Status: Professional Program: Horseshoe Bend Sales
As a horsewoman, I am most proud of how far I’ve come from where I started. We’ve done it by mostly seeing things in horses others didn’t and being able to bring out those qualities in them. •As a horsewoman, I would most like to improve keeping an even keel. I think that will come with more experience. I just want to keep banging on the door until I can knock it down. •I’d be lost without my box
of sugar cubes in my tack trunk and boot polish in my ring bag.
My best piece of advice for young riders is find someone who believes in you and work your fingers to the bone for them. No matter what background you come from, success in this sport is largely based on work ethic, people who support you, and a never-ending quest for knowledge. •The most important quality for a jumper rider to have is fight. It may not always be smooth and pretty, but at the end of the day you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. •My favorite horse book is The de Nemethy Method.
My favorite non-horse book is The Old Man and the Sea. •Fashion in the equestrian world is constantly changing. The new styles and tech fabrics that have been introduced in the last several years have made the clothing more fitted, more attractive, and more functional. I think it’s also come to a point that riders are really able to express their personality and fashion preferences these days. •I feel my best when I’m wearing anything from Horse Pilot. It’s like the Alo for equestrian sport.
The best part about living in the Netherlands is from a riding perspective, it’s the accessibility of top shows and top riders. Every week, whether it’s a 2* or 5*, you have to go up against and measure yourself against most of the best in the world. From a personal perspective, it’s the lifestyle. I couldn’t point to one thing… the cleanliness, the food, the safety, the work/life balance and helpfulness of the people here are all things that have made me fall in love with the Netherlands. •I’m a sucker for a horse with a pink nose. •On Mondays, you’ll find me at the stable—in Europe, we work on Mondays.
•The horse person I most admire is besides Geoff Case (my husband), I would have to say Erynn Ballard. Her ability to get on anything, jumper or hunter, and see how they perform for her is unique and special. •Women in our sport are on the rise. Moving from the US—where horse shows are predominantly female—to Europe where it is much more male dominant has been eye opening for me. But the Iron Dames are leading the LGCT standings at the moment and many more females are winning big classes. I think worldwide women are earning more respect and we’re on the cusp of a female revolution in top sport. •My absolute favorite show is Devon because there is always something special about riding in the Dixon Oval.
The future of our sport depends on accessibility. Even in Europe, where it is much more affordable than the US, costs are rising. Horse prices are rising, fuel costs are rising, and everything in between. We need to cultivate both corporate and private sponsors to bring the costs down, so that everyone with work ethic and a dream can truly feel like they have a chance to reach those dreams and not get into a situation where net worth is not the main requirement for a rider to succeed. •My Motto is You can’t always control what happens in the ring, but you can control your preparation and how you present yourself walking in.
