46 SIDELINES JANUARY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
TJ O’Mara, from Runson, New Jersey, got
Sidelines’
attention when he won the
Sidelines
sponsored Maclay
class at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida
last year. Since then, he has been on fire – continuing to
make a name for himself. Most recently, he captured the
reserve championship in The Capital Challenge’s 13/14
year-old equitation division and won The North American
Junior Flat Equitation Championship, a fun and competitive
class exclusive to the Capital Challenge.
Sidelines
caught up with this rising star and asked him a
few questions about himself and his riding career.
Who do you train with?
I ride at Stonehenge Stables in Colts Neck, New Jersey and
Max Amaya owns the barn. I train with Max. He is an amazing
trainer and I have trained with him for two years. I also train with
Stacia Madden in equitation. They both are unique trainers who
are very clear in what they ask for.
How did you begin your riding career?
All three of my older sisters started riding when I was very little.
They all inspired me, so one day I wanted to try to ride a horse.
At first I didn’t like it, but after watching them show and grow as
riders I decided to try again. I instantly became attached to horses,
even though my dad tried to get me to play another sport. My poor
parents, dealing with all four of their children riding horses!
What would you consider your greatest accomplishments?
This is my second year in the big equitation so I don’t have
many accomplishments yet. I did get into three of the four
equitation finals last year. I won Marshall and Sterling Junior
Medal Finals, got 10th in the Sam Edelman class at WEF and I got
ninth in the Governor’s Cup at Old Salem. I am hoping for more
accomplishments in the future!
What horses do you show or own?
I show my equitation horse Kaskade and my jumper Pistol.
My family recently bought Kaskade, and Pistol is owned by
Thinkslikeahorse.
What are your plans for the future?
I hope to go to an excellent college and continue my life with
horses. I would like to get a job involving horses like a veterinarian.
Another choice would be to go into the horse business and start
my own barn. I would like to keep equestrian sports in my life, but
if that doesn’t work I would like my kids to ride horses.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have gotten is, “Don’t focus on winning; ride
first, then win.” My dad gave me this advice, and I have followed it
since I started riding. He tells me it ever single time before I go in
to show. It means that you should focus on how you perform, not
on the future result.
What would be your dream vacation?
My dream vacation would have to be the Bahamas. I have
always wanted to go there just to experience what everyone tells
me about it. It seems like a fantasy to go there, but I hope to see
it one day.
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What is your favorite horse-related memory?
The best horse memory I have had would be going into my
first final ever. I remember the tension and nerves going into the
ring and the pressure it gives to the rider. It was at Marshall and
Sterling Finals and I did the children’s hunters and child equitation.
It was the best experience and it gave me a sense of what is to
come.
Italian, Mexican or sushi?
Definitely sushi! I eat sushi all the time and it is my addiction. I
can’t live without it.
What kind of music do you listen to?
I enjoy any type of music. I will listen to anything and am very
universal towards music. I don’t have one particular favorite
because I like all genres.
What is a fun personal tidbit about you?
I am a very superstitious person. If I do well in a class the day
before, I try to do the exact same things before the class again. I
will try and eat the same things and do the same activities. I even
have particular ties that are lucky and unlucky. You will mostly
see me in a special red tie because that is my favorite tie. I don’t
know why I am this superstitious, but it seems to work some
days. Whenever it doesn’t work, I accept that it isn’t based on
superstition and try a new way the next day.
TJ O’Mara: Rider On Fire
TJ, wearing his red tie, rode Kaskade to victory in the North
American Junior Flat Equitation Championships at the Capital
Challenge Horse Show.
Photo by Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
