FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES DECEMBER 2013 25
What rider has impressed you the most?
Eddie Macken. He is not only very professional, but he can
ride any horse! I saw horses that other riders had great difficulty
with and Eddie would get on them and the horse would be totally
different. You couldn’t even see what he was doing! It was really
amazing to watch! Another rider I admired was Michael Matz.
I almost worked for him before he changed from jumpers to
racehorses.
What was the hardest part of the job?
The travel was the hardest part, because so much is depending
on the horses arriving healthy. The rider is waiting for you and it’s
a big competition and many things can go wrong.
Now that you have chosen not to go on the road any more,
how do you like it?
I am very happy. I have a routine and feel very comfortable and
really love my job! I like all the people as well as my boss. This
feels like my second home. That is why I’m never grumpy! I love
my job!
What is your favorite time of day?
When we all drink coffee in the morning. I check all the horses
and then I feed them and I have coffee!
About the writer: Holly Hugo-Vidal is Sidelines’ California correspondent and
writes the “West Side Story”
column. Holly is located at
The Fairbanks Riding Club in
Rancho Santa Fe, California
where she 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 Confidence Over
Fences.”
Visit Holly’s website at
hollyhugo-vidal.com.
Enjoying morning coffee – Martine’s favorite time of the day.
Checking the board
for the day. Martine
likes to be organized.
