54 SIDELINES MARCH 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Sarah Milliren
Photo by Ervin Photography
On Course with Sarah Milliren
By Jan Westmark-Allan
Junior rider Sarah Milliren lives in Sapulpa, Oklahoma,
and despite the fact that she’s far from the big show
circuits she has proven she can ride with the best of
them. Sarah, a high school senior, rode into history
at the end of 2011 when she won the ASPCA Maclay
National Championship.
During the Maclay, Sarah wowed the judges with her
smooth courses, go-for-broke attitude and her fearless
riding helped her take home one of the most coveted
titles in the junior world. “I rode Terrapin Station owned
by Walstib Stables in the Maclay,” she said. It was such
an amazing feeling to win. I can’t even explain it. I was
so shocked. It’s a day I will never forget.”
Sarah has the good fortune of riding with Joey
Brumbaugh and Don Stewart. “Riding with two trainers
works out because both Joey and Don have been
working together to make everything go smoothly and
it has worked out great. I am currently in Ocala training
with Don for the winter circuit and whenever I get to go
home I ride with Joey.”
Sidelines:
How did your riding career begin?
SM:
I’ve loved horses ever since I was able to talk. My
mom rode a lot when I was younger and I always went
out to watch her. When I turned six, I got riding lessons
as a birthday present.
Sidelines:
Is it difficult living in Oklahoma and
competing in the big shows?
SM:
It was definitely a culture shock at first; but now
it’s much more comfortable for me. I have been lucky
enough to spend some time in Florida training with Don
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and I am excited to spend the winter competing at HITS in
Ocala. I will stay at a house with one of my friends while I’m
there. I love HITS shows because the atmosphere is always
great and I have a lot of fun.
Sidelines:
What horses do you own and compete?
SM:
I own a junior jumper, Zanardii, who is being leased out
right now and I have my junior hunter, CR Moet. I show my
junior hunter in the Older Large Juniors and I show whatever
horses I can for Don. When I am in Oklahoma full time, my
jumper stays at Joey’s farm, which is just a few minutes down
the road from my house. My hunter and a retired equitation
horse live at my house. When I’m in Florida, my horses stay
at Don’s farm.
Sidelines:
Have you had success in other Big Eq classes?
SM:
I won the Hunterdon Cup and was 11th at USEF Medal
Finals on War Eagle. I was 5th overall in the Washington
Equitation Finals on Vancouver. But I would definitely say
that winning the Maclay has been the biggest highlight of my
career to date.
Sidelines:
What was it like riding in the George Morris
Horsemastership Clinic in Wellington?
SM:
I was a wild card for the George Morris Clinic. I loved
being able to participate in such a great clinic. I learned so
much from all of the amazing clinicians I was privileged to
work with and I’ll definitely never forget such a wonderful
experience.
Sidelines:
What do you like to do in your spare time?
SM:
I like to workout, shop and hangout with friends. If I
wasn’t a rider I think I would play basketball competitively or
run track.
Sarah says riding with Joey Brumbaugh and Don Stewart
works out because they work together to make everything
go smoothly
Photo by Parker/Russell. The Book LLC 2012