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Friday, February 25 2022 / Published in Weekly Feature

Luis Reteguez-Denizard: Fortune Favors the Bold

By Kimberly Gatto

Portraits by Melissa Fuller

A common translation of a Latin proverb—“fortune favors the bold”—advises us that courage, when followed, can bring great reward. For international dressage rider, trainer and instructor Luis “Lou” Retiguez-Denizard, that proverb is not just a personal motto; it is a way of life. 

The tale of a skinny, inner-city boy defying all odds to reach the pinnacle of dressage competition seems more suited to a Disney movie than reality. But for Lou, it was—and is—his true life’s story. Lou’s fortitude and natural talent, coupled with a winning personality and a strong work ethic, enabled him to defy all odds, including competing on the international stage on numerous occasions.

Born in the Bronx, New York, to Puerto Rican parents, Lou was enamored with horses from the get-go. “My earliest memory of horses,” he said, “was when my older brother and sister took me to a stable in Puerto Rico when I was very young. I came home and told my mother that I wanted a horse. We did not have the money for that; instead, I got a stuffed animal.”

Lou and his family moved to Boston, Massachusetts, when he was 5 years old, then relocated to the Jamaica Plain section of the city when he turned 12. “I was at that age where I did not want to move and leave my friends behind,” Lou said. “Then my mom told me that our house would be across the street from a horse stable. I immediately packed my things.”

Hooked on Horses

Upon arrival at his new home, the young boy eagerly walked across the street to the barn known as Arby’s Stable. “I remember standing in the doorway, looking at the horses in utter fascination,” he said. “The manager told me I could pick up a pitchfork and start working, and I would be able to earn saddle time.” From his first ride—atop a flea-bitten grey mare called Gemini—Lou was completely hooked on horses. Over the next years, he worked long hours at the stable mucking stalls, filling water tubs, and performing any other chores required. A couple of blocks away, another barn offered guided trail rides for paying customers, and eventually Lou was able to obtain a job there as a trail guide. He later worked as a mounted park ranger in Boston.

When a hunter-based trainer took over the barn where he rode, young Lou was introduced to hunt seat equitation and began competing in jumping classes at local shows. After graduating from the prestigious Boston Latin School, he enrolled in the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to pursue his original dream of becoming a veterinarian. As a member of the school’s equestrian team, he competed in hunt seat classes and was also introduced to the sport of eventing. “Like most kids, I wanted to ride faster and jump higher,” Lou said. 

In an effort to improve his scores in horse trials, Lou began taking dressage more seriously, though he still thought of himself primarily as an event rider at that time. He became a working student under FEI dressage rider/trainer Ruth Sarkunas, and later rode under the tutelage of other great dressage teachers such as Sarah Geikie and Sandy Osborn. “I was very fortunate,” Lou said. “I had great mentors in the equine program at UMass. They often gave me project horses to ride, some of which were quirky or difficult, and that enabled me to learn a lot.” 

Through Ruth, Lou was introduced to German Grand Prix rider Gerd Reuter. Seizing the opportunity to study dressage under the watchful eye of Gerd in Europe, he developed an internship which enabled him to earn college credits. After studying for six months in Germany with Gerd, he spent the next summer riding project horses for Sandy Osborn back at home. By that time, Lou had realized that he wanted to become a professional horseman rather than a veterinarian. 

The Academic World

Upon graduating from UMass with a degree in equine science, Lou accepted a position at Huntington Farm in Vermont. He was then a married man, having wed his college sweetheart, Marie, in 1989. The couple soon welcomed their only child, daughter Raquel. Realizing that an academic setting would provide a steadier salary, Lou relocated his family to Michigan for a position at the Black Forest Hall School, where his students included a young Courtney King-Dye. “I loved teaching the kids,” Lou said. “But the winters there were brutal. I knew the frequent snowstorms were becoming too much for Marie. So I took a position at Culver Academy, a private military school with horses, in Indiana. We stayed there for a year before moving back to New England.”

In 1993, Lou became the director of riding at Johnson & Wales College in Rhode Island, where he left a lasting impression upon his students. “Lou was a breath of fresh air to have as a teacher,” said lifelong horsewoman and Johnson & Wales graduate Hilary Cohen. “His trainings were modern and classical all in the same breath. He could translate classical approaches into modern language and he really impacted how that translated from horse to rider.”

While the teaching process was incredibly rewarding for Lou, he found that he missed riding and competing. In 1998, he decided to leave Johnson & Wales to branch out on his own, founding Delante Dressage in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The name “Delante” is a nod to Lou’s Puerto Rican heritage. “It has two meanings,” he said, “moving forward, or come on in.” 

Lou built up the business slowly, starting with only a handful of clients. “I knew it could be more difficult to start on my own,” he said. “But I also knew it was what I wanted to do and I would give it my best, no matter how difficult it would be. I have had no regrets.”

Over the next several years, Lou expanded Delante’s training operation while also continuing his own educational pursuits. In 2004, he was awarded the New England Dressage Association’s scholarship as well as the Dressage Foundation’s Lindgren Scholarship, which enabled him to travel to the Netherlands to study under Henk van Bergen and Robert Zandvoort. It was Henk who helped him find the Dutch Warmblood Nalando, who was subsequently purchased by Lee and Donna Dunbar for Lou to campaign. 

After considerable success with the gelding in the show ring—including winning the U.S. Dressage Federation’s Region 8 Intermediaire I Championship in 2006—Lou realized he had a very special animal in Nalando. He set his sights on competing in the Pan Am Games, which would be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2007.

Riding For Puerto Rico

But qualifying for the Games proved to be a nearly insurmountable task for a rider on a budget and with a young family to support. It was then that an acquaintance suggested that Lou should consider the idea of representing Puerto Rico at the Games. He conducted some research, completed the necessary requirements (which included earning at least two scores of 64% in a CDI, with at least one such score from an O-rated judge), and eventually received notification that he was accepted to the team. Lou became the first-ever Puerto Rican dressage rider to compete at the Pan Am Games, where the pair placed a respectable 17th. Unfortunately, Nalando contracted pneumonia and was unable to compete at the Olympics the following year.

The pair did achieve considerable success, however. Among their many accomplishments, Lou and Nalando went on to place eighth in the 2010 Central American Games, which was a significant personal accomplishment for Lou. As the games were held in Puerto Rico that year, Lou had to overcome the pressure and anxieties he felt from being regarded as the “local favorite” and wanting to excel while representing the home country. “So much of the sport is mental,” he said, “and we are often not prepared for that when we first begin competing at that level.” The following year, Lou and Nalando placed in the top half of the field in the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

After the retirement of Nalando, Lou was paired with Royal Affair, a bay Hanoverian gelding owned by Charles Schneider. Lou and Royal Affair (aka Robbie) proved to be an outstanding combination in the years that followed. At the 2014 Central American Games in Veracruz, Mexico, they wowed the crowds, narrowly missing the bronze medal in Intermediate I with a score of 70.211. “Part of this game is learning to lose graciously,” Lou said, adding, “The true goal was not to win a medal, but to pave the way for others coming behind me.” The pair’s other notable successes included great rides at the 2015 Pan Am Games and the 2015 Nations Cup, among others, prior to the gelding’s retirement.

Both in and out of the show ring, Lou serves as an inspiration for others. A devoted father, Lou and his wife, Marie, often visit their now-grown daughter at her home in Tennessee. Raquel, an accomplished rider in her own right, works as a clinical lab scientist in the stem-cell department at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.  

Moving To Florida

In 2008, Lou relocated Delante Dressage to Palm City, Florida, approximately 40 minutes north of Wellington. The business has thrived in the South, where Lou is a sought-after trainer and instructor. A USDF gold medalist and “L” graduate with distinction, Lou frequently travels throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, teaching clinics to numerous former and new students, while continuing to train horses and riders at home. 

He continues to bring young horses through the levels, with the goal of returning to international competition in the not-too-distant future. “I am always on the lookout for new, talented horses to compete at the FEI level,” he said with a wink. “In case anyone would like to send me one.” 

Regardless of all the success he has achieved, Lou never forgets where he started. While many of his students have earned their USDF gold, silver and bronze medals, he is equally willing to teach those just beginning in the sport and those with non-traditional dressage horse breeds. “I want to give others the hope and aspirations to know that they can also make it in this sport, as I did,” Lou said. “I believe horses saved me from inner-city life and gave me a way out. I will continue to be grateful for that and to always do my best. I am so fortunate to be doing what I love, and will always be willing to give back.” 

For more information, visit dressagedelante.com

Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com

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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

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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...

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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
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