On the Record: Debbie talks to Ride Magazine

Debbie's Interview in hte January Issue of Ride Magazine

Posted 2004-12-13

1. How did you first become interested in horses?

A: I've been in love with horses my whole life and have maintained active
involvement with them throughout my childhood and adult years pleasure
riding, training and showing. A visit to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna
as a youth sparked my passion for classical dressage.

2. How did you learn about dressage?

A: I began studying classical riding during my college years in the early
'80's and quickly determined this was something I needed to incorporate in
all of my riding pursuits. At that point I wasn't sure exactly what
direction I wanted to go with my riding career but I did know that dressage
principles would be at the forefront.

3. When and how were you first introduced to the Sport Horse breeding
industry?

A: I became a working student in the late '80's for an FEI dressage
rider/trainer and breeder who imported Holsteiner horses from Germany. I
developed instant love and admiration for this spectacular breed of horse.
I've been partial to Holsteiner lineage ever since and fascinated to learn
how these bloodlines are credited worldwide for improving gaits and jumping
technique in all the major Warmblood breeds.

4. How did you start training?

A: I supported myself through college starting and training thoroughbreds
for the racing industry. I became a licensed exercise rider with the Oregon
Racing Commission and galloped racehorses at Portland Meadows. During this
time I was studying the German training system, taking lessons and applying
the principles on my own horses. After I married and moved back to
California my husband and I began a combined training operation that
involved starting and retraining unwanted horses and ponies to be successful
competitors in dressage and eventing. This proved very successful but
competing so many average horses over the years made me long for ones with a
genetic advantage, which brought me back to the European Warmblood sport
horse.

5. Were there any individuals who helped in the processes of breeding,
riding and training?

A: My husband Jim has been my biggest support. He's always believed in me
and encouraged me to go for it as a rider and competitor, making it possible
for me to do what I've always dreamed of. We were never in a position to
purchase the quality of horse I longed for, so when I decided I wanted to
breed, raise and train my own he agreed.

6. What has proved to be the most successful part of your business and why?

A: We've experienced good fortune producing top quality foals right from
the start. Our first broodmare, the Premium Mare Le Clic*, begun a great
mare line of champion premium fillies. These beautiful fillies will be
tomorrows premium mares and continue improving the quality of our stock.

7. What would you consider to be your greatest personal success?

Each year my competitive achievements in dressage and eventing increase with
'04 setting a new precedent with my Holsteiner Stallion Cimarron. Together
this year we won 6 of the 8 recognized horse trials we entered including the
USEA (United States Eventing Associating) area VI Novice Championships. At
the USEA annual convention & year end awards banquet, Cimarron and I
received the perpetual trophies and Champion rosettes for area VI 2004
Senior Novice Champion and USEA area VI 2004 Adult Amateur Champion.
Cimarron and I also finished in the top 5 nationally for Masters Novice and
this is just our first year together! Though I have bred mares to him in
years past, I've only owned him since May '03. He had never evented
previously or jumped in many years so I'm extremely proud of him. Cimarron
exemplifies the wonderful temperament, beauty, presence versatility and
talent that I love about top caliber Warmblood Sport Horse and Holsteiners
in particular. I couldn't be happier than I am to have him as our flagship
and I want to give special thanks to Holly Kaye for making that possible.

8. What is the philosophy behind your training and breeding?

A: Horses must be happy and fulfilled to give you their best. They aren't
robots you can program or equipment you can use in any way you please. They
cannot be forced, manipulated or intimidated into compliance. They have to
understand and have both the ability and desire to do what we ask. Like
people they have good and bad days, get bored, frustrated, overwhelmed and
tired of monotony. Each horse has individual suitability, strengths,
weaknesses and specific needs. They need more training variance than typical
American trainers give them. I believe all horses can benefit from some form
of combined or cross training. It's our responsibility to learn many tools
and approaches and then customize an optimal program for each horse. It can
be a challenge to keep them interested and wanting to learn more but with
creativity and flexibility, it can be done. We must remember their need to
go out and just be horses. It's a mistake to over-protect them to the degree
that they cannot be turned out and allowed to play and socialize with other
horses. If we strive to meet our horses needs on every level and treat them
with the respect and consideration they deserve, they will reward us ways we
never thought possible. We should never stop working to improve our skills
and education. All problems we encounter with horses are created by human
error and true knowledge can only begin with the humbling discovery just how
little we actually know. We should (in most cases) leave the breeding to
professionals with in-depth knowledge of conformation, type and industry
demand. It's usually much safer and less expensive to buy than breed. It's
too costly to experiment with breeding horses and there are way too many of
them out there needing better homes and care. Please go find one before
creating more.

9. What sets your business apart from others?

A: We are one of the few show barns in Central California providing complete
support and facilities for all aspects of combined training. We have cross
country and stadium jumping courses of various levels. We have short and
full dressage courts with excellent footing and lighting. We have exercise
tracks, turf, jumping chute, training, sales and breeding services.

10. What goals do you have for the future?

A: To continually provide better horses and services that model the higher
standards of our European counterparts.

11. Are there any upcoming special events or additions to look out for?

A: We are expecting our first crop of Cimarron offspring next year and have
a couple of nice mares in foal to him available. We will be hosting dressage
and jumping clinics here throughout the coming year that are open to anyone
who wishes to participate or audit.

12. Anything else you'd like our readers to know?

A: They are welcome to visit our website at www.sportequine.net and farm and
to look for the Sport Equine Eventing team in '05!
Thank you for giving me this special opportunity to tell you about
myself and our operation.
We wish everyone a wonderful new year marked with happiness and
prosperity.

Debbie Davis and family at Sport Equine