Liz Soroka
Shelter Island, New York (“But really it’s wherever our camper is!”)
Event Coordinator, Co-Founder of StableMaster LLC, Jump Designer, Etc.
Liz enjoying a hike in Lake Placid, New York. Photo courtesy of Liz Soroka
How long have you been part of the horse world?
My parents moved our family from New Jersey to Long Island when I was 12. My mom got a job at the Hampton Classic and our whole family got involved … and then it became my life.
What part do you play in the horse world?
I wear many hats but I have made a niche for myself in the realm of handling FEI-related things for many of my shows. I am one of the event coordinators (along with my partner of 20+ years, Craig Bergmann) for the Hampton Classic Horse Show, and that’s really my home horse show as well as what I consider my actual home on Long Island. I’m also really proud to work with Steve Stephens in his incredible jump company, Stephens Equestrian Designs. Together with Steve and Craig, we design and build jumps that have been used at the most prestigious events in this country. With my business partner, David Orlando, we are really excited about our semi-new project called StableMaster LLC. We provide managers and exhibitors with an online platform for stabling/feed/bedding. Exhibitors can find their stall locations and order supplies from anywhere. I still like to dabble in being jump crew once a year at Harrisburg.
What’s your favorite thing about what you do?
I am a born organizer. I’m very proud of what our respective teams do at each show that I’m involved in. I don’t think that some people realize the feat that it is to bring an event to a certain level from the ground up, often in just a few days. There is an inherent sense of pride in being a part of creating a successful, safe, fun horse show.
Liz and her partner Craig Bergmann, left, with Marty Bauman at a JustWorld event in 2020. Photo by JustWorld
What’s your biggest achievement in the horse world?
I am very lucky to have been honored by my peers several times in the last few years.
I received the Ramblewood Trophy at WEF in 2014; the USHJA Vital Staff Award in 2018; the Welles Family Trophy at the National Horse Show in 2019; and the Lake Placid Horse Shows Employee Honor in 2021.
What are your goals?
I really want to just keep doing what I do: doing my part to create great horse shows.
What’s the best thing about your life?
I enjoy our unique opportunity to travel and adventure in conjunction with working. I tend to be a little bit of a camp counselor for our group of friends. I’m always planning some kind of outing or dinner or something. The horse show community has given me incredible friends that are my chosen family. And I wouldn’t change our life for anything.
Liz, left, with Steve Stephens and her sister Kate Soroka. Photo courtesy of Liz Soroka
Best kept secret about you?
I have very high standards for myself. I don’t like to screw up (but it does happen occasionally). I try to be creative in all the things that I do. I enjoy making epoxy and wood furniture, as well as doing graphic design. Basically, anything creative.
Liz Soroka accepting the USHJA Vital Staff Award in 2018. Photo by Tricia Booker/USHJA
