46 SIDELINES JULY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
By Marissa L. Quigley
Over the past 30 years, Don Stewart has become an icon in
the world of hunters, jumpers and equitation, and has led many of
the country’s top juniors to success in all three rings. One of the
“go to” trainers for equitation and Pony Finals, Don has coached
USEF Medal Finals winners, ASPCA Maclay winners and USEF
Pony Medal winners. Don himself was Leading Rider at Devon
in 1992, and the National Horse Show in 1993 and 1995. Don is
also a judge, and has judged prestigious events such as Devon.
Outside the ring, Don serves as the Chairman of the USHJA
Junior Hunter Committee.
Don operates out of Don Stewart Stables, Inc. in Ocala, Florida,
where he trains alongside Bibby Farmer Hill, and resides with
Nancy, his wife of 28 years, and their three children, Whitney,
Don III and Erin. Erin Stewart is an accomplished equestrian in
her own right, holding titles such as the 2002 ASPCA Maclay
Finals winner, WIHS Best Child Rider in 2001 and 2002 and WIHS
Leading A/O Rider in 2009.
Anyone who spends any time around Don will tell you that
the Don Stewart Stables’ team lives by the “do what you love,
and you’ll never work a day in your life” motto. They fnd true
satisfaction in seeing their students learn and succeed, and love
to see the students having a good time in the ring. Don and Bibby
both have a great sense of humor, and lots of laughs keep long
days at the horse shows and constantly changing schedules
running smoothly.
Don is also known for having a very successful sales program
for horses and ponies. To accommodate this busy program, which
sometimes means last minute schedule changes and interruptions,
the team has a “go with the fow” attitude. As for the horses in his
program, Don says that he looks for top quality horses and ponies
that will do well in the under saddle and the model, jump in good
style and have an easy lead change. Bibby adds that both horses
and ponies should be well balanced, and good conformation
usually means that they will jump well and move well.
As for what makes a horse or pony a winner, Don and Bibby
both admit that’s where the consistency of the rider comes in. In
his students, Don looks for riders who are dedicated and willing
to learn, who “listen instead of talk, go the extra mile and are out
there practicing without their stirrups without being told.” Bibby
agrees, and says, “If they have the desire, they are probably a
good listener and a hard worker as well. If you have the desire and
the will, there’s a way.” When asked what is the most challenging
aspect of teaching juniors, Don fashes a trademark grin and with
a big laugh says, “their parents.”
While Don and Bibby have a hectic year-round competition
schedule, both seem to enjoy every minute of life
on the road. Don looks for shows with good footing,
good judges, reasonable entry fees and big prize
money. Of course, he hastens to add that his favorite
shows are the ones near good restaurants. Bibby
doesn’t fnd the travel a challenge, and instead says
she feels fortunate to see new places all over the
country, and to have that kind of opportunity as part
of her job, not just on vacations.
Along with a lot of hard work and discipline, Don
always keeps his students smiling and laughing.
The formula is clearly working – most recently, one
of Don’s students, Meg O’Mara, not only won the
Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Equitation Medal this year,
but is now competing with the US Equestrian team.
The moral of the story? A little laughter goes a long
way.
About the writer: Marissa L. Quigley has been a fan of all
things horses since before she could walk, and competes in the
adult amateur hunters. Marissa and her horse, Tucker, live in
New Jersey and take very good care of each other. Visit her blog
Tucker the Wunderkind on the Sidelines website.
A Little Laughter Goes A Long Way
Don and his daughters, Erin and Whitney.
Photo courtesy of Erin Stewart
Don and Meg O’Mara, winner of the 2012 Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Equitation
Medal Finals.
Photo courtesy of Meg O’Mara