166 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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Dressage
Dressage & Eventing
Silva & Boyd
By Lauren R. Giannini
S
ilva Martin may be as celebrated for being
married to eventing superstar Boyd Martin
as she is for her dressage expertise, but the fact is that
both Martins have established themselves as trainers
and riders. Silva has earned recognition and awards all the way
to grand prix and has proven her versatility aboard all types of
horses from Warmbloods to former racehorses.
Her 2013 show record calls attention to her skill in producing
young horses: they have won numerous rosettes, classes and
championships and dominated at the GAIG/USDF Regional
Championships. Silva was the only rider to qualify three mounts
for the Young Horse Championships at Lamplight in Illinois. She
partnered with Rosa Cha W, 2005 Oldenburg mare, to win the
Developing Horse Prix St. Georges and the Intermediare-1 GAIG
qualifier at Dressage at Lexington, placed third in the Prix St.
Georges for Developing Horses at Lamplight, and garnered sixth
in the Intermediaire Freestyle at Dressage at Devon.
Now a United States citizen, Silva is the product of classical
training in her native Germany. She graduated with excellent
exam results from the German Riding School in Warendorf
and acquired valuable experience with renowned horsemen,
including Rudolf Zellinger and Hubertus Schmidt. In this country
she has worked with Debbie McDonald, Michael Barisone and
Oded Shimoni, among others. She also knows how to ride
outside the arena. “I grew up riding wild ponies – I was kind of
rough and ready as a child and I always enjoyed that part of it,”
she admitted. “I did a little bit of eventing in Australia when I lived
there and I first met Boyd. He made me do a two-star – so I know
about going fast and jumping.”
Silva makes sure that the horses get out of the ring, and this
practice might be a key to their success. “Mentally, I think it’s
very important that the horses not go from the barn to the ring
Pretty ladies: Rosa Cha W and Silva at the jog for the Palm Beach Derby.
Photo Courtesy of Silva Wood
Continued on page 168
