14 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
A Proven Partnership
By Kayce Douglass
Grant and Sharon Schneidman are a husband and wife
dressage team living the dream in beautiful Colorado. Their farm,
Westmanton Stables, is a dressage training service located at
Iron Horse Farm in Elizabeth, Colorado. Grant and Sharon met in
Potomac, Maryland where they were both working at the Potomac
Horse Center. Their partnership proved to be successful and
they have been married 29 years and describe their union as “a
wonderful marriage and partnership.”
Grant and Sharon teamed up with Nicole Gluesenkamp, of West
Germany and together the three professionals provide lessons,
training, showing, horse care and stable management through
Westmanton Stables. In addition to their horses and clients,
Grant and Sharon also have a strong love for other animals –
including cats and dogs. “Grant loves Donald, the cat,” Sharon
said. “Donald now resides mostly in the house, dreaming of all the
mice he caught in his earlier, younger days!”
As “East Coast” riders, how did you end up in Colorado?
We moved to Colorado in 1996 and started working at the
Colorado Horse Park, which was then called, High Prairie Farms.
Helen Krieble, CEO and President of the Horse Park, was very
infuential in our decision to move to Colorado. Denver’s economy
in the 1990’s was exploding! There was an enormous amount of
opportunity here and we felt that it was the time to make the move.
What do you both like about Colorado and the West?
The people are wonderful, the weather is great and there aren’t
too many bugs...most of the time! We especially fnd the people
very open and friendly. The feeling here is a bit more relaxed and
we enjoy the open spaces, although we do miss the trees back in
Maryland and on the East Coast.
Tell us about your wonderful partnership with the McKelvy’s
at Iron Horse Farm, in Elizabeth, Colorado.
Wendy and Michael McKelvy have made it possible for our
dreams to really happen! The McKelvy’s are the primary
owners of Iron Horse Farm and we are partners, along with our
Westmanton Stables training operation within Iron Horse. We are
living on the property and are able to participate fully in the day-
to-day happenings at the farm. Wendy is the owner/manager and
we all have a terrifc relationship. The McKelvy’s have completely
remodeled Iron Horse and turned it into one of the premier
dressage facilities in the Colorado area.
You have been married for almost three decades. What is your
favorite thing about the “other person” in your marriage?
Grant -
My favorite thing about Sharon is that I have never met
anyone who is capable of doing so many things and being so
helpful. Sharon has severe health problems and has been dealing
with the effects of rheumatoid arthritis. She is amazing in her
strength and ability to pull everything together, even with all of the
challenges that life has presented her.
Sharon -
My favorite thing about Grant is that he has been so
unbelievable supportive of me since I haven’t been able to ride
anymore because of my diffcult illness. I feel that it is very hard to
always be a supportive husband, when your wife has a diffcult time
with her health. I know that Grant sometimes takes the “brunt” for
my pain and I so appreciate his understanding and compassion.
He is also a talented, dedicated and scrupulous horseman.
What are your biggest accomplishments?
Sharon
– I think being married and in the same business has
been a huge accomplishment. We are very lucky to have had the
opportunity to work together and share the same interest in horses
and riding. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to have
ridden with wonderful trainers and compete through the Grand
Prix level. When I was a young girl I saw Jessica Ransehousen,
then Jessica Newberry, ride a demonstration Pas de Deux with
Swiss Olympic medalist Henri Chammartin. I decided right then
that I wanted to learn to do dressage - which wasn’t easy in the
1960’s. I have been an assistant coach to Missy Ransehousen for
the USA Paralympic Dressage Team for six years. My duties have
included coaching at the Para Dressage World Championships
in England, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Hong Kong and the
WEG in 2010 in Kentucky. Acting for Missy, I have been chef at
CPED13*s and taught at USEF training and recruitment sessions
both in the private sector and military.
Grant –
My greatest accomplishment has certainly been
Sharon with one of their dogs Nick.
Nicole with the Friesian she competes.
Grant and his favorite cat Donald.
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Dressage