FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2012 81
What has been your proudest moment for yourself or for a
student?
As a trainer, there’s no single moment that stands out, probably
one of my biggest achievements is instilling in my students the
love of the horse and the love of the sport. About 95 percent
of my students continue riding after their junior careers and the
amateurs continue riding or in some way have ownership of
horses demonstrating their appreciation for the horse and sport.
The number of ribbons is amazing! I am very fortunate to have
won the Maclay fnals. I have over 30 USEF National champions.
Those are all wonderful and award based accolades. But when
my riders continue on for the love of the horse and the sport it is
the greatest achievement I have!
Are there any goals you haven’t yet accomplished that you
would like to?
I would love to win the Medal Finals as well as The Washington
Finals. I’d like to see my amateurs win championships at the
indoor shows in the fall. I have had outstanding success in the
junior divisions, open hunter divisions and equitation. I’d love one
of my amateurs to win a tri color at one of the indoor shows.
What other profession would you have chosen if you hadn’t
chosen this one?
I was a political science major and I was looking into teaching
high school or becoming a lobbyist in Washington. My grandfather
had strong infuence in the government. I thought I’d be pretty
good at lobbying for different organizations. My grandfather
was the special prosecutor during Watergate under the Nixon
administration. I am very active in the governing bodies of our
sport and I enjoy the process of maintaining a fair and equal
Archie Cox in his trademark red baseball cap at the 2012 Menlo
Charity Horse Show with Ashley Pryde and Truly, Champions in
the Amateur Owner Hunters.
Photo courtesy of Archie Cox
playing feld. I’ve been on the board of directors of the USHJA
and the USEF and I’m presently the President of the Pacifc Coast
Horse Shows Association for my 15th consecutive year. I’m also
on the board of directors of the Washington International Horse
Show. I’m very busy!
One can’t help notice your support for other riders,
professionals as well as juniors and amateurs. Is that
something you stress to your riders as well?
I try to instill a positive atmosphere. We’re all trying to do our
best at every competition and you should always be encouraging
of the other riders, grooms and parents. We’ve been given a
fantastic equestrian community and an unbelievable playing feld
on which to make a living and perform. It’s important that we
appreciate that.
Do you have a trophy room?
I don’t have a trophy room; but I do have a wonderful library with
pictures from every big event. I’m very lucky that with the internet
now they’re easy to access.
What is your favorite music?
It would be 70’s disco.
Do you have a phrase or expression that you use often?
I say, “Rider on top, horse on bottom.” I have to give credit to
John Danhakl who used to tell his daughter that every time she
went into the ring. The last thing I say as they go into the ring is,
“Good luck and have fun!”
Do you have any superstitions?
I wear my red hat (one of many) with a yellow rooster on it every
day. I once had a very good horse named Red Rooster and it
makes me think of him every day!
What is the greatest horse you’ve ever ridden?
There are three horses that stand out in my mind, Red Panda,
Harmony and Truly. Those horses all had three things that show
horses require in this order; desire, ability and beauty. That is
what makes a horse exceptional!
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
When I was 12 years old, I rode in a clinic in the Hamptons with
George Morris and he said to me “Pay attention!” and I have paid
attention to every detail
ever since! They were
words of wisdom that
have done me well!
Holly Hugo-Vidal is
Sidelines’ California
correspondent and
writes the “West Side
Story” column. Holly
is based at Alicia
Saxton’s Oceancrest
Farms in Rancho Santa
Fe, California. Holly
specializes in hunters
and equitation as well
as adults. She is an “R”
USEF judge, clinician
and an author. Her
most recent book is
Build Confdence Over
Fences.
Archie and Red Rooster
Photo courtesy of Archie Cox