought I could make a wonderful show experience for everybody involved,” he said. “You learn what you expect as a rider and trainer. Now to be in a position where I can make those things happen is probably one of the best parts.”

With his horse shows, Nilforushan aims to address what he believes is the hardest part of equestrian sport: lack of opportunity. He tries to cater to both competitors and spectators alike by producing USEF-rated shows with prize money classes, affordable showing options and first-class VIP experiences. Entertainment is also a factor at Nilforushan’s shows with live music, game nights and social events.

“When you come to our shows, there are so many different opportunities for people,” he explained. Whether it’s free entries for young horses and Thoroughbreds or different tiered levels of stable pricing.” 

New Ventures on the West Coast

Nilforushan’s horse-show management style and expertise caught the attention of Equine Network, who acquired a controlling interest in the successful enterprise in December 2024. In addition to continuing to run the Temecula Valley National Horse Shows, Nilforushan and his team are organizing The Oaks, a revamped show series held at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano, California.  

“That’s an iconic venue for the West Coast,” Nilforushan said. Noting that some of the West Coast competitors head East in the summertime, he believes The Oaks is an important part of the California competition calendar. “That’s always been my dream to have something that we can rally around in the summertime and not have to leave. And I believe that we’re going be able to do that,” he added.

The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park is undergoing numerous upgrades for The Oaks. Nilforushan explained that all arenas are getting new footing, and the Ebb & Flow Arena will have a stadium-like feel. A new kitchen is also being built for a high-quality dining experiences in the VIP areas. Additional changes are also set to give competitors and spectators a whole new experience at the venue. 

“The layout is going to be different; the vendor area is going to be different. It’s a dramatic change,” Nilforushan said. “We’re doing some arena shifting. A lot of them are the same arenas. But they’ll have a completely different feel because of what we’re doing around them.”

Even with the new opportunity with The Oaks, Nilforushan’s vision remains the same. 

“As I walk around all day at my horse shows watching, I try to put myself in other people’s shoes, and I realized that I’m in a position where I can affect their lives and improve their show experiences,” he said. “I think it’s actually beneficial that I didn’t come from a horse-show organizing background, because I always look at things as a trainer, rider or owner, and do what I think is best from that perspective.” 

For More:

• Listen to our Practical Horseman Podcast with Ali Nilforushan here.
• To learn more about Nilforushan Equisport Events, click here.
  

Editor’s note: Equine Network also owns Practical Horseman.

“When I was younger, I resonated with trainers who gave me the feeling that I could do anything,” he said. “Even when my students are nervous or unsure about a new experience, if I maintain 100-percent confidence in their abilities, they can push themselves further than they thought possible.”

Following a stellar Junior career, Hesslink focused on developing a program centered on the health and happiness of his human and equine athletes. In addition to teaching confidence, the horseman also prioritized trainer–student communication—a philosophy he incorporates into his training program at Hesslink Williams, the business he owns and operates with his partner, Brendan Williams.

Emphasizing crucial basics with both his horses and students, Hesslink strives to keep all experiences—at home or in the show ring—positive. He wants to prevent mistakes or setbacks from affecting long-term goals.

“There is always another horse show and another class. I wish I learned that earlier in my riding career,” he noted. “We ride, we make mistakes, we either execute the plan or we learn from it. I focus on what we can take from each round and apply it to the future.”

Finding His Stride

After Hesslink broke his arm in a playground accident as a kid, his doctor recommended horseback riding for physical therapy. This misfortune would shape the trajectory of the young horseman’s life. But growing up in a non-equestrian family in a small town in Vermont, not exactly a hub for horse activities, he struggled to feel accepted by his peers early in his career.

“Mentally, it took me a long time to get past that and to feel confident in my own skin,” he noted. “But over the years, I became more self-assured in trusting my program.”

This sentiment didn’t come easily for him as a young rider. An inherently high-strung person, Hesslink put a lot of internal pressure on himself. He did his best to ignore the show-day jitters, with the false belief that top athletes didn’t get nervous. But this tactic proved futile. “Time after time, I would let the nervous energy get the best of me,” he said. “I couldn’t allow myself to be in the moment and execute what I knew I was capable of.”

So, Hesslink learned a different approach. He recreated the pressure he felt at shows during every practice round at home and every class at schooling shows. Getting used to the feeling when there wasn’t as much pressure helped him manage it for more intense situations. When important competitions arrived, he experienced feeling excited about showing versus nervousness or fear.

“Nerves are a good thing—they’re evidence that we truly care about something. With this mindset, I’ve learned the more I amp myself up ahead of a big event—meaning the more I care about it—the more I can make the butterflies work for me in the moment,” he explained. “My favorite rounds are the handy portion of a derby, either coming in with room for improvement and leaving it all in the ring, or coming in on top knowing the pressure is on and I get to be as handy as possible.” 

Perspective’s Role in an Unpredictable Sport

In an unpredictable sport that’s replete with highs and lows, Hesslink also learned that holding on to perfectionism only hindered his ability to gain confidence and progress. With time, he discovered the benefits of allowing his young horses to learn while showing versus expecting or demanding perfection every time. Horses, he noted, like us, learn best from their mistakes.

“It’s easy to expect perfection every time, but that’s just an obviously impossible, pointless goal. At the end of the day, I’ve learned to simply listen to my horses,” he said. “I let them tell me what’s going on, what they need or what I can do differently or better. Listening is key for communication and confidence.”

Hesslink noted that comparing yourself to others or believing your worth as a rider is only as good as your last round is easy. But in his experience, the most successful riders let go of these unproductive notions. “I try to keep all of this in perspective. This is a very hard sport to predict,” he said. “You always need to strive to reinvent yourself and improve in order to help your horses and set yourself up for success—and listening to what they’re telling us is the best way to accomplish that.”

Hesslink on Keeping Butterflies at Bay

Hesslink found that once he learned how to manage his nerves, his confidence naturally improved. While some riders tamp their butterflies by watching a few rounds to see how the course rides in real time, he avoids the show ring at all costs. 

“I need to be distracted and not thinking about how others rode a certain line or whether the course looks harder than expected or walked differently than people are riding it,” he said. “I do better by only focusing on my ride. I know my horses. I make a plan and try to stick to it.”

These days, Hesslink doesn’t entertain too many superstitions during his pre-competition routine, but he devoutly adheres to two things: breathing and bananas. 

“If I can feel my heart racing or the adrenaline pumping while my horse and I are walking the course or in the schooling ring, I make myself do a specific breathing exercise,” he explained. “My coach calls it 6-3-6. You breathe in for six seconds. Hold it for three seconds, and then breathe out for six. This really helps my heart rate go down, and I can feel the butterflies settling a little bit.”

His other mandatory show-day task to help stave off nerves includes snacking on a banana. One of Hesslink’s early coaches as a Junior rider advised him that the fruit’s high-potassium content and other nutrients help eliminate the physical feeling of butterflies in your stomach. “Whether it’s a mental or physical thing, eating a banana before a big competition makes me feel better,” he laughed. “If it works, it works, right?”

Instilling Confidence in His Horses

Hesslink also prioritizes peak conditioning for the horses in his program. Over time, he found that improving their fitness levels goes hand-in-hand with developing confidence. “I like my horses to be a bit more fit than I think most hunter people do,” he noted. “And I don’t drill them because they just don’t need to practice that much. Instead, I focus on keeping them fit, happy and healthy. I think my horses jump very well based on the less-is-more approach.”

Hesslink keeps his horses’ day-to-day exercise routine simple, even down to the jumps in his practice arena. “I keep my jumps plain. I use the more traditional ‘hunter’ jumps at shows to encourage my horses to be more engaged,” he said. “And I typically only jump them once or twice a week if they’re not showing just to keep that jumping muscle sharp.”

Hesslink is also a big believer in keeping his horses’ moving. Barring inclement weather, his horses get turnout time every day and are ridden at least once (sometimes twice) a day. This might include a leisurely trail ride in the morning, turnout through the mid-morning or early afternoon, and then a training ride in the afternoon.

“I like my horses out of their stalls as much as possible. Working them out in the fields and on trails keeps them fresh and happy to do their jobs in the ring, so we always try to mix that up,” he explained. “I also utilize lunging quite a bit more than just as a quieting mechanism. I like to work my horses without a saddle or rider to allow them to just move freely. This gives them a chance to express themselves while exercising and work different muscles than they do while being ridden.”

Hesslink also stresses the importance of instilling confidence in his young horses from an early age to prevent them from feeling anxious or afraid they can’t do something. He keeps their training relatively simple and focuses on things he’s confident they can physically do. “I’m a firm believer in the importance of flatwork basics,” he said. “When they have that foundation of being really broke on the flat, it makes everything easier.” 

As his youngsters get fitter, Hesslink starts to slowly ask more of them to bolster their confidence. Specifically, he incorporates a lot of gymnastic work. “Even though they don’t understand everything yet, the gymnastics present a fitness element where I purposely don’t help them that much,” he noted. “It might be a bounce to a one [stride] to a one or a bounce to a bounce to a two [stride]. Sometimes I include a vertical; other times an oxer. I trot into the exercise and just let them figure it out on their own. Learning how to gauge the distances themselves also helps them make a better shape over the jumps. Just drilling singles or courses requires less thinking on their part.”

Hesslink’s Trainer–Student Communication

Akin to the communication established with your horse, Hesslink believes that open, honest communication with your trainer is key to developing genuine confidence. This is whether you aspire to compete at the highest level of the sport, show in a local walk–trot class or simply want to hone your skills in the lesson ring. When students feel comfortable talking to their trainers, Hesslink said it eliminates any gray areas that might result in miscommunication or none at all.

“I want my riders to feel like they can ask me anything. Even if it’s, ‘Hey, I don’t feel great right now. I don’t want to do this. I’m having a bad day. I’m frustrated that I’m not making more progress. I don’t feel comfortable doing that exercise.’ Whatever it might be,” he said. “I think open communication is a big reason that my students have experienced so much success.”

Just like his horses, Hesslink wants all his students to feel confident. “And the best, surest way to gain confidence is mastering all the small things, one at a time,” he said. “Nothing should be overfacing for horse or rider. Repetition and consistency will boost confidence over time.”

He noted that many riders have a basic understanding of stride and track to be able to ride and execute a hunter course, but they often lack genuine confidence in their and their horses’ full potential. At home, Hesslink keeps his students’ training simple, but disciplined—much like his horses’ regimens. He has them stick to simple exercises over rails and small jumps to maintain their fitness, as well as riding out on the trails to keep them physically and mentally fresh. “We could practice a lot of difficult courses at home, but at the end of the day that would only drain our horses,” he said. “And they already give so much when we’re showing.”

Hesslink incorporates exercises like adding or leaving out strides over small jump courses to help his students develop confidence in their eye and finding their distances. Similarly, he challenges them to change tracks in lines to ride them in a different number of strides. He also has students trot jumps to enhance their horses’ fitness and strengthen their hindquarters.

“The idea is we’re practicing everything that we’ll experience in the show ring in a simplified way. That way, when we get to the show and put it all together, it’s like second nature,” he explained. “We like to make sure that the horses and riders are confident and feeling fresh when they get to the show. And keeping everything simple at home helps to ensure that.”

For More:

• Listen to our Practical Horseman Podcast with Geoffrey Hesslink here.
• Coming soon: A new video series with Hesslink on how to improve your game in the hunter ring on EQUESTRIAN+.

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of Practical Horseman.

Inherently, the Dutton progeny were predisposed to enter the horse world, and that proved to be true for more than one of the six-time Olympian’s children. First, it was older daughter Lee Lee, who spent a lengthy time in the saddle before a freak accident dashed her riding dreams as a young adult. Following in her footsteps was her younger sister, Olivia, who began dressing up in riding clothes and following her sister and her dad out to the barn from the time she could walk.

For both Phillip and his wife, Evie, the goal was to allow their kids to do whatever called them, whether that involved horses or not. While her siblings ended up pursuing interests outside of riding, Olivia went on to become a rising eventing star in her own right.

‘My Dad Is a Big Deal’

Olivia was about 10 when she realized just how big of a deal her dad was in the sport of eventing. “It was at Kentucky. I remember that being the first show where I realized my dad was a big deal,” she laughed. “He was just ‘my dad’ up to that point, but there everyone wanted his autograph, which was pretty cool. Since then, I’ve always wanted to compete at the upper levels and kind of follow the same path.”

As the budding horsewomen grew into young adulthood, her talent became undeniable, and it wasn’t long before she was ready to move up to the Advanced level. At that point, Olivia took over the reins of off-track Thoroughbred Sea of Clouds from Phillip and the owners involved with the Sea of Clouds Syndicate. Phillip was confident the gelding would be the perfect mount to safely show her the ropes of eventing’s top levels. The gelding had already competed at the five-star level—and finished as high as 10th place (Kentucky 2022)—with Phillip in the saddle, and Olivia grew up knowing “Socs” since he was just 3.

In 2024, the talented pair competed in the Cosequin® Lexington CCI4*-S at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, which is run alongside the hallmark CCI5*-L event at the end of April in Lexington, Kentucky, where they finished 13th in what was just their third CCI4*-S together at the time. Later on in 2024, Olivia and Socs traveled to the Netherlands to compete in the Military Boekelo CCIO4*-L, as well as The Event at TerraNova CCI4*-L in November, where they came in seventh.

Building Character

As a young horseman in his home country of Australia, Phillip discovered the grind involved with eking out a career in the sport of eventing and learned how to handle every aspect of horse care. He shod his own horses, took care of their basic veterinary needs and put all the training on them as they moved up the levels.

To that end, he fervently believes that adversity is key to building character—and if an eventer is to be truly worth her salt, she must indeed have a strong backbone. So, while Olivia continues to have the benefit of learning from her dad and his wealth of knowledge, Phillip also recognizes that any success his daughter finds in the sport will be a result of her own talent, grit and passion.

“If you look back at your life and what you’ve accomplished, a lot of times you realize that you developed and prospered because of adversity. You’re not going to learn a lot by always riding perfect horses who do everything for you. On the other hand, it sounds very romantic to bring along a young horse, but it’s also very difficult. So, it’s a balance. And I try to stress that in both parenting and eventing,” Phillip said. “She has a couple horses she’s bringing up now and it’s going to be challenging for her. But that’s kind of what it’s all about. It teaches you so much about riding and working with horses and how to get the best out of them, as well as developing that partnership, so they’re always on your side.”

Phillip has great confidence that Olivia will be able to use the knowledge she’s learned from riding and excelling with Sea of Clouds at the upper levels of eventing to bring along her younger prospects who need a rider with the experience to teach and lead them.

“After being in the sport for as long as I have, I know the consequences of not being properly prepared or trying to ride at a higher level than I should have been or riding the wrong horse. So, our priority as parents was that if she wants to do this sport, she’s going to do it right and learn properly and be mounted well,” Phillip noted. “Olivia is quite ambitious, so it’s been about making sure she’s very prepared. I think she’d like to move up a bit quicker than we’ve let her.”

Learning From Each Other

Throughout Olivia’s career, Phillip has been her primary coach. This is a nuance of their relationship that they’ve learned to navigate over time—and as Olivia has gotten older and matured as a rider.

“I respect his opinion, so it’s always worked pretty well for us, which has been really nice. I also have help from other people, so it’s not always just him, which provides a good balance,” Olivia said. “He’s starting to trust me more to do my own thing. But I think we’ve done a pretty good job of making it work. Sometimes between a parent and child that’s hard to do all the time.”

One of the biggest character traits Olivia tries to mirror from her dad is his humility. “I’ve always really respected how humble he is,” she noted. “He never talks highly about himself or about himself much at all. He’s very modest, and I try to be like that myself.”

In addition to honing her skills in the saddle, Olivia says her dad also taught her how to be a smart, conscientious horsewoman, who always prioritizes her horses’ health and happiness. “When he started out in the outback in Australia, he did everything on his own,” she said. “He knows horses really well and taught me that it’s all about the horse and being a good horseman. I’ve always respected that a lot, too.”

Does the young eventing protégée feel any pressure, carrying Phillip’s name and legacy on her back?

“A little bit,” Olivia laughed. “I’m very lucky because I’ve kind of just grown into this position. It wasn’t like all of a sudden I felt this pressure. I try to think of myself as my own individual. I ride for my family and obviously want to make my dad and everyone else who helps us proud. But I also think of myself as myself, and I ride for myself, too.”

Managing a Parent’s Fears

Phillip is proud of his daughter. But he admits watching her go out of big four-star (and maybe one day, five-star) start boxes is “bloody terrifying!” And after Lee Lee’s riding accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury, both Phillip and Evie navigated their own internal fears about their kids’ safety.

“Lee Lee’s accident was pretty hard to handle, especially while also knowing that Olivia wanted to keep riding and competing. Guilty is probably the wrong word, but I felt responsible because I was her coach,” Phillip recalled. “But a friend told me, ‘Phil, it was Lee Lee’s decision to ride. She loved to ride.’ It sounds very simple, but it helped me understand a bit better. It was obviously Olivia’s decision to keep going. And I didn’t want to be the person to tell her she couldn’t do it. Our attitude was that if she was going to do it, we were going to support her to make sure she was safe and coached well—and that she’s always prepared when she competes.”

But as a father, Phillip admits that he takes comfort in the tutelage and preparation that he and Evie have worked hard to instill in their daughter.

“It’s certainly much easier when you’re doing it yourself. You’re responsible there. It’s harder when Olivia’s on her own. With all the live streams now, I get to watch her a lot. Instead of just shutting my eyes and hoping, I concentrate on watching how she’s thinking, how’s she’s riding and reacting,” Phillip said. “It’s rewarding to see her really enjoying it, too. She’s in it for the right reasons. She loves the process, the horses, teaching them and learning how to get the best out of them.”

For More:

• To read more about Olivia Dutton and Sporthorse Star Sea Of Clouds, click here.
• To read about Phillip Dutton and Sporthorse Star Azure, click here.

This individualized attention to detail is also evident in Berman’s work with her students. For the past 25 years, the trainer has been supporting her riders for the long run, encouraging them to focus on their journeys with horses as a whole—the ups, downs and in-betweens.

“More than anything Leigh has taught me that understanding how to speak to your horse in his language is key for a successful partnership,” noted student Alana Conrad, who’s been riding with Berman for the past five years. “She also gives riders who might not have the budget or chance to be around horses or experience showing the opportunity to succeed in whatever direction they want.”

Actions like these and Berman’s far-reaching fidelity to the sport led to her being named the 2024 Practical Horseman Trainer of the Year, with prizes provided by Cosequin^®. When the award was announced in late October, the Two Bit Farm family threw a surprise party for the honoree to share and celebrate the good news. “I was speechless and truly had no idea,” Berman said. “To see all my students together was overwhelming. I am so honored by it.”

In submitting Berman for the Practical Horseman Trainer of the Year honor, her students noted her devotion to helping them achieve their goals and enhance the relationships they share with their horses. Laurie Beson takes lessons with Berman three times a week and said she has an innate ability to understand horses. 

“Leigh’s love of horses is very heartwarming. She is always there for her riders, but the time and care she gives to the horses isn’t always seen,” Beson said. “When we’re working or enjoying vacations and holidays, she’s there making sure our horses are happy and healthy.”

Berman explains that she simply enjoys being around horses. “They’re my friends and they give me a great sense of confidence and calmness at the same time,” she said. “I love spending time in the barn just playing with them.”

A Trainer for All

With training so highly specialized in equestrian sports, Berman is a rare breed of trainer who opens her program to riders with a wide range of goals. Surrounded by the Blue Mountains of the Appalachian Mountain chain in Pennsylvania’s Americana Region, Two Bit Farm welcomes beginners, intermediate and advanced riders, as well as weekend pleasure riders.

Berman started her career as an amateur and won numerous awards aboard her off-the-track Thoroughbred Catch 22, who she found at the New Holland Horse Auction. As a professional, she spent years showing and training at top-ranked competitions in both hunters and jumpers and was featured on the cover of Practical Horseman in 1995 for an article about her and Catch 22.

Even as a horse-crazy kid, Berman had ambitions of training out of her own boarding facility, and as her dreams came to fruition in 1999, the horsewoman endeavored to create a fun-loving, laid-back atmosphere where students of all levels and ages can pursue their riding aspirations—no matter how small or big.

Helping riders develop genuine partnerships with their horses—in the saddle and on the ground—is at the core of her program. To this end, she stresses the importance of teaching her students how to understand what their mounts are saying without the convenience of conversation.

“Riding and working with these animals is about having a conversation with your horse. It’s not a command or a demand. It’s about developing a partnership,” Berman said. “Riding is the only team sport where one of the members can’t communicate verbally, so you have to learn how to read your horse’s body language and his emotions to understand what he’s telling you.”

After being out of the saddle for almost 20 years, physician Michele Brown discovered Two Bit Farm when a friend and her horse-obsessed daughter goaded the former hunter/jumper rider into taking a lesson with them. While she initially thought this would be a one-time endeavor, Brown quickly reconnected with her passion for horses and started taking regular lessons under the instruction of one of Berman’s assistant trainers. One afternoon, however, she learned the head trainer would be filling in.

“I’m not going to lie. I was terrified and almost canceled my lesson that day,” Brown laughed. “I’d seen Leigh’s students and their horses—they were all accomplished riders who jumped the ‘big’ fences. I didn’t think I would fit in and assumed she wouldn’t want to waste her time teaching a low-level beginner like me.”

In hindsight, Brown said she couldn’t have been more wrong and after a few more lessons with Berman, she was making swift progress. “She immediately made me feel like I belonged and treated me no differently than she did her other riders,” she said.

Brown went on to import several young horses from Europe with Berman’s help and said the horsewoman truly has a gift for training young horses to be amateur-friendly so they can be safely enjoyed by their future owners. 

“Leigh never rushes a horse—or rider—beyond what they’re ready to handle. She recognizes that we’re all individuals and progress at our own pace, and she tailors her training accordingly,” Brown noted. “She believes putting in the time to instill the basics pays off in huge dividends down the road. With Leigh, the free horse gets the same quality care and attention as the more-expensive horse, and beginner adult riders are treated the same as those who aim to compete at the highest level.”

Connecting With Her Students

Following a 10-year hiatus from the sport, Beson also rediscovered her passion for riding after joining the Two Bit Farm family almost three years ago. She said Berman has played a vital role in helping her develop confidence in and out of the arena. “Leigh constantly encourages me to push myself and reminds me how capable I am,” she said. “She not only inspires her riders, but she also encourages us to be our best selves.”

Berman teaches her students early on that perfection doesn’t exist in riding. Instead, she encourages her students to work toward small goals, one at a time.

“As long as students continue to try and grow, I will always stand by their sides and work to help them reach those accomplishments for as long as it takes,” she said. “I’m a big fan of positive reinforcement. I don’t yell or push my students in a way that would make them feel demeaned. I want them to be confident walking into the ring and I try to give them the correct tools and practice to get there.”

Conrad brought her 3-year-old Warmblood “Squishy” to Two Bit Farm after hitting a training wall with the gelding. “From the first time I met Leigh, she was kind and compassionate toward me and my horse, despite his large attitude,” Conrad laughed. “She is gentle and supportive while also being clear in her teaching style. And Leigh never fails to make me laugh, even when I’m incredibly frustrated with myself.”

Her mother, Brenda Conrad, has enjoyed watching her daughter and Squishy grow under Berman’s tutelage and said the trainer strives to provide forthright and meaningful instruction and insight based on the personal goals her students set for themselves.

“At her core, Leigh is genuine and that resonates with her students and colleagues,” she noted. “When we first started looking for the right trainer, Leigh’s name came up as a first choice many times. That alone spoke volumes. But when we met her, we knew she could guide us through this journey.”

Dawn Murphy, who’s been riding for almost five decades and has been at Two Bit Farm for the past 15 years, said that under Berman’s guidance, her riding, horsemanship skills and confidence have excelled.

“I had always considered myself a decent equestrian, but Leigh taught me how to be an outstanding horsewoman,” Murphy said. “She guides us through our lessons with kindness and understanding and never makes us feel foolish or incompetent for mistakes.”

After her previous horse passed away, Berman encouraged Murphy to try an off-the-track Thoroughbred she’d found who was little rough around the edges. “She thought he might be something special and ‘Duey’ has turned out to be one of the finest horses I’ve ever owned,” she said. “I owe all my success with horses to Leigh. She not only taught me the finer points of riding and horsemanship, but she’s become a dear friend. She’s had a huge impact on my life, and I’m truly a better person because of her.”

Fostering Barn Camaraderie

For Berman, Two Bit Farm’s essence extends beyond the training ring. She considers every barn member—boarders and weekend warriors alike—part of the barn family. “We are a family—and families are all-encompassing from spending holidays together to the ups and downs of life,” she said. “We ride together, but we also take care of one another and celebrate together.”

Last year, Berman hosted the farm’s inaugural Bring Your Own Pumpkin party that included a pumpkin-carving contest and Friendsgiving feast to give her students the opportunity to spend time together outside their lessons. 

“Leigh creates these special moments for her riders, but she also has fun herself so we all can embrace the experience,” Beson said. “She always fosters an environment that’s fun and respectful—and in turn—her riders strive to do their best. Whether you’ve been at the for barn for a couple weeks or 20 years, we all support one another and refer to the barn as our ‘TBF family.’”

Sharing With Her Community

Berman also recognizes how much horses and the sport have to offer to all and pays that forward by supporting her local riding community and the Boyertown area in general. She hosts biannual derbies to provide high-level competition experiences for riders who might not be able to afford or have the time to travel to rated shows. 

“It’s important to make showing more open to riders of all levels, so they can experience what it’s like and further develop that partnership with their horses,” she said. “These derbies also help build up my students’ confidence and often leads to them to go on and compete at bigger shows.” 

Never one to eschew hard work on behalf of her students, Berman even builds creative—and sometimes tricky—jumps for her derbies and designs courses similar to those at higher-level shows. “Leigh puts 150-percent into everything she does,” Beson said. “Her courses are so artistic and fun that it really makes you feel like you’re at a rated show.”

Berman also partnered with a local gym to introduce middle-school students to a few of her mounts to offer pony rides and to teach them about physical wellness and the partnerships people can share with horses.

“We take it for granted, but outside our industry a lot of people never have the chance to meet or touch a horse,” Berman said. “It’s important to introduce kids and adults who don’t have that opportunity to all that these amazing animals can teach us. It was so fun to see the smiles on the kids’ faces when they were interacting with the horses. I think it was a great experience for them and some even came out to the farm to visit the horses again.”

Hidden Heroes of Our Sport

The Practical Horseman Trainer of the Year Program, with prizes provided by Cosequin^®, is designed to honor the unsung heroes of our sport—trainers who work tirelessly to improve the education of both their riders and horses. Entrants were nominated for the contest by individuals in the horse community. Out of all the trainers nominated, 10 finalists were selected, with Berman earning the 2024 Trainer of the Year title.

Whether she’s hosting a barn-family Friendsgiving dinner, coaching students at the top of the sport, offering tips to a weekend rider, introducing her local community to horses or shoveling manure at the end of a long day, Berman’s students unequivocally believe the lifelong horsewoman was more than deserving of the award.

“I love the all-encompassing journey of watching my students and their horses come together as partners to grow and excel in whatever they want to achieve,” Berman said. “I’m never happier than when my students come out of the ring feeling like they’ve accomplished something. I couldn’t care less about the ribbons, as long as my students and their horses are happy. That’s what makes me feel whole at the end of the day.”

2024 PH Trainer of the Year: Top 10

Here are the Top 10 Trainers from our 2024 Practical Horseman Trainer of the Year program, listed in alphabetical order:

• Leigh Berman
• Andrea (Andi) Bill
• Tammy Chipko
• Jackie Ericksen
• Lauren Griffin
• Emma Hainze
• Nancy Ligon 
• Andrea Pfeiffer
• Kirsten Priebe
• Monica Whitmer

For More:

• To listen to our recent Practical Horseman Podcast with Leigh Berman, click here.
• To read about former winners of the Practical Horseman Trainer of the Year, click here.

Be on the lookout for our announcement about submissions for the 2025 PH Trainer of the Year later in the year.

The Practical Horseman Trainer of the Year Program is designed to honor the unsung heroes of our sport—trainers who work tirelessly to improve the education of both their riders and horses. Entrants were nominated for the contest by individuals in the horse community. Out of all the trainers nominated, 10 finalists were selected, with one earning the title of Trainer of the Year.

Berman started her career as an amateur owner, winning many awards with her off-track Thoroughbred Catch 22. She even ended up on the cover of Practical Horseman magazine and was featured in an article about a horse that came from New Holland Horse Auction that she trained successfully.

Supporting Her Riders and the Local Community

As a professional, Berman has spent many years showing and training at top-ranked horse shows in both hunters and jumpers. The owner and head trainer of Two Bit Farm in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, has also helped young riders and adults go from beginners to winning in the Junior Hunters and the Amateur Owner divisions. Her talent becomes even more apparent when she works with young horses or those with training challenges. She often imports unbroken horses from overseas and develops them into well-rounded show horses.

“Leigh not only supports her own riders, but she also supports all of the riding community the as well as the local community,” said Laurie Beson, Berman’s friend. “She’s provided clinics to local barns, sponsored shows and held a local derby at our barn.”

Beson also noted that Berman strives to create high-level competition experiences for riders who might not be able to afford rated shows or have the time to travel to them.

“She has also supported the community in learning about physical wellness and the beauty of our partnership with these amazing animals by collaborating with a local gym to bring two horses to a local middle school,”Beson added. “It was an amazing experience for the students.”

Hats Off and Our Thanks to Leigh

Prizes for the Practical Horseman Trainer of the Year are provided by Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences, Inc., makers of Cosequin^®, and include a custom arena banner, a custom cooler and an annual subscription to Practical Horseman magazine. Additionally, Berman will be interviewed for an upcoming episode of the Practical Horseman Podcast and will be featured in a future Practical Horseman Extra.

Equine Network’s Mission

About Equine Network, LLC. Equine Network’s membership services are designed to entertain, support and inform the equine community, and include unique tech-enabled services for horse owners, live equestrian events, innovative content and engaging digital experiences. For more information, visit www.equinenetwork.com.

Billy’s character, specifically, was based on a therapeutic riding horse Maslin Nir learned about while serving on the board of GallopNYC, one of New York City’s longtime therapeutic riding stables. Instead of touring at bookstores, the lifelong horsewoman opted to introduce her book to audiences at therapeutic riding facilities. Most recently, she drove 242 miles across Ohio over two days visiting therapeutic barns who’d invited her to read The Star Horse to their clients, volunteers and therapy horses. She also used the opportunity to thank those volunteers for the life-changing work they do on a daily basis.

“If my words have one crumb of the impact your work does, I feel I will have accomplished something real in this life,” Maslin Nir said. “I’m ready to visit a dozen more therapeutic riding facilities over the next few months of my book tour and am thrilled to tell them that you are all stars!”

Sneak Peek: The Star Horse

Even if you aren’t a horse-crazy middle-schooler—or don’t have one in the room next to you—it can be tons of fun to discover new horse stories reminding us of classics like Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty and Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague that inspired many of us as horse-loving kids and teens.

Here, Maslin Nir provided us with a glimpse of Billy and Lori’s adventures in The Star Horse.

Lights . . . Camera . . . Giddyap?

Billy is a Norwegian Fjord—short as horses go, but with the natural star power of a Hollywood celebrity. Lori Allegria is a horse-loving seventh grader as awkward as she is tall for her age who finds refuge from her shyness on her family farm with her best friend: Billy, the Fjord.

Their peace is shattered when Billy is “discovered” by Marlowe Narang, superstar kid actor. Marlowe had been given the opportunity of a horsey lifetime—to star in a film! And with that, the chance for Lori and her mom to save their struggling stables. Lori tearfully agrees to send her horse to a new life across the country on the set of Marlowe’s newest Hollywood production, a Western set in a real ghost town.

But Billy’s star turn is cut short when a mountain lion stalks the desert set and sends him fleeing into the Mojave. When word gets back to Lori, she runs away, too—to find her Billy! Lost in the endless desert, as horse and girl make their way to each other, Lori and Billy both find they are not alone. Joined in their search by a cast of characters including wild donkeys, a sassy teenage cowgirl, a plucky service dog and even the world’s biggest kid actor himself, The Star Horse is a story about finding your herd—human and horse—and along the way, finding your voice.

Once Upon a Horse series:

The Flying Horse (#1)
The Jockey & Her Horse (#2), written with Raymond White Jr.
The Star Horse (#3)

For More:

• To purchase a copy of Sarah Maslin Nir’s latest novel, The Star Horse, click here. (You can also find at most major bookstores.)
• To listen to our 2020 Practical Horseman Podcast with Maslin Nir about her memoir Horse Crazy: The Story of a Woman in Love with an Animal, click here.
• You can read a previous Q&A we did with the author here.

“At the end of the day, I love my horses, I love winning, and you can do both,” says Caroline Pamukcu.

The 30-year-old American eventing star spent the majority of 2022 studying under Olympian Pippa Funnell in England. But Pamukcu brought back much more than training advice from Funnell. One of her biggest takeaways was an ability to embrace her emotional nature while maintaining her competitive attitude—to prioritize her love of horses while also striving for greatness in the sport. Pamukcu has proven that since her time overseas, by claiming individual gold at the 2023 Pan American Games aboard HSH Blake, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Mollie Hoff and Sherrie Martin.

But long before that, Pamukcu née Martin was recognized as a promising talent in U.S. Eventing. As a young rider, she earned numerous titles and championships, including individual and team gold medals at the FEI North American Youth Championships. She was named the U.S. Eventing Association’s Young Rider of the Year twice, as well as Lady Rider of the Year.

Over the past decade, Pamukcu has held a spot on the U.S. Equestrian Federation Developing Rider and Team Training lists every year, marking her as a major asset for the future of U.S. Eventing. Pamukcu has represented the U.S. on multiple Nations Cup Teams, has topped leaderboards countless times and is currently ranked 20th on the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings list. Now, her sights are set on a spot on the U.S. Eventing Team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

PH: How did you get the opportunity to ride overseas?

Caroline Pamukcu: I have to thank David O’Connor and the USEA Foundation’s Wilton Fair Fund. They gave me an opportunity to move overseas and base myself with Pippa Funnell. So I slowed down my business, and I moved. It’s one of those moments that everything changed, and luckily it was for the better.

PH: What was your experience like with Pippa?

CP: It was life-changing. In America, I have my business. We have up to 50 horses and 15 people working for me. It’s a big, busy operation, for which I’m grateful. But it went from 50 horses and managing all of that to me and a groom heading overseas with six horses and a really condensed program, telling my business partners and the owner of my horses that we’re going to take a pause on life in America and try to further my education.

It was difficult to change so many things and move away from my husband to throw myself 100% into someone else’s program. I dropped everything I’ve known to follow one person and their ideas and change how I do things on a daily basis. It was one of the most humbling but rewarding experiences of my life.

Even though I was overseas, I wasn’t completely thrown into the deep end. I was still on the USEF Development Program squad, so USEF Eventing Emerging/Development Coach Leslie Law was always checking in. USEF kept an eye on me, making sure if I needed help, that they were there.

But I could talk for like six hours to tell you how amazing Pippa and her program are. She really taught me that I could be a good professional and still love the horses and put the horses first, and still be competitive with love for the horses.

PH: Do you think your mindset has changed following your time with Pippa?

CP: The biggest thing is Pippa was the first female coach I’ve ever had. And for me mentally—I’m a very emotional person—to see someone else just as emotionally attached to their horses and attached to the sport and be so competitive but also emotionally empathetic, it was great and eye-opening. There are so many top athletes who are still stone cold. They’re incredible athletes, but they don’t show any emotion. It’s great for me to see that other part, to know that you can still be that little girl obsessed with your horses and feed them a million carrots and cry when something doesn’t go well. You can be that vulnerable and still win. That was a very cool thing for me to learn.

I’m really trying to be more of an advocate about it and be more open about it. At the end of the day, I love my horses, I love winning and you can do both. You can be as emotional as you want. If your horse gets injured, it’s OK to be emotional. If you wake up and have a bad ride, it’s fine, save it for another day. Just enjoy. Go for a hack sometimes. If you’re having an emotional day, perhaps at the office or at home where you have personal issues going on, it’s OK. You don’t have to be 100% every single day. That doesn’t make you a champion. Showing up and giving your best and loving your horses, having a good connection with them, that will make you the best.

I very much enjoyed my time there. I hope I can keep growing, evolving and incorporating what I learned.

PH: How do you handle your emotions when things aren’t going as planned?

CP: I’m the type of person who really likes routine. If I’m having a bad day, I try to stick to my routine. I really love going to the gym, and I have a trainer who I really mesh well with in a mental way. So I look forward to doing that.

On days when, say, my top horse isn’t performing well or I’m having personal issues, sometimes the fix is as simple as a 5-year-old picking up the right lead in a very good way. Those little victories sometimes make your day.

Also, sometimes selling horses gives me a bit of a rush. I’m like, “I got the deal done. It’s so exciting!” It makes me feel successful, and I do love that.

Then my husband—he’s a saint. He really helps me with the highs and lows. We both try not to get too excited, especially after the Pan American Games. We try to stay grounded as best we can and celebrate the victory a little. We’ve been trying to enjoy life and not put all the pressure on if you win or not.

PH: Can you tell us about your Pan American Games partner, HSH Blake?

CP: We call him “Princess.” He loves his attention. He wants to be the center of the barn all day. And he’s funny to ride at home. He gives you 75%, but when you go into the arena at a show, he wants to win. He is there to win, and there is nothing else that matters. But when I’m home, you could move a flowerpot 2 inches, and it’s a nightmare. He’s like, “How dare you move this flowerpot?” But when you compete, a bomb could go off, chairs could fall down, someone could scream, and he doesn’t care. Nothing matters to him but winning.

I’ve never felt that in a horse. It’s crazy. He has this different gear. I think we both do. We both train hard at home and we want to do our best, but when we go to competitions, especially the big ones, we both shut everything else out and go there to win. We’re like-minded.

PH: What does Blake’s training program look like to keep him competing and successful at the top level?

CP: This stems from Pippa. She did a 180 on my program. We do a lot of old-school trot sets and riding on roads, which a lot of people don’t believe in, but it is a big thing in her program. She’s kept horses on the road for years.

Pippa was the first person and the only female ever to win the Grand Slam of Eventing, and that’s a testament to her program and her horsemanship. I’ve totally taken on board everything she said and taught me.

We do a lot of trot sets and a lot of walking. I just did his first show of the season at Pine Top in February, and we got 18 time faults on cross country. We went slow, I had a loop in the reins. That was only his fourth jump of the year. And he’s done dressage a handful of times. We might do a lot of trotting and do dressage on the side of a hill in a jump saddle, but maybe we’ll practice mostly stretchy trot that day. I try not to do a lot of drilling. I try to just get him fit, make sure he feels well, and go from there.

PH: Do you have the 2024 Paris Olympics on your mind?

CP: Yes. It’s scary to say out loud. I have an incredible horse. Both Blake and I are young, but it’s not out of the question.

A lot of the horses for other countries that ran the Pan Americans, they’re definitely going to be able to go to the Olympics. The difference is the U.S. has a really big depth of horses and very talented riders. So I have to really buckle down and give 200% this year. That’s what we’re going to try to do. And if it works out—great. If not—it is what it is.

The good thing about the U.S. is that there are so many other opportunities. If the Olympics don’t work out, there’s also CHIO Aachen and the U.S. Eventing European Development Tour. But the Olympics would be a dream. How many opportunities will I have to have a horse of such quality as Blake? So, we’re keeping our fingers and toes crossed.  

This week’s episode of the Practical Horseman Podcast is with 2023 National Show Hunter Hall of Fame inductee Bill Schaub. The episode is sponsored by USRider.

Bill, an accomplished hunter and equitation trainer, and host Sandy Oliynyk talk about riding and training both horses and riders. During the conversation, he shares his favorite exercise to help a rider develop feel. He also discusses his philosophy of treating horses as individuals to bring out their best. Other topics include a rider’s timing and seeing distances to the jumps, competition-ring tips and how to keep competition nerves under control, plus a lot more.

Bill Schaub’s Background

Bill has been a professional in the industry for nearly 50 years. He has trained some of the country’s top pony, junior and amateur riders and their horses. His horses and students have earned more than 50 championship and reserve championship titles at prestigious shows such as the Devon Horse Show and the East Coast fall indoor circuit. Top students have included Ashley and Courtney Kennedy, Liza Towell Boyd, Lauren Bass, Evan Coluccio and Taylor St. Jacques. He’s based at his Over The Hill Farm in Wellington, Florida, and Lexington, Kentucky.

A Word From This Episode’s Sponsor

Whether you and your horse are headed across the country or just down the road, the new USRider app helps you be prepared. From free travel planning, checklists, travel document storage, health alerts, emergency vet/farrier referrals and more, you’ll find everything you need to stay organized and have a safe trip at your fingertips. Plus, USRider members can easily request roadside assistance within the app! 

Ready to make traveling with your horses easier? Download the new USRider app from the Apple and Google Play app stores today!

Welcome to the Practical Horseman Podcast, featuring conversations with respected riders, industry leaders and horse-care experts. The show is co-hosted by Practical Horseman editors, and our goal is to inform, educate and inspire. I’m Sandra Oliynyk and this week’s episode is with top hunter rider and trainer Louise Serio.

Louise and I spoke at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association International Hunter Derby Finals in August. She was there helping professional rider Jennifer Ritucci. I loved all of our conversation, but I especially like the part near the end where Louise shares her enthusiasm for the derby finals. Specifically, she talks about how beautifully the horses went and how it’s cool that hunter riders can strategize to earn extra points in such a competitive field.

Additionally, earlier in our conversation, Louise’s love for horses shines through. For example, she says, “I’ve had so many wonderful horses and each one has taught me something. I think that’s one thing as a trainer, you learn that your horse’s teach you way more than you teach them.”

Louise Serio: Early Years and Wins

Meanwhile, to fill you in on Louise’s background, she had an early start in Pony Club, which became the basis for a decades-long career as a top circuit rider and trainer. Her mother, Mary Warner Brown, founded the Hillendale Pony Club in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. There she taught legions of young riders. Mary taught Louise to ride based on classic training from legendary horsemen such as Capt. Vladimir Littauer, a proponent of forward riding in America.

Louise has consistently trained and ridden champions in every division at the most prestigious shows on the East Coast. In addition to being a two-time USHJA WCHR Professional Rider Champion, she won the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular and been Leading Lady rider at the Devon Horse Show. Louise won the 2009 Old Springhouse Trophy for Lifetime Achievement at The Capital Challenge Horse Show. She represented the United States as part of the hunter defeating the European Team at the 2009 World Cup Finals. Additionally, she was a member of the hunter team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In 2012, she was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame.

Louise Serio: Giving Back

In terms of training, her students, clients and horses have qualified for Devon, the Indoor shows, the USEF Junior Hunter National Championships, the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals, the ASPCA Maclay National Championships and the USEF Pony Medal Finals for the past 30 years. 

Louise has also committed herself to the growth and future of the equestrian sport. In 1991 she helped found and create the World Champion Hunter Rider Program and the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, now part of the USHJA. Having served on multiple committees to improve the sport over the years, she won the USHJA’s Committee Excellence in Service Award in 2012.

Horses are a family business for Louise. She lives at her Derbydown stables in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and Loxahatchee, Florida. Her daughter, Chrissy, is a riding professional and her son, TR, is a farrier. Her granddaughter, Mary Jo, splits her time between the English and Western worlds of riding.

Podcast Sponsor: Horse Week

Before getting into the conversation, I’d like to share a word from this episode’s sponsor, Horse Week. Don’t miss a minute of the Horse Week action including profiles of incredible equestrians and equine athletes, like Boyd Martin, Bliss Heers and Doug Payne’s Vandiver; storytelling that celebrates the horse-human bond, heartwarming tales of horse heroics, advice from world-class trainers and more!

Horse Week, brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim, airs October 9-15, 2023. Tune in from the barn, office, or the comfort of your couch—Equine Network is making it easy to watch. Just visit HorseWeek.TV.