Story and photos by Jennifer DeMaro
Streett Moore is one of the fortunate few who can proudly say he has been living his dream for over four decades. His journey is a testament to passion, dedication and the fulfillment that comes from pursuing a career aligned with one’s true calling.
Streett, named after his great-grandfather, began riding at the age of 4, and by the time he was 7 he was riding with a purpose. It was clear from early on that riding was more than just a hobby for Streett—it was a passion. His parents, though not riders themselves, recognized this spark in both Streett and his brother Brooks.
Despite their father’s fear of horses, the family’s competitive spirit shone through. “Mom and dad were not riders but highly competitive people. My dad was an all-American lacrosse player, and both my parents saw I had something special and supported me in every way,” Streett said. This unwavering support laid the foundation for a lifetime of dedication to his dream.
A Successful Career
Streett’s first pony was an 11.2-hand Paint pony named Choo Choo. “She was a hot little mare, and I learned to sit quietly on her and let her do her thing. It took two people just to hold her for me to get on, but my mom said we were like peanut butter and jelly, and no one could beat us,” Streett said.
Streett began training with Jack Steading at the age of 7. “Jack was my one and only trainer through it all. He taught me how to ride, but more importantly, how to laugh,” Streett said. “One of Jack’s favorite sayings was, ‘You ride, I’ll pray.’ A memorable moment with Jack was when I made it to the Pennsylvania National Horse Show as a professional, and he said, ‘Well, boy, if you make it to the other end of the ring without falling off, it will be a miracle.’ I smiled all the way to the end and had one of the best trips of my career.” To this day, Streett uses humor to break the tension for his own riders.
In the early years, attending horse shows was a family affair for Streett and his friends. “A bunch of families, mostly boys, in a horse trailer caravan would travel up and down the East Coast for shows. It was fun back then, a whole family event,” Streett said. “My mom would drive the horse trailer, and my dad would help me and my brother with grooming.” These experiences laid the foundation for Streett’s career with horses.
At just 19 years old, Streett started a training business in his parents’ backyard in Upperco, Maryland, marking the beginning of Belfield Farm. “Belfield was the name of a one-room schoolhouse nearby that my grandfather attended, and the school still stands today,” Streett said.
One of Streett’s early successes as a trainer was the development of a pony named Short Stop, who played a crucial role in establishing Streett’s reputation not just as a rider but as a skilled trainer. Short Stop went on to win for many big-time trainers, and from that point on, Streett never looked back.
One weekend at a horse show, Streett’s life took a significant turn when the headmaster of the McDonogh School, located in Owing Mills, Maryland, asked him to take over as the equestrian program director. At just 26 years old, Streett accepted the position and has been there for nearly 40 years. “I built the McDonogh facility from scratch, from planning the community-friendly layout to personally planting every sapling on the stable grounds that are now mature trees,” Streett said. “It has been a labor of love for me to provide the best care to the horses and to educate all those who come through our doors on how to connect with the horses and love them too.”
Expanding Legacies
Streett lives about a mile away from his childhood farm with his wife, Amy Moore, and their son, Dawson. He has preserved the original farm name, Belfield Farm, and expanded it into various ventures. Amy, an accomplished equestrian, runs a training program under the name Belfield Blue, dedicated to preparing riders for NCAA Equestrian programs. Together, they have built a life that honors tradition while continuing to grow and diversify their family’s legacy in the equestrian world.Top of Form\
Another significant life change for Streett and his family occurred when they took over a show management organization, now known as Belfield Farm Show Management, a business bequeathed to them by W. Gary Baker upon his passing. “That was a life-changing event for me and my family,” Streett said. “We manage shows in the Maryland, D.C. and Virginia areas, and with each show we host, we strive to bring the best of the best to both exhibitors and spectators.” This new chapter in their lives has allowed them to carry on Gary’s legacy while making a meaningful impact on the equestrian community.Top of Form
Streett has made a significant effect on the equestrian community off campus as well. For the past 20 years, he has served as an “R” judge and course designer. He has judged for prestigious shows such as Pony Finals, Junior Hunter Finals, the World Equestrian Center, WEF and numerous other events. His talent for course design has taken him to renowned locations like Bromont, Thunderbird and Princeton.
Streett’s dedication and contributions to the equestrian community have earned him a place in the Maryland Horse Shows Association Hall of Fame. Over the years, he has served as president countless times and held numerous leadership roles, including being a member of the USEF board, the PNHS board and USHJA Zone 3 board. His commitment to the sport and his leadership has had a lasting impact. “I pride myself on being a hard worker, having integrity for the sport and simply just doing the ‘right thing,’” Streett said.
Despite Streett’s busy schedule, he makes time for woodworking and landscaping. Both his father and grandfather were builders, a tradition that has influenced him. “My home is the centerpiece of my creativity—filled with tree houses, bridges, rock walls and gardens,” Streett said. His passion for design and nature extends to the equestrian center, which has also benefited from his love for designing and creating beautiful spaces.
Streett, with Amy’s assistance, took on the ambitious project of designing and building a museum on the stable grounds of McDonogh. Their goal was to capture the rich history of the school and honor the legacy of those who have been part of its story. “We wanted to highlight all the talented riders who have crossed these aisles over the past 100 years. Our alumni love coming back, seeing the improvements, sharing old stories and having some good laughs,” Streett said.
Streett attributes his success to the many people who have crossed his path throughout his journey. “My equestrian journey has been filled with people I consider family,” he said. “It began with my immediate family, and over the years, my ‘equestrian family’ has grown to includeTop of Form so many influential people—trainers, riders, vets and best friends.”
Streett has been building his field of dreams for over 40 years, creating something that stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to the sport. His work and passion have shaped a legacy that reflects his deep connection to horses and the equestrian community. “A connection you have with a horse is impossible to explain but impossible to forget,” Streett said.
For more information, visit bfshowmanagement.com and follow on Facebook at bfshowmanagement
Photos by Jennifer DeMaro
