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40 SIDELINES MAY 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE H O R S E S H O W

Harley Brown’s Got All the Right Moves

By Erin Gilmore

It doesn’t take a stretch of the mind to discover why Australian native Harley Brown settled along the coast of Central California eight years ago. Any rider would kill for a thriving business, access to both ends of the state, and an ocean view, to boot. But when Harley moved to San Luis Obispo, CA from his native Melbourne, it was simply because of a friendly connection in the middle-California, college town. Little did he know that he’d raise a family there, fll a barn, and become one of the West Coast’s top grand prix riders. In Australia, Harley’s family had always been in the business of horses. His grandfather played polo, and his parents foxhunted with young Harley following along on his pony. Harley frst learned to jump on his grandfather’s polo ponies, and began competing in grand prix classes while

still a teenager. He could have remained in Australia and enjoyed a successful career there, but Harley felt the pull of the horse industry in the United States, where business was bigger and possibly better.

The Trip That Never Ended

His initial stateside move was meant to be temporary, only staying long enough to move a few sales horses. But as he fell into the California routine, Harley stayed a bit longer, and a bit longer still.

Harley’s then-fancé Olivia (the two were married last fall) joined him after the frst six months, and together, they opened a training business. Daughter Zoe came along in 2005, and the small family settled among the rolling hills and growing wine country that the region is famous for. With the nearby surplus of college-age riders, Harley Brown Equestrian quickly grew. The acquisition of Cassiato followed in 2006, and with a steady partner in the grand prix classes, Harley’s career has rapidly expanded. “We bought Cassiato as a 7-year-old,” says Harley. “He was a failed dressage horse, but he went very quickly up the grades in jumpers. He’s a wonderful horse, big and scopey and talented.”

Harley prefers to bring his own mounts up from green horses, and to date, Cassiato has been the biggest evidence of his talent in nurturing up and comers. Since 2008, Harley and Cassiato (13 year old Holsteiner gelding by Concerto II), have been a consistent presence at the top of West Coast grand prix standings. They won the title Grand Prix at the Sacramento International in 2008 and 2010, and represented Australia at the 2009 Rolex World Cup Finals.

A Welcome Surprise

After a top fve fnish in the $50,000 Strongid Grand Prix CSI-W at this year’s HITS Desert Circuit II in Thermal, Harley was feeling optimistic about a strong winter circuit

with Cassiato.

And then, he got the call that turned his whole winter around – in the best possible way. Harley knew that the Australian Equestrian Federation keeps a close eye on its high performing riders around the world, but he didn’t expect to hear from the Aussie show jumping team selectors in mid February, asking if he would be inclined to travel to Wellington, Florida as a member of the Australian team at the $75,000 Nations Cup CSIO4* on March 4th.

Although Harley had already acquired almost enough World Cup points to qualify for the WC Final in April, the decision to fy Cassiato to Florida at the last minute to ride in the Nations Cup was an easy one.

“We came straight from Thermal,” explains Harley. “By missing the last few grand prixs at Thermal, I knew I’d be giving up on qualifying for the World Cup Final, but we were able to get a fight to Florida right away, and riding in the Nations Cup was one of the best experiences of my riding career.”

In front of thousands of spectators at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the Aussie team of Harley and Cassiato, James Patterson Robinson on Niack de L’Abbaye, Thaisa Erwin on Waddison, and Damien Guthrie on Gilmore, fnished in a very respectable tie for third place.

“Peter Cook few in from Australia to serve as our chef, and the team was such a great group of people,” adds Harley. “Everyone has a great time and it worked out really well.”

Before Harley returned home to California, he fnished a respectable 13th in the diffcult $150,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix two days after the Nations Cup. Cassiato and Harley are now gearing up for the California summer circuits, and with Australian show jumpers already qualifed for the 2012 Olympics, Harley is optimistically looking towards a chance to represent his home country in London next year. Cassiato is in his prime, Harley has a couple of exciting young horses in his barn, and Olivia is expecting again. All in all, this Australian made the right move when he decided to call the United States home.

Harley celebrates Australia’s third place fnish in March’s Nations Cup with daughter Zoe and wife Olivia Photo by Mark Astrom