STATUS: Amateur TRAINER: Donna Pace, Nautilus Farm
As a horsewoman, I am most proud of… the care I am able to give my horse. I have learned so much about how to manage a five-year-old’s health and wellbeing to a now 17-year-old. Each step of the process has been different, from starting to jump, to showing in a division over two days, to chasing points to qualify for year-end finals, to deciding which few horse shows to compete at based on footing and course design that will be the most enjoyable for both of us. •As a horsewoman, I would most like to improve… everything. I want to be a better rider and care for horses better today than I did yesterday. Learning about horses never stops. •The horse person whom I most admire is… I would have to pick 2–my mom and trainer Donna Pace, who has dedicated her life to teaching people how to ride and how to make each horse their happiest. Second, my veterinarian, Dr. Ron Gaeta, who has taught me since I was a teenager to always ask questions regarding the health of a horse–if you see something or feel something that you think might not be right, say something.
My best piece of advice for young people in the horse industry is… always put the horse first and ask questions from all of the professionals around you–trainers, vets, farriers, barn managers. •The best thing about working at The Plaid Horse is… helping to educate our readers and listeners about how to do the best we can for our horses. •Growing up as a trainer’s kid taught me… to work hard. I did not grow up with a lot of money, so when my parents bought me my first pony (Oreo), she was three years old, and my nine-year-old self had to make her into the winner that we could never afford to buy. That same process was repeated with my first large pony and now my first horse, and I wouldn’t change that process for the world.
My favorite horse book is… The Eighty-Dollar Champion •My favorite non-horse book is… The Five People You Meet In Heaven •One of the most memorable guests on the Plaidcast was… John French, my favorite hunter rider. •On Mondays, you’ll find me… working for TPH and at the barn–life with horses never stops.
A horse that’s greatly impacted my life is… my current horse, True North (Leo). My mom and I bought him together as a sale horse that was backed three months prior. The longer we had him, the more we realized that he was something special. We started in the 2′ hunters, and for the past eight years, we have been competing in the 3’3” Amateur Owner Hunter division and have won ribbons at Devon, the Washington International Horse Show, and The National Horse Show, which has been a dream come true. He is my sale horse turned horse of a lifetime.• I’m a sucker for… a grey. •The best part about riding in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) was… the lifetime bonds I made with my teammates and getting to ride with the legendary trainer, course designer, and coach J.T. Tallon.
At the barn, I’m never without… My dog, Cinnamon. •My favorite show ring memory is… winning a blue ribbon in the leadline at my first horse show, which was the 4-H Horse Show in Bethel, CT. I was so nervous!
My favorite horse show is… Devon, because there is no other show like it–the amount of spectators, the small footprint of the show grounds, the shopping, the fair next to the rings. You can feel the magic of Devon the second you arrive. It truly is hallowed ground where all of the very best have competed, and for me, it is such an honor to get to show there throughout the years. • My motto is… The horse always comes first.
