By Laura Scaletti
Portraits by Melissa Fuller
Nick Granat and Taylor McMurtry Granat’s paths crossed in 2012 when they were both working for Peter Leone at his Lionshare Farm in Greenwich, Connecticut. “We quickly realized we shared similar goals and values regarding horsemanship,” Taylor said. “Our love for the sport and dedication to our horses brought us together as co-workers and our relationship grew from that shared passion. The rest is history!”
For the past 12 years, Nick and Taylor have been building their future together one stride at a time. Today Nick is a renowned FEI three-star course designer for show-jumping events and private clients, while Taylor is a professional rider and trainer for her family’s Windridge Farm in Illinois.
Both Nick and Taylor were introduced to horses at a young age by their mothers. “My mom rode and competed, so riding was a natural part of my childhood,” Taylor said. “I started riding competitively at 8 years old and quickly fell in love with the sport.”
Nick and his mom got their start in the sport together. “My introduction to riding was in California, where my mom and I started taking lessons. When I was 8, my family moved to the East Coast and while my mom didn’t continue, I began riding with Marty Deleyer on Long Island,” Nick said.
Nick and Taylor both knew from a young age they’d spend their lives pursuing equestrian excellence. “I knew there was nothing else for me,” Nick said. “My friends and I would watch every competition we could on TV or buy videos of major championships.”
“The passion and love I have for horses made it a natural choice for me; certainly by the time I was 10 years old, I knew this is what I wanted to spend my life doing,” Taylor said. Taylor’s commitment to the sport was clear as she advanced through the jumper ranks with lightning speed and competed in her first Grand Prix at 13 years old in Wellington, Florida.
Windridge Farm
Taylor has been riding and competing full time since she was 13 years old and has been running her family’s Windridge Farm for the past 10 years. Focused on providing top-quality care for horses and training for riders of all levels, Windridge caters to riders from their first lesson to the Grand Prix ring. The motto of Windridge is “Your success is our success.”
“Our facility offers a range of services, including boarding, training, sales and lessons. While it has been primarily me and my mom who run the business, we also have a dedicated team of professionals who help us maintain the highest standards of care and training,” Taylor said.
Taylor is passionate about working with riders of all levels, and she gives credit for her success in the sport to all of the influential figures who’ve shaped her as an equestrian. “My family, trainers and fellow riders have all played crucial roles in my growth and development in the sport,” Taylor said. “Through my upbringing, I had the opportunity to ride a variety of horses and compete in different levels, from green ponies to experienced show jumpers, which provided me with a well-rounded foundation in horsemanship.”
Taylor believes one of the most rewarding aspects of being a professional is seeing the growth and progress in the horses and riders she trains. “Building strong partnerships between horse and rider and watching them achieve their goals is incredibly fulfilling. Picking the right horses for each rider is critical, which can be quite the challenge,” she said. “Ultimately, I enjoy the opportunity to share my passion for the sport and help others develop their skills and confidence in the saddle.”
Reflecting on her career so far, Taylor has lots of memories that bring a smile to her face, both from her accomplishments and also from watching her students meet their own goals. “One of my most memorable experiences was winning my first Grand Prix; another is being the youngest at the time to compete at the American Invitational. But equally important are the memories of watching riders who started with me as young kids grow up to be top jumpers with exciting careers ahead of them,” Taylor said.
Having her own success and being a part of others’ success is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and teamwork with the horses, clients and staff Taylor has had the opportunity to work with. “The feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment that comes from horsemanship, competing and training is what motivates me and why I think this is such a great sport,” she said.
Designing Courses
At 13 years old, Nick became a working student for Peter Leone and had his first exposure to the highest level of show jumping. When he was 14, Nick traveled to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta with Peter and then helped him at the 1999 World Cup Finals. “It truly opened my eyes to the intricacies and nuances involved at the top end of the sport, and I knew I wanted to learn more. Peter taught me to become a student of the sport, constantly watching old videos, going over different rounds and courses, looking at things far more in-depth than I had before,” Nick said.
While Nick became an equestrian professional in 2000, it was an invitation from Olympic gold medalist and legendary course designer Conrad Homfeld to assist with the 2007 Hampton Classic that prompted Nick to seriously consider a career as a course designer. “Conrad allowed me to apprentice my first time working in the ring,” he said.
After that experience, Nick sought out more opportunities to work with the world’s best course designers and attended the Aachen School of Course Design where he studied with Arno Gego, Christa Hiebach and Olaf Petersen Sr. “Working with Arno and Christa was the experience of a lifetime. Arno was an absolute legend and I’m privileged to have learned from him. Some of the principles of course designing that I still use today were learned at the Aachen School,” Nick said. “They provided me with a great foundation.”
Through working with mentors Steve Stephens and Alan Wade, who have become friends, Nick has been able to work his way up the ranks and design courses at some of the most prestigious events in the United States. He assisted with course designing at the 2017 World Cup Finals, 2018 World Equestrian Games and 2023 World Cup Finals.
Typically course designing 30 weeks a year, Nick says it’s hard to pick a favorite venue. “WEF, the Hampton Classic and the Upperville Colt & Horse Show have to be my top three. The history and energy of these iconic venues is unparalleled and it’s always an honor to be asked to build there,” he said.
Nick strives to design thoughtful courses that appropriately challenge and enhance the training of horse and rider. He believes that the hardest part of his job is that he can’t please everyone. “There will always be someone whose horse doesn’t suit a particular line or test, and you have to learn to deal with the criticism. For me, watching horses and riders jump around challenging tracks, making new plans and adjustments, is something that never gets old,” Nick said. “I’m always watching and learning.”
Windridge Farm South
In 2023, Nick and Taylor expanded their family with the birth of their first child, Gigi, short for Genevieve. This December, the duo is opening a year-round stable in Wellington. “The Wellington business will be called Windridge Farm South, reflecting our commitment to maintaining the same standards of excellence that have defined our farm,” Taylor said.
Making the move to Wellington was a natural progression for Nick and Taylor. “Wellington is a hub for equestrian activity, with top-class facilities and competitions year-round. We saw an opportunity to expand our business and provide our clients with access to world-class training and competition opportunities,” Taylor said.
Similar to Windridge Farm in Illinois, Windridge Farm South will be a stepping stone program that supports riders at every stage of their journey, from their first time in the saddle to the highest levels of competition. “Every rider deserves the opportunity to pursue their passion for horses and develop their skills to the best of their abilities. By offering comprehensive training programs that cater to riders of all levels, we can help nurture talent from the grassroots all the way to the Grand Prix arena,” Taylor said. “It’s about creating a supportive and inclusive community where riders can thrive and reach their full potential.”
Nick is excited about being able to have a more active role in the Wellington-based business. “I plan to be Taylor’s partner and provide all the support I can during the weeks I’m not on the road course designing, from assisting in making show plans and schedules to helping Taylor and other students on the ground, even riding. Being able to work in Wellington makes it a lot easier for me to be more involved than I have been at the Illinois farm,” Nick said.
The future is bright for the Granat family. Starting a new chapter in Florida will enable the family to spend more time together, while also chasing their equestrian dreams. “We’re so excited about opening Windridge Farm South and being able to expand our reach and impact within the equestrian community. None of this would be possible without everyone who has supported us throughout this journey,” Taylor said. “We can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”
For more information, visit www.windridgefarmllc.com
Photos by Melissa Fuller, melissafullerphotography33.mypixieset.com
