94 SIDELINES APRIL 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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Martha holds Luna, 24 hours old, a three-quarters Thoroughbred
she bred.
By Courtney Zimmerman
Martha Deeds is a well-known eventer based in Larkspur,
Colorado. Growing up as a hunter in Northern Virginia, Martha
went to college in Colorado and began dabbling in eventing. She
fell in love with the sport and the scenery and knew that Colorado
is where she needed to be.
In 1999, Martha, who is a vet tech, established Middle Ground
Farm, a boarding and training facility where she is an event
trainer. Martha’s family is also active in the equine industry - out of
six kids in her family, only two of her siblings don’t ride. In addition
to a family of riders, Martha’s eventing life has been improved by
her mentor Eric Horgan, who lives in England and gives clinics in
Colorado and throughout the United States.
Martha is a Type I diabetic, which can sometimes make her
abundant workload a challenge. It is something she constantly
has to be aware of, in addition to informing those around her in
case she starts slurring her words or showing other symptoms of
low sugar levels. She keeps sugar tablets in almost every room.
It can sneak up on her; but she usually has a handle on it. “It’s a
frustration; a constant, but manageable problem,” Martha says.
She hopes that her story can serve as an inspiration to others who
are also juggling multiple complexities in their lives.
How did you get your start in eventing?
I started eventing in the late 1980’s when a friend convinced
me to do a pair pace and my horse and I had so much fun that I
entered an event soon thereafter.
You come from a pretty large family. How involved is your
family in the equine industry?
My mother was a great horsewoman and passed that trait to
all of my siblings and myself. Almost all of us are involved with
horses to this day, either in eventing or jumpers.
What horses or projects are you currently working on?
My current projects include three talented horses with varying
degrees of experience and training. I have a four-year-old
homebred Thoroughbred-Warmblood cross that I have raised
from a baby. I also have a small six-year-old Thoroughbred whom
I raised from a yearling and I plan to compete him this year.
Additionally, my friend and student has a very nice fve-year-old
Dutch Warmblood by Rubino who I will start competing this year.
What do you look for in a horse when trying to advance in the
sport of eventing?
Event horses must be sound physically, be mentally brave and
have the ability to move forward. I do enjoy the Thoroughbreds as
they have many of the attributes needed for eventing success. I
have bred some Warmblood with the Thoroughbreds to try to get
the best out of both breeds.
What is Middle Ground Farm like?
Middle Ground Farm is a facility designed to keep horses at their
most familiar and natural setting. The horses enjoy large pastures
with free choice hay throughout the day. It is a friendly working
barn where the priority is on the horse and rider’s development.
All riders enjoy using the dressage arena, jumping arena or indoor
arena that has a high ceiling and natural light. We enjoy hacking
our horses out on the local dirt roads and paths available to us to
further our horses’ conditions.
Do you like teaching or competing?
I have had many horses over the years and they have been
my best teachers. I enjoy teaching others to help the horse and
rider relationship develop to the best of their ability. I do enjoy
competing as it keeps me current and involved with the sport of
eventing and it is a great way to evaluate and encourage progress.
About the writer: Courtney Zimmerman is from Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated
from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Equine Science and Management. She
is currently working on her M.A. of Communication at Northern Kentucky University.
She works at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden as an Animal Handler in the
Education Department.
Martha and Loke competing Preliminary at the Colorado Horse
Park.
Photos courtesy of Martha Deeds