42 SIDELINES APRIL 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
West Side Story
By Holly Hugo-Vidal
Tina Caldwell, a California native, grew up in San Diego. An
accomplished grand prix rider today, she was an event rider
through her teen years. When she turned 16, she had her frst
lesson with the legendary three-time Dressage Olympian Guenter
Seidel, who thought her skills were better suited for dressage.
Based on his suggestion, she began to focus solely on dressage.
Tina continued to ride with Guenter for three or four years as a
student. In addition to training with Guenter, Tina has also trained
with Robert Dover, Dietrich von Hopfgarten, Klaus Balkenhol and
Ulla Salzgeber.
In the early ‘90s, Tina, with the help of her non-horsey, but
supportive dad, enjoyed success competing in the Young Riders
division. In 1993, Guenter accepted a position as head dressage
trainer at The Rancho Riding Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California
and asked Tina to be his assistant. She had just graduated from
UCSD and was considering getting her Master’s degree. However
with this once in a lifetime opportunity in front of her, she decided
to take a year off from school and become his assistant. A good
decision; that was 20 years ago and not only has Tina remained
at the same location developing her business, Caldwell Dressage,
but she has continued her association with Guenter.
The day I spoke with Tina, she had just received the news that
she was named Dressage Trainer of the year in the San Diego
County Chapter of The California Dressage Society. The award
is based on her client’s wins as well as clients horses that she
showed. Her pride in this award was very evident!
I asked Tina who her most memorable horses were and she
recalled an event horse named Somerset Don Juan, a Quarter
Horse cross who she won numerous events on including their last
one at Flintridge where they won all three phases. Botticelli, her
frst dressage horse, was another favorite that she and her dad
took to shows where she did all the grooming and braiding, as
was her upbringing.
While Tina presents a classic, elegant picture on a horse, she is
also a competent rider and trainer. She developed Markant, now
19, from a four-year-old into a solid grand prix competitor. One
of her most memorable wins was in 2011 at Thermal, when she
won the Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 74%. It was a special
moment for Tina, because two years earlier Mark had colicked
and the vet had told her to come to the clinic to say goodbye to
her old friend.
Tina had reluctantly set out for the barn but when she stepped
out of her car, Mark called to her. Although the vet was still talking
about putting him down, Tina wanted him to go out looking like
a champion so she proceeded to groom him and walk him. After
walking him for three hours she said goodbye and sadly left. Later
that evening, the vet called and said, “We’re feeding him hay; he’s
taken a turn for the better.”
In January of 2010 she brought Mark home only for him to blow
out a tendon. The same year her dad passed away. Things weren’t
going well for Tina, including what looked like another ending for
her wonderful horse when the vet told her Mark would never be
sound. Going against the vet’s recommendation of controlled
exercise, Tina wanted the horse to be happy and turned him out!
He bucked; he reared; he ran and thoroughly enjoyed himself. As
a result of this wild and fun behavior he hobbled out of the pasture
every day.
Tina continued to turn him out until her groom, Javier, who
Hard Work Pays Off
Tina and Fantastico
Photo by Sheri Scott
has been with her for 15 years said, “Tina, he looks sound!” On
Father’s Day that same year, Tina did a tribute ride to her dad
on Mark in a grand prix, qualifed for the freestyle the next year
as well as the regional championships. Sadly, just a few weeks
ago Mark colicked and had to be put down – leaving a hole in the
heart’s of all who new the great horse.
Tina has ridden and competed on three different grand prix
horses and in three Olympic Trials. She has also developed riders
up to the FEI level and at The Rancho Riding Club Tina offers
a full training program focused on competing and training both
horses and riders for the show ring as well as at home. As she
looks toward the future, she has high hopes for Exodus Z, a Prix
St. Georges horse owned by one of her clients, Linda Gove. She
would also like to start a young horse of her own as well, if the
right one comes along.
Tina is evidence that timing as well as dedication and hard work
pays off! It will be no surprise if this gifted rider produces another
grand prix horse.
About the writer: Holly Hugo-Vidal is Sidelines’ California correspondent and writes
the “West Side Story” column. Holly is located 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.”
Tina and her grand prix
partner Markant.
Photo by Terri Miller