FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES JULY 2014 75
Michael and his sister Emily, who also rides
Photo by Elisabeth Moore
lower fences. I was skeptical that I was going to take a step down
to a certain degree, but it hasn’t been the case at all. There have
been a lot of really talented riders within IHSA. It’s a pretty neat
program because it allows beginners to be just as important to
their team as the advanced riders, which is something a lot of
programs can’t offer.
How did it feel to win reserve last year and help your school
secure third?
That was exciting and what was so cool about it is it was the last
class that I was showing in. I’d qualified for fences and flat, and
flatting is definitely my weak point, and it was the last class so I
was afraid I’d be tired and not be focused right. But it worked out
for me and it helped our team get third place, which has been our
best finish so far so that was really exciting.
We understand you participated in the Emerging Athletes
Program for two years before attending SCAD. How has that
impacted you?
It was a pretty special experience for me going through
each stage. Obviously it’s a different form of clinic because
it’s competitive, but in that program they really focus on the
horsemanship aspect of it, which is really becoming a forgotten
thing. They were really challenging young riders to be well-
rounded horsemen and I really appreciated that.
When I went to the national session in 2010, riding with Peter
Wyle was a great experience. He’s an amazing rider, but also a
really good coach too, and I just liked his demeanor throughout
the clinic. That was really special. And Jen Alfano was the barn
manager the year I did it and I learned a lot from her as well, from
just being around the barn.
What are your plans for after college?
After school, I’d potentially like to work with my dad and maybe
take over his business, Block House Sport Horses, but that might
not happen for a while. I’d like to go to a pretty big barn with an
international Grand Prix rider and work under them because I still
have stuff to learn with some of the higher-level competitions. But
long-term, I’d like to work with my dad in this business.
