36 SIDELINES MARCH 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Cantano when he was six with the backing of fantastic
owners, Pat and Jim Iverson and my ground person at the
time, Sandy Aston. We brought him through the levels and
won 16 grand prix. He was sold to Nancy Clarke for Meredith
Michaels-Beerbaum. Feng Shui, owned by SIG International,
was my next hopeful for the grand prix ring: he won the 7-8
year old International Jumper Futurity in California. He was
purchased by Ruth and went east to finish his development
with Jill Prieto and help from Joe Fargis, someone I highly
admire – a classic rider with classic style, a gentleman – he’s
first class. It’s difficult to let horses like that go but wonderful
to know you developed something that can go to that level. I
wish them all the best.
Sidelines:
How do today’s horses compare to 20 years ago?
SMH:
I think we’re going back to Thoroughbred types. I
wouldn’t mind riding a Thoroughbred. I think they’re the best
in the world. The majority of warmbloods, the good ones,
go back to Thoroughbred sires. The mare contributes about
70% to a foal and I like a lot of Thoroughbred type in the
foal; look at warmbloods at the top of the line, especially
the ones influenced by the Thoroughbred sire Ladykiller.
Today’s courses are technical and the horses have to be
really careful and extremely well-schooled. The first time I
went to Spruce Meadows (1978), the maximum height was
1.50 meters. Back then a clunky warmblood could hit those
4 inch deep jump cups and not drop a rail. Now the courses
are bigger, 1.60 to 1.65, more technical and jump cups are
really shallow; to be competitive, you have to have careful
horses.
Sidelines:
What was it like to ride with Jimmy Williams?
SMH:
Magic, every day! Just to be able to be around him and
watch the magic he had with every horse he had anything to
do with. What would take me two weeks would take Jimmy
two days. He taught me to try to think like a horse, to treat
them with respect, to give them time and not push them too
fast. I don’t think there are any horsemen like that anymore,
except for maybe George…
Sidelines:
Who was your favorite horse?
SMH:
Samsung Woodstock - he had so much heart. I got
him in 1987 before Seoul. He was just difficult in the stall.
He didn’t like anybody being in his stall and he’d try to kick
you. Woodstock came out of Paul Schockemohle’s. He was
sold out of Paul’s auction in England but the riders didn’t
care for him and sent him back to Paul. We ended up at
Paul’s and bought the horse. I don’t think Woodstock would
have been as great as he was if it hadn’t been for Jimmy
Williams. He spent hours and hours, molding Woodstock
into a great horse. We had more than 20 top three grand prix
placings. Woodstock is buried on the farm.
Sidelines:
What isn’t well known about your riding career?
SMH:
I showed hunters and won every West Coast Medal
Final. At age 11, I showed Best Bet in the 1st Year Green
Hunter division and the next year we went east and at
Madison Square Garden we had top call in 2nd Year Green
and earned the Reserve Championship in Junior Hunters.
Best Bet was the Pacific Coast Regular Working Hunter
Champion six consecutive years and retired at the Forum.
A few years ago he was inducted into the National Show
Hunter Hall of Fame.
Sidelines:
Do you have any big dreams?
SMH:
I would like to get back into the grand prix ring and be
successful. It is my passion.
CAMPAGNOLO
Restaurant & Lounge
Marketplace @ Wycliffe
4115 SR 7, Wellington, Florida
561.434.9427
Lakeside Center
8228 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, Florida
561.488.7960
Soups • Salads • Pasta
• Seafood • Chops
• Extensive Wine &
Martini Menus
• Fresh, Healthy,
Homemade cooking
Visit us at
www.CampagnoloRestaurant.com