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Tuesday, January 03 2017 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Chasing Dreams, Sportsmanship and Team Spirit: Ralph Caristo’s Influence on Generations of Riders

 

Ralph and Holly Caristo in Wellington, Florida.
Photo by Isabel J. Kurek

By Lauren R. Giannini

Ralph Caristo is the real deal: one of the nicest people on the planet and in the horse world. As a horseman, trainer and “R” judge, he’s earned a first-class reputation. He’s the longtime Chef d’Equipe of the Zone 2 show jumping teams for the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships where, in 2005, he was the first recipient of the Caristo Cup, named in his honor and presented annually.

Last year at Devon, where he judged many times, Ralph was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was honored with the Jane Marshall Dillon award from the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association for many years of service within the horse industry and for helping countless young equestrians.

Susie Schoellkopf, Jimmy Lee and Ralph during his induction into the Hunter Hall of Fame in 2015.
Photo courtesy of the Caristo Family

Ralph and his wife, Holly, emphasize sportsmanship and team spirit. Their core family values travel with them from Glenview Stables in Saugerties, New York, to its winter counterpart in Wellington, Florida, and all around the horse world. They love what they do and put their hearts and vast experience into helping riders of all ages achieve their dreams.

“Our business is basically training and sales and going to all the shows,” said Ralph. “As for the Young Riders, the championships started out as a great way for the juniors to get team experience with all the emotions and pressures of competition. It’s good to start them young. We don’t really train the kids to ride — we’re the organizers. We’re very fortunate in Zone 2 to have a great pool of young riders and they bring their own trainers. I teach the kids about team competition and how you go about it. I couldn’t do this without Holly. She’s the brains behind our program.”

The NAJYRC, governed by the International Equestrian Sport Federation (FEI), serves as a showcase and springboard for riders 14–21. The FEI is the “big league” and that’s where the Caristos come in. “We train riders to be appropriate for the competition, to be a team,” said Holly. “We teach them etiquette for the competition. No schlepping around. They have to dress properly. I try to get belts and matching polo shirts and hats. We like to prep them as a team to look like a team.”

“Oh, we’ve had a few on the rebellious side, but by the time we get done, they’re totally on the team,” Ralph said. “We get the kids for less than a week. We watch at the horse shows, so we kind of know what they’re like before they even get on the team — this one should handle it well, that one needs to be coached. We always have the full support of the parents. They give us free rein with their kids. So many great kids — they love the team experience — and we’ve been so proud of them.”

Ralph and Holly’s daughter Heather remembers this Zone 2 team, with her parents on the right, from the late 80s. “We only had a three-person team that year and we still won gold!”
Photo courtesy of the Caristo Family

With a medal count of 16 or more team golds for Zone 2 (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania), it’s like a roll call of rising equestrian stars: Reed Kessler, Georgina Bloomberg, Brianne Goutal, Jessica Springsteen, Katie Dinan, Lillie Keenan, Michael Hughes, Mattias Tromp, Sarah Segal and Chelsea Moss, to name a few. Their own daughter Heather earned three NAJYRC team gold medals and an individual bronze.

“It really means a lot to them to get that team experience. We never had any child or teen who didn’t enjoy the team experience,” said Ralph. “We also do the Prix de States at Harrisburg — it’s the same format. As long as we’ve been doing it, we’re still excited and look forward to doing it each year.”

All In The Family

In the 1960s, Ralph straddled two worlds, training Thoroughbred racehorses and running his own hunter-jumper business in New York state. He met Holly, a Grand Prix jumper rider, at a horse show, when he changed the flat tire on their trailer. “I fell for Holly the moment I saw her, but it took me a few years to win her heart,” said Ralph. “I still fall for her, and we’ve been married 40 years.”

Although he still loves Thoroughbreds, Ralph focused on his hunter-jumper business and, in 1968, took over Glenview Stables, making it a training and sales enterprise with a family atmosphere which would be perfect for raising their four daughters. Robin, Karen, Lynn and Heather grew up riding and training at Glenview. Heather continues to ride and train for Glenview, and her husband, Jesse Williams, supervises the horse care and serves as Heather’s right hand man on the ground.

Ralph and Holly have influenced generations of riders.
Photo by Isabel J. Kurek

“I’m extremely lucky. My mom and dad are wonderful parents and fantastic role models for everyday life and the horse world,” said Heather. “It’s been incredible learning everything they have to offer. My dad always taught me when you talk to someone, look them in the eye. That’s a great life lesson, a sign of respect, a sign that you’re paying attention and appreciating what that person has to say and giving them the moment. It doesn’t really have to do with horses, but it’s ingrained in me.”

Patience is another major Caristo lesson. “Especially with the horses — so much patience, really taking your time to teach the horse, not just expecting them to do something or get it right the first time,” said Heather. “Take a deep breath and be patient with each animal. That’s taken me a long way, especially with the young ones I’ve had and the ones I’ve brought up to the Grand Prix jumper level. Patience is one thing I always take with me.”

Heather competes at the FEI Grand Prix level. She’s also skilled at developing horses from the lower levels where they learn their jobs. Right now, she has two horses with serious talent that are not for sale.

“I want to go to the Olympics,” said Heather. “I have a couple that really try for me and my parents have been very gracious about letting me keep them and work through the ranks. We bought Evening Star as a 5-year-old, and last summer I got to ride him in two FEI five-star Nations Cups. We brought him from not really being able to jump courses to competing internationally for the U.S. That was a huge accomplishment for the whole family.

“The other horse is my stallion, Qui Vive des Songes Z, now 10,” continued Heather. “I call him ‘Chewy,’ because he makes noises like Chewbacca. Evening Star and Chewy may be similar to look at, but riding them over the course is a very different story. Chewy is more challenging at this time, because he doesn’t have as much experience. But I foresee in his future that he will mature as Evening Star has and will be a lovely ride. I’m aiming for the Olympics in 2020. I’m quite excited about it and, having grown up with my family so involved in Young Riders, it’s given me a great foundation for these types of team competitions. You never know what’s going to happen, but it’s sure nice to dream.”

Heather Caristo and Evening Star in the Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix in 2015
Photo courtesy of the Caristo Family

What’s Next

With nearly 50 years in the business, Ralph and Holly have sold many horses and ponies, brought countless kids and adults through their Glenview training program, and taken many Zone 2 teams through the NAJYRC experience. They still do all that, and they’re totally on board with their youngest progeny’s quest.

Ralph stated emphatically, “Heather can chase that dream and we’re right there behind her. Yes, those two horses are valuable, but there’s no horse whose value is worth more than our daughter. That Chewy stallion — a guy offered us a lot of money, and I looked the guy right in the eye and said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘How can you say no so quickly?’ I said, ‘Because we love our daughter.’ He said, ‘Fair enough.’ One of the biggest thrills we ever had was watching our daughter — ”

Ralph paused for an emotional moment. This is what makes him great, why he’s so good at what he does. He really cares. He gets the whole dream and takes it to heart. After several seconds, he continued: “One of the biggest thrills we ever had was watching our daughter ride to represent the U.S. last year in Falsterbo. That’s what it’s all about. It was such a thrill. Heather has this dream, and we have these two horses — we’re right there to support her all the way.”

 

 

 

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Tagged under: caristo, heather caristo, hunter, jumper, lauren r. giannini, ralph caristo

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HELLO OCTOBER!!! Kicking off the month with Intern HELLO OCTOBER!!! Kicking off the month with International-level dressage rider Amelia Newcomb. Who is committed to making dressage accessible to anyone who wants to learn and improve in the sport. With a mantra of “Dressage for All,” Amelia, her husband, Germán Schneider, and the rest of her team at Amelia Newcomb Dressage believe that anyone and everyone can learn to love their ride. 
With over 100,000 YouTube subscribers around the globe, Amelia is able to share her joy and 
enthusiasm for the sport with more equestrians than she ever dreamed of through her online training 
platform. Amelia’s curriculum breaks riding down into a simple, proven system that anyone can follow 
and get results, regardless of age, discipline or location.“My goal is to make good dressage training accessible to everyone who is interested in learning. One way I do that is by producing quality videos to educate and encourage dressage students along their dressage journey,” Amelia said. “The transformations that my students get are insane and my business is changing the entire sport of dressage and the way people learn to ride.”
While Amelia is a talented USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist today, she knows the struggles 
associated with trying to make your way in the sport without abundant educational resources. “I grew up in Colorado, where there weren’t that many dressage resources available. I was so hungry for knowledge, I would go to big shows just to watch the big-named trainers work,” Amelia said. “That’s why, when given the opportunity to share what I’ve learned along the way, I decided to go for it and start my YouTube channel.” 
➡️Catch the full story at the link in our bio!! 
⬇️For more information, visit amelianewcombdressage.com and on Instagram 
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📸Photos by Lindsey Long, lindseylong.com
#Sidelines #sidelines2023 #sidelinesmagazine #magazine #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople
The WPCSA American National Welsh Pony and Cob Sho The WPCSA American National Welsh Pony and Cob Show is happening now! Don’t miss another second by streaming it live! 🐴

📹👀HOW TO VIEW THE LIVE STREAM
The WPCSA will again be streaming footage live from the ring at the American National Show next week. You will need two free passes to get to the feed this year.

1️⃣�The first is a USEF fan membership which you can get through this site:
Join or Renew | US Equestrian (usef.org)

2️⃣ Once you become a fan member, you will need to log in to the USEF Network on ClipMyHorse. A video demonstrating how to do this can be found here:
Existing USEF Fan - Watch the USEF Network - YouTube 

📸Pictured- Grand Champion Section B under UK judge. 
Owner-Barbara Chappell
Handler-Paul Maye /Maye Show Ponies Fairfield, VA
A note from our editor. It's here!! The October is A note from our editor.
It's here!! The October issue of Sidelines Magazine! So happy to have the fabulous Amelia Newcomb  on our cover. Amelia is a dressage rider with over 100,000 students! You read that right! Amelia has a very popular YouTube Channel where riders from around the word can learn and improve on their dressage - and it's not just dressage riders who are benefitting from Amelia Newcombe Dressage on Your Tube but riders of all disciplines - don't miss her story! Thanks to Sidelines photographer Lindsey Long for the beautiful photos. This issue has so many great stories! Catch up with eventer Zachary Brandt Equestrian (make sure to see how much he loves his dogs), and meet show jumper Katherine Anne Brewer and her horse Super Bunny, artist Samantha Dawn, equestrian Megan Smith who teaches Pilates 4 Equestrians; and Ela Ladwig a dressage rider and trainer who's multi talented because she's also a talented artist also. We have an amazing story on hunter-jumper rider Lisa Mooney who has a story you don't want to miss!! We also have a story on Tyler Held who's passion for eventing has taken her on quite the journey, and we catch up with Jimmy Toon in our Unbridled column. This issue also features our Save The Date section where you can check out show dates for this year and next from horse shows around the country! So get out your calendar!! And don't miss our great columnists, hunter-jumper with Rob R.L. Jacobs, eventing with Liz Halliday Eventing and sports psychology with Margie Sugarman. And check out the photos of riders at the 2023 The Hampton Classic Horse Show also! It's another great issue! Make sure to subscribe to Sidelines also - one year for $14.95 and the magazine is delivered right to your house or barn!! 
Enjoy the October issue: https://sidelinesmagazine.com/app/#/reader/50029/1767167

Link in Bio!!!
Are YOU ready for it? The wait is over! The Capita Are YOU ready for it? The wait is over! The Capital Challenge Horse Show has officially begun! 

Not able to attend the 2023 Capital Challenge Horse Show? 🏆 No problem! Watch all 11 days of competition for free with the live stream, sponsored by C. Jarvis Insurance Agency Inc., on capitalchallenge.org or usefnetwork.com. 🎥
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