BY JACKIE MCFARLAND

Guilherme Jorge
  Watching the horses and riders at the top of our sport master big technical courses is certainly impressive. The course designer plays an integral role in how those classes unfold. Guilherme Jorge masterminded five very different and difficult courses that determined the group of riders heading to Europe on three separate tours. This elite group of fifteen riders is one step closer to representing the US at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games.

EqSol: How did you become a course designer? What is your horse history?
GJ: I started riding when I was 10 in my hometown Campinas (Brazil). I competed up to the 1.40m level, but stopped to focus on vet school. I was always interested in course design. By age 17 I started designing at local shows in Brazil. In 1992 I was first invited to design at a small two-day show in my hometown and then in San Paulo. I realized that course designing was a good way to be a part of the sport, so I jumped at the opportunity to work with every course designer that came to Brazil, which at the time was Leopoldo Palacios and Linda Allen.

  I finished vet school and practiced from 1992-1998, and designed courses whenever I had the chance. My invitations to course design as well as my interest grew so I decided to focus on it full-time.

EqSol: Your course design mentors?
GJ: I was lucky to start quite young and work with a lot of my mentors - Olaf Petersen Sr., Dr. Arno Gego (Aachen School of Course Design), Frank Rothenberger (Aachen), Aki Ylänne (Finland), Leopoldo Palacios (Venezuela) and Linda Allen (US) - on multiple occasions – up to four times with top ones. I was able to take a little bit from each and create my own style.

  I worked as an assistant for a lot of great designers - in 1995 I assisted Leopoldo in Argentina at the Pan American Games and then with Linda in Monterrey (Mexico) that same year. I had the honor of assisting Linda again at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. That really opened a lot of doors for me. I met a lot of experienced course designers, which helped me get more opportunities as an assistant, and furthered my career.

Eqsol: Challenges we don’t think about, like your first course design experience in North America...
GJ: In 1998 I designed my first CSI-W in North America in Bromont, Quebec. When the plane landed in Montreal I thought to myself, ‘What I’m doing here?’ I knew the metric system. I had no idea about inches. I looked at prize list and saw a class called ‘Modified Jumpers’ and again I was perplexed - Modified from what?

  Due to the measuring system differences, setting the jumps was also challenging. The jump holes were set three inches apart and there were pins for the jump cups. These days the European, Latin American and North American systems are much more universal. They follow the FEI rules, use metrics for setting heights and the jump holes are .05m or 5cm (1.96 inches) apart. Makes the playing field at lot more level for all involved.

EqSol: How do you determine difficulty for the field?
GJ: To me there are two types of competition – ones that follow a technical standard like a World Cup Qualifier or a WEG trial. In these classes it is not about how many clean, or how exciting your jump off can be. My specific goal as the course designer is to prepare riders for their goal - making it to and being prepared for the finals. The other type of class is one where you can really adapt by height or difficulty according to your field. Then I try to watch the riders through the week and adapt accordingly. The conditions also play a big part, the footing, the jumps – especially the footing.

EqSol: Setting a variety of courses – from a World Cup Qualifier in Los Angeles last fall to WEG trials in Wellington this year...

On setting the WCQ:
GJ: Leopoldo had built most of the World Cup Qualifiers early in the season. He sent me the course from the qualifier in Sacramento, so I knew the riders and that it needed to be tough. The indoor arena at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center is large, but the arena in Geneva where the finals are in April 2010 is also a good size, so that helps. I went on the strong side of the specs and expected three or four to go clean. It is clear that the quality is improving on the west coast, I was pleasantly surprised to have six clean.

Analyzing the WCQ track...
GJ: My first goal is safety and to ask exactly what needs to be asked of the horses. They have a busy calendar, so I don’t want to build a course that is too demanding, which means a course that is nice enough to get around but not easy to jump clear. I like to connect one jump to another – even if it isn’t a straight line – in an indoor that makes all distances related. Riders at this level ride a track, not jump to jump. For me it is a good result when the faults are spread around the course, not just at one or two jumps.

Time allowed as a factor...
GJ: I don’t always go with super tight time allowed. I think the horses jump better when they have the time. I try to make other elements create a challenge. This is always a debate with Leopoldo, who has been my technical delegate in the past. I try to be open also to the riders’ opinions, they are the ones being tested.

On designing all five of the WEG trials:
GJ: I was very honored to design for the US WEG trials. For me I compare it to being invited for something very important for my own country - like being invited to be part of the soccer team for Brazil. It was a big responsibility to set five courses to test essentially the same group of riders over a two-week period.

Analyzing the tracks...
  We could go into a lot of detail here, as Jorge set some fabulous courses that tested scope, rideability, distance, adaptability and connection over five very different yet challenging tracks. Each trial asked solid questions, with the toughest and biggest questions coming at the end.

  Canadian course designer Dave Ballard analyzed each and every track on PhelpsSports.com. If you are a member, search for “Course Discourse – Sunday’s $150,000 CN US Open and USEF WEG Selection Trial #5.” All five trials are discoursed, from the bottom up, including fabulous jump photos and course descriptions. If you are not a member, these among other pieces are well worth the investment.

  George Morris sat with Guilherme at his ‘office’ inside the International Club several times throughout the two weeks. And what did George have to say? ‘A+ job’ followed by a big thumbs up motion. Now that is a seal of approval!

EqSol: And your future?
GJ: This year I will be at Spruce Meadows for the North American CSI 5* and a few other shows. More shows here in the US, including Blenheim in the spring and fall, Saugerties and Horse Shows by the Bay in the summer and the Hampton Classic. Also I have the honor of being Conrad Homfeld’s assistant at the WEG. Then London for the CSI 5* at the Olympia Horse Show in December 2010.

  In the big picture I am starting to manage horse shows close to home. There is a beautiful international-class facility called Helvetia Riding Center under construction in the city of Indaiatuba, which is about 30 minutes from home and 50 minutes from São Paulo. The idea is to make horse show management a part of my business, so I reduce my travel to maybe 17 weeks per year as opposed to my current 30 weeks. Then I will be able to spend time more time at home with my daughter Marina, who is six-years-old now. I love my job and love the shows but the travel is really hard.

  Of course one of my biggest career goals now is to be chosen to design for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

  I have to say I love the horses and the riders, and I am addicted to the sport. When I was invited to be the Course Designer for the World Cup Finals in 2005, I told Robert Ridland that this opportunity was beyond my wildest dreams, I was so honored. To be at the top of a sport that I love is fascinating. It never ceases to amaze me to be a part of these top quality events.

  As always we find it fascinating to talk with the people behind the course designs. Thank you so much Guilherme, we look forward to seeing you down the road, and hope to interview you from Rio in 2016!

Talking with Top Riders

BY JACKIE MCFARLAND

Rich Fellers
  The chance to compete in two internationally acclaimed events in the same year doesn’t come often. Not to mention the even slimmer chance that one horse and rider team could potentially earn their way to BOTH the World Cup and the World Equestrian Games (WEG). However Rich Fellers and Flexible are on that powerful path.

  Setting the standards high, Rich started off the World Cup qualifying season in the fall of 2009 with three wins. Well on his way to earning an invite to Geneva for the 2010 FEI World Cup Finals, Rich and the mighty Flexible traveled south from their home in Oregon to Thermal and then east to Wellington to solidify their position not only for the World Cup Finals but for the WEG as well. Leading the North American West Coast League in World Cup Points with one qualifier remaining, Rich and Flexible are Geneva bound in April. Since these two also showed they had what it takes in Wellington, the dynamic duo will also be traveling on one of the three European tours this summer as a potential WEG team candidate. We had a chance to sit down with Rich in Wellington.

EqSol: The decision and plan to qualify for both the World Cup and the WEG?
RF: Originally last summer the main objective for big championship events for the future was the World Cup Finals. We wanted to redeem ourselves after Las Vegas* plus Harry and Mollie Chapman (owners of Flexible) really enjoy the travel, so we set our sights on Geneva and started in with qualifying last fall. Things went well, we ended up with some really good scores. Then in early December George Morris came out for his annual clinic at the farm in Oregon – we had dinner and discussed the possibility of the WEG. He was very positive and supportive of us giving it a go. He felt that the dates of the two events were far enough apart – April for World Cup and October for WEG – that it wasn’t too much for the horse.

  So then we just started looking at different options for Florida for the winter. Do we do just the trials or the full circuit? Do we take all the horses or just a couple? Luckily it turned out that almost all of our customers wanted to go to Wellington. We started in Thermal to try and earn some good World Cup scores. The qualifying rules changed this year, a rider can keep up to eight scores, which is more than previous years. We went into the winter season with 72 points and although we had one rail in each qualifier we earned some good points. We were ready to make the trip to WEF for a few weeks.

*In 2008, Rich was second in the World Cup Finals. In 2009 he went into the final round in the 6th position and ended up with an unfortunate 30 faults, dropping him to 18th.

EqSol: Wellington trials and tribulations. Tell us about the WEG qualifiers from your perspective.
RF: The courses were super. Guilherme did a great job. He tested the horses and the riders equally, both in scope and technical questions asked.

EqSol: Winter Circuits and qualifying complete, now the plan is...
RF: The next phase to the plan is rest, refresh and prepare for World Cup Finals. We’ve been home since mid March and leave a few weeks later for Geneva. The barn isn’t planning to show again until May and then go to Spruce this summer for a few weeks. My son graduates from high school during the National, so we’ll be home for his graduation. As for Flexible, the World Cup Finals is a strenuous championship event plus travel. After that he’ll rest and show a few classes at Spruce Meadows, then head to Europe for the July-August USEF European tour, the CSIO’s in Falsterbo (SWEDEN), Hickstead (ENGLAND) and Dublin (IRELAND). We’ll see how that goes and whether or not we’ll be preparing for the WEG in October.

EqSol: What other horses will go to Europe?
RF: Hopefully McGuiness. He had an injury that we’ve finally diagnosed and we hope to start him back soon. Or possibly a horse will have to step up like Flexible did when McGuiness and Gyro were both injured. My wonderful wife Shelley told me the other day that she would let me take her fabulous young horse, Revenge, on the tour. He is probably one of the nicest horses we’ve ever owned. Shelley turned pro eighteen months ago when we started the business and shows him in the 1.40m division. She’s really good.

EqSol: Tell us about your barn and the Chapman’s, great supporters of the sport...
RF: We made a transition from being privately sponsored to opening the doors of our business in October of 2008. The Chapman’s, who had both owned the barn and sponsored the horses, decided they wanted to be clients and not barn owners anymore. So they sold the facility in the fall of 2008. Now instead of employing us, the Chapman’s are clients of ours and we run a small show jumping and sales barn.

  Everything went very smoothly, although the ownership changed hands we were able to stay at the facility and start our business. It can be a challenging balance – our schedule is different than a lot of the big stables. We pick nice quality shows and rarely do an entire circuit. It was a big decision and expense to come to Wellington. But once the barn decided to come, we didn’t look back.

  Harry Chapman was a very good rider, invited by the USET to go east and train with the team. He chose to stay in Oregon for school and a career. The Chapmans, as owners, are like the best horse you’ve ever had. They have stood up to the test of time. Their enthusiasm and support is undying – even when things don’t go well, they always believe.

  We are grateful for Rich’s time and tales. We congratulate Flexible, Rich, Shelley, The Chapman’s and wish all the very best of luck on foreign soil – Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, England, Ireland and hopefully back to the US in Lexington.

BY ALLYSON MENTLIK

Mavis Spencer
  When eighteen-year-old Mavis Spencer was offered the opportunity to learn from a top professional and ride some of the most incredible horses in the world, all in exchange for some work around the barn, she jumped at the chance. Her days are now filled with hours in the saddle, learning at every turn, plus a slew of barn chores including feeding and mucking. And she loves it.

  Her passion for riding began at the age of two when her aunt, who owned a breeding farm, put Mavis on top of a retired stallion named Galoubet and led her around the barn. By the age of five she was taking lessons and went on to spend most of her junior years competing and winning under the instruction of Dick Carvin and Susie Schroer. After graduating high school, Mavis was well prepared for a working student position with top East Coast rider Kent Farrington.

  I am Allyson Mentlik, a college graduate and devoted equestrian, who was lucky enough to come down to Wellington from snowy Amherst, Masssachusetts, for the week and spend some time with Mavis, my friend Joscelyn, and EquestriSol.

  A day in Mavis’ life starts with the alarm ringing at 6:30 a.m. After a quick bite to eat, we threw on the typical barn attire, and were on our way to the barn by 7:00 a.m.

  Feeding hay and grain was the first chore, and then we moved on to cleaning stalls. Aside from Mavis, there are six other grooms working at this Wellington farm that houses approximately 24 horses. As Mavis worked through her mucking duties, she was able to share some stories with me.

AM: How did you meet/end up working with Kent Farrington?
MS: I actually met Kent in Lake Placid a few years ago through a mutual friend. Kent has a business partner based out of Europe that helps with buying, selling, and transporting new horses over here for Kent to ride. During one of my trips to Europe back in November of 2008, I tried horses at his barn over there. I knew I was planning on taking a year off between high school and college to learn as much as I could as a rider so we began to plan ways for me to stay in Europe and work there. I then spoke to Kent about my ideas and he helped me realize that I would love to work for someone who is in a position that I one day hope to reach. Kent is still a young professional, only 29, so I discussed everything with my parents and we all agreed that Kent would be incredible to learn from. I’ve been officially working with him since the Devon horse show last May.

  Once chores are done, Mavis checks the list of horses that she will be riding. Depending on Kent’s schedule, she will usually ride between six and eight horses per day.

AM: Which horses are you riding? Do you have a favorite type of horse?
MS: I ride almost all of the sale horses here. With an active sales business, we always have new ones so there is always a variety for me to ride. I’ve been riding and showing a horse named Uno since this past summer. Right now we show in the 1.40 classes here in Wellington. I also rode Uno in the USET finals and he was great. Another one of my favorites is Valencia, an adorable eight-year-old bay mare. We get along well - she has such a good heart. I don't know if I can say that I have a favorite type of horse. Being a working student allows me to ride so many different types of horses so you learn to adapt to many different rides.

AM: Explain how your working student situation works.
MS: My day starts with chores in the barn. I take care of Uno but am still part of the team just like everyone else. There isn’t any special treatment for me because I’m the working student, I just do a little bit more riding. I am not paid for the work I do, my pay is the time I get to spend in the saddle. My situation is a bit different only because most working students are junior riders. I'm 18 so technically I am considered a professional. There isn’t really a protocol for how long you can be a working student, if you have a good situation you can stay where you are until you may be ready to move on.

  The first horse that Kent had to ride today was Up Chiqui. Mavis’ job is to warm up Chiqui on the flat so he is ready when Kent wants to ride and school him. Once Kent is on Chiqui, Kent’s next horse is brought out for Mavis to warm up on the flat. Seems to be an effective system that helps Kent and allows Mavis to ride and learn at the same time.

AM: Some of your favorite moments as a working student for Kent?
MS: A really funny and favorite moment was this past summer when we were in Kentucky. Kent was very busy at the show, so he called to tell me which horses to ride and at the end of the list he said Chiqui, which to him didn’t seem like a big deal. Everyone knows Up Chiqui as one of Kent’s most successful horses and the one he competed on in the 2009 FEI World Cup Finals. I was very nervous but everyone told me I would be fine. I just flatted him and he was actually great. Kent says I can jump him one day but I may just stick to flatting him, he can be quite the handful. He’s incredible for Kent though they’ve had tons of success.

  I have to say that I’ve seen such a big difference in my confidence since I’ve worked for Kent. I’ve matured in so many ways by being exposed to this world and gaining the experience that I have from riding so many incredible horses.

AM: What have been some of your greatest experiences as a rider that have shaped your style today? What about your favorite moments as a competitor?
MS: I remember watching lessons when I was about five years old and just admiring all the older riders. I learned very early on that if I fell off, I got back on and that there wasn’t any crying in horseback riding. This definitely shaped me into the rider that I’ve become.

  Some of my most memorable experiences would have to be traveling over to Europe two summers ago to work for Neil Jones in Belgium and going to Australia last January for the Australian Youth Olympics. I rode on a team with three other girls, chosen because of the amounts of prize money we had won the previous fall season. We were down there for a week and a half and ended up 4th overall as a team.

  One of my favorite moments competing was definitely winning a 1.20 class in Europe at the Beervelde Horse Show. It wasn’t a huge class but there was a big ceremony after where we got off our horses and stood on a podium to receive our awards. It was just a much different experience than I had ever had here in America.

  Next horse to ride is Salem, one of the sale horses, followed by Valencia, one of Mavis’ favorite mares. We take them out to the large grass field, a great space for flat rides. Mavis uses her knowledge and feel to flat the horses with plenty of circles and bending exercises.

AM: Do you have your own horse here?
MS: My horse Winia unfortunately is not here, she is leased out right now. She was my junior jumper; we also competed in the Prix de States. I wasn’t sure if I was going to work for Kent until right before Devon when he called and asked me to ride. So I flew right out to start working for him, returned home for graduation, and was then able to remain on the East Coast. Leasing out Winia just made things easier for everyone. It wasn’t an easy decision but it was the best one.

AM: Whom would you consider your mentor in your life/riding career?
MS: I would absolutely have to say my mom. Even though she doesn’t ride she is the most awesome horse show mom. She always drove me to horse shows no matter how early and watched all of my lessons. She helps me achieve my goals and definitely guided me to where I am today. She is so supportive. I know she will definitely be visiting a lot next year when I am in New York.

AM: New York? Does this mean for college?
MS: Yes, I will be attending Columbia in the fall. I always knew I wanted to find a college on the East coast and I love New York City. My family owns an apartment on the Upper East Side so we have always spent a lot of time there.

  Last horse of the day is Transavia, a Chestnut mare who seems very quiet and a pleasure to work with. It’s about 2:00 p.m. and after this ride it’s time for afternoon chores. These include cleaning the stalls one more time, re-filling everyone's water buckets, and giving the barn a good sweep. By 4:00 p.m., the horses are hungry and through the occasional whinny are ‘talking about’ their upcoming meal of grain and hay. Before leaving, the team checks each horse to see they are comfortable and have an ample supply of water. That is the end of the day. That is, until night check. Night check is divided up by days between each groom. Fortunately, today is Mavis’ day for night check so we will have one last trip to the barn at 8:30 tonight. Before we end the day, Mavis answers a few more questions.

AM: What is your favorite horse show? And why?
MS: Wellington is definitely my favorite because we are able to actually live down here. It doesn’t feel like coming to a horse show, everyone is down here together. We are all able to ride together, hangout, and really make great friendships with people who have all of the same interests. We spend so much time here that it feels like home. The quality of horses here is on such an international level and the prize money is huge which creates such a competitive atmosphere that is amazing to be a part of.

AM: Any hobbies outside of riding?
MS: When I had time, I used to play tennis. I’m pretty normal, I like to read and listen to music. I also like to hang out with my brother Duncan. He’s a sophomore in high school out in California.

AM: And are you planning on making a career out of riding?
MS: Well, I’m not really sure what I will be majoring in college. I do know however that riding will part of my career somehow. I would absolutely love to have a string of horses that I am able to show. As far as riding through college, Kent spends the fall months at a barn in Brewster, NY, about an hour outside of the city. I will definitely continue to ride with him as much as I can and hopefully be able to spend time in Wellington during the winter.

  At about 9:30 p.m., this day is coming to an end for Mavis. We have finished night check, which includes another round of hay, water, and the occasional blanket change, and are now able to rest until the next busy day begins.

AM: Any final advice you would like to give to any other young riders looking to be in your position one day?
MS: Never forget that hard work and dedication do get noticed. Always do your best and if you don't know something, ask someone. No one will judge you for asking a question especially when it comes to the care and well-being of a horse. More than anything else, what someone once said to me, "Make decisions on planning to succeed and not fear of failure."

  Thank you Allyson and Mavis for spending the day together. Good luck with college, horses and pursuing your dreams!

BY ZAZOU HOFFMAN & JACKIE MCFARLAND

Haley Webster
  Riding as a fourteen-year-old this year, Haley is one of the west coast’s aspiring stars. She trains with Patty Ball in Northern California most of the year and is certainly a self-starter. Haley even has her own web site and sponsors. Similar to Zazou’s experience as a junior, Haley is working hard to earn every winning experience – from working student opportunities to clinics as well as in the show ring. Haley went to WEF this past winter to ride with Missy Clark and John Brennan of North Run Farm. Zazou, who spent many a winter in Wellington with North Run, interviewed her about the experience.

ZH: Tell us a little about your junior career.
HW: I am lucky that I have two horses to show, one is leased and the other was my mom’s (now mine). They both compete in the big equitation, so it’s nice because they never have too many classes. I have always done the medals and I will continue pursuing medal final goals plus start doing jumper classes.

ZH: What were your impressions of WEF? What are the big differences between showing in California and Florida?
HW: WEF was absolutely amazing! The show grounds are beautiful. It’s hard to describe in words how impressed I was... The competition in Florida is definitely tough. Everyone is starting out his or her qualifying year, so a winning round in the equitation would likely be a score in the 90’s.

ZH: How did you manage school and showing?
HW: I actually started home schooling last year to allow more time for riding and shows. My parents and I love this program offered by our school district at home, Visions in Education. The teacher comes twice a month and is available by phone any time we need her. The online resources are wonderful as well. This flexibility has been a very positive experience for me so far.

  I brought my schoolwork with me and since I wanted to focus on riding for the two weeks I was at WEF, I finished most of my homework on the plane!

ZH: So how did you end up working with Missy and John?
HW: Through winning the RW Mutch Scholarship in 2009 I had the chance to ride with Karen Healey for two weeks, a great learning experience. I was looking for a chance to ride on the east coast, so Carol Coleman from the RW Mutch Foundation helped me get in touch with Missy. Working with Missy and John was an amazing opportunity. I learned so much, was given a chance to ride some of their horses and truly gained a lot from their knowledge.

ZH: What did you show in? What were the highlights?
HW: I competed in the USEF, USET, WIHS Medal, and the ASPCA Maclay on a new horse of Missy’s, Conan. Very sweet, fun to ride - a really nice horse – the more I rode him the better we were as a team. I also showed a green horse in the children’s hunters both weeks.

ZH: Do you have a strategy for this year? What horse/horses are you working with?
HW: This year my plan includes qualifying for all the medals and to get some good jumper miles. I am currently leasing Gobi, who can do the medals and the jumpers. My mom’s horse Moose turned out to be my horse. Last year I showed him in the junior hunters, medals and the equitation division. This year I am just showing him in the big medals. My first horse Belle, a great 3’ hunter and equitation horse, is currently for sale.

ZH: What advice do you have for other equitation riders who show on a budget?
HW: Be a hard worker. Do everything you can to learn more. We are doing everything we can to make it through the show season on a budget. I do my own grooming, my mom braids, and my grandfather drives the horse trailer. Having a supportive family like mine plays a big role in making it all work.

  Thanks so much for giving us a glimpse into your life. We wish you all the best in your aspirations, Haley.

A bit on Zazou:
  In 2005 Zazou won the Ronnie Mutch Working Student Scholarship, which led to an association with respected East Coast trainers Missy Clark and John Brennan. Through a lot of hard work, commuting, juggling school and victories as well as defeats, Zazou culminated her junior career in 2009 by winning the prestigious ASPCA Medal Maclay Finals at the National Horse Show in Syracuse, New York.

  In both 2007 and 2010 Zazou was one of ten elite riders chosen to ride in the Mastership Sessions with Olympic Chef d’Equipe George Morris in Wellington, Florida. She is back in her hometown of Santa Monica, California where she has turned professional and plans to attend college in the fall.