86 SIDELINES JULY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Marissa L. Quigley
The story of Laura Backus’ start in horses could have been the
frst chapter of a Walter Farley novel. Laura had a horse-loving
aunt who used to sneak her out to ride a pony after school, a
clandestine operation that the conspirators kept hidden from her
mother for years. She admits to spending hours fantasizing about
National Velvet and “steeple-chasing” her pony over things she
wasn’t supposed to. In fact, Laura began her jumping career
bareback because she only had a Western saddle. Eventually,
Laura moved on to the hunter ring, got involved in Pony Club and
did her frst cross-country event in 1978.
From there, Laura was essentially hooked on eventing. She
competed through Intermediate Level in eventing and Prix St.
Georges in dressage, and holds her USDF bronze and silver
medals. She has taught eventing and dressage for over 25 years
and served as the coach for the Ball State University Equestrian
Team and Associate Professor in the equestrian program at St.
Mary-of-the-Woods College. In these positions, she learned to
appreciate students who had the desire to ride – who were willing
to make sacrifces in their social and personal lives to be able
to compete and qualify – and still appreciates that desire in her
students today.
Laura now runs the successful Pendragon Stud Equestrian
Center just outside of Larkspur, Colorado. This 120-acre facility
is home to over 20 horses and hosts recognized dressage shows,
events and combined tests, hunter/jumper schooling shows, Pony
Club events, camps and clinics. Laura says focus at Pendragon
is on “eventing, with a strong slant toward dressage.” Laura also
travels to Florida to compete with her students every year, a nice
escape from the harsh Colorado winters.
Other than this brief respite, however, Laura seems to love
Eventing Success In the Rockies
Laura riding P.S. Mays Patriot at the RMDS Championships.
Photo by Kathleen Bryant
Laura with her wonderful horse, Tyberius, at Spring Gulch.
Photo by Trisha Jones
e
Rocky Mountains - Eventing
Laura teaching her students on the cross-country course at Spring Gulch.
Photo courtesy of Pendragon
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