90 SIDELINES JULY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
I was living in Illinois around 2005, I was helping a “new to horses”
couple with a 17-hand OTTB named Hero. I was hand walking Hero
through a beautiful grassy field when he spooked, jumped on top of
me and galloped back to the barn. I spent two years recovering and
what brought me joy was escaping to the barn and spending time
with horses on paper with cartoons. After I had compiled a bit of a
collection, friends started saying I needed to do something with my
designs and encouraged me to market them. I made my first phone
call and connected with JPC Equestrian and debuted with them in
2009. After several successful years growing the TuffRiders children’s
line, we decided to end the contract to allow me more creative rights
and the chance to start STOMP.
Tell us about Jade, Firestar and Elektra, your STOMP cartoon
superhorses that appear on your clothing.
I think that every horse has a superpower to make people happy
no matter what flavor: jumping, racing, just hanging in the barn or
something as powerful as hippotherapy. I wanted a way to bring more
awareness to the “oneness” of our equine community. Jade, Firestar
and Elektra are three very different superhorses that travel around the
United States finding special stories to share on the STOMP website.
By showcasing real-life stories online with the Superhorses, I wanted
to open kids’ eyes to what else is out there to do and experience with
our furry friends while making it a better world.
You had a great equestrian upbringing, including being part of
Pony Club. How did that shape your horse life?
The best part about being part of the United States Pony Club
(USPC) was going to the rallies and being able to ride my horse in
events while hanging out with my friends 100 percent of the time. The
friends I made in Pony Club are still some of my good friends 20 years
later. I have to give thanks to Pony Club for not only being a means
to better riding, but to being a better horseman. I learned to take
responsibility for knowing how to care for my horse, my tack and my
education by going through the program and not being dependent on
a trainer alone to navigate the endless joys and challenges of being a
horse owner. I came away proud of what I learned and accomplished
and with some of my best memories.
Will your new horse become a Superhorse on STOMP
clothing?
At the end of 2013 I bought a 3-year-old filly named Spiro
from a trainer at Thistle Downs racetrack in Pennsylvania.
She’s made my heart grow bigger. I’m so grateful for the
chance to help a “youngster” learn about life and learn how
fun it can be after the track. She’s kind of like a black lab,
but a lot bigger and of course she looks like one of the
STOMP ponies. I’m training her for eventing since she’s
bold, smart and super athletic. I’m going to STOMP ON
with this little filly and try to capture every ounce of joy I
can along our journey. She’ll be an inspiration for pony
cartoons to come!
For more information on Renee or STOMP, visit www.
stompstyle.com.
Horses are definitely the
inspiration behind STOMP.
A STOMP tee
