72 SIDELINES JANUARY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Lauren R. Giannini
Two years after Andre Dignelli won the 1985 USET Medal
Finals East, he started taking his own equitation students to
all the fall national fnals. In 2012 his Heritage Farm protégées
dominated the ASPCA Maclay Championships: Jacob Pope
won (see related story this issue), Lillie Keenan was reserve
champion and Shaefer Raposa placed 10th. In October, Jacob
won his ever frst national title, the Platinum Performance USEF
Show Jumping Talent Search-East.
Andre’s Big Eq success began at the very start of his
professional career when he coached his frst equitation
champion: Peter Lutz won the 1987 Rolex USET Show Jumping
Talent Search -- East and the Rolex ASPCA Maclay Final. The
talented trainer’s roster of equitation champions and reserve
titlists is impressive to say the least.
“That’s a trainer’s dream to win those classes,” admitted Andre.
“Last year we were frst and second [Raposa, Brittany Hurst] and
frst, second, third at the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search
Finals-East [Samantha Shaefer, Michael Murphy, Raposa). You
stand back and say, wow!”
Andre admitted that his background infuenced who he is – as
a person, trainer and mentor: “If I see someone like myself, I
am compelled to reach out. Judy Richter and countless others
lent me a hand and I never forget that. I’m eager to help others
if they’re hardworking, if they’re good people, if they’re eager,
talent notwithstanding. I’m happy to help and I think I’ve made a
lot of difference to future good people as well as to good riders.
It’s very fulflling to help these kids and winning is a trainer’s
dream.”
Success has not spoiled Andre. His candor in expressing his
appreciation and gratitude to everyone, no matter how small
a role they played in his evolution as a rider and trainer, is
refreshing.
“I’m thankful everyday
– I owe all my success to
people like Judy and my
brother Michael Dignelli
– without them, my story
would have been different,”
stated Andre. “What people
did for me changed my life, so I
try to give back. Kent Farrington
and Patricia Griffth, my assistant
trainer – I’ve been a big part of their
lives. I’m happy to help anybody. If you
show up at Heritage Farm, you have my full attention.”
Andre and Michael, co-owners, have made a resounding
success of Heritage Farm in Katonah, New York. Andre credits
their parents with providing the best advice: “They told me: fnd
something you’re passionate about and stick to it, even through
the highs and lows. It wasn’t a horsey family, but once my
parents understood that this was the direction I was going, they
weren’t as concerned for my future.”
Even as a junior working student with Judy Richter at Coker
Farm in Bedford, New York, Andre’s future looked good. After
winning the USET Finals, he discovered that riding and teaching
at Coker, plus college, didn’t work for him: he wanted to work
full-time with horses. “Andre is the exception that proves the rule.
He is a genius – passionate from day one and a beautiful rider,”
stated Judy.
When Andre was 25, he struck out on his own. In 1997 the
Dignelli brothers bought the old Primrose Farm where Andre
rode early in his junior career and expanded it from 54 stalls
to 100. The 40-acre facility includes two sand rings, a fve-acre
Grand Prix ring and an indoor arena.
Michael and Andre with the
“Andre” jump at home in
Katonah, New York.
Photo by Allie Coffn
Andre Dignelli
Photo by Michael Dignelli
Andre Dignelli –
Sharing His Heritage