If You Could Choose...

If you could choose any professional to ride your horse and compete up the levels, who would you choose and why? Here are some highlights from our adult amateur community discussion on Facebook…

Meredith-Michaels Beerbaum in showjumping. She is such a strong and strategic yet gentle rider, and her rideability and control between the fences is what sets her apart. It’s also important to note that she’s big on horsemanship which I think sometimes gets lost in the craziness of GP.

—CELESTE VIVIAN

John French was the fi rst one that came to mind for me! He’s produced some lovely hunters and makes it look so easy.

—KRISTINA EVANS

Would love to see Tori Colvin on my Hunter. Every horse just seems happy when she rides them and she has such a lovely way of getting the best out of every horse she’s on.

—JENNIFER ELLIS FORLIZZI

I’d like to see Skylar Wireman on my jumper mare…

—KIM ROSSI HAHN

My trainer Sarah Barge for both hunters and jumpers—not only is Sarah an incredible rider/trainer, she puts the horse’s experience first always!

—DEB BANNON

Definitely Peter Wylde in just about any horse sport—his feel, empathy for the horse and complete package skills on and off the horse cannot be beat!

—LILLI BIEDERMANN

For dressage, I love Stephen R. Hayes. Eventing, I have to say Boyd Martin, although Pippa Funnel was my favorite as a child and still holds a special place in my heart!

—NICHOLE REBELO

Candice King. Her empathy is incredible she really focuses on getting into horse’s brain and figuring out what makes horse tick and then do best.

—KRISTIN DARBEE

McLain Ward, easy! I am obsessed with mares and I think he has such a way with harnessing their opinionated nature using kindness and teamwork. He also acknowledges how grateful he is for horses, and to me that is #1!

—MAGGIE CARTY

NICK HANESS. ANY DIVISION AT ANY TIME!

—KRISTIN REDIEHS-SALAZAR

Elisa Wallace (because of her experience with Mustangs and her ability to give sensitive horses confidence) or Margie Engle because she is my childhood idol and she is short like me and could ride my pony. She had a quiet yet confident way about her riding.

—CATHERINE BROWN REUS