Horses are in Debby Buck DeJonge’s blood. “My grandfather was in the Danish cavalry and migrated to America, where he became a famous racehorse trainer, even counting War Horse’s daughter as one of his steeds,” she said. Since Debby’s first pony, Dolly, horses and riding have played an important role in her life—but it’s writing that Debby says saved it.
Her adult novel series, Lead Horse, takes place in the equestrian world. In the non-fictional equestrian world, Debby works with riders in sports nutrition, sponsors events and does book signings from Wellington and Key West in Florida to Traverse City, Michigan—closer to her home in Ada, Michigan, which she shares with her Blue Chow Chow, Bobby Jones. She also actively competes in dressage. “After enjoying a ‘horse of a lifetime’ for a quarter of a century, I recently added a young understudy to try to fill Pax’s heavenly hooves,” Debby said.
Tell us about your family, two- and four-legged!
I’m extremely lucky to have my children very close in proximity so we can be in each other’s pockets like ponies. My son, Reid; his wife, Kelly; and the two little darlings named Keaton and Dax keep me in shape to ride horses with big ideas. My daughter, Paige, is the light of my life and has been put through my pony school and continues to come love on my new guy, Mr. Big. His barn name is BanJeau, and he has been called the smartest horse in the barn, ever. He is Dennis the Menace and Houdini rolled into one big slobbering furball on hooves. He keeps me smiling and on my toes.
What do you do outside of riding and writing?
Together, my late husband, Dr. Robert DeJonge, and I spearheaded the Longevity Centers of West Michigan and traveled the world speaking on progressive health topics. Health isn’t wealth, as I’ve espoused for decades. Health is everything.
Golf Star Rx is my nutrition business where I count clients from all corners of the country. I will always keep studying health and wellness, as my mother started me on the right track with flaxseed in my food—which I handily moved to the feed room, combining flax with grain and fed it to my mare which easily created the shiniest coat, consequently winning her Best In Show at the 4-H event where I earned my 10-year pin.
How has writing impacted your life?
Writing and publishing books is another entire world that is all-encompassing. My publisher, Sheri, is in Key West and we work hand in glove together. She and Champ, her magna cum laude Poodle, have become my family of the south. She helped me more than anyone or anything when my world was torn out from underneath me.
My first-born son, Jordy, was killed in a hit and run. This is the first time I’ve been able to write those words. Sheri called me on the phone. I was hiding in the north woods at Garland Lodge & Golf Resort and she said these words: “My darling, there is no better outlet than writing. All great writers come from a place of pain. You’re a great writer, and no one is in more pain than you.” I flew back to Key West and another friend, Tracy, took me out on the ocean in her go-fast boat to see Hemingway’s hideaway. It was an old, abandoned lighthouse; he called it “house of piles.” And she also wanted to grieve with me. We all loved Jordy. Writing saved my life.
What’s your favorite thing about being a writer?
My favorite thing about being a writer is to create characters that you love so much that you personally miss them if you aren’t talking about them.
What are your goals in the writing world?
I’d like to have my own wooden rack of at least five novels on display at Horizon Books in Traverse City, Michigan, as I’ve been promised by book guru and store director, Juan. And then, I want to do a book signing on Park Avenue in New York City, where my mother was a top-notch glossy model for Barbizon.
What are you doing in the horse world now and what are your goals?
I eat, breathe and speak horse. Sometimes I go out to the farm just to play silly games on the ground, or smell BanJeau’s grassy breath. We also indulge in water games involving sprinklers and hoses. We are so fortunate to be a part of a lovely, private farm with expansive pastures that calm the soul and offer a place to just breathe. I’m hoping to take BanJeau out to do the 4-year-old baby stuff and may acquire another Prix St. Georges mount. I love all things clinic as well: I sponsor, ride, support and write about them.
What do you consider your biggest equestrian achievement?
Debuting the “Fun Freestyle” class I invented to a packed house. Donning a tailcoat for the first time, on a horse I trained, is also a stand-out. Memorizing the entire test was a test in and of itself. I can still hear Absolut’s hoof spray against the arena fence and feel his flying changes underneath my tails. What a thrill. That weekend we also won the coveted Detroit Dressage Directors Cup. It is heavy. Massively so.
What’s the best thing about your life?
The best things in life all begin with ‘F’—family, friends, fiancé—except for horses and golf. Golf is my other addiction. My cousin Mark treated me to a trip to Pebble Beach where I birdied holes and counted two chip-ins! And oh, how I want to return.
What’s one of your best-kept secrets?
The first week I was married I fibbed to my husband that I was going shopping. In reality I entered a stand-up comedy contest—and won. The next night he and his friends came for an evening out at my invitation: I was the opening act for the headliner. He paid closer attention to my whereabouts after that!
Photos by David Sparks, www.davidjsparks.com
For more information, visit DebbyBuckDeJonge.com
