20 SIDELINES JULY 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Bill Tatgenhorst
After getting a late start as a dressage
rider, Heidi Degele is beginning to hit
her peak in her riding career. In addition
to having two horses qualifying for the
Developing Horse Program in Chicago, she
also has profciency in bringing horses and
buyers together with the ability to correct
faults the horses might have. Heidi, who
lives in Loxahatchee, Florida, competes
Winsor Rox in the developing horse Prix St.
Georges and Shantal Rox in the developing
horse Grand Prix. “Shantal Rox is eight
years old and has an outstanding talent for
piaffe and passage,” Heidi said. “I think she
is the smartest horse I have ever sat on.
If you teach her something, she just gets
it. She learned a line of one Tempis in just
a few weeks. She has received two 65%
in the developing horse Grand Prix, and
scored as high as 74% in the 6 Year Old
class,” she said. “Winsor Rox is also very
talented and certainly an ‘eye catcher.’ I
have received over 73% on two rides in the
Prix St. Georges and he has won the last
three classes he entered.”
How did you hone your skills of
selecting high quality horses?
I started selling horses while I was in
College at Michigan State University. I worked for Michigan
Sport Horse, a breeding farm, that also imported Warmbloods. I
realized then I had a talent to sell horses and connect with people,
understanding their needs and matching them with the best horse.
How did you become the “go to” person in South Florida
for sale horses?
My niche is to get a horse in that may have a problem, and
then fx the problem. I have several repeat clients for buying and
selling horses. I honestly represent the horses and I know that
buyers appreciate that. I learned from Patrick Burssens that “a
good horse is pretty, has three good traits and a good mind.” You
would think that would be easily found, but it isn’t.
What was your experience in Europe like?
While I was in Europe I developed an “eye” for a great dressage
horse. When I stayed with Hubertus Schmidt in Germany, I
didn’t just take my lesson and go home. I stayed the entire day;
I watched every lesson for three years. I learned to speak the
language. I studied and understood his system of training the
young horse to the Grand Prix level. I watched the horses that
made it and the ones that didn’t and then modifed what a high
quality dressage horse must possess: good movement in all three
gaits, a good mind, (not a spooker), willing and eager to work (not
lazy), learns quickly and accepts pressure from the rider. Horses
that couldn’t take pressure didn’t’ make it to Grand Prix. Pretty is
a plus but not required!
What was your most embarrassing moment in the dressage
arena?
When I was excused by, bless her heart, Betsy Berry at Jim
Brandon. I was riding Cappuccino in the PSG and he kept
spinning, spooking and whirling around. Betsy stood up after the
third spin and nodded her head to ask me to leave. That was so
embarrassing! I was going to try to fnish the test; but I guess she
thought it was getting too dangerous.
Now for some fun questions…
What are your favorite songs on your iPod?
I don’t have an iPod, I missed that generation!
What’s the best meal you can cook?
Me, in the kitchen, is scary. I am too tired at the end of the day
to cook, so let’s just say anything easy.
If you could star on a reality show, which would it be?
My boyfriend would kill me for saying this; but I always wanted
to go on The Bachelorette. I think it would be awesome to live in
paradise for a short period of time.
e
Dressage
Heidi Degele:
A Trainer with an Eye for Dressage Horses
Heidi and Windsor Rox winning the Prix St. Georges at White Fences IV. Heidi is thrilled
to be supported by Barbara Nitsch MD and Better HealthforWomen.com.
Photo by Schwarcz Photography