San Francisco Peninsula Chapter California Dressage Society

Meet the SFP Chapter members

This Month: Heidi Bartlett

Q. When did you first start riding?
9 years old. Dad’s friends told him, “it’s about time you got those girls some horses”, so he did. We each got one of the community ponies, mine was a 30-year-old paint that put me in my place. Dad showed me how to brush, pick feet, put on the saddle and bridle, turn, stop and go. That first session was the extent of my lessons for about 10 years, even though I rode bareback every day in the Colorado mountains. Rusty, my paint pony, was taught to rear instead of back, which made showing very interesting at times. One judge wouldn’t listen when I told her I wouldn’t back my horse, and was very surprised to see hooves in her face…hi ho silver…

I rode western gymkhana and was the rodeo queen one year. Other things I’ve done include being a wrangler at a dude ranch, polo groom, hunter/jumper groom, 4-H Horse Extension specialist in Wyoming, riding instructor, body clipper, and barn manager for a full service 33-horse barn in New York. Styles of riding I’ve done are western pleasure, western riding, trail class, polo, hunter pace, hunter trials, and horse trials (eventing). I’ve trained one horse from a weanling to a 4-year-old.

Q. Tell us a little about your horse(s)?
I call my horse grandpa, because he’s fond of telling me he knows more than I ever will - and he’s right. He’s a 24-year-old bay thoroughbred gelding who at one time was long-listed for the US Eventing team. His name is Jonny (Alden’s Image), and one of his previous owners calls him a “cheeky monkey” – people still ask me about my “youngster” when they see him throw a buck or two. He’s trained at 4th level dressage and placed 2nd at Rolex as well as competing at Badminton and Burghley. Last year we qualified for the American Eventing Championships at the Novice level. This year we had a rough start when he came up lame after our first show, but he’s back to his old self now so we’re taking it easy.

Q. How did you become interested in Dressage?
I started learning about dressage when I was introduced to eventing. I was even more serious when I kept finishing on my dressage score, and realized that in order to be competitive I had to step it up. Then I’ve found that the better my dressage, the more effortless the jumping phases became.

Q. What are your goals with dressage?
Try to keep from committing hari-kari (just kidding). Of all the things I’ve done with horses, dressage is the most challenging. I have to remember to relax while achieving precision which for me being a perfectionist, is a delicate balance. At this point, I want to keep learning and growing as a rider and improve my feel and connection. Growing up riding western without any contact, getting that connection has been my holy grail.

Q. Where do you keep your horse(s)?
Menlo Circus Club, Menlo Park, CA

Q. Do you train with anyone? If yes, who?
Not currently since we’re working ourselves back into fitness. Before that, I got some great assistance from Wendy Subotich of Breakwell Stables – she taught me what inside leg to outside hand should feel like, as well as collection.

Q. Do you show?
I haven’t yet this year, but may consider some dressage shows in the fall if he’s up to it. As much as he loves it, I don’t think I’ll be eventing him any more.

Q. What is your regular "day job"?
Analyst Relations in the Marketing Department of a software company.

Q. How do you fit riding into your schedule?
Riding is my schedule, everything else revolves around it!

Q. Is your husband/partner/family supportive of your riding?
Riding is my schedule, which could be why I’m on my own.

Q. Outside of riding, what other hobbies or sports do you enjoy?
Riding is my schedule….(repetitive huh?)…but I love watching football.


	Meet the SFP Chapter members This Month: Heidi Bartlett *Q. When did you first start riding?* 9 years old. Dad’s friends told him, “it’s about time you got those girls some horses”, so he did. We each got one of the community ponies, mine was a 30-year-old paint that put me in my place. Dad showed me how to brush, pick feet, put on the saddle and bridle, turn, stop and go. That first session was the extent of my lessons for about 10 years, even though I rode bareback every day in the Colorado mountains. Rusty, my paint pony, was taught to rear instead of back, which made showing very interesting at times. One judge wouldn’t listen when I told her I wouldn’t back my horse, and was very surprised to see hooves in her face…hi ho silver… I rode western gymkhana and was the rodeo queen one year. Other things I’ve done include being a wrangler at a dude ranch, polo groom, hunter/jumper groom, 4-H Horse Extension specialist in Wyoming, riding instructor, body clipper, and barn manager for a full service 33-horse barn in New York. Styles of riding I’ve done are western pleasure, western riding, trail class, polo, hunter pace, hunter trials, and horse trials (eventing). I’ve trained one horse from a weanling to a 4-year-old. *Q. Tell us a little about your horse(s)?* I call my horse grandpa, because he’s fond of telling me he knows more than I ever will - and he’s right. He’s a 24-year-old bay thoroughbred gelding who at one time was long-listed for the US Eventing team. His name is Jonny (Alden’s Image), and one of his previous owners calls him a “cheeky monkey” – people still ask me about my “youngster” when they see him throw a buck or two. He’s trained at 4th level dressage and placed 2nd at Rolex as well as competing at Badminton and Burghley. Last year we qualified for the American Eventing Championships at the Novice level. This year we had a rough start when he came up lame after our first show, but he’s back to his old self now so we’re taking it easy. *Q. How did you become interested in Dressage?* I started learning about dressage when I was introduced to eventing. I was even more serious when I kept finishing on my dressage score, and realized that in order to be competitive I had to step it up. Then I’ve found that the better my dressage, the more effortless the jumping phases became. *Q. What are your goals with dressage?* Try to keep from committing hari-kari (just kidding). Of all the things I’ve done with horses, dressage is the most challenging. I have to remember to relax while achieving precision which for me being a perfectionist, is a delicate balance. At this point, I want to keep learning and growing as a rider and improve my feel and connection. Growing up riding western without any contact, getting that connection has been my holy grail. *Q. Where do you keep your horse(s)?* Menlo Circus Club, Menlo Park, CA *Q. Do you train with anyone? If yes, who?* Not currently since we’re working ourselves back into fitness. Before that, I got some great assistance from Wendy Subotich of Breakwell Stables – she taught me what inside leg to outside hand should feel like, as well as collection. *Q. Do you show?* I haven’t yet this year, but may consider some dressage shows in the fall if he’s up to it. As much as he loves it, I don’t think I’ll be eventing him any more. *Q. What is your regular "day job"?* Analyst Relations in the Marketing Department of a software company. *Q. How do you fit riding into your schedule?* Riding is my schedule, everything else revolves around it! *Q. Is your husband/partner/family supportive of your riding?* Riding is my schedule, which could be why I’m on my own. *Q. Outside of riding, what other hobbies or sports do you enjoy?* Riding is my schedule….(repetitive huh?)…but I love watching football.