SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Monday, April 11 2016 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Stephanie Hartigan Embraces the Best of Both Worlds

Stephanie and Clever at Tyron International Equestrian Center Photo by Jan Westmark

Stephanie and Clever at Tyron International Equestrian Center
Photo by Jan Westmark

By Britney Anderson

Dressage rider Stephanie Hartigan has a unique perspective on life and the horse sport world, having worked her way up from riding others’ horses in her native Germany to showing, training and breeding her own horses in Alpharetta, Georgia. She takes a well-rounded approach to everything, from balancing home and work life to training horses in both dressage and jumping with show jumper husband Glenn Hartigan at their own Eurimports Equestrian business.

This Tall To Ride

Stephanie grew up in Siegburg, Germany. She tried many hobbies, but dancing or playing chess just didn’t cut it. “My cousin had a horse, and my parents began to measure me every year to see if my legs were long enough to also take riding lessons,” Stephanie recalled with a laugh. “It took me until I was 12 and my parents decided that I was tall enough to start riding horses and I’ve never stopped.”

Clever, bred by Stephanie, won the Holsteiner Award at his very first show. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Hartigan

Clever, bred by Stephanie, won the Holsteiner Award at his very first show.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Hartigan

Despite their encouragement and support, Stephanie’s parents were unable to afford a horse of her own, but she didn’t let that stop her. She began grooming at the barn, determined to work up from there. “In Germany, you begin grooming horses and waiting for people to finish riding so you can hop on a horse and, when you spend a lot of time in the barn, you hope when the owner goes on vacation you can work the horse!”

Call it luck or fate, by the time Stephanie was 16, she was riding and taking care of two horses for a kind dressage judge. “She was very busy with her job, so she was often away and I could ride her horse,” said Stephanie, “And when she came back on the weekends she trained me on her horse. That was actually the beginning for me to really enjoy the riding and the sport because I had a very well-trained horse, and somebody that had a personal interest in me and my development. That’s how I started, and I’ve stuck with it.”

Stephanie continued to ride to some extent through college and various jobs, both as a licensed social worker and in the pharmaceutical industry. She discovered that she enjoyed working with and developing young horses. She also liked teaching, but it was a long road to be able to teach in her home country. “In Germany you can’t teach if you’re not licensed. You’re required to have specific certifications to get your trainer’s license and, if you want to show, you have license-klassen, which means that you have proved yourself to be good enough to show to a certain level. I developed my skills along the way and got my trainer’s license when I was 24,” Stephanie explained.

“Even though I preferred dressage, prerequisites for the license included having a lunging certificate, jumping up to 1.20m, teaching jumping, riding cross-country, and candidates were also expected to have achieved a bronze level in competition. Teaching dressage to Third Level was also required.”

Auctions Speak Louder

Stephanie rides Marabet Farm’s stallion Carry On MF at the Winter Equestrian Festival each year.

Stephanie rides Marabet Farm’s stallion Carry On MF at the Winter Equestrian Festival each year.

The course of Stephanie’s life changed when she attended a horse auction with a friend in 2007. “We didn’t find the horse we were looking for, but my girlfriend wanted to stay for the after-hours party,” Stephanie said. Although Stephanie had to be up by 5:00 the next morning for her pharmaceutical job, she agreed to stay for half an hour before driving the four hours back to her home in Dusseldorf.

“Glenn Hartigan was at the after-hours party with his friend, and we started talking,” Stephanie said. “I had a blast that half hour and the conversation ended with Glenn asking if he could take me out for dinner before he went back to America. I said, ‘Okay, let’s do dinner on Wednesday.’”

That dinner never happened. “On Wednesday I didn’t have a lot of time, so I actually called him and cancelled. I suggested that perhaps we could get together another time when he was in Germany. I told him that the week had been a little crazy and I didn’t know if I could really have dinner with a guy from America. Glenn was so polite and so nice when he said ‘It’s not a problem; we can meet another time,’ that I hung up the phone thinking, ‘Aah! He’s such a nice guy! And I’m going to call him back and ask if he wants to have breakfast on Friday.’”

Over breakfast that Friday, Glenn invited Stephanie to go to the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas. Stephanie summarized, “And I went to Vegas; we spent four days together and, two weeks later, I moved in with him, and after five months we got married.”

’Til Death Do They Partner

Glenn and Stephanie created Eurimports Equestrian, where they work together to teach lessons, train horses for selling and showing, and even do a bit of breeding. “We’re both very independent,” Stephanie explained, “which means we do our own thing but we do help each other. I can help him with his horses on the flat and he helps me with my horses from the ground. We share the training of our clients. They have at least three flat lessons in a week, and have their jumping lessons with Glenn.

“At the big shows, if possible, I go to groom Glenn’s horses or to support the groom. If I’m going to a show, Glenn trailers my horses. I’d rather groom them myself,” Stephanie added with a laugh.

Embracing each other’s strengths, Glenn and Stephanie have developed a program that incorporates both dressage and jumping. “Both sports and disciplines complement each other,” Stephanie feels. “If a rider can’t ride a good circle or shorten or lengthen a horse’s stride, they’ll never be able to ride a good distance in the jumping ring. Our dressage horses all jump at least once a month and we do a lot of cavaletti work. Horses’ brains need to be challenged and riding all circles all day long is not good for them.”

Contributing to this perspective is Stephanie’s experience in Germany. “I’d like to see more cooperation between the dressage and jumping disciplines,” she said. “In Germany, you often have a jumping show and a dressage show at the same venue at the same time. The only time of year we can compete together is in Wellington, where the venues are close to each other.”

Stephanie’s son, Connor, rides beside her and Clever on his pony, Maple. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Hartigan

Stephanie’s son, Connor, rides beside her and Clever on his pony, Maple.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Hartigan

To Motherhood & Beyond

As if excelling in the roles of riders, trainers, business partners and spouses isn’t enough, Glenn and Stephanie also share the responsibilities of parenthood. Their son, Connor, is 7 years old. “Having a child is challenging, but it’s the best thing that’s happened in my life,” Stephanie said. “It requires a lot of organization to ensure that certain things are done before Connor gets home from school.”

As with their business, Glenn and Stephanie share parental responsibilities and lesson schedules are arranged so that each of them is able to spend quality time with Connor on a daily basis. Stephanie describes it as a challenging but rewarding lifestyle.

Another aspect of the business that’s rewarding is the Eurimports breeding program. Their first-born foal, Coco, is now 8 years old and placed in the top 10 in her first two Grand Prix in 2015. Coco’s full brother, Clever, is becoming a quality dressage horse. He began his dressage career in 2015 and achieved scores in the mid-60s and high 70s and won several high-score awards. Clever finished the 2015 season being named the Holsteiner of the Year in his USDF division. Stephanie explained, “I just started him last April and I think he can be my Grand Prix horse. I hope to have him ready in three years. My goal is to compete at the highest levels again within the next five years.”

As she moves forward toward her goal of competing at the Grand Prix level once more, Stephanie continues to exemplify the balance and partnership she hopes others will also come to embrace.

For more on Stephanie and Eurimports Equestrian, go to www.eurimports.com.

About the Writer: Britney Anderson believes in following one’s dreams, currently pursuing her own of being involved in professional equestrian events. When not riding an OTTB at Creekside Equestrian in Payson, Utah, Britney can be found working at home with carefully mismatched socks and possibly a princess crown. Read about her journey at horseworldlife.com.

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: britney anderson, dressage, Stephanie Hartigan

What you can read next

Madison Rauschenbach: Jumping on Opportunities to Get to the Top
Unbridled With Sherry Robertson
Daniel and Cathy Geitner: Building a Business and a Family

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn s It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn set up with a Pyranha SprayMaster Misting System. 
✅Provides whole barn insect control! 
✅Easy to install with basic tools!
✅Electric pump & programmable automatic timer!

Get yours today!
@pyranhalife

#pyranhalife #madeintheusa #pyranha #equestrian #horselife #horselifestyle #barncare
Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • HOLLY HILL FARM
    Wellington, Fl. Patricia Harnois / Caitlin Venezia Training/Showing/Sales 561-758-5362 508-367-0779 HollyHill7@aol.com www.hollyhillstable.com

    [Read more]

  • BLUE BRIDLE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
    Inquire about all available options for your equine insurance needs. 800-526-1711 info@bluebridle.com bluebridle.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp Takes Third Victory in $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field

Category

Recent Posts

  • April 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!