Current Residence:
Renovatio Farm
Tryon,North Carolina
Home Town:
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Biography:
Eric is a graduate "A" from Fox River Valley Pony Club and was recently inducted into the United States Pony Club Board of Governors. He splits his time between competing, training and teaching. He has competed in the North American Young Riders Championships and since then has brought up several horses through the ranks to go advance including the Rolex CCI****.
Eric was also long listed for both the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez de la Fontera, Spain on Eveready and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece on Stonehedge Heritage. He is also active in the Show Jumping and Dressage rings. Eric has served as coach and selector to the Area IV Young Rider Event Team and continues to produce riders and horses to compete to their best potential. A strong advocate of education, Eric believes that “the equestrian world is an art of peace, rhythm, and communication, no matter what discipline, success is measured through horse and rider understanding.”
Eric was crowned winner of the Retired Race Horse Trainers Challenge in the Spring of 2012 from which each participant was given an off the track thoroughbred for a month of training and judged in front of a panel of three judges. A big believer in the thoroughbred, Eric believes "they have a big heart that gets misunderstood for hot tempered. If you have compassion for your equine partner and take the time to understand them, one can accomplish what ever one puts the time into."
Main Influence in Youth:
Pony Club has been a heavy influence on me in character and horsemanship. As an adult amateur or a future Olympian, I believe Pony Club is the backbone to preserving horsemanship in the future. Pony Club has an educational system that teaches or youth to be better horseman both on and off the horse.
"I believe there are life long lessons learned in the horse world. From respect towards animals and people to learning to cope with success and failures, the equine world makes me a strong person with a never ending will to learn."
Role Model:
My Dad: He taught me patience and simplicity is the way to a horse's trust.
Favorite Quote:
“The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Goal in Life or Aspiration:
To keep growing as a horse person and become an influence to others as my idols were to me while riding some of the biggest tracks the world has to offer.