96 SIDELINES JULY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Helen Krieble is
passionate about
horse sports and
public policy.
Photo by Kyle Fenner
By Carrie Wirth
Helen Krieble is an educator, author and renowned art historian
from Connecticut who has a passion for horse sports and public
policy. In 1992, she took an academic approach to helping her
equestrian daughter kick-start her business by researching
opportunities around the country in search for the ideal location to
launch a new hunter/jumper business. That location turned out to
be Denver, Colorado. “We started looking for a little private place,”
said Helen. “Then this big horse park came on the market in a
sealed bid, unadvertised auction. Six days later we owned it.”
Helen knew it would be a massive undertaking to turn the park
around. It was either going to be a white elephant or a great
equestrian center. She became the guiding force, investing her
heart and soul into what is now the Colorado Horse Park, inspired
by her love for the sport and her quest to improve show standards
and education while elevating Colorado’s equestrian talent.
“When I took possession there were 44 stalls and no show
grounds,” Helen said. “We grew that to 100 stalls and built an
82-acre, state-of-the-art show grounds. Now we have 11 outdoor
arenas, two indoor arenas and all sorts of amenities. We are a
very serious national level show facility in all Olympic disciplines.”
The Colorado Horse Park now hosts three hunter/jumper series,
a local-level Colorado Hunter Jumper Association series, six
United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) A-rated shows,
and Summer in the Rockies, their popular six weeks of USHJA
AA-rated shows. Exciting international eventing competitions and
horse trials make use of the David O’Connor-designed cross-
country course. Glenda McElroy manages the three dressage
shows, Dressage in the Rockies. Colorado Horse Park has hosted
the National Combined Driving Singles Championships and the
North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. Clearly,
Helen’s investment turned out to be no white elephant.
Not only has her horse park become a premier facility, but
Helen has combined her love for equestrian sport with her passion
for public policy to make up much of her life’s work.
“I started my public policy foundation (The Vernon K. Krieble
Foundation) in 1985 and, for the years since, I have become
increasingly involved in public policy until it absorbs at least a
third of my life,” said Helen. “In the last 10 years I have been
primarily focused on immigration. We all know in the horse world
how desperately diffcult it is to get visas for grooms and others
who are involved in the industry. It should be easy.” Helen has
presented her “Red Card Solution,” an immigration guest worker
permit reform plan, on Capitol Hill, on major network news
programs and talk shows and to the National Press Club.
“I love America,” she said. “We all have to understand what it
means to be a citizen. It‘s not just the vote. Maintaining freedom
is our responsibility. The government works for us and when they
create any law or legislation that takes our freedom away, it is our
responsibility to stand up and say no.”
Even with everything Helen has on her plate, she hasn’t lost
sight of her goals for the Colorado Horse Park.
“We hired Pat Boyle and Showplace Productions to manage
the summer circuit because we really liked the work he was doing
in Chicago,” said Helen. “We have always wanted to deliver the
highest, national standards, aesthetic attractiveness and fun. We
have new GGT footing, beautiful fower gardens and new jumps.
Pat has brought us the quality of shows that we wanted. We’re just
thrilled to have him as our summer circuit manager.”
The Colorado Horse Park maintains an emphasis on fun and
enjoyment of the beautiful Rocky Mountain setting. The Park is
located across from nearly 300 acres of county open space and
trails, and the grounds include a go-cart track. A perimeter trail is
being constructed that will tie into the Cherry Creek Trail System
and a county park with riding and hiking trails as well as a dog
park.
“When you come with your family, you can get out and relax
with your horse in the countryside and look at the beautiful snow-
capped mountains and just enjoy yourself,” Helen said. “You will
have a fabulous vacation.”
Colorado Horse Park –
Built On Passion
The Colorado Horse Park
Photo by Air Photo, Inc.
e
Rocky Mountains