62 SIDELINES AUGUST 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Susan Artes and Sophie St. Clair
Photo by Bret St. Clair
well. She competed there at the age of 18 in 1983, again in 2006
and recently in 2012 and 2013 on Zamiro, her 10-year-old Dutch
Warmblood. Susie feels that getting international experience for
the West Coast riders has been tremendous for the sport. She
cites the international success of Will Simpson and Rich Fellers
at the Olympics and World Cup Finals as examples of how
international exposure can develop the talent base here.
Susie cautions, though, that California still needs more in the
way of 1.50 and 1.60 classes. “I think it’s very challenging to build
an internationally competitive horse and rider when we don’t have
enough 1.60 classes,” she said. “If you really want to do that, you
have to travel farther and that’s expensive. And, you won’t always
be good the first time you do those classes. It takes time to get
good at it. So I’m concerned right now about the West Coast. When
horse shows lower the Grand Prix height to encourage entries, it’s
really good for the show and for younger riders and horses. But it
doesn’t count for national ranking points and it’s not as good for
the horses and riders to always jump lower without the challenge.
I understand from a horse show management’s perspective that
there aren’t that many horses and riders that can do that, but they
will never be able to do it unless it’s offered.”
Two things that get Susie excited right now are winning on her
horse Zamiro, which she’s been doing a lot of recently, and the
thrill of bringing up young horses. In April, she won the $25,000 S
& S Bank Card Systems Flintridge Grand Prix. The next week she
placed second in the $25,000 Land Rover Pasadena Grand Prix
of Flintridge and the next week she placed 3rd in the $100,000
Grand Prix of Del Mar — very consistent performances.
To add to her talented mounts, which include the very
competitive gray mare Karina 445, Susie is bringing up a few
young horses. Working on a budget, she and Max travel to out of
the way farms in Europe to find promising young horses. “Finding
them for a lot less money before the big dealers find them is not
that easy to do but Max has a really good eye,” she said. “So, we
go to places that are in the middle of nowhere. It’s fun and the risk
isn’t so high when you don’t spend so much money. We’re super
excited about some of our 5- and 6-year-olds. It’s something I’m
really excited by because it’s fun to be on a young horse. The first
time they get lead changes and counter canters, it’s like ‘I can’t
believe it — he did it!’”
For young juniors coming up looking to make this a profession,
Susie encourages them to be patient. She also feels it’s
important to actively gather the knowledge required to be
successful. “Becoming a rider means becoming a horseman and
all the veterinarian care that comes with it,” she said. “Consider
going on call with a vet and learn how to do everything. You need
to know how to wrap legs. You need to know what to do when
something is bleeding. Not just basic veterinary skills but really
start to learn the whole thing. Be able to tell when a horse is
limping. Is it the front leg or the back leg? All of these things can
make you a better rider. You can then understand why a horse
had a jump down because it was stiffer on the left hind than the
right hind. Get an idea of proper shoeing; how and why a horse
is wearing pads; when to use which studs on grass, etc. Those
are things that are usually left to the trainers and grooms and the
riders aren’t really a part of that.”
Speaking to Susie, it’s clear that she’s a passionate
horsewoman who enjoys the work of the profession. Just as
she advises juniors, it would
seem that as a professional,
she continues to seek the
knowledge she requires to be
successful. Clearly from the
progression of wins and high
placings, she’s reaping the
rewards of her labor. But what’s
more than obvious to anyone
that speaks to her is that she’s
a leader. More importantly, she
leads by example.
About the writer: Sophie St. Clair is
a high school freshman from Southern
California. She has an interest in the
psychology of high performance athletes.
She is also a Junior Ambassador for
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where
she works to raise funds and awareness
for the hospital. Sophie is working toward
becoming a professional show jumper
but is taking it “one jump at a time.”
