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, December 07 2020 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Unbridled With Michael Britt-León

By Jan Westmark

Professional riders work hard and the opportunity to be recognized is always a thrill. So when Michael Britt-León captured the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Pro Finals at Capital Challenge recently, it was a dream come true. “I’ve watched some of the greatest hunter riders compete and win the Pro Finals, so finishing at the top is a true honor,” Michael said. “I think the best part was the support I felt from my peers. All of the riders who competed had an excellent chance of winning and it was anyone’s night. I feel so fortunate that in 2020 it turned out to be my night.”

Michael rode Kelly Sims’ Private I to the WCHR title and raved about his winning partner, known as Elliot. “Whether he’s going into the international derbies with me or the amateurs with Kelly, he just wants to please and always wants to win!” Michael said. “Kelly is my best friend who I get to spend most of my days with. She’s not only a huge supporter of me but a huge supporter of our sport!”

Michael owns Windsor Stables LLC, a show barn located on 30 acres in Alpharetta, Georgia, with riders competing in everything from walk/trot to the Junior Hunters, A/O hunters, equitation and jumpers. Recently, Windsor Stables opened a riding academy with school horses and ponies, giving beginner and intermediate riders a great start to their riding career.

How did your horse career start? 

My family relocated to Southern California from New Orleans when I was 7, and there were three little girls on my street who took riding lessons every Saturday. I wanted to hang out with them, so I convinced my parents to let me tag along. I was hooked after my first lesson! I was fortunate to have wonderful trainers along the way that saw my passion and supported me. Making my way through the ponies and junior ranks in the hunters, equitation and jumpers, I turned professional at the early age of 17, where I started Windsor Stables LLC in Los Angeles, California.

Did you grow up in a horse family? 

Horses are in my blood as both my parents were born in Cuba where our family had horses. My mom was, and still is, scared of big animals but will come feed the horses treats when she visits. Dad loves the horses and will ride on rare occasions, but can mostly be found cheering me on from the sidelines or from the live feed on his computer. 

What do you like about being a trainer? 

I love watching my horses and riders grow into what I believe they can be! The journey is so beautiful and rewarding. 

Do you like teaching students, or competing?

I love both! I think that the only thing better than competing myself is watching my students compete and meet their goals. Being a part of someone’s success is one of the best gifts. 

Favorite shows you have traveled to?

I would say Devon and all indoors would be my favorite. It’s a feeling of being where so many great riders have been before at a show I’ve loved since I was a kid. Capital Challenge is special to me because I made so many wonderful memories there.

If you were not involved with the horse world, what career do you think you would have picked?

I think I would be a therapist! I love helping people and I think I’m a good listener and problem solver. 

If you had a week off, what would you do?

A week off? What is that? Haha. Kidding! I would definitely take my husband to Hawaii! He’s never been and I’d love to take him there.

What talents do you feel you have?

I’ve been told that I’m an excellent teacher and friend. I think I have a talent for pairing riders and horses together and making them successful. 

Do you have a personal motto or catch phrase?

“Watch this!” When anyone doubts me or thinks I can’t do something, I always say, “Watch this!” and do everything I can to show that I’m capable of doing whatever I put my mind to! 

What’s your favorite item of clothing to wear?

A baseball cap!

What three items can usually be found in your refrigerator?

Essentia water bottles, peanut butter and Brie (I love crackers and cheese!)

What’s your favorite meal?

Sushi

What would be the best gift in the world?

Children/family

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Time travel

What’s something everyone should try at least once?

The black cod at Nubu Malibu

How would you like people to remember you?

As a kind soul who just wanted to help others and have a good time doing it

Photo:

Michael Britt-León took home the World Championship Hunter Rider Pro Finals at Capital Challenge.

Photo by Madison Orr

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: hunter, hunter derby, hunter-jumper, Michael britt-leon

What you can read next

Lindsay Maxwell – Growing With Grace & Charity
Brianne Goutal’s Horse Power
The Chosen One

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
A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Old Spring Manor
    ponies for sale pony sales pony breaking pony training #welshpony #youngponies #hunterponies

    [Read more]

  • ASHLAND FARMS
    Ken & Emily Smith Training/Showing/Sales Wellington, Fl / Lexington Ky Ken 561-818-8495 Emily 561-371-1510 Chrissie 302-521-2476 www.ashlandfarmsfl.com emily@ashlandfarmsfl.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!