By JESSICA FARTHING
Trainers Will Simmons and Colin Caporusso are going back to Wellington, FL for the upcoming horse show season, but this time, they’re returning as new business owners.
After years of working for other operations, the inseparable duo are now combining their talents to offer the Blue Spruce Farm, a top-tier equestrian training program teaching skills to a wide range of riders in a positive, supportive environment. Based in Connecticut, the trip to Florida brings them full circle to where they first met.
“We’ve always gone down there working for other people. Going with our own farm and having our own clients is a huge accomplishment. This is an opportunity to really show everyone what we can do ourselves,” Simons tells The Plaid Horse.
Between both careers, they’ve been exposed to a comprehensive range of equestrian skills. They’ve trained ponies, adult jumpers, and green horses, while learning the tricks of turning out the most healthy, happy and polished animals.
Simons started riding in England, progressing to a job in Belgium that offered his first exposure to a professional show barn. From there, he began a grooming career that took him all over the world, giving him experiences in the best care and training programs available at the 5* level. After traveling as a groom, he moved to the U.S. to manage a group of horses, again at the 5* level. It’s during this time that Simons began showing for himself and developing his talent in training horses for others.
He saw that successful riding careers were created with great training programs. “I dealt with so many young horses and different varieties of riders from Olympic levels to amateurs,” he says. “I liked seeing everyone improve and also recognizing that they can get to the higher levels.”
Simons combined that positivity for outcomes and the focus on the individual needs of both the horse and their rider to Blue Spruce. The result is often better than his clients expect.
“I think it’s important to know people’s goals going in. Then we have a roundabout idea of how to get there and we’ll achieve probably more than they think they can. We want them to succeed,” says Simons.
Caporusso began his riding career early in Milford, CT, around five years old.
“I was the youngest of four boys and I told my mom that I wanted to do something my brothers haven’t done. I started at a local farm in the area and just loved it,” he says.
He started competitive riding on the circuit, doing equitation and hunters, taking a brief break for college, but still riding every chance he got. When the Covid outbreak shut down the country, he was in Wellington visiting a friend, eventually accepting a job offer with room and board at the farm of Olympic Gold medalist Leslie Howard. He finished his degree from the farm’s office, giving presentations online to complete requirements. A short hop to the other coast of Florida landed him a job in Naples managing a hunter farm, and he soon expanded to more opportunities where he trained everything from lunge line lessons to riders taking on the big jumps.
From there, Caporusso had positions training ponies, amateurs, and riding all levels of horses. His exposure to the different types of training and riding seemed to cover every aspect of horsemanship, but Simons notes that Caporusso has a particular talent: “Every time he goes to the ring with ponies, they’re champions.”
“People learn in different ways, but they learn better in a positive environment,” says Caporusso. “I think most of our clients do this to have fun, and if you’re encouraging and taking your time and really helping them to be better, then they have fun.”
Several companies agree. Blue Spruce is sponsored by Butet, and also backing the farm is Corro, a one-stop equestrian supply shop, Equine Elixirs natural supplements, and EquiFit, creator of innovative equestrian performance products. Their support is important to the health of the Blue Spruce herd.
“Our sponsors help our horses be in the best form, outfitting them with their exceptional products,” Caporusso says. “Also, the horses look amazing.”
Both Caporusso and Simons are focused on bringing a quality experience to their customers now, but that doesn’t mean that possibilities for the future of Blue Spruce Farm are ignored.
Simons says, ”Buying our own personal farm in Connecticut is a goal for us. But our biggest goal would be to have nice clients, nice horses, and a nice community.”
For now, they feel fortunate to be headquartered at Redgate Farms in Newtown, CT, having access to a beautiful facility with indoor and outdoor arenas, a grass training field, round pen, and turnout paddocks. There are also on-site trails for decompression for both horse and rider.
“There’s plenty of turnout, which is important. Horses need to be out,” says Caporusso.
There are some plans for Simons to use his training experience to produce some young horses for sale. Most of all, they’re excited by the possibilities of this new business and the independence that comes from making their own choices.
Adds Simons: “Winning is great, but winning is not everything. If everyone’s going out and doing their best and they’re happy when they come out, that’s the biggest thing we can ask for. I think that’s how people want to stay with you for a long time.”
You can follow Blue Spruce on Instagram, Facebook, and reach them for riding and training opportunities by phone, on their website or via email at bluesprucefarmco@gmail.com
