Edited Press Release
Those watching Mark Dorfman in the ring aboard Can’t Touch This HS would never have guessed the Long Island, NY, native took a 40-year break from the sport. Recently paired with his 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion, Dorfman has committed himself back to riding and is already shooting to the top, taking championship honors Saturday during WEF 2, presented by WeatherTech, in the LAURACEA 3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunter 36+ division.
“He’s new to us; we got him in late August from California,” Dorfman, who now resides in Atlanta, GA, said of Can’t Touch This HS. “He’s a wonderful horse; I love riding him. This is only my fourth time doing this division on him. I used to ride a lot as a junior but I took 40 years off so I’m back for about the last two years. It’s been a climb to get back here but it’s been fun.”
Training under Michael Britt-Leon, Dorfman was competing with his mare in the 3’3” Amateur-Owner division and was ready for the next step up. “We looked for a year and a half and we finally found [Can’t Touch This HS] in August,” he said of the search, which ultimately ended with Jason McArdle on the West Coast. “We looked long and hard for this horse. We wanted to find the right one. Looks like he’s it.”
Dorfman was thrilled that all the pieces came together during WEF 2, as he still feels like every day is a learning opportunity as he gets back into the sport he loves so much.
“I’m still learning him,” he said of the stage he’s in with Can’t Touch This HS. “He looks at everything; he puts his ears forward and sometimes can be a little spooky but he doesn’t do anything. Today I was just feeling him out. My trainer rode him earlier in the week and got the spooks out so by this weekend he’s been great. I was trying to make it as smooth and comfortable as we could. I’m learning to ride him well.”
Dorfman’s junior years were spent with Ralph and Holly Caristo, learning the ropes of hunters, equitation, and jumpers, and even placing in the top 10 at Medal Finals in 1978 as a career highlight.
Taking a break for his education, his family, and a career as a small animal veterinarian, he was pulled back into the horse world recently and dove in with both feet.
“I love horses,” he continued about what brought him back. “They give me a lot of joy. I forgot how much I really enjoy it.”
As for being named champion in a highly competitive division early in the WEF season, Dorfman said “It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’ve been working hard and the ribbons and championships don’t mean too much to me, but when you get recognized and have good rounds I think that’s the important thing.
“[My goals are] to be the best I can on all my horses and to continue to have good rounds and get better,” he said. “That’s really it. This is what I want to do. And I’m older now so I don’t know how much longer I’ll be doing it but as long as I can I’m lucky and very blessed to be able to do this and have the means and the time.”
For complete results from the LAURACEA 3’6 Amateur-Owner Hunter” 36+ division, click HERE.
