46 SIDELINESMAY 2014
FORHORSEPEOPLE • ABOUTHORSEPEOPLE
Silvio’swife, Jessie, and daughter Senna.
Photo courtesy of SilvioMazzoni
eventers,” says Silvio. “So we bought our farm and named it
Senmila for our children.”
SenmilaFarm’scustomersandhorseshavecompetedandwon
inhunters and jumpers at HITSCulpeper, HITSOcala, Upperville
andWashington International HorseShow, to name a few.
With the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy
rapidly approaching – opening ceremonies are on August 23 –
upper level event riders have their sights set on qualifying for the
team that will represent theUSA in theGames. Silviohas already
earned a reputation for being a “fantastic instructor” andwhile he
may not beahouseholdnameat thismoment, it’s just amatter of
time. Here is a glimpse into this quiet, thinking horseman and his
show jumpingplans for U.S. eventers.
Whenyou taught theclinic for theevent riders inFebruary,
what keyelementsdid you emphasize?
I don’t teach them; we work together. They are top riders and
wemake plans together for each horse. Some basic focus is on
balanceand impulsion.
What strategies/techniques will you draw on from your
background in dressage and eventing - aswell as from your
ongoingshow jumpingcareer - tohelpour ridersandhorses
leave thepainted rails in the jump cups?
Fine tune the balance and rideability for the show ring – very
different than what is needed for cross-country. How to plan a
strategic approach to the course. I amworking closelywithDavid
aswell to approach the eventing sport as a program and not only
individual disciplines.
How do you prepare yourself for a big course or a jump-
off?
I walk the ring as much as I can, look at all the questions and
develop answers andmy plan. I visualize doing it. I don’t want to
comeout of the ring saying I want togoback and try again. If you
want toget it done, first it all has tohappen in your head.
Do you think that the solid construction of cross-country
jumps and the recently adopted use of frangible pins and
frangible jump elementsmay be teaching some horses a bit
of disrespect for all jumps?
The horses know the difference
in the jobs. It’sabout teaching them
thedifferent balanceandapproach
for the show jumping ring. It’s two
different sports and they just have
to know theway to doeach.
What do you like best about
show jumping?
You can never stop learning
the sport. I’m always interested
to know more and do better. It’s
technical and complicated, and
that’s the attraction.
Do you coach your wife
Jessie? How does that work
withbeingmarried?
Yes I do. It has its challenges,
but she has come a long way in
a short time and that makes it all
worth it. She loves chestnut mares
and she is very similar.
When you are not riding, teaching and showing, how do
you like tospend your free time?
Withmy family (mywife, Jessie, andour twodaughters, Senna
andMila), wakeboarding and snowboarding.
For information about Silvio, visit
.
Silvioandhis daughter Sennawatch from
the sidelines.
Photo courtesy of SilvioMazzoni
