1.) What are some of the highlights and successful moments in the 2015 show season for you?
For the 2015 Show Season, Alejandro and I were honored with winning the Buckeye, Canadian and US National Championships. The highlight was not only my win of US Reserve National Champion 1/2 Park but to watch my trainer Matt Siemon, as I stood at the outgate. To hear Lady Gaga’s song start to play… Alejandro and then the announcing of the Unanimus US National Champion, GSF Alejandro…. was surreal….after several years of being in the same dream but never with this result…. It still plays in my mind every day and I know that this moment will always be how I define my year of 2015.
Buckeye Unanimus Champion 1/2 Park ATR
Canadadian Unanimus National Champion 1/2 Park ATR
Canadadian Unanimus National Champion 1/2 Park Open with Matt Siemon
United States Unanimus National Champion 1/2 Park Open with Matt Siemon
United States Reserve National Champion 1/2 Park ATR
2.) Who has been your biggest influence in the Arabian breed in getting you to where you are today?
I think that both the Arabian and Saddlebred trainers have influenced my success. The influences of Gene LaCroix, Rene Biggins, Shelley Fisher, Richard Wright, Carmel and Shawn Rooker, Kellie and Dalton Budd, Vicki Humphrey, Ellen Beard, Blake Krohn, David Cusac, and most of all Matt Siemon. The Siemon family, Chuck, Luke, and LuAnn, have been like a second family to me. Their love and support has always been there since i was 16. Today, Matt Siemon and I have a great working relationship as well as a friendship. His talent of training amature horses has been top notch and is proven over and over. Paul Heiman, our other nominee in our barn is 89 years young, and still knows how to bring the house down. This year Alejandro and I won the Buckeye Joyce Heimen Perpetual Trophy in memory of his late wife Joyce and his winning the 1/2 Park US National and Buckeye Championship, Supreme Decision
3.) If someone were to describe you, what would they say about you?
They would say that I am best described as hard working and very driven.
Rasied with the ideals, that to be succesful you must earn it every day. I belive in dreaming of your goals and working hard to reach them. Showing horses for over 40 years, only my friends and family know the long journey that i have traveled to get here today! And I have loved every step of the way!
4.) Name one show ring quirk you have:
I love to smile when I am riding, and Alejandro does as well. I ve been known by friends, as “Puddin Face”, for showing such great joy. Being in such a wonderful horse show bubble always makes my day!!!