FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES JULY 2014 15
Judy at the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance gala
Photo by Patrick McMullan Company
human sufferers of Lyme disease,” said David Roth, co-chairman
of TBDA and managing director at Blackstone. Judy feels that
her experience with the disease can help others, including fellow
equestrians that suffer from
Lyme, find immediate help
and ways to cope with the
symptoms.
Out of the ring, Judy has been
a successful business owner
and trainer since she started
Higher Ground Farm in 2003.
Higher Ground Farm is set on
250 beautiful acres in Millbrook,
New York, in the heart of the
Hudson Valley, two hours from
New York City. It has become
one of the foremost hunter,
jumper and equitation training
and sales horse operations in
the Northeast. Higher Ground
Farm, also known as HGF
Sport Horses, offers top-notch
sale horses and is a hub for
developing riders and horses to
reach their full potential. Judy’s
experience with some of the
top riders and trainers in the
world give her the knowledge
to create successful horse-and-
rider partnerships. She designs
training programs to meet the
individual goals of every horse-
and-rider team.
“Our approach to training
keeps our clients consistently
in the top ribbons at all the
major shows they attend,” said
Judy. The Higher Ground Farm
team divides their time between
Millbrook, New York, and
Wellington, Florida.
Two years ago, Judy decided
to take time off to start a family
with her husband, Pedro Torres. In October 2012, she gave birth
to a baby girl named Charlotte and shortly after Charlotte was
born, Judy began competing again. She returned to the big ring
on a new horse, Quattro Queen, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare by
Quattro B out of Jasmin. Judy bought Queen as a green 9-year-
old but in a short year the pair quickly moved up the rankings
with high ribbons at the 2013 Hampton Classic, the 2013 Gold
Cup, 2014 The Ridge Grand Prix series and the 2014 Winter
Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.
Judy gratefully attributes part of her success to her sponsors,
Devoucoux Saddles, La Victoria Performance, and Benefab
Ceramic Products. Devoucoux has been a long-time loyal
supporter of Judy’s career while La Victoria Performance and
Benefab Products are fairly young on the market and excited to
partner with such a great athlete who promotes and supports their
products.
“Sponsors are important for professionals in this sport,” said
Judy. “It’s good for the riders to have the extra support and it’s
good for the manufacturers to have the exposure at this level of
competition. I’m always grateful to the companies that believe in
me and my horses.”
Judy and Quattro Queen look forward to a long, successful
career together as they hit the show scene.
Learn more about Judy Garofalo-Torres and Higher Ground
Farm at
